19. Sophia
Chapter 19
Sophia
“Merry Christmas.” Pecker smiles as I answer the video call.
“Merry Christmas. I missed you last night.”
“Well, you’re the one that wanted to stay at Colt and Zoey’s. I wanted you all to myself.” He sticks his bottom lip out in a pout, looking far too sexy. I open my mouth to respond, but Pecker stops me. “I’m just teasing you, babe. I understand why you wanted to do it. I'm not upset. I just miss you. I feel like we’ve been practically living together since the night we went ice skating and I loved every second of it.”
“Me too. How was your morning opening presents?”
“It was good. The kids were so excited and loved all of it.”
“I feel bad I didn’t get them anything.”
“Don’t. We’ve had a busy week and they don’t expect anything from you. They’re going to Sydney’s in-laws for dinner, so they’ll get even more presents there.”
“Didn’t her ex-husband cheat on her? Isn't that weird to go to his family’s house for Christmas?” I frown. I don’t think I’d ever do that.
“Ah, I never told you the full story. Rob cheated, yes. He ran away with the woman and she’s pregnant. What he didn’t know is she was already married to a lieutenant colonel in the military. He was not happy when he found out and it didn’t end well for him. Rob’s family thinks he’s an idiot and wants nothing to do with him. They always loved Sydney and though they told her they understood if she didn’t want to come, they weren’t inviting Rob and they’d love to see her and the kids. She went back and forth, but ultimately decided she didn’t want to keep the kids from their family.”
“That’s… crazy.”
“Pretty much,” he chuckles. “What are you doing right now?”
“Getting dressed for Skylar’s. I'm trying to decide what I want to wear.” I rest my phone on the dresser and take a step back to show him the dress I’m currently wearing. “I'm not sure if I like it.”
“I think you look beautiful.”
“You always think I look beautiful.” I roll my eyes.
“Because you are, Soph. What other dresses were you thinking of? Give me a little fashion show.” He settles back on his bed and must prop the phone up on a pillow. I can now see his entire torso. His shirtless torso.
“Ugh, why are you shirtless when I can't touch you?”
“I don’t know, why are you pretty when I can't touch you?” He fires back. “Stop procrastinating, I want a fashion show.” He tucks his hands behind his head, making his biceps bulge.
I slowly unzip my dress, letting it pool at my feet and smirk when Pecker’s eyes go wide. His hands have been all over me while giving me a massage, but I’ve always been covered. I'm wearing a bra and a thong now, but this is the most he’s seen of me.
“That. You should go to Skylar’s in that.”
“Something tells me Colt wouldn’t approve.” I laugh at him, wishing Peck were here right now.
“Damn, I'm wondering how fast I can get to you and if there’s a way I can bribe Colt and Zoey into leaving for a few hours,” he murmurs.
I spin around to grab the other dress and Peck lets out a low groan. I peek over my shoulder at the phone and find his gaze locked on my ass.
“It might be better if I stay here. If I come over, I won't be able to look your dad in the eyes when I meet him.” He scrubs a hand down his face and shakes his head.
“Oh my gosh! Stop it!”
I slip the next dress over my head and step closer to the camera. His gaze roams up and down my body and takes his time before he speaks.
“I like this one better than the first. What else do you have?” His voice is deeper and more gravely than when we first started talking. He sounds like he’s about to strip me out of my clothes and make me scream his name all night long.
I try on three more dresses before Pecker gives me his final decision. I love how he doesn’t just tell me I’ll look fine in anything. He takes his time and has me spin in a circle for most of them. He gave me a real answer, not just something that would make me happy.
“The second to last dress. You look amazing in it, but you also look comfortable.”
There are voices on Pecker’s side of the line. He’s glancing towards the stairs and nods his head. I'm sure Sydney or one of the kids were asking him something.
“Hey, babe. I need to help Sydney load up the car so she can go to her in-laws. Do you want me to call you back or just meet you at Skylar and Tucker’s?”
“You can just meet me there. Hey, I meant to ask you, how’d you get out of working today?”
“Colt’s letting me just be on call. As long as nothing comes through in the next thirty minutes, Jared will cover it. They’re awesome co-workers to have. I’ll see you soon, sweetheart. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I end the call and quickly slip my shoes on. I'm not sure how I feel about going to Skylar and Tucker’s house for Christmas. I’ve never spent a Christmas away from my family and it’s making me feel homesick. At least I get to spend it with Pecker.