so I let it go.
His demeanor completely changed once the conversation was over. “You should get that raise anyway. Because you deserve it.”
Derek joined us at the table and ate without complaint.
That was when I dug into my food.
Deacon watched his son for a while, a hint of pride in his eyes, like he was happy to have him there, that the three of us were eating dinner together like a family.
I never imagined ending up with a man with a son. The single father thing had never appealed to me. But now I was living with the hottest bachelor in this city, a man with the biggest heart in the world, and his son was one of the best things about our relationship. I couldn’t believe this was real, that this was my life. I couldn’t believe I’d found this level of happiness just because he’d decided to live in this building.
I never wanted this feeling to end…and I prayed it wouldn’t.
We went to Deacon’s mother’s for Christmas Eve so Derek could open all his presents from her and Tucker. He got more presents than any child needed, and Margo spoiled him rotten. There were snickerdoodle cookies, hot cider, and Christmas snacks on the table. But the night was mostly for Derek—who had a great time.
When we went home, Derek was dead tired from all the excitement. Deacon made him walk from the car to the residence because he had to carry the bags of toys, and Derek swayed down the hallway, barely keeping his eyes open.
When we made it inside, Derek immediately went to his bedroom.
Deacon carried everything and set it on the floor by his bed before getting him changed and tucked in for the night. He didn’t make Derek brush his teeth, probably because he wanted him to stay tired. He kissed him goodnight, and then we returned to the living room.
“Should we get the presents?” I asked.
“Yeah. He might wake up early.”
We grabbed the presents from under Deacon’s bed and placed them under the tree, gifts I’d wrapped and marked from Santa. We also had a plate of cookies and milk to put out.
Deacon surveyed the tree, seeing all the gifts for Derek. “He’s a lucky kid…”
“Yeah. And it looks like Santa brought you something too.” I tapped one of the gifts with my shoe.
“What a coincidence. Santa brought you something too.” He grabbed the gift under the tree and handed it to me. It was wrapped in deep red wrapping paper with a gorgeous bow.
I hadn’t had it wrapped for him, and I was shocked he could throw this together himself. “He did?” I shook it slightly, like a child trying to figure out what was inside.
“Yeah. You should open it.”
“Right now?” I asked playfully.
“Yes.” He sat on the couch in front of the tree, the ornaments sparkling, the lights reflecting in his eyes. He was still in his coat because he hadn’t removed it, and his shoulders looked so broad and sexy.
I sat beside him and reached for a cookie from the center of the table. I took a big bite then returned it. “Now he’ll know Santa really came because you would never eat a cookie.” I smiled then ripped off the wrapping until I got to the box underneath. There was a Santa hat on top of red lingerie…very slutty lingerie. “Santa wants me to have this?”
He grinned, that handsome smile that made all women swoon. “I guess so.”
I put the hat on my head then picked up the lace so I could take a look at it. “Wow…I guess I’ve been naughty this year.” I returned it to the box. “And red heels…the whole outfit.”
His arm wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me close, his mouth next to mine. “Put it on for me.” His hand moved into my hair, and he pushed it back, looking at my lips like he wanted to kiss me hard. Lingerie on Christmas wasn’t original, but it was romantic, that he wanted me, wanted me to wear this for him so he could enjoy me until Christmas morning.
It made me feel sexy. It made me feel cherished. It made me feel loved. “Tell Santa I said thank you.”
He brought my face close to his and kissed me, a slow and seductive kiss, his fingers digging farther into my hair. He moved his mouth to the corner of mine then trailed hot kisses to my neck. “I want you on your hands and knees