Page 38 of Shy Santa

“What’s up?” Hefting the tree up the front steps, I paused in front of Ace.

She bit her lip and wrung her hands. When she looked up, her gorgeous hazel eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

I set the tree down and propped it against the porch rail. “Come here.” I pulled her into a hug. “I know you were scared, but I’m super proud of you. And I know your mom was looking down, watching out for both of us. She was the best at keeping to the shadows. She would have been so proud to see you take stock and get Addy out of there.”

One last squeeze, I kissed the top of her head and released her. “Now enough mush. Let’s get this tree inside and make some hot cocoa and watch a movie. We can do decorations another night.”

Ace held the door open while I carried the tree in. Addy helped to get the tree in the stand while Ace tightened the bolts securing it.

“Looks good. Ace, why don’t you go take a shower and get ready for bed while Addy and I get the cocoa and movie ready.”

With a smile on her face, she took off running up the stairs. Doors slammed, following her progress.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of me yelling at you.” Addy groused; her arms crossed over her chest. “You could’ve been hurt.”

Closing the distance between us, I cupped her face. “I was safe. I knew what I was doing. My only worry was keeping you and Ace safe and that no one else was in the area should the gun go off.”

What none of us knew till it was all over, the gun Sutton waved around was emptied after that first shot. He didn’t even know it from what one officer said.

“Bear. You are not Superman or some vigilante superhero.” She grabbed my wrists and squeezed in emphasis. “You could have been shot and killed. It doesn’t matter that Sutton was too stupid to load the gun. What happens next time you have a gun pointed at you? Do you take the risk of orphaning Alice-Grace?” A tear slipped out of her eye and trickled down her cheek.

“Addy, I was in a specialized unit. We ran combat search and rescue all over the globe. It’s how I met Ace’s mom. She was in a unit my team worked with occasionally.” I leaned my forehead against hers. “When I tell you I know what to do in those situations, I’m not bullshitting you.”

She closed her eyes and leaned into me. “I was so scared.”

I wrapped my arms around her. Holding her tight. “I know, honey. I know. And it’s okay.” I kissed the tip of her nose, then tilted her face up and waited for her to open her eyes. “But something we’ll do going forward, is teach you situational awareness and how to handle yourself. Dianna started that with Ace when she was little. I want both my girls to be safe, and the first step is being aware and knowing some basics.”

I leaned down again and kissed her. I kissed her the way I wanted to in the car and back at the tree farm. My lips lock with hers and I glided my tongue across the seam of hers. When her lips parted, I dived in. Tilting our heads, my tongue danced with hers. Blood rushed south and filled my aching, neglected dick.

Addy closed the gap between our bodies and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her hands untucked my shirt and slipped under it. The icy fingers had me gasping as she snickered against my lips. “We’d better stop before Alice-Grace comes back down.“

A squeak on the stairs had us both whipping around to see a flushed Ace standing on the stairs. Her eyes were enormous as she stared at us.

“Hey…” I tried for a nonchalant tone while using Addy as a shield to cover the bulge in my pants.

“I think I want to go to bed, Dad. I’m tired.” She fakes a yawn and stretches. “I’ll grab a bottle of water and put myself to bed. Don’t worry about having the volume up on the TV. I’ll shut my door.” She rushed down the stairs and to the kitchen.

Addy and I stood there, watching her back. The corner of my lips tugged into a smile. The desire to laugh and dissolve into a pile of mortification fought for dominance. “I think my daughter is pushing for us to have some time alone.” I wiped a hand over my face. I hadn’t been this weirded out since Gran walked into my bedroom and caught me looking at dirty magazines.With my cock in hand.

Spinning around, Addy swatted my chest with a giggle. “I can’t believe she caught us making out.”

“Eh… it was bound to happen. Just didn’t think it would’ve been tonight.” Turning her so her back was to my chest, I wrapped my arms around her and laid my chin on the top of her head.

“Good-night Addy, night Daddy!” Ace hurried from the kitchen, hugged us and then ran up the stairs. The slam of her door echoed in the house's quiet.

“I should head home.” Addy patted my arm.

“Or you should change your clothes and pick out a movie for you and I to watch.” I hugged her tighter, not wanting to let her go. Not after the scare of one of us getting shot. “Stay tonight. With me.” I added, nudging the hair off her shoulder and kissing her neck.

A low moan rumbled up her throat. “Bear…” She turned and pulled away. “What are we doing?”

My arms fell to my sides. Did I read her wrong? Did she not like being here with me or around me?

Shit, I couldn’t screw this up for Ace.

CHAPTER22

Addy

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