Page 24 of Shy Santa

At the end of every night, I had stacks of numbers. I passed on to the dancers or other staff. I didn’t have the head space to start a relationship. Even one-night stands were out of the question with Ace in my life.

The thought of never having sex again didn’t bother me. More the reason why. While people with kids didn’t become celibate, I didn’t know how to do the dating with a kid thing. Or even how to handle hooking up with someone. It’s a little awkward to ask people to watch your kid so you could get laid.

Pulling up to the house, a car I don’t recognize sat across the street. There was a shadow in the car. I’m tempted to drive by and take photos just in case, but as I approached, the car took off.

The urge to follow warred with the exhaustion weighing me down, but I parked my car and headed inside.

Shirley said Addy was covering for her tonight. Which was fine. I was grateful to have a sitter. Another thing to do in the morning. Scan Craigslist and Facebook for an evening sitter willing to come here and not cost my whole paycheck.

The blue light of the TV lit the entry. I leaned against the doorway to the TV room.

Addy and Ace cuddled under a blanket, both out cold. I stood there a moment, taking in the sight. My heart hurt for my little girl. She wouldn’t have these moments with her mom, and neither would I. Anger gnawed at my insides over not knowing about Alice-Grace. I missed so much of her life already.

Standing straight, I tiptoed to the couch and pulled Ace into my arms. Neither stirred. I carried Ace to her room and tucked her into bed. Glad she was in my life now. After kissing her forehead, I headed back down.

The house was quiet; a slight chill to it. I needed to check with Shirley to see if they still hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at the diner. This was Ace’s first holiday without her mom, and I wanted to make it special. Me cooking was a guaranteed disaster.

Standing at the end of the couch, I watched Addy sleep for a moment. I didn’t want to wake her up, but she’d hate me in the morning if she slept on the couch. Thatthingwas more torture device than a comfortable sleeping spot.

Carefully, I sat on the edge and shook her shoulder. “Addy, hey.” She grunted and rolled over. “Addy, wake up.” I tried again, louder.

“Letmebe.” She slurred, swatting at my arm.

“Addy, it’s Bear. Wake up for a moment.” I shook her shoulder again. This time, her eye cracked open.

“What are you doing here?” She tugged the blanket to her chin.

Chuckling, I looked around the room. “This is my place. Didn’t want you waking in pain from sleeping on the couch.”

“What time is it?” She sat up, rubbing her eyes.

“Just past one. Sorry I’m so late. One of the security guys had an emergency. I covered the after-party shift for him.” I stood and stepped back out of her way.

The glow of the TV highlighted the rumpled, sweet look of her. My hands itched to tug her close and hold her. My dick kicked behind my zipper, liking the idea of rolling around in bed with her.

“Do you care if I crash here? I can’t see straight, and I don’t want to drive.” She stumbled toward the hall.

“No, that’s fine. We got the guest room. There’s a futon I can make up real quick.” I followed her to the kitchen. “Or… You could crash in my bed.” Why did those damn words pop out of my mouth?

I frowned, looking at anything but her. As much as I wanted to sleep with her and hold her all night again, I couldn’t do that with Ace in the house. I needed to set a good example of how a man should treat a woman. And random bed partners weren’t the example she needed from her father.

Addy wobbled to her purse, pulled out her phone, and shot off a text. “Don’t worry about the futon. I’ll crash in your bed. No sense making it up for a couple of hours’ sleep.” She rubbed her eyes and slid her phone back in her purse, then passed me, headed for the stairs, I assumed.

Trailing after her like a lost puppy, we went upstairs to my room. I left the bedroom door cracked open in case Ace woke in the middle of the night.

Addy walked to the bed and flopped on it. Not bothering to change her clothes or unwrap from the blanket she snuggled in.

I grabbed an old shirt from the dresser and shook her shoulder again. “Hey, don’t fall back asleep yet. Here’s a shirt you can sleep in.”

“Ung. Thanks.” She grunted and snagged the shirt.

She tossed the blanket off and sat up, stripping out of her clothes. I spun on my heel, my back to the bed. Even if I’d already seen her gloriously naked, I didn’t think it right with her mostly asleep.

When Addy stood. I pulled back the covers for her, trying to keep my eyes to myself and not on her soft, pale skin.

On my side of the bed, I stripped down to my boxers. I’d shower to wash the smell of alcohol off, but I was too tired tonight. I slid in next to Addy and she instantly rolled over and latched on to me. Snuggling in under my arm, she laid her head on my chest.

I wrapped my arm around her and stared at the ceiling. Blood rushed to my neglected cock. This was going to be a long night. I should’ve hopped in the shower and jerked one out. Maybe then I wouldn’t be stiff with no relief in sight.

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