22. Lea

Chapter twenty-two

Lea

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

“ K ai, are you sure you’re still up for this?” I ask, calling across the apartment to him.

“Yes, Lea! For the hundredth time, I’m good,” he says with a chuckle.

The last few days have been strange.

Kai got in contact with Jamal after he’d had a day to cool off from everything. It was awkward as hell, even from where I sat beside him, listening to the strained conversation.

They’re having dinner on the twenty-sixth, and I know Kai’s been creating a list of things he wants to ask him before he even considers a relationship with the man.

I take a deep, steadying breath as I sit on the edge of my bed, securing the red buckle over my ankle.

When I’m finally ready, I stand, taking a look in the mirror.

My tall, slim frame is covered in thigh-high stockings and a red velvet dress that falls perfectly over my minimal curves. The white faux fur trim hangs from my shoulders and at the hem of the short dress, falling at my mid-thigh.

I make my way into the living room, where Kai is seated on the countertop, wearing a Santa suit and black boots that should be illegal to wear around children.

Or anyone besides me, for that matter.

His muscles ripple against the red velvet of his suit as he dunks a chocolate chip cookie in a glass of milk, bringing it to his lips.

A moan slips out, and his head falls back against the cabinet. “Damn, this chubby fucker was really onto something. Milk and cookies should be a year-round staple,” he groans.

“Now, Santa,” I chide, wagging my finger at him. His eyes flit across the room, landing on me for the first time since I walked out here. “It’s not very nice to call someone a chubby fucker, and definitely not very jolly to sit on the counter when you’ve literally spanked me for doing the same!”

He snorts, and a wry grin spreads across his full lips. “And I look forward to doing it again,” he tells me, wiggling his brows before he jumps off the counter, prowling toward me.

He snatches the hats from the kitchen island, shoving his on before he pulls mine over my head, covering my eyes. He grips my hips, dragging me against his firm body as my hands fly to my face, trying to fix the hat.

“How come you look so fucking hot dressed like an old woman whose best friends are literal fucking reindeer?” he asks, chuckling as he leans in to kiss the tip of my nose.

The white fur trim of his suit jacket and hat contrast with his deep-topaz complexion.

I twirl a lock of my platinum hair around my finger, batting my lashes at him playfully. “I don’t know, but maybe if you’re a good boy”—I bring my lips to the shell of his ear—“I’ll let you unwrap me later.”

A deep groan passes his lips. Kai thrusts into me, and I can’t help the airy giggle that slips free. “You’re trying to kill me, angel,” he grunts.

“Nope,” I tell him, my eyes flicking to the clock above the stove. “But your coach might if we’re late.” I pull out of his grasp and swat his firm, round ass as I saunter past him. “Come on, Santa, let’s get a move on,” I joke.

I hear him grumble behind me, and I know he’s following me when I make it down the first set of stairs outside and hear the door shut and lock above me.