Page 28 of A Little Christmas Jericho
The praise made the tension on my shoulders roll off, and the tight, anxious knot in my stomach unclenched.
Colter leaned in and kissed me softly. "Now," he said against my lips. "How about we take the dogs for a walk so they can get to know the neighborhood, and then come back here, and make out under the mistletoe I installed over the couch?"
A light giggle slipped free before I got up from my seat and moved to Colter's side of the table so I could sit down right on his lap.
"That sounds like the best idea. But can we figure out something to eat in there, too?"
Colter chuckled. "Only if you agree to eat some veggies."
I blew out a fake exasperated breath before kissing the tip of Colter's nose. "The things I have to do to keep my Daddy happy," I muttered before rolling my eyes.
Colter's only response was to laugh before pushing me up so we could take my puppies on a walk.
Chapter 17
The walk did exactly what Colter said it would. By the time we got back, the cold air had cleared my head and the dogs were blissed out and panting, tails wagging as they flopped onto the rug by the fire. Finch had claimed the back of the couch, tail flicking lazily while Tofu perched on the armrest.
Colter toed off his boots and reached for my coat, hanging it up beside his. "Come here," he murmured, guiding me toward the kitchen. "Let's get you fed, before my little boy dies of starvation."
I laughed softly but didn't argue. Sitting on a stool while he cooked this time felt different. The last time I was here I felt a bit on edge, but tonight I felt... calmer. I watched him as he moved around the room with confidence. His sleeves were rolled up, giving me plenty of sexy skin to ogle, as he hummed under his breath while he worked.
"Looks good," I said quietly, chin propped on my hand.
"It'll taste good too, even if it has veggies in it," he replied without looking up, the warmth in his tone making me smilewider. "Now drink up that glass of water, so I know you're hydrated properly after our walk."
"Yes, Daddy," I said before I could stop myself.
His knife paused when he looked up, a small smile spreading across his face. "Good boy," he praised, causing my cheeks to heat up, so I rushed to follow his order, bringing the glass of iced water to my lips, swallowing it all down.
The rest of dinner went by in a blur. He teased me about my veggies again, but this time I ate them without putting up a fight. It had a little to do with wanting to please him again, but mostly I just didn't have any fight in me.
After dinner, Colter herded me toward the couch with a pointed look. "Now you go sit, pick something to watch. I'll join you as soon as I'm finished cleaning up the kitchen."
"I can—"
He raised a brow, and I stopped mid-sentence.
"Right. Sit down, pick something to watch. Sir, yes, sir."
Instead of domming me, or reprimanding me for my sass, he smiled. "That's my boy."
I quickly settled on the couch, eyeing the mistletoe he'd told me about before grabbing the remote for the TV. I'd finally settled on a rerun of one of my favourite cartoons by the time Colter sat down next to me. He tugged me close, until I was tucked under his arm, head against his chest. I kept my eyes glued to the screen in front of me as Colter slowly stroked up and down my arm. Soon my body grew heavy against him, my brain going all hazy and slow.
"Getting sleepy, baby?" he asked, fingers tracing lazy circles on my arm.
I hummed.
"Then, maybe it's time for us to get you in a bath so we can head to bed." His voice was so calm, so certain, that it didn't evencross my mind to argue with him. I just nodded against his chest, feeling too soft and sleepy to do anything else.
Daddy's hand slid down my arm, giving it a light squeeze before he stood. "Come on, little one. Let's get you cleaned up."
I followed him down the hall, rubbing at my eyes trying to wake myself up enough so I could be more present for what was going to happen next, but it was pointless.
I'd finally settled into little Jericho, and he wasn't ready to let go of his special time with his Daddy.
The bathroom light was soft and warm when he switched it on. Soon steam curled up as he started filling the tub. I stood there, right next to him, as he tested the water before adding a generous squeeze of bubble bath. The scent of vanilla and citrus filled the room.
When the first mountain of bubbles formed, he reached into a small basked under the sink and pulled out a handful of bright plastic shapes. Dinosaurs. Little ones in ridiculous colours.
