Page 21 of Sleigh My Name
“Mmm…” she murmurs.
“Did I just orgasm you into sleepy oblivion?” I laugh, trailing my fingers over her naked skin. “I was about to grab a pint of ice cream and eat it off you.”
Her sleepy grin deepens. “Hungry much?”
“Starved for you, woman.” I tuck her closer to me.
“You have a way of curling up inside my heart, Liam Evans. You always have.” She sighs, a contented smile gracing her serene face.
“Consider my talent unlocking your heart, then.” I snuggle her closer. I love her so much that it scares me, but being without her again would end my world in a fiery blaze. “Weren’t we supposed to get you fed?”
“I’m satisfied.”
Lifting my precious cargo, I carry her back to bed and wrap myself around her. I close my eyes and finally succumb to a full night’s sleep with my woman in my arms.
CHAPTER 10
Charley—Two Weeks Later
“It’s Christmas tomorrow!”Penny shrieks, jumping up and down on the bed.
I love seeing how happy she is here. She can finally be a kid, with no worries, laughing and living. My heart expands, knowing that it’s all because of Liam.
“I can’t wait to see what Santa brought!” Penny bounces herself into a sitting position.
I grab her in a giant bear hug. “I love you, kiddo,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
Penny gazes up at me, smiling sweetly.
“You know I would do anything for you, right? It’s you and me forever, Penny.” I pause for a moment as we cuddle into the plush pillows. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Uh-oh.” Penny looks at me with wide, curious eyes, tensing in my arms. “Whenever you say you need to talk to me, it’s never good. We’re not leaving, are we?”
A sharp pain blooms in my chest. How many times have I done this to her? Made her worry? Uprooted her and turned her upside down?
“No, we aren’t leaving. I just wanted to check in. Make sure you’re happy.”
“I am,” Penny replies, tipping her head back to look at me. “It’s amazing here. The school is fun. My teacher is so nice and pretty. It’s the first time I’ve had friends.”
I smile at her excitement. “Well, we aren’t going anywhere. This is our new home. Our forever home.”
Penny flings her small arms around my neck and squeezes tightly. “That’s the best news ever!” she squeals. “I don’t even need a Christmas present. Nothing can top this.”
“I’m sure Santa will bring you a little something.” I shift on the bed as Penny cuddles into the crook of my arm, something she’s done many times, sometimes for warmth or safety, but mostly because Penny and I are tethered in love and family. We know that no matter how hard life gets, the one constant is each other.
I kiss the top of her head. “Let’s get some sleep, bug. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“Night, Charley. I love you,” Penny says sweetly before her eyes close and she fades to sleep.
I wakeup on Christmas morning, expecting to see Penny beside me, sleeping or sitting on the side of the bed, waiting excitedly.
Instead, I wake up to Liam staring at me with a goofy, lopsided grin. He looks just like he did years ago when he was plotting something.
He kisses me softly. “Mornin’, beautiful.”
I move away, self-conscious about my morning breath. “Morning, yourself,” I mutter, running to the adjoining bathroom to frantically brush my teeth.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment and something I can’t quite name as he joins me. His intense gaze is both unnerving and sweet. “You don’t need to watch me prep,” I say coyly as he joins me.
