Page 79 of Unexpectedly Falling
Straightening, but not moving away, I give him a watery smile. “Then let’s go eat before it’s cold.”
“After you.”
36
NESSA
Jensen insisted on getting up with Remi in the early morning hours, the guilt still evident at missing his daughter’s first ‘actual’ Christmas even though we had dinner together at the station.
Luckily for him, I have another surprise up my sleeve, and hopefully with a little help, I’ll be able to pull it off.
Sneaking out of the room, I grab the sweatshirt I left on the couch and throw my hair into a bun as I pull up a playlist and start the coffee pot. Bing Crosby’s voice is low and comforting as he sings a popular carol, and even though it’s the day after the official holiday, I’m practically vibrating with anticipation.
With bacon in the oven on a sheet pan, I make quick work of Christmas tree and Santa pancakes, festively colored red and green.
“Mornin’,” Jensen says sleepily, looking deliciously rumpled in a white T-shirt and red sleep pants with little reindeer printed on them. They match mine and the sleeper I put Remi in last night even though it was too dark for Jensen to really notice when he was up with her.
“Merry ChristmasEve,Sheriff,” I beam, handing him a steaming cup of coffee before placing a sweet kiss on his lips.
“What?”
“It isofficiallyChristmas Eve. Nice jammies, by the way,” I say, looking pointedly at his pants before lightly bumping his hip with mine.
“I was so tired I didn’t even see what I grabbed.” He chuckles and I wink.
“I was counting on that.”
“You’re awfully…spirited…this morning.”
“Well,” I say with a flourish as I drop a plate in front of him stacked high with everything, “I have good reason to be!”
“It’s too early for this level of enthusiasm.” He stares at my plate piled equally as high, a single eyebrow raised in question.
“What?” I dump a healthy amount of maple syrup over my pancakes and shove a forkful in my mouth. “Calories don’t count on Christmas,” I mumble around the bite.
Jensen’s lips twitch, the corner of his eyes crinkling with amusement, and it makes my heart soar.
And I’m not even mad. All rules on feelings and boundaries are suspended today and probably tomorrow. He deserves every ounce of magic I can conjure up, and if that’s wearing matching pajamas, eating Santa pancakes, and organizing a friends potluck dinner, then so be it.
“Why are you grinning like that?” he asks, narrowing his gaze and studying the goofy smile on my face.
Turning the syrup bottle and speed reading the label, I say, “I just really love this Maple For You syrup is all.”
“There’s still time for Santa to put you on the naughty list,” he says, the words a promise instead of a threat, causing a little chill to run down my spine.
“I—” Remi’s sweet little sounds fill the kitchen as she stirs, fussing almost as soon as her eyes open these days.
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Jensen stands from his seat before standing before me and taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes bore into mine for a beat before he’s kissing me, unhurried but possessive, his tongue exploring and claiming with each stroke.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” he whispers against my lips before backing up and heading down the hall while I stand dazed at the counter, my fork dangling from my fingertips.
I’ve never in my life been kissed like Jensen Kade kisses me. Even the sweet ones are claiming and full of promise and the kind of fire that has my panties soaked in a matter of seconds.
“Good morning, sweet girl. How’s my baby this morning?” His husky voice rattles through the speaker, followed by her answering coos. I don’t have a lot—or any—real experience with babies, but it’s been truly incredible watching Remi hit so many milestones already.
“Aww, look!” I say with faux surprise but very real enthusiasm. “You match!” His lips quirk up as he looks down at Remi.
“She’s not very funny, you know.”
