Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Emily
I thought the house would feel huge and cavernous once everyone had left, especially when Kristoffer went to cover the front desk for a while, but it didn’t feel that way at all.
I went out to do some last-minute shopping.
After all, I needed to get my Santa Daddy something for under the tree.
But I’d been back for a few hours, lazing in the great room with the fireplace crackling, Christmas music playing softly in the background, and my kindle loaded with Santa Daddies, the latest Dirty Daddies Anthology, and all the lights off except for the Christmas tree, the fireplace, and the backlight from my kindle.
I was a few chapters into a story by Maggie Ryan when my phone buzzed a text.
Kristoffer:
It’s time. Come to the lobby. But dress up, Little Red, Santa Daddy wants a sexy little bauble on his arm tonight.
Glancing back at my kindle, I threw off my blanket. “I’ll be back, Marcie and Austin, but right now I’ve got a date with my Santa Daddy.” I sprung to my feet, excitement and heat twisting in my belly. It was time to get dressed and I knew exactly what I was going to wear.
I’d stayed in the background, so I didn’t distract Kristoffer as he did his thing, but when the line had dwindled down and he crooked a finger at the last child to come up, I took a spot in line.
He didn’t notice me until he was watching the child leave.
His eyes widened in surprise and then heated as he crooked his white-gloved finger at me.
I was wearing the green dress and sparkly shoes that Kayla insisted I bring. And I finally believed Kayla and the store owner about how good I looked in it because Kristoffer was clearly distracted as I sauntered up for my turn on his lap.
When I sat, he shifted me closer to him and I felt his hardness press against my hip.
“Are you aware that this is a family event, Santa Daddy? Because I don’t think that’s a candy cane in your pocket.”
“Oh, it’s not, Little Red, it’s most certainly not, but you can put it in your mouth.”
“Then forget dinner, I’ll take dessert first.”
Kristoffer rose on a sexy groan, lifting me in his arms as he did.
“Are you using me to cover up the evidence that Santa’s a pervert?”
“I am,” he said, looking down at me. “Out me and I’ll take it out on your ass, Little Red.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of outing you, Santa Daddy. I don’t want anyone’s eyes on your package but mine.”
He carried me to the tree and set me on my feet. I peeked around to make sure no one was around, and I cupped him through his pants. “Is this my early Christmas present?”
“One of them. But you’re killing me, Little Red. You’re also showing me you can’t keep your hands to yourself. Do I have to tie you up again?”
“Mm, I liked being at your mercy, Daddy.”
“You did, did you?”
“What’s my second present? I have two for you, too.”
He lowered to one knee.
I furrowed my brow, blinking my eyes and glancing around. “What are you doing?” I whispered urgently, my heart pounding so hard it may as well be a gong in my chest.
“Little Red, I’m asking you an important question. Now hush and let me get to it.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. I covered my mouth with both hands and held my breath, tears stinging behind my eyes.
He opened the box and held it up. “You’re the one, Emily.
I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you.
I never believed I could fall in love, let alone so quickly.
But I know, one hundred percent, that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Maybe that makes me crazy, but bring it on then, because before I met you, I thought I’d happily be a bachelor forever.
Turns out, my heart knew all along bachelorhood wasn’t for me, I was just waiting for you. ”
I made an unladylike squeak, and he grinned.
“Will you marry me, Emily Miller?”
Tears welled in my eyes, spilling over my lids, and it took me a few seconds to be able to unclog the words from my throat, so my answer came out more like a croak, “Yes. One billion times, yes.”