CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Danny
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Danny
I woke up with the amazing feeling of excitement hitting me like a punch.
It was Christmas Day!
My eyes flew open, and though that was the only movement I’d made so far, Killjoy grunted unhappily.
“No,” he grumbled, reaching across the bed for me. I let him pull me closer, but I didn’t stay still once I was where he wanted me.
My fingers played with his lips, my mouth dotted kisses along his jaw, my leg hooked over his hip, and I used all my might to shake him awake.
“No,” he grunted again, but I saw the way his lips twitched at the corners.
“Buuut it’s time to get up,” I whined playfully.
He cracked an eye open and glared at me.
“Get up. It’s Christmas!” I said in an over-the-top tone, but made sure not to yell it. “I have to see what Santa brought me!”
“You do know Santa isn’t—”
I cut him off with a kiss to his nose before I jumped out of bed.
“Danny, wait! You’re gonna freeze to death. Put on some clothes.”
But it was too late, me and my buck naked ass were already halfway down the stairs.
I dashed across the main space, smiling because Killjoy had left the tree on all night. I glanced at the plate of cookies I’d left out. My smile grew even bigger when I saw there was nothing but crumbs left.
He really did fuck me into a coma if I hadn’t even noticed him getting out of bed to do that.
I just kept falling harder and harder for him. Seriously, how could I not? The grumpy guy had a sweet heart in his chest, and he clearly did this all for me.
“Look, Santa ate the cookies,” I said, beaming at him as he walked up behind me. He tossed a blanket around my shoulders, and I didn’t miss how he was still naked, too.
“Hold on,” I said.
I dashed into the bathroom, leaving him there holding the blanket. I pissed and brushed my teeth in record time. When I opened the door, there he was, waiting and ready to wrap me up again.
Naked Christmas? Wow. Yeah, I like. It didn’t get more intimate than this.
“Sit down and stay warm until I can get the fire goin’,” he said before ducking into the bathroom.
I flopped down on the couch and tried to be patient. He walked out and headed for the fireplace. My eyes were glued to his bare, furry ass as he knelt down and got to work.
“I want to eat your ass,” I blurted out, making him freeze and glance over his shoulder at me. “I mean, if you’re into it. I just… your ass is so hot. I really want to suffocate between those cheeks.”
He snorted and shook his head.
“I’d be open to it,” he answered, making me wonder if he’d ever let someone do that to him before. The idea that I could be his first lit me up with a thrill that screamed possession. I didn’t even bother shoving it away. “Only with you.”
I melted. Yeah, I was going to find a way to keep him. Or have him keep me.
“Should we make breakfast first?” he asked as he stood, leaving the fire as it started to flicker to life.
“What?!” I gaped at him. “Are you insane?! Presents! Now!”
“Alright. Alright,” he said, moving to the tree. I sat up and peeked over the back of the couch, watching as he knelt down at the base.
The presents had doubled since the one I’d set down last night. He was a sneaky one.
“Uh, I got this for you. Ain’t much, but…”
I smiled as I reached out and grabbed the hastily wrapped cylinder from his hand. It was heavy, and I had a pretty good idea what it was.
“Grab the other one, will you?” I asked him, pointing to the other sadly wrapped gift. He lifted it, and the thing instantly sagged in his hands, the paper crinkled and tore a little at the seam. “That’s for you.”
He stared at me, a million questions in his eyes.
“You didn’t have to,” he said, scooting around and taking a seat on the couch beside me.
“I could say the same.” I held up the gift in my hands.
“You go first,” he said, then cleared his throat.
I tore into that paper like there was no tomorrow. Even though I knew what it smelled like, I pulled the top off the candle and took a deep inhale.
“You were paying attention to me?” I asked, eyeing him. I was searching for something, but I wasn’t sure what.
“I just saw that you wanted it too, and I got it for you. I knew you were a little tight on money. Figured it might make your day.”
“It has. Thank you.” I leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his lips. I leaned back, my hand waving at the gift in his hand. “Open. Open!”
He let out a breathy laugh as he slipped a finger under the tape at the seam in the back. He was more cautious with the paper than I had been, taking it off as if he were trying to unwrap it rather than get to whatever was inside as fast as he could.
I huffed and rolled my eyes. He smiled at me. The kind of smile that said he knew what he was doing.
“Just hurry up already!”
He stopped and cut his eyes at me.
“If you want, I can play the guessing game before I finish opening it.” I glared at him for his stupid suggestion. He only chuckled at me and got back to opening the present his way. He finally pulled out the deep blue and gray scarf. “This is soft.”
I could see the questions in his eyes. I knew I’d have to answer them.
“My grandpa loved to knit,” I started, blinking back the tears that were already threatening to spill. “He made that elf hat for me. He was always making silly things. But he also would make blankets for the newborn babies at the hospital.”
His hand covered mine, and I lifted my gaze to send him a watery smile.
“After he died, I had to go over to his apartment and clean it out. I found this sitting folded on the table, like it was all done and ready for someone. But I didn’t know who that someone was.
So… I’ve been carrying it around since then, trying to find where it belonged.
” I swallowed thickly. “I think it was meant for you.”
“Wow,” he said softly, looking at the knitted scarf in his lap with a new appreciation. “Are you sure?”
“Oh, yeah,” I assured him with a nod. “It’s for you.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He cleared his throat. “This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever gotten me.”
I reached out and brushed my hand over the soft yarn.
“I always loved that color blue,” I told him, staring into his eyes. “And I knew when I saw your eyes, I just knew it was meant for you.”
“Don’t go givin’ me some speech on fate,” he said grumpily.
I laughed and shoved his shoulder playfully.
“What if it was fate?” I said with wide eyes. My tone was all teasing.
“I like the scarf. Thank you,” he said, pulling my wrist until I crawled into his lap. I covered us with the blanket and stared at the fire with no real thoughts in my head.
It was nice to enjoy the moment.
Even nicer to have a warm body to snuggle up to.
So, this Christmas hadn’t turned out the way I’d planned.
But that was okay.
Because it had turned out so much better.
I wasn’t alone. And even if Grumpy Pants and I didn’t have a future, I’d gotten a lot out of this little adventure. He made me feel seen. He cared for me. He showed me I was worth feeling seen and being cared for.
I really hoped this wouldn’t be over after today.
I’d figured I’d have to wait to see what else Santa could work out for me. Christmas wasn’t over, after all.
I still had cinnamon buns and a nice holiday meal to win him over.
Oh, yeah, I was going to work my magic. And maybe if I could find my brave panties, I’d put those on and actually tell him how I feel.