Page 113 of The Casanova Complex

“You two are ridiculous,” I say with an eye roll.

Of course, Dad had to work tonight. I really hate that he’s stuck working in the plant on Christmas Eve, especially when I know how much he wants to be home with us. But he gets tomorrow off, so it was worth the sacrifice.

Nights like tonight, even more so than normal, I’m thankful that Elliott and I have each other.

And this year… we have Bennett.

He’s spending tonight with us before his family gets here. I think he said his parents and sister are on a red-eye.

So far, we’ve spent Christmas Eve having a deliciously healthy, well-balanced dinner from Taco Bell.

Not very Christmassy, but Elliott suggested it, and who am I to turn down tacos, even on Christmas Eve?

We’ve been decorating sugar cookies before our Christmas movie marathon, and of course, I snuck in Krampus because I take it as my personal responsibility now to try and mess with Bennett as often as I can. Hey, this is exactly what he signed up for. He knew what he was getting into.

And even though tonight has been slightly unconventional and random, it’s been so much fun.

“Okay, fuck it, I give up,” Bennett says, dropping his piping bag of icing onto the table and pushing this cookie plate across the table from him with a sigh.

“Don’t give up.” I smirk. “It’s a… wonderfully done, very badass reindeer.”

Albeit a slightly phallic-shaped one, but I keep that part to myself because he’s looking a little defeated.

Bennett shrugs. “Might not look good, but it’s definitely gonna taste good.”

“I’ll take that,” Elliott says, swiping the cookie off the table and taking the head of the “badass” reindeer off in one bite. “You’de dight. Vedddddy good,” he mumbles around a mouthful. “I’m going to put the movie on.”

Once he’s disappeared through the doorway, Bennett looks over at me, his blue eyes bright and shining with playfulness.

He reaches out and grabs my chair to pull me toward him until we’re as close as our chairs will allow. Leaning forward, he captures my lips in a sweet kiss before he murmurs softly, “Merry Christmas, baby.”

I bite the inside of my lip and lift my brow. “Is it Christmas? I didn’t even realize.”

He chuckles. “Smartass. I’ve been waiting to kiss you all damn night. Gimme another one before you get mad at me for bringing presents.”

I pull back.

What?

“Bennett… What happened to no presents?”

“It’s not a big deal. Just a few… small things,” he says in defense. His fingers find my chin, and he grips it, stealing another kiss. This one is slower, more savoring than the last.

My favorite kind of kisses from him.

The ones that make my stomach flip and my skin prickle with anticipation.

When he finally pulls back, I’m a tiny bit dazed. “I’ll go grab them and meet you in the living room in a few.”

Right now, I’d rather stay here and kiss him for the rest of the night, but I begrudgingly push my chair back and step past him.

I’m almost through the doorway when I hear him add, “And baby… by small, I mean in measurement!”

I’m so surprised.

Soooo surprised.

I had a feeling this is exactly how tonight would go since, after all, I know Bennett.