Page 11 of A Little Christmas Jericho
"Oh, is that so?" I teased. "I'd have to be sure to put the charm on, then, won't I?"
His eyes darkened, and hegrowledat me. "Be careful boy, I might come across as a patient Daddy, but if you take the teasing too far, you might find yourself with a hot bottom. And not the good kind either."
Oh.
Oh no.
That spark of confidence I'd clawed back threatened to abandon me all over again. Surely ithadto be illegal for someone to be this perfect? This sexy… This tempting.
"Alright," I said, throwing up my hands, "before I let you drag me into any more trouble, I think you need to take me to my babies, so I can cuddle them and reassure myself that they really are okay."
Colter's grin tilted wolfish. "Trouble, huh? You think I'm the one draggingyouinto it?"
I shot him a mock glare, even though the corners of my mouth wouldn't quite quit curving. "Don't try to turn this around on me, Doctor Daddy. You know the power of your bulging biceps and beautiful beard. I bet you tempt plenty of little boys."
"I'm only interested in tempting one boy," he admitted easily, pushing off the wall he'd been leaning against and motioning toward the door. "Come on then, let's put you out of your misery. And theirs. They've been waiting for you. Pining really."
That was all it took. The anxiety that had been buzzing in my chest fizzled into pure eagerness. My stride was quick as I followed him down the hall, heart hammering.
“Just so you know,” I added as we walked, “I fully intend to smother them with kisses, sing them embarrassing songs, and make a fool of myself. And if you dare judge me—”
Colter glanced back, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Jericho, I’m already pretty sure I’ve seen you at your most flustered. Nothing you do in front of your fur family could top that text this morning.”
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “Oh my gosh, why would yousaythat out loud?!”
“Because watching you blush might be the highlight of my day,” he said smoothly, holding open the kennel room door for me.
And there they were—Murphy’s tail thumping wildly, Daisy’s anxious little whine breaking as soon as she saw me, Finch and Tofu sitting like royalty in their carriers. Relief swamped me so hard my eyes stung.
“My babies,” I breathed, crouching down as Murphy practically launched himself into my arms. Daisy hovered close, tail tucked but hopeful, while Finch and Tofu gave me twin looks of dignified reproach from their carriers.
I pressed frantic kisses into Murphy’s fur, tears burning my eyes. “I missed you so much, baby. Oh, don’t you dare look at me like that, Daisy, come here.” She crept forward, and I pressed my face against her chest. “See? I didn’t abandon you. I’m right here.”
Behind me, Colter’s voice came low, teasing, “Do you always narrate to them like this?”
“Yes,” I shot back immediately, muffled into Daisy’s fur. “Don’t judge me.”
“Not judging,” he said, and when I glanced up, his smile was softer than his words. “Honestly? It’s kind of adorable. You’re like… the most fascinating combination of sweet, bratty and cute.”
“Oh, all of that?” I tried to deflect, nuzzling Daisy’s ears while my cheeks burned.
“Well,” Colter drawled, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed, “I figure there’s even more to you than that. Probably a fair bit of sass, and even more trouble.” His eyes gleamed, and I nearly choked on my own breath at the intense, somewhat hungry look he sent my way.
I stepped away from Daisy and opened Finch's carrier, letting him step out with his usual offended dignity.
“You keep saying I’m trouble. I might have to prove you wrong… or right. You might just regret it.”
“I doubt it.” Colter crouched beside me, steady hands helping lift Tofu out like she was made of glass. “Trouble keeps life interesting.” He shot me a sidelong glance, his shoulder brushing mine. “And you look like my kind of interesting, Jericho.”
Chapter 7
The closet looked like a battlefield.
Three shirts lay rejected on the bed, two pairs of pants dangled halfway out of a drawer, and one very confused cat was currently nesting in a pile of rejected sweaters.
"This is ridiculous," I told Tofu, who blinked at me like I'd just announced I was moving us all to a different planet. "It's just a date. A very public, low-pressure date. With... Doctor Daddy."
I flopped backward onto the mattress with a groan, arms spread like I was waiting for divine intervention. "What do I even wear to impress a man who literally spends his life in scrubs and a lab coat, and still manages to look like a Hollywood star?"
