Page 33 of Milo
I cup his cheeks, pulling him into another kiss. And another. Needing to drown in the needy little whimpers I draw from him.
Rory fakes a couple of coughs, making Milo laugh.
“Sorry, got away with it,” Milo says. His cheeks are so pink, but I don’t know if it’s because of the heat of our kisses or the chill of the air.
We get squared away with the tree at the farm and the ride back to the apartment is cozy, even with Rory chatting from the back. He helps us get the tree inside and up.
Milo plays Christmas music and Rory helps me grab the ornaments from my apartment. The three of us decorate the tree. I don’t want to say I wish Rory would leave, but I wish I had Milo all to myself.
“You’re pretty good at this,” Rory says, looking over the tree. “You should come over tomorrow night and we can decorate our tree, too. What do you say?”
“Yeah!” Milo says, and he looks to me. I can’t deny him anything.
“Absolutely, we’ll be there. With bells on.” Which means we’ll have to go buy bells because there’s no way Milo is letting me not wear bells now that I’ve said it.
Chapter 13
Milo
Ben standsbehind the register reading before we open up. My stomach twists because I want to ask him something, and I hope he doesn’t think I’m selfish or anything.
“I can feel you staring at me, Milo. What can I help you with?” Ben closes his book and gives me a grin.
“It’s a weird question, okay?”
“Shoot. I like weird.”
“You know I’m bringing Clay to Christmas dinner, but I was wondering if I could bring his sister and niece too? It’s just the two of them this year and me and Clay were planning on going over to their place afterwards, but?—”
Ben clamps a hand on my shoulder. “The more the merrier, kiddo.”
“I think Emily will get along with the other kids. She’s only five, but I think the others will take her in. I plan on Clay being in my life and that means Callie and Emily and I hate the idea of them being alone when we’re?—”
“We’d love to have them, Milo.” Ben he squeezes my shoulder. “They’re family now. We’re adopting them too. All of them.”
“Thank you!” I hug him tight. He never lets go first, none of the Doyles do. It’s like they and Clay know I need all the hug they can give me in the moment.
“Anytime, kiddo. Anytime.”
Chapter 14
Clay
“And you’resure we’re invited?” Callie asks.
“Absolutely,” Milo says at the same time as I say, “Positive.”
I grab the gift basket Callie insisted on bringing as a hostess gift. It’s got a nice bottle of white wine and gingerbread cookies.
“Will there be other kids?” Emily asks as Callie bundles her in her winter coat. “Or will I be the only one?”
Milo taps his temple and acts like he’s thinking. “There will be other kids there, but you’ll be the youngest, I think. I’ll introduce you to all of them. I think you’ll like Shannon.” He holds out his hand and the pair walk out the door together.
Callie stops me before I can follow them. “I know you won’t.” She brushes my shoulders. “But don’t break that sweet man’s heart. He’s nothing like your ex and you deserve to be happy. He—” She tips her head towards him. “Makes youso fuckinghappy.”
“He really does.” I grin after my man and niece. He has her laughing.
I take Callie’s hand and squeeze. “I want you to find a partner that looks at you like…” I turn to Milo and it’s like we’re each other’s suns and he beams at me.
