Page 27 of The Christmas Cover Rule
“I might have to get myself a pair of those.”
I look at him and he smiles as he adds, “You know, for the vibe and all.”
“You weren’t a fuzzy sock family?”
He rubs the back of his neck, and I know I’ve unintentionally hit an uncomfortable subject for him. “I’m sorry, Jonas,” I start, but he’s already shaking his head.
“My parents always tried to make sure they were home for Christmas, but by no means did we have your perfect movie Christmas. They’re good people, they just let work take priority in their lives.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal, but I’ve never met anyone more confident or sure with themselves than Jonas, so I know, based on his body language alone, that it probably means more to him than he wants to admit.
“Anyway, our traditions now are simple. My mom will probably send a GIF. Not the present kind, the text kind. She likes those glittery trees with Merry Christmas sparkling over top of it.” His fingers wiggle for effect, but my heart aches for the boy who never got the Christmas of his dreams.
I bend over and rest my head on his lap, hoping to providesome comfort, the same way he has done for me this week. I don’t know if he’s aware of how, every time we’re at dinner, he puts his hand on my thigh, grounding me, but when his fingers begin to stroke through my hair, I think it’s his way of grounding himself. The movie starts, and I think snuggled up with Jonas, in my fuzzy socks, is my new favorite Christmas activity.
Even without the snow.
CHAPTER 15
jonas
My eyes flutter, and I smell the sweet scent of coconut before I see her.
Soft waves of Stella’s inky hair flow over my arm as she stirs beside me, and her little grunts stir my cock.
“What time is it?”
I pick up my phone, ignoring the four missed calls and three unanswered texts from my boss. “Seven-fifteen,” I reply, dropping my head back down on the bed.
“Oh no,” she groans. “I’m going to be up all night now.” She rolls over, using my chest to push herself up and look around the dark room.
“Who cares. It was totally worth it. That late lunch with your family may have been the best meal I’ve ever had.”
“Who cares?!” She hovers over me, and the visual is enough to get me to keep my eyes open now. “It’s Noche Buena! Of all the nights to go to bed early, it’s tonight!”
I smile at her and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes dip to mine, and I let my gaze linger, savoring the quiet between us. After every stolen glance, every lingering touch, every almost kiss, I’m ready to claim her.
My hand trails down the side of her neck, and when something between a quiet moan and a sigh escapes her parted lips, I feel iteverywhere.
Her body vibrates, and she’s shifted so the weight of her falls on me, and I grip her hips.
“Stell.” At the sound of my voice, her eyes snap back to mine, and then she blinks, pulling herself back and off the end of the bed.
“Get dressed.” She clears her throat. “We need to go for a walk.”
Getting dressedand going for a walk along the beach was the exact opposite of what I was trying to do. But here we are. Just past sunset. Walking on the beach. Fully clothed.
“Look!” Stella grips my bicep, pointing an arm across me, but I’m distracted by her beaming smile. “The wedding reception is finally happening!”
Holy shit.Work has been on the back burner of my mind for days, but it’s at least always been there. Tonight, of all nights, when it might be my only opportunity, is when it should have been most prevalent in my mind, and yet, I completely forgot.
With Miles on my ass and time running out, I know for certain this is my last shot.
“Let’s go take a peek now.” I start heading down the path, but Stella comes running in front of me, holding out two hands to match her wide eyes.
“Uhh, aren’t you like a prestigious member of The California State Bar?”
“Sure am.” I smile, grab hold of one of her hands, and pull her behind me as I continue walking.
“Wait,” she whisper-shouts now that we’re just on the edge of the reception. “Jonas! We can’t do this.”
