Page 18 of Enduring Christmas

“Good. ‘Cause I’m slow and steady,” he countered, cupping her face. “Very steady.” A guy can't be faulted for demanding what he wants.

Xenobia took a deep breath, as if she were taking in the implications. Her gaze shifted from his mouth to his eyes. He could tell she was unsure about something, and he didn’t think it was all about him. Did she doubt her appeal? She was still in his lap and his body spoke loud and long of his interest.

Meow's purr grew louder, his little paws kneading Xenobia's hip too. Smart kitty. Shiloh bounced on her bare feet, her Frozen II

nightgown swinging around her tiny ankles.

"Can me and Meow get a kiss, too?"

"Meow and I," Xenobia corrected.

Luke claimed Xenobia's chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Me first."

"You sure about this?"

Her eyes softened and that smile he so rarely saw appeared. Yeah, after years of being alone, he was more than ready. Luke would protect her, provide for her...pray for her.

"The question is, are you...girlfriend."

Luke knew he was driving her to make a decision, but he couldn't help but feel that she needed a nudge in the right direction. Xenobia was running from something. No one found Endurance without searching for it. It was time for both of them to start loving again.

Xenobia gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Good morning," she mumbled.

Slowly he raised her head and placed a firm, but relatively chaste kiss on her lips. "It is now."

She gasped, and then released an audible sigh. "Agreed."

"My turn," Shiloh said, jumping on the couch.

"Come here, Pumpkin," Xenobia said, sweeping his daughter into a bear hug.

His new girlfriend placed sugar smacks to his little girl's forearm, nose, both cheeks, and the crown of her head. Shiloh soaked up the attention. The laughter of a happy child filled the room. Meow, not one to miss out on the action, planted his paws on Luke's thigh and rose up on his hind paws. Releasing a whine, he let one and all know he wouldn't be left out of the holiday cheer.

Xenobia lifted him in one hand and rubbed her cheek between his downturned ears.

"Who's a good boy?" she crooned.

Luke could be a very good boy if it got his head stroked. His body caught the double meaning before his brain, and he pulsed behind his zipper.

"Out that away," X, mouthed, aware of his physical struggle. “You are too happy.”

"And eager," Luke winked.

She stilled. Was he moving too fast? Possibly, but he had a child to think about. If Xenobia wasn't into him, he needed to know sooner rather than too late for him and Shiloh. He could tell his daughter loved having another 'X' chromosome in the house.

"Luke, I'm not ready for-,"

He cut her off. With an arm under her knees and around her back, he stood with Xenobia in his arms and Shiloh in hers. "Let's get cleaned up. We only have two days till Christmas. Time to get our tree."

"Yay!" Shiloh cheered. "Christmas. Christmas."

Luke looked at a smiling Xenobia. “We can unwrap your wild side tonight.” In a matter of twenty-four hours, he'd gone from enduring Christmas to actually enjoying it.

Pulling back, Xenobia stared at him. “You trying for a light show?”

He gave a hearty laugh. “You bring the fire. I’ve got the spark.” Maybe, genuine love was the reason for the season. As he entered his bedroom, he hummed, It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas.