Page 38 of Playing Santa

I hug him in for saying the exact things I need to hear without even knowing it.

The phone rings then and my nerves jump. I kiss Jimmy on the forehead and lift him aside. He quickly scrambles to play with his new trucks as I answer the phone on the third ring, my whole body shivering with nervous energy.

“Hello,”

“You mean Merry Christmas, don’t you?” Sean’s happy voice booms and I laugh.

“You’re right, it is a Merry Christmas. Thank you, Sean. Your gifts are so special, to both Jimmy and me.”

“I’m glad, Ronnie. That means a lot to me.” He clears his throat and I hear voices in the background. “Special enough for you to grant me a special wish?”

“It depends. What kind of wish do you have in mind?” My voice deepens to a flirty tone because my mind goes to the naughty side of the wish list and I feel my face heat up, probably turning pink. I turn away from Jimmy.

“Oh, are we thinking naughty thoughts? For once I was thinking of something totally innocent.”

I laugh because I can hear the smile in his voice and because I have so much pent up sensual tension, I feel giddy.

“What is it then? What wish could you possibly have that I could grant?”

“Now that’s a loaded question if I ever heard one. Maybe I should re-think my answer.”

“Stop it,” I giggle. “Tell me what you want. I want to please you.” Oh my God. Did I just say that? It’s true and as much as I want to take it back, I can’t.

“Good to know,” he says in a decidedly aroused voice, all gravelly and low and erotically masculine. If I wasn’t turned on before, I am now and I’m ready to give him anything. God, I’m so easy.

And so not. But there’s something about him that’s good and decent, that’s worthy of me letting down my guard against.

“Come over today. Have Christmas dinner with me.”

“What about your family.” I know they’re there. I can hear them and the thought of meeting his family scares the hell out of me. Because even if Sean thinks I’m worthy of him, I sure as hell know his family won’t.

“They’re here too. But it won’t be the same without you, my girl.”

“You’re girl?”

“Okay, my woman.”

“What are you saying, Sean?” My heart is beating a hole in my chest, trying to escape.

“I’m saying I want you to be… my girlfriend. You and Jimmy are special to me if you haven’t noticed. I want to get to know you better, share my holiday with you, my family, football games, my bed.”

“In that order?” Of all things I could say, I don’t know how my spinning mind landed on that. Hearing him say the words fills my chest, gives me a heady feeling I’ve never known before.

He laughs. “Not in that order.” He pauses and I hear him breathing and moving and then the background noise disappears. “Ronnie, how do you feel about me? Honestly? Do you have any interest? I know you don’t like the fact that I have money. I’m sorry if it makes you feel inferior, but you’re not.”

“I know I’m not inferior.” And I realize it’s true. “I just have a hard time believing you would know that.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I know. It’s complicated, Sean.” I sigh, knowing it’s a lame cowardly answer. Taking a deep breath, I force myself across the line of bravery, knowing I could be committing emotional suicide. “Okay, I like you. More than like you. I adore you, Sean. Is that what you wanted to know?”

“Why?” he asks, his voice raspy and mesmerizing and I can practically feel his breath whispering in my ear, feel the heat of him near me.

“Oh God, you do such things to me. You’re so kind and generous. You’re so hot and gorgeous. And…”

“And?”

“Who doesn’t love a man who loves kids and dogs?”