Page 32 of The Santa Rules
CHAPTER 11
BELLA
I’d planned to take Hardy caroling for the next item on our checklist, but when he mentioned exploring kinks, I knew I had just the thing.
He shows up at my place the day after Black Friday with an arm full of grocery bags.
“Ooh, a man who follows directions and shows up with treats. Yes, please.”
He chuckles as I take the bags from his arms and start laying out the snacks. “You’ve been doing so much. I wanted to contribute. What’s the plan?”
I hand him a bag full of tissue paper. “Open it.”
He looks at me confused, but I brush it off, moving around my small kitchen to make us hot chocolates.
“Just consider it an early Christmas gift.”
Like a clown pulling on handkerchiefs, he removes dozens of tissues before getting to the box at the bottom of the bag, pulling out the portable projector with a list of movies taped to it. “What’s this?”
“That is for you and Avery. All you need is a white sheet or wall, and you can set up the projector and have a holidaymovie night. I made a list of some of Isaac’s favorites when he was her age.”
“This is…” he trails off and swallows thickly. “I can’t accept this.”
“It’s fine. I found it on a lightning deal online.”
“At least let me pay you for it.”
“You got snacks. We can call it even.” I cross my arms, making it clear I’m not backing down.
“Thank you,” he relents.
“You’re welcome. When I asked the class what their favorite holiday movie was earlier this week, Avery didn’t have an answer. I wasn’t sure if you all used to watch any with her, but you two are embarking on this journey together and you get to make new Christmas traditions.”
“I may need help setting this up. Do you think Isaac would do it? He’s a lot handier at this tech stuff than I am.”
“Sure, I don’t think he’d mind. He’s at a friend’s, though,” I say, placing a hand on his forearm. “But tonight, you and I are having an adult movie night.”
“We’re watching porn?”
I burst out laughing. “Oh shit, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant grown-up, kid-free, not porn. Why, is that a kink of yours too?” I ask curiously.
He walks to the couch, taking a seat as he threads his arms behind his head, making me squirm with how long he’s taking to answer me. “I’m open to exploring our options.”
“Well, shit, I was just gonna put onDie Hard,but this is even better.”
He looks at me confused.
“You know, cuz it’s a Christmas movie for grown-ups that you wouldn’t watch around kids.”
Then he says the only thing that could kill my lady boner for him.
“Die Hardisn’t a Christmas movie.”
“You know, I was going to put it on and let it play in thebackground while you finally compare Lefty and Righty, but never mind.Not a Christmas movie?”
He tugs on his neck. “Shit, I’m fucking this up.”
My mouth snaps shut, the fight leaves my body at his words, remembering the broken man afraid of fucking up Christmas. I cross to the couch and sit next to him, setting our hot chocolate on the table. “You’re not fucking this up. You’re just wrong aboutDie Hard.”
