Page 11 of Hot Mess Christmas Express

Chapter Seven

Sienna smiled to herself,resting against the doorjamb of the wine room, where the post-wedding brunch was finishing up. The bride and groom were long gone, and most of the guests were in the process of saying their goodbyes to head home for the holiday. It was Christmas Eve, and she was sure they had their own family traditions waiting for them—much like she did. It seemed the event had been a success even with Kellie unable to attend, and Sienna was happy about that. Although, she couldn’t say that she was sad to see the guests leave. Well, all but one.

True to his word, Caleb had spent the rest of the night rocking her world, making up for lost time. At one point, Sienna had considered suggesting they make their way back to the inn, since the Summer Shack wasn’t actually heated, but then she had thought better of it. The only thing she wanted less than having to figure out how to sneak Caleb into her parents’ carriage house was to answer questions about why she was leaving a guest room first thing in the morning. Caleb had been more than happy to keep her warm enough through the night, though, wrapping his warm, muscular body around her so they could get a few hours of sleep.

Removing herself from said sexy-doctor cocoon this morning had been a serious test of her will.

But Caleb’s presence was required at brunch, and she knew her family would be looking for her. Based on the texts waiting on Sienna’s phone, Kellie was no longer doing her Exorcist impression but still didn’t think it was a good idea to be around guests. Sienna couldn’t fault her there. Since most of their regular staff was gone due to Christmas, this meant that their brother, Ian, would be left manning reception alone, at least until their night manager showed, a fate that Sienna wished on no one.

“You look like someone kept you up all night,” a low, husky voice said, catching her off guard. It sent a thrill down her spine, her whole body coming alive in response to all the amazingly dirty things he’d said to her last night.

“There was a rather…demanding guest,” she replied, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. “But I was able to handle it, and I am pretty sure he was satisfied at the end of our encounter.”

“More than satisfied.”

Sienna’s lady bits tingled at the deep grumble of his voice, and at those whiskey-colored eyes trained on her. Caleb leaned in just enough so she could smell his cologne, and it made her mouth water. She had no idea what that scent was, but damn, she would never forget it. The same way she would never forget last night—and the burning questions it left her with.

“So, umm,” she started, trying to figure out how exactly to broach the subject. Now that she thought about it, the post-wedding brunch was probably not the best place to have this conversation. But they were both standing here, and no one seemed to be paying attention enough to know—or care—what they were discussing. “Big Christmas plans?”

Well done, Sienna. Way to chicken out. Is it really that hard to ask him if he wants to do dinner sometime?

Caleb’s eyebrows furrowed, the smile that was on his face falling slightly as he opened his mouth to answer. But before he could get the words out, a small voice interrupted them.

“Excuse me?”

Sienna looked down to find a small boy, maybe three or four years old, looking up at them, a look of concern on his face. Sienna’s pulse kicked up a notch, her mind flying to all sorts of places of what could be wrong. Was he lost? Where were his mom and dad? Had something bad happened?

“What’s up, sweetie?” she asked him, trying to remain calm.

“What’s your favorite dinosaur?”

The question caught her off guard, and all Sienna could do in response was blink. What was her favorite dinosaur? Could she even name a dinosaur? Was that seriously his burning question?

Caleb, however, didn’t seem to be fazed at all, bending down and picking up the little guy, resting him against his hip.

“Well, if it isn’t the best little ring bearer in Georgia. Care to introduce yourself to the pretty lady here?”

“I’m Logan!”

Sienna smiled brightly, the cuteness almost too much to handle. She gave him a little wave in return, starting to introduce herself, but Caleb cut her off.

“Well, Logan, I’m not sure Miss Sloan here is well-versed in dinosaurs, but me? I’m particularly fond of pterodactyl. What’s your favorite?”

“T. Rex!” the little guy shouted, wiggling in Caleb’s arms. Sienna giggled, her insides melting at the scene. Caleb had already been the sexiest thing she’d ever laid eyes on, but watching him with a kid just pushed it over the top. If this continued much longer, she was pretty sure her ovaries might burst on the spot.

“Good choice!”

Caleb set Logan on the ground, a beautiful, genuine smile on his face. Sienna swooned again, following Logan as he ran after someone else, probably in search of another answer to the question of the day.

“A dino aficionado, are we?” she teased when the little boy was out of earshot.

“I’m a pediatric specialist. It’s very important to have a favorite dinosaur—the pterodactyl; bug—the grasshopper; superhero—The Flash; animal—lion; and princess—I'm a purist here, has to be Sleeping Beauty. You just never know when these things will come up in conversation.”

A bubble of pure joy rose within Sienna so fast, she didn’t know what hit her. The giggle that popped out must have made Caleb think that she had lost her mind, but she couldn’t help it. That was easily the cutest thing she’d ever heard. And fuck, it also turned her on.

“I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

“Because it gets you all hot and bothered?” he asked, giving her a wink.