by Brynn Paulin
“Why not?” I growled, and felt her shiver in response. I knew it wasn’t from fear. December could take me to my knees if she wanted to, though I wasn’t sure she knew that.
“Rules. And I like my job.”
“Your job is not in danger.” I kissed along her neck, enjoying the light lemony scent of her perfume.
“But the no frat policy,” she gasped out. Her hands were clenched on my forearms, not pushing, just holding on tight.
“We’ll figure it out.”
“But…”
“What’s the point of being the boss, if you can’t adjust the rules? Do you want me?” I moved slightly, pressing into her a bit more for emphasis. She groaned.
“Nixon…”
“Do you?”
“Yes, but—”
I spun her around. “No buts. No one else matters.”
My mouth was on hers, reclaiming the interrupted kiss from last night. Her lips were the sweetest nectar and I was a bee looking to suck it all up. December immediately opened for me, just as I’d hoped she would. Her arms went around my shoulders. Now it was my turn to groan at the feel of her lithe little body pressed to mine.
The sound seemed to startle her from the haze we’d created together. “Nixon…” she started.
“What time are we leaving?”
She looked at me in confusion. “I planned to leave about noon.”
“That’ll work. My bag is in my SUV. Do we need to stop at your place for your stuff, or do you have it with you?”
“My stuff?” she echoed.
“For the trip to your hometown.”
“What are you talking about?”
I cupped her face and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’m talking about me going home with you. There’s no way I’m letting my woman see Reverend Asshole by herself.”
“Your woman?” She pulled from my arms eying me, but I could see the cautious hope in her eyes. I was rushing her after months of slow burn and she wasn’t sure how to take it.
I stepped back slightly, crossing my arms, my look challenging. “Yes. My woman.”
“Are you…sure?”
“I want you.”
“I can’t just play around with you, Nix. I mean there’s work and—”
“I’m not playing; I promise you that. I’m going home with you for Christmas, that seems pretty serious to me.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I repeated, wanting clarification.
“I get that you’re not playing.”
“But do you get that you’re mine?”
“It’s fast,” she protested, though it was an unsure whisper.
“Not fast. I swear I’m going to need medical help for the condition you’ve had me in. No one should be aroused this long.”
The rosy color flooded her face again. “I can’t just jump in bed with you. I’m not like that.”
“I’ll wait however long you want.” But I hoped it wouldn’t be much longer. “Now, about your bag for the trip?”
“It’s in my car. But I guess I need to go to the store before we go.”
I wanted ask why, but stopped myself.
“I’ll head out about noon, then meet you at two?” she added.
“Just don’t leave without me.” I narrowed my eyes playfully at her. “I can get your parents’ address from your emergency contact info. I’d show up anyway.”
She squinted at me. “That seems sketchy.”
I shrugged. “Maybe, but like I said, I’m the boss so…”
“So you can bend the rules?”
“Or something—and for the record, I’ve never done that before.”
“Good.”
“I guess I should ask, will your parents mind another body there?”
She laughed and the sweet, tinkling sound wrapped around my dick like the tight clench of her dainty hand would. “Are you kidding? It’s a free for all with my family at the holidays. There will be enough people they’ll barely even notice. Although…” She eyed me. “I’m sure you will be noticed, but they just won’t mind.”
I winked. “You’re the only person I want to notice me. I liked how you looked at me last night.” She’d looked like she wanted to devour me. I would have let her too. As long as I got to feast on her, as well
“You saw that?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Crap,” she muttered.
“No, it was hot as hell. Besides, I had every intention to investigate this thing between us. That look just answered a few questions before I had to ask them.” I stepped forward and brushed the back of my fingers over her warm cheek. “Is the payroll approval done?”
She nodded.
“Then go ahead and head out. I’ll pick you up at your place at two.”
Chapter Three
~ December ~
We were running behind getting to my parents’ Christmas Eve party, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. After Nix had picked me up, he’d asked me the order of the evening—if it was free-flowing or if my Mom scheduled activities. That’s when I’d remembered the white elephant gift exchange. Since stores would be closing soon, Nix had insisted we stop right away. Two hours later, we were on the way.
Traffic coming out of Chicago had been heinous, of course, but I felt perfectly safe with Nix navigating through it. Truth be told, I was from a small town and even after dealing with the Chicago traffic for years, it still intimidated me. And I’d told him so. He’d brought my hand to his lips and pressed his lips to it, before bringing it to his thigh. “I’ll drive you anytime you need me to,” he’d offered. “Or arrange a driver, if I can’t.”
That had been almost four and a half hours. Now, my nerves were ramping up as we go closer. Being in the car with Nix had enclosed us in an intimate bubble I didn’t want to leave. We’d chatted comfortably and fallen into equally comfortable silences along the way. But we’d always been touching in one way or another. Nothing overtly sexual, just connecting. The relief inside me at being this way with him stunned me. I hadn’t realized how keyed up I’d been.
I was still worried about where we’d end up here, but Nix was right. He wouldn’t be going home with me if he wasn’t somewhat serious about a future for us. I didn’t need to tell him my dad, uncles and cousins would hunt him down if he hurt me. I’d talked about my family enough during our lunches that he knew.
“So Reverend Asshole…” Nix started when we just a few miles away.
“What about him? And he’s not clergy of any sort. I think my mom told me he’s selling cars or something.”
“Hmph,” Nix muttered. “But he’ll be there?”
“I’m assuming so. My sister is usually home for family stuff, as far as I know.” I shrugged. I haven’t been there for three years, but I’ve seen her in my mom’s Facebook pictures from Christmas.”
“You haven’t seen your family in three years?” he asked. I knew family was important to him. It was why he made sure that people took their paid vacations, guys took paid family time when their kids were born and women had full maternity leaves. He also offered a daycare assistance program and time off class parties or field trips with no backlash, as long as the person brought in documentation.
And I knew why it was so important to him. He’d grown up in foster care. To him, family was an ideal, a dream, he hadn’t had.
“I’ve seen them. My mom and dad come over a couple times a year. My mother loves the excuse to come shopping. And I facetime with them frequently. I just don’t go home.”
“You didn’t go home for your sister’s wedding, though.”
“Would you?”
“I don’t know. I might have shown up with a hot date, just to show them I was fine, thank you very much.”
“Good thought.” I didn’t like the jealous feeling that moved through me at the idea of him with a date. Before I could explore it, my parents’ house came into view. “It’s that one with the lit-up deer in the front yard and half-a-gazillion cars in the driv
e and road.”
We had to park a couple houses away, then after we grabbed the white elephant gifts, we headed in. Dread filled my belly as I thought of facing everyone again. My steps froze, and Nix had to circle back a few steps to me.
“What’s wrong? If it’s about him—”
“God, no. Nix, I never loved him. Not like… I mean, it was humiliating is all. I didn’t have forever kind of feelings for him.”
His lips curved up on one side. “Not like what?” His free hand brushed some loose strands of hair back from my face.
“I just mean I’m not in love with him.”
“Not like me,” he said as he leaned toward me.
“So fast,” I whisper-complained.
“But true.”
“Yes.” I shouldn’t have admitted it, but then his mouth was on mine, his free arm pressing me into his hard body. How had we gotten here to this perfect place I’d only imagined? His lips pressed mine apart and I lifted into him. I almost clunked him with my gift as my arms went around his neck. It didn’t stop us. Our tongues slid together and I forgot where were even were.
“December Ann Rose, stop making out in the street and get your butt in here!”
I groaned and pressed my face into Nix’s jacket. I lifted a hand to acknowledge the directive, though I didn’t look. “That’s my mom,” I groaned. “And I’ll bet at least twenty relatives are watching us from the front windows.”
Nix lifted my chin with his fingers. “Let them watch. I’m your man and they should know it,” he said before dropping a quick—but not too quick—kiss on my lips. It still made me all tingly inside, especially since we knew we had witnesses and he didn’t care. Just as hastily, he took my hand and led me toward the house.
It wasn’t until we were on the front walk that I realized he’d erased all my nerves. Tilting his head, he whispered into my ear. “I love you, too, by the way. I have for a while.”
I didn’t have a chance to reply before we were absorbed into a throng of people rushing to meet us. I’d seen my parents, but it had been at least three years since the last time I’d seen many of my other relatives. Everyone seemed to overjoyed to welcome me home, and I wondered why I hadn’t been back sooner.
“We’re about to start the white elephant,” my Aunt Char announced. “Are these your packages.
“Sure are,” Nix said, handing his over. He was so excited about doing this, since he’d never had the opportunity. It was part of why it had taken us two hours to shop. I was really glad we weren’t too late for it.
I tried to give her my package, but she was entirely focused on him.
“And who is this handsome young man?”
He held out his hand. “Nixon Jones. I’m December’s boyfriend.”
“Nix, this is my aunt, Charlotte.”
“Serious?” she asked, still ignoring me.
“Very,” Nix told her.
“Hmm,” she hummed with a speculative grin.
“Aunt Charlotte, my gift,” I prompted to get her attention off him.
“Oh, yes. Well come in and find a seat. There’s not much room left.” We followed her toward the living room, Nix hand linked with mine again. My cousin Belle was one of those who’d met us in the hallway. She walked beside me now.
“Are you home for the holidays, too?” I asked.
“Yeah, we flew in from New York this week.” She looked over her shoulder. “This is my fiancé, Decker.”
“I like how that sounds,” he said, grinning at her. “Nice to meet you, December.”
“Fiancé?” I asked.
“Yep.” She waggled a finger at me. “And you won’t even believe it. Maisie and Eli just got engaged, too.”
“Wow! Congratulations!” That meant I was the only woman in our family who was over eighteen and not engaged or married. I wasn’t surprised about Maisie though. She and Eli had been together since high school.
“Timothy, out of the chair and go play with the other kids,” my aunt said. “Let December and her boyfriend sit down.”
“That’s not—”
I shook my head, stopping Nix. “It’s family rules. If you’re under sixteen, your seat is the floor. Besides, he’s too young for this part of the gift exchange.”
Belle and Decker reclaimed the seats they’d vacated to come meet us. As we got to the recliner, Nix didn’t even hesitate. He sat then pulled me onto his lap.
“I’m too heavy,” I protested.
“Shut up about that,” he chided in my ear. The woman I saw in the smokin’ hot dress last night, doesn’t have an ounce extra on her. You feel perfect right here.”
“Geez, break it up,” my uncle, Franco, grumbled.
I laughed. “No girlfriend yet, Frankie?” He was the youngest of my uncles, actually a few months younger than me. We’d grown up together.
He narrowed his eyes. “You know what I’d say if my mom wasn’t in the room.”
“So that’s a yes,” I teased. Frankie covertly flipped me off.
Happiness flooded through me. My gosh, I’d missed my family. And better, I had Nix with me and he was claiming he was my man. I wanted that. I wanted to believe he would be, that he really did want long term.
He chuckled, the movement shaking my shoulder. I looked over at him and he brushed his lips over mine. Frankie groaned in protest, even though it had been a chaste featherlight buss.
My aunt and my cousin circled the room, going in opposite directions. “They’re going to give you three slips with numbers on them,” I told Nix. “The same numbers are in a hat. When they call your number, you pick a gift from under the tree or you steal a gift from someone else—unless they’re out of numbers and only have one package. In that case, the present they have is theirs.”
“Gotcha.”
And the free for all began. I laughed as Nix got into it, always stealing rather than taking from the tree. When he got a Santa’s Hot Hunks dot-to-dot book and colored pencils, we all cracked up. We laughed even harder when he offered it to Frankie.
“So when are you coming home for good, Dessie?” my dad asked.
“Dessie. I like it,” Nix murmured, even as he stiffened. I knew he didn’t like the idea of me moving back here.
“Dad, my job is in Chicago.”
“We never see you,” my mom complained. “Surely, you can find something here.”
“We really need her in Chicago, though,” Nix intercepted. “She’s the JoNix right hand. I don’t know what the company would do without her. But we can come home a lot more often.”
We? We could come home. I looked up at him, that man with the devil in his eyes. The devil and determination, that was.
“I like that.”
“I’d like that, too,” a tentative voice added.
I looked up to see my sister. Nolan was behind her, helping her off with her long, wool jacket. They must have just gotten there. I noticed a slight baby bump on Winnie and that he looked for attentive than he’d even looked around me. Maybe, it was because they were married? Again, I didn’t care.
Under me, Nixon tensed. I turned and pressed my lips to his ear. “Never loved him, remember? Didn’t even like him as much as I do you.”
He snorted. “You love me.”
“Hmm, maybe. We’ll talk about it later.”
Nixon stood, bringing me to my feet. He led me across the room, his arm protectively, possessively around me. He held a hand out to Winnie. “Hi, I’m Nixon. You’re Winnie?”
“Yes,” she replied hesitantly, her eyes darting to me like I’d take her out for speaking to him. They shook hands and Nix turned to her husband. His tone was colder now.
“And that would make you Nolan.”
“Yes, nice to meet you,” Nolan replied, with the hesitancy of my sister. In fact, he seemed friendly, despite the circumstance. He glance ruefully at me. “We’re glad you came home, Dessie.”
Nix’s fingers tightened on my waist and I leaned in to him. “Well, Mom tricked me, you
know. Otherwise, Nix and I might be in the Bahamas or something.”
“Maybe, next month,” Nix offered. He leaned in to me. “I’m really looking forward to you in a bikini for a week—unless I’m taking it off you.”
We were doing that a lot, whispering to each other, and I found our bubble of intimacy had survived the crush of family.
“Maybe,” I teased him. When I looked back at the other couple, their eyes were wide, and I realized they’d heard Nix. Oh well. I didn’t care. All I cared about was Nix and his ideas for our future.
“We were just about to head out,” I told them. “Everyone’s getting ready for the caroling, but we’ve had a long day, so we’re heading to the hotel.”
Winnie caught my arm. “Can we…talk? You know, sometime before you go back?”
Could we? Did I want that? When I looked inside I knew Winnie and Nolan didn’t have power over me and my emotions anymore. They hadn’t in a long time. And the rest of the family had shown me I had nothing to be ashamed up. If Nolan and Winnie could show their faces, I sure could.
“Let’s talk tomorrow,” I offered. Winnie looked relieved.
Chapter Four
~ December ~
“Are you okay?” Nix asked me as we left the house a few minutes later.
“Perfect,” I answered truthfully. “I’m so glad you were there with me.”
“It was fun. I love your family. They’re crazy. I thought your Aunt Willow was going to take out your uncle when she batted him with that present.”
“She is a softball champion. They own the hotel we’re headed to.”
I directed him to the Driftwood while we admired the downtown lights. “Sometime before we go home, I’d like to take a walk down her. It’s so pretty when it’s lit up.”
“Whatever you want to do.”
I wanted a lot. “What did you mean about vacation next month?”
“That we can do whatever you want.”
“Do you really think everything will be okay with us dating, working together. I mean will we have to sneak around—”
“No,” he growled. “We won’t be sneaking. I’ve never had to fire someone for violating the no frat policy. I’m working on a plan for that stupid rule. A replacement policy.”
