Page 18 of Courting the Krampus
Jasper sits up again, eyes shining brightly. “Maybe before bed we can—”
I shake my head. “Not happening. You’re exhausted. You didn’t sleep much yesterday with all the research. Let’s chat in the morning.”
Jasper pouts and I squeeze his cheeks between my fingers to push his lips out even more. Mumbling through his squished mouth, he asks, “What time are you leaving for work?”
My brows rise high and my hand drops to my lap when I realize I haven’t even thought about work since Jasper and Natalie crossed my threshold. I haven’t missed a day of work in my life, but I can think of nothing worse than being stuck in front of my computer or in virtual meetings while Jasper and Natalie are at home—without me.
Not believing the words until they’re out of my mouth, I say, “I’m calling in sick tomorrow.”
***
Knock. Knock.
Who the fuck could be knocking on my door? I never get visitors, Jasper basically being the only one, and he’s currently singing in the shower.
“Can someone get the door, please?” I call, not wanting to leave my spot at the stove and risk burning our breakfast.
“I’ve got it,” Natalie answers. It’s strange how seamlessly Natalie has fit into my house. There’s an easiness between us, besides the explosive chemistry, that makes it feel like she’s been here for months.
Last night, I gave her the spare bedroom, feeling like she might need the space to acclimate to this new world she’s found herself in. I spooned Jasper through the night, letting my hand graze his cock while whispering sweet fantasies into his ear about the three of us, but not allowing him—or myself—to come.
Today, I’m spun so tight my cock has been in a constant state of arousal, and I’m sure Jasper is in the same delicious state. But we both decided to save our cum for Natalie. When she told us she wanted to see, totaste, I knew I wanted to give it all to her. I want to watch her suck me dry as Jasper paints her face with his cum.
“Um, Santa’s here,” Natalie says, her tone weary but cheerful as she steps into the kitchen.
“Morning, Cole.” I turn when I hear Nick’s rumbly voice. My spatula clatters to the floor when I see him standing there with a big pot in his mittened hands. Next to him Natalie’ eyes are nearly bugging out of her head as she surreptitiously points to Nick and mouths excitedly, “Santa.”
My brain short-circuits for a moment as the two of them look like opposite sides of a coin. Natalie is so sexy in her new tight black shirt and leggings, and Nick is wearing the funniest red sweater with literal blinking Christmas lights adorning a tree—probably sent as a gift from a human who doesn’t even know that Santa is real.
Quickly picking the spatula up again, I can’t hide the surprise from my voice as I greet my half brother. “Hey. What you doing here?”
The bear of a male’s eyebrows furrow as he explains hesitantly, “You called in sick. You’re never sick. So I brought you some chicken soup.”
“Fuck.” The word is a little more than an exhale. I didn’t see his concern coming.
Nick looks around the kitchen, pausing on the stack of pancakes already cooked before back at me. “But, perhaps you’re not sick?”
My heart nearly sinks to the soles of my feet. “Um… No.”
“Morning,” Jasper singsongs as he practically bounces into the kitchen. “Oh.” He pauses and his eyes flick between me and Nick, then Natalie, before going back to Nick again. “Morning, Nick. Wasn’t expecting you,” he says brightly, ignoring the awkwardness in the room.
“Yeah. I’ll just go. Sorry for interrupting you guys. Here’s the soup. You can warm it on the stove and—”
“Nick. Sorry, I can explain. Please stay. Join us for breakfast.”
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude.”
“No, really. There’s more than enough. Plus soup. Have a seat,” I insist, feeling guilty for having lied to him about being sick, and owing him an explanation at least.
“Come on, Santa. I’m guessing you don’t have breakfast with a krampus, a human, and your half brother every day,” Natalie cajoles, sweeping a hand through the air to take us all in.
“And what do you know, there are enough seats. Take this one.” Jasper pulls out the chair closest to Nick and gives him a look that instantly has him putting down the pot before carefully lowering his large frame onto the wooden chair.
“Oh, thank you,” Nick says nervously but with genuine appreciation shining in his eyes. I’ve been so caught up in my own life that I haven’t really considered if Nick might be lonely for company too.
Jasper’s grin is the only warning we get that he’s about to say something he shouldn’t. “Don’t worry about the chair taking your weight. I’ve sat right there on Cole’s lap plenty of times, rocked back and forth on it too, and it’s not given out yet.”
Twin patches of color stain the visible part of Nick’s cheeks as he looks down at the chair, then back at me with an uncomfortable grimace. “Thank you for that… information. Glad to know the chairs are sturdy.”
