Page 10 of Longing for More
I was definitively reporting his sorry ass.
“Try me.”
I watched as the clock struck 2200 hours. Looking around, I noticed all the children truly had left the gymnasium now, and yet another stinging sensation struck me all over again at the empty sight. “It’s a very adult thing, Mr. Santa.”
“Yes, well, that does happen when pretty adults choose to sit in my lap.”
I snorted. “Stay in your lane.”
“Tell me what you want for Christmas.”
A sigh escaped me. I may as well say the complete and utter truth to someone else tonight, if I had already told Natalie. I just hoped it didn’t come back to bite me in the ass later. “I want to have a baby with my boyfriend, but that won’t happen. So, I just wish I could have a baby. Regardless of what I’d have to do to get one. Are you happy now?”
The deepest, most satisfied and mocking laugh hit me all at once.
It made goosebumps crawl throughout my skin.
I knew that laugh.
That laugh made me cream my panties, both in person and over-call before. That was…
What thefuck?
I tried to twist to face the man, but his grip on my waist tightened, forcing me still, before he used his other hand to point at the camera. “Time for our picture, angel.”
That nickname.
There was no fucking way.
I forced a smile to my face as the camera flashed. Looking back toward Natalie, I noticed tears were down her face now. The dripping mascara only confirmed what I had realized in the last thirty-five seconds.
I was surprised I hadn’t started crying myself the second I saw Natalie’s own tears.
She never cried like that.
“Ryder?” I asked, scared to even turn around now.
He hummed again, finally speaking normally. “I’m home baby. And…I know how we’re going to make your Christmas wish come true. Do you trust me?”
FIVE
RYDER
I pushedAspen against the door of our small cottage home, forcing it closed with a swift click, and brought my mouth down on hers without a second thought. Her lips were soft against mine—exactly as I remembered them. I could barely get enough of her.
The girl was lucky I hadn’t taken her right on the side of my black truck, regardless of the cold weather.
So was Lucas, for that matter, who drove us home—sparing anxiety-filled gazes my way every now and then.
Her taste. Her scent. Her wavy locks that made her look messy, yet wild all the time.
Her touch that always sent goosebumps over my skin.
Once she had figured out I was the mysterious, groping Santa, tears had immediately filled her hazel eyes, and I was thankful that the only people in the gymnasium were adults and active personnel. I almost got attacked in a frenzy of affection. The bear hug I had received moments later, with her arms tightly wrapped around my shoulders, was more than worth the anticipation of seeing her again. The build-up from those dumb two days.
I had missed my fucking girl.
From the kitchen, I heard Lucas clearing his throat, and I smirked as I finally parted from the angel in front of me. The angel that had no idea about the plans I had for us tonight, nor how Lucas wouldn’t be sleeping on the couch.