Page 23 of Naughty or Nice?
An hour and a half later, we’re almost done slaving away in the kitchen. We’ve worked with what was available in the fridge—groceries I’d bought myself for whoever my next guests were—and decided on a ribeye with fresh cranberry sauce and herb mashed potatoes.
Kendall’s not the most adept in the kitchen, but she makes for a good little helper. Something I tease her about numerous times as we work side by side. She peels the potatoes while I cook the steaks and ready everything we need for the cranberry sauce.
Every so often, our hands brush or our gazes catch, and we share in that moment where two people attracted to each other realize they’re warm and tingly on the inside. It’s an experience I haven’t had in years. A feeling that I’ve forgotten is possible.
When Laura passed away, I decided it was the end of my romantic life. I couldn’t find another woman to love like I had loved her. We had been together too many years, creating and growing a family together.
For many years it’s made sense. I haven’t wanted to find love again. I didn’t care about feeling those warm, tingly feelings you get around that special someone.
Until now.
As Kendall and I both reach for the bottle of olive oil, we pause and then smirk at each other. Her eyelashes flutter as she shyly blinks and looks away. I can’t take my eyes off her, insteadmore amused by how she still seems stuck on how taboo we are together.
We sit down to dinner, pouring some wine to toast to the meal we’ve created. Kendall’s face lights up when she tastes the medium rare ribeye I’ve prepared.
“Of course,” she says.
“Care to explain, darling?”
“You being an excellent cook. Of course you would be.”
I chuckle. “Laura wasn’t much of a cook. So I was usually the one whipping up family meals.”
“Oh…” She swallows audibly, then pretends she’s more fascinated by the mashed potatoes soaking in some of the cranberry sauce.
“It’s uncomfortable when I mention her,” I say, reading her body language. “You wouldn’t want to hear about the woman I was in love with for almost thirty years. Not after what we were doing earlier. It’s a bad habit of mine—when it first happened, she was all I talked about. All I thought about.”
“That’s not it,” Kendall says. “More like I can’t help thinking about how devastating that must’ve been. But you’re the pillar of the family. You helped Nate and your other kids carry on through the tragedy. You’re the kind of father most people would love to have.”
…except the part where I had sex with my son’s ex.
I clear my throat and reach out to scoop up her hand. “It was difficult. Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. But if it did teach me one thing, it’s that life is precious. Life is a special gift we’re given and we’ve got to make the most of it. There’s no time for second-guessing and being too scared to do the things you want to do. I took that to heart when opening The Tavern and my brewing company. But I’m learning it applies in other ways too.”
She squeezes at my thick fingers wrapped around hers. “I’m never going to be Laura, Nick. I’m a different woman.”
“And I’m never going to be my son. I’d say we’re both aware of who the other person is, darling.”
“You make me feel good,” she confesses, biting at her bottom lip. “Maybe better than Nate ever did. That… that seems like a sign I should explore whatever this is.”
“Smart girl.”
“I can’t believe I’m spending Christmas Eve with sexy Santa Claus.”
I laugh as she does too. Leaning closer, I growl, “Sexy Santa Claus? Is that why you called me St. Nick earlier?”
“Your name isNicholas! You look like a chiseled lumber jack version of Santa Claus, and somehow you make the thick white beard look sexy! How much more on-the-nose can it get?”
“I’ll be your Santa Claus, darling. But the question is, have you been naughty or nice this year?”
I can tell she’s turned on by how she squirms in her seat, crossing her legs and then desperately reaching to guzzle down some wine from her glass. “I’ve always wanted to try a few new things and role play with Nate. He said it was corny.”
I eye her in amusement, a twinkle in my gaze. My mind’s filling with a dozen different scenarios. “Say no more, darling. St. Nick just might pay you a visit tonight.”
CHAPTER 8
Kendall
Snow is fallingoutside the bedroom room as I emerge from the bathroom, clouds of steam swirling around me. I toss the towel onto the bed in nothing more than the silky floral robe I’ve shrugged on.