Page 23 of Enduring Christmas

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lukekept his hold on Xenobia's hand when he asked the same question a second time. Last night, he'd tested his luck with the suggestion. Now, he was testing a suspicion. Something between them had changed between that toe-curling kiss his daughter had interrupted and transforming his home into The Night Before Christmas action set. It's like she'd made a decision about him, about them. He could feel the shift in his heart. And, it made him happy.

"Where are you sleeping tonight?"

They sipped mugs of cider, the steam warming his insides. But, not as much as the woman by his side. When they'd arrived back at home to find their friends eager to take her away his first reaction was to put the truck in reverse and drive right back over to the mountain. They had fun. While he worked chopping down the tree Shiloh and Xenobia had built a snowman. She'd even taken the extra buttons attached to the tag on his coat and made two round peepers. Frosty Jamal Cole. It had been Xenobia’s idea to give the newest addition to the family, the Cole name. He wondered how she felt about taking his last name. Shiloh had laughed and giggled and danced. It had been the best time they'd ever had picking out a tree. Christmas was about celebrating family.

"I'm having a good time, Luke. Honestly, I haven't thought about it," she gave him a wink, "much."

"The feeling is mutual, Xenobia. I like this," he said toying with her fingers, "you, me and Pumpkin. It doesn't have to end." It was the first time either of them had shared the experience with a woman in their life. And Luke wanted the magic to go on forever. The effects Xenobia had on his daughter was nothing short of a miracle. Having her around made every day feel like Christmas, especially for him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I haven't been able to think about much else."

He remembered last Christmas, and how many times Shiloh had asked if and when she would see her mother. How sad she'd been watching Ivy play with Cai, while Autumn made crafts with Simone, Kelby, and Elliott. This year his daughter got to pretend that she had a mommy too. Maybe next year she really would. And that scared the hell out of Luke. What if Xenobia came to her senses and decided to walk away from them.

"Have you always been this direct?"

He took their mugs and sat them on the table. "Have you always been this evasive?"

"Yes."

"We are not playing that game. I want to make love to you in my bed until you moan my name. But, if you tell me you'd rather stay the night on the couch, and then I'll accept it. But this time we'll stretch out, with the blanket."

"Tempting as your couch is, I don't want to sleep here," she said, stroking his beard with her thumb.

The blood thrummed in his veins and everywhere else. Man, if she were teasing him, the pressure building inside hi would burst a pipe.

"Where do you want to spend the night, X?" His voice had dropped to a low timbre.

She turned in his arms, caressed his beard, and then kissed his lips.

"Wherever you are," she whispered, not taking her eyes from his.

Without saying another word Luke cradled her to his chest, stood, and walked into his bedroom.

#

LUKEleaned towards Xenobia and kissed her briefly, looking into her eyes. They were on the bed, the crackle of a roaring fire the only sound besides their breathing.

"Your lips are perfect," he said, trying to catch his breath. "I can't get enough of you."

"I love kissing you," she said, just as breathless as he.

He pressed their lips together again, this time deeper. Slipping an arm around her soft middle, he gently lowered her head onto the pillow. Using his thumb, he toyed with her breast. Encouraged by her grip on the fabric of his shirt as she tugged him closer, Luke increased the friction. Her body responded, her legs tightening around his waist to lock at his lower back. Pleasure surged and as much as he wanted to get inside of her, Luke had to know she understood how he saw things between them. Reluctantly, he tore his mouth away.

Xenobia looked at him with such intensity, the blood in his head rushed in the opposite direction, and he momentarily lost his train of thought. He understood her hunger, felt it nagging at him too. But, forever came before, for right now.

"I'm not casual about sex," he pushed out, pulling back slightly.

Xenobia seemed startled by his abrupt withdrawal. "If we do this it changes everything between us, X. You and Shiloh come first with me. I want you here, every morning and every night. You were married before, but I’m not him."

She regarded him with those soft brown eyes and though his heart told him to wait until she responded his body had other ideas.