Page 6 of A Constant Christmas
“That bitch just tried to stop me from coming in here,” Tess points toward the door.
“She’s doing her job. That’s what she’s supposed to do. You would have known far before now if you ever bothered to stop by before,” I quip.
She walks over and sits down in my chair behind the large desk.
“Please, Tess. Make yourself at home.”
Without a second thought, she leans back and throws her feet up on the edge of the desk. “Stop being snarky. I just got done having lunch with your wife.”
“And?” I say anxiously.
“And she’s too good for you.”
“Well, I could have told you that. She’s always been in a league all her own. But get down to the juicy details.”
“I’m not giving you specifics of our conversation,” she says while popping a piece of gum in her mouth.
“What the fuck, Tess? Then, why did you agree to help me?”
“Baby brother, I am saying I am not going to give you the intimate details of things she told me, but I am going to tell you what I think you should do.”
“Wow, Tess Wendell-Rockford is willing to offer up some unsolicited advice? No way!” My excited tone drips with sarcasm.
“Do you want my help or not?” She asks while folding her hands in her lap.
Sighing, I know she’s right. I’m going to cave eventually and ask her what she thinks.
“Okay, I’m listening,” I say, refusing to apologize.
She drops her feet on the floor and leans forward on my desk. “Okay, here’s the deal. Your wife is tired. All day long she spends every second doing things for everyone else. She never does anything for herself, and I think somewhere along the line, she’s lost part of what makes her so special.”
Most of what she is saying I already know, so I motion for her to get on with the advice part.
“You need to take some time for the two of you. Just the two of you. Get the fuck out of Brooklyn. Go somewhere and relax for a little while. Remind her she’s beautiful. Fuck her brains out. And remind her of the woman who still lives inside her. Make this a Christmas she won’t ever forget.”
“All of that sounds amazing, Tess, but we have three kids. Us just up and heading off for a getaway isn’t exactly that easy.”
A slight twinkle crosses her eyes. “I think I can help with that too.”
Chapter Six
Sam
“Hey, beautiful,” Tyler says with a grin as he walks into the kitchen.
I’ve just finished making the kids some grilled cheese and soup for lunch. The girls are home from school since we are only a little over a week away from Christmas, and I’d almost forgotten how exhausting all three of them can be all day. Having them home reminds me of how awesome teachers are. I don’t know that I could teach my daughters 180 days a year without killing them…and I’m the one who birthed them.
“Hey, baby,” I greet him as he walks over and kisses me. “You’re home early.”
Without answering me, he grabs my face in his hands bringing my lips to his once more. This time, his kiss isn’t just a brush against my mouth. It’s full-on heat and passion as his tongue slowly dips between my lips. Holy hell, I forgot how well this man can kiss.
“Ewwwwww,” I hear from the girls who are getting an eyeful.
When he pulls back, I’m breathless. I can’t remember the last time I felt that spark of electricity between us.
He smiles. “Yes, I am home early. And not only that, but I have taken the next month off of work.”
“What?” I ask. “How can you take a whole month off?”