Pawliday Love

Chapter 5

PIERCE

T he first thing I became aware of when I woke up was that I was alone. Cal was gone, and the spot he’d been in when I went to sleep was cold, which meant he’d been gone for a while. Millie was at the foot of my bed, snoring softly. I strained my ears, desperately trying to hear any sign of movement in my bathroom or elsewhere in my small house, but nope.

The house was still and empty.

An ache settled deep in my chest. I’d believed everything Cal said to me and had given him a chance despite him being a stalker and breaking into my house. But he’d just used me and went on his way. I’d been stupid and naive. I had no one to blame but myself.

Flinging the blankets back, I slipped out of bed and yanked my sweatpants up my legs before marching downstairs. I bet he hadn’t even left the gifts he said he did. They were probably empty boxes, just like his fucking promises.

It was official. I needed therapy to work through my loneliness instead of latching onto the first creepy asshole to show me any attention.

Millie flopped down by the tree as I sank to my ass on the plush, cream-colored carpet. Crossing my legs, I leaned forward and grabbed the biggest box. I was pleasantly surprised—and a little hopeful—when it was actually a bit heavy. With my heart in my throat, I ripped the paper off, and my eyes bugged out of my head when I revealed a MacBook Pro. Tears welled in my eyes.

I’d needed a new laptop for so long, but I couldn’t afford it while paying for school supplies, textbooks, and the bills. Thankfully, my parents’ life insurance policies had paid off the mortgage and the car, so I had a home and transportation, but utilities, internet, and having a phone was still expensive.

I’d long ago resigned myself to using my glitchy, out-of-date laptop. And now, I didn’t have to because Cal bought me a brand new one.

My chest tightened, and I struggled to swallow past the massive lump in my throat. With shaking fingers, I reached for another gift. This one was smaller, and it looked like it’d been placed here in a rush last night—probably when Millie had been barreling down the stairs to attack him. I peeled the paper off and opened the box, my eyes bugging out of my head at the gold bracelet. Tears welled in my eyes at the little coffee cup charm dangling from it, and beside it was the letter C .

“I was hoping you’d wait to open those until I was here,” Cal rumbled from behind me.

I jumped in shock and quickly set the laptop aside—carefully, of course—and lurched to my feet. “I though you left me,” I blurted, an accusation lingering in my voice.

He frowned. “I did for a little bit.” He threw his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the kitchen. “I went to my place for clean clothes, then went to get us donuts and coffee.”

“I thought you left- left ,” I snapped, feeling untethered. “I thought you fucked me and left and?—”

He gripped the back of my neck and yanked me forward, crushing his mouth to mine. I went pliant immediately, my free hand coming up to clutch at his hoodie. It was black and soft, and I could still feel his body heat through the thick fabric.

“I’m not leaving you, sweetheart,” he rumbled as Millie shoved her big head between us. He dropped his hand to scratch the top of her head, and immediately, her tail began to wag, thumping and dragging across the carpet. “I should have left you a note or something. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“You bought me a laptop,” I blurted. “I…” I swallowed thickly, trying to find the right words. While I tried to get my thoughts together, Cal gently took the now warm bracelet from my fist and wrapped it around my wrist, clasping it together. That tight feeling returned to my chest again when the weight of that gold bracelet settled around my wrist. It felt like a brand, but at the same time, it felt right there. “Do you know how badly I needed a new laptop?” I rasped.

Cal nodded, his eyes soft. “I did. Which is why I bought it. I also bought you a new phone and a camera because I know you enjoy taking pictures. Millie has some new toys and treats under the tree as well.”

Unable to help myself, I threw my arms around his neck. “I’m probably so fucking insane, but I’m so glad you became my stalker,” I choked out as a tear rolled down my cheek.

Cal chuckled quietly and wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to his chest. Everything inside me settled in his embrace. “We definitely need to have a discussion about how easily you welcomed me into your house and your body, but it’ll hold.” He pressed his lips to the shell of my ear, and I shivered. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

I tightened my arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Merry Christmas, Cal,” I whispered.

Millie jumped, placing her paws on Cal’s hip. He grunted and dropped one arm to rub her head, making her ears flop everywhere. “Merry Christmas to you, too, you cockblocker.”

I snorted.