Page 60 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“I’d love to,” he answered without hesitation.
“And it will probably be pizza.”
“I love American pizza.”
“On paper plates.”
“If you’re trying to talk me out of it, you’re failing miserably. Can we also wear pajamas?”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time. I love a pajama pizza party.”
“Are you up for it tonight? Or should you rest?”
“I think I can rest while having pizza. Even with you there.”
“Brilliant. It’s a date.”
“All right. A date.” I looked him up and down. “Do you own pajamas?”
“No, I sleep naked.”
I laughed.
“Can I find them at the… what was it?” he asked. “Farm store?”
“Knowing them, they probably have some. But you could try a few other places.”
“Easy enough. I’ll be properly attired. And I’ll pick up the pizza.”
I smiled. “Thank you. Now turn around so I can change.”
He put his back to me, and to his credit, he didn’t peek—not even to tease me. Bending over hurt, and when he knelt to help me with my shoes, I almost swooned to the floor. He looked upat me with that sexy grin, making my cheeks flush and my spine tingle.
That man. I didn’t know what he was doing to me or what it all meant. But whatever was happening between us, wherever it was going to lead, I was powerless to stop it.
CHAPTER 16
Natalie
Jensen and I picked up Annabel from school, and she was oddly lacking in questions as to why our Airbnb guest was driving. I waited outside his car so she’d see me, and when she climbed in the back seat and sat in the extra booster seat we’d picked up at home, she simply said hi and launched into a story about the puppy book her teacher had read.
He took us home, and although he planned to leave again—after all, he needed pajamas—he insisted on walking us in. He closed the front door behind us as Annabel dumped her things in the entry and ran straight for the kitchen. I didn’t have the energy to worry about her mess, so I stepped over her discarded backpack and shoes.
She’d already removed the day’s link in her Christmas chain, but she counted them again, finishing with a twirl.
“Getting closer,” I said.
“Can I have a snack?” she asked.
“Something you can get yourself, okay? Auntie Natalie is tired.”
She grabbed a string cheese out of the fridge and brought it over to Jensen. With a curious glance at me, he took it and opened it for her.
“Thank you,” she said, then marched into the living room.
“She’s awfully excited about that,” Jensen said, gesturing to Annabel’s Christmas countdown.
“Oh yeah. She can’t wait for Christmas.”
