It was a valiant effort so we could get some much-needed work done before Christmas break next week, but Julian blew that plan to hell the moment he intervened in my life.
I forgo the seat across from his desk and choose his lap instead. His arm hooks around me, and I curl mine around the back of his neck before crushing my mouth against his.
Julian groans as I glide my tongue across his, earning the slightest shiver as a reward. His fingers press into my hips as he deepens the kiss.
No matter how many times he claims my mouth, it always feels like the first time with the way my toes curl and my spine tingles.
He reluctantly pulls back after another minute. “As much as I love the unexpected visit, I have a call in ten minutes.”
I clean the lipstick mark staining the corner of his mouth. “No problem. I only wanted to thank you.”
“For what?”
“Whatever you did that landed me a deal with DreamStream.”
His arms tighten. “I didn’t—”
I press my finger against his mouth. “Don’t lie to me or play the humble-boyfriend card.” It’s the first time I called him my boyfriend, and the shock on his face made it worth the wait.
“Boyfriend?”
“Don’t let the title go to your head.”
“A little too late for that. Does it come with a lifetime membership?”
I pinch him between the ribs, making him jolt. “Start talking or else.” I reach to repeat the move, but he traps my hands against his thigh.
“I wanted you to make a decision that was best for you, not based on my influence in the process.”
“So you admit you played a part?”
“If by played a part, you mean merely making sure the right person heard about your availability and interest in filming a new show, then yes. Guilty as charged.”
I swat his shoulder. “I knew it!”
“How did you find out?”
“Well, it was solely based on a hunch, but a good one given your connection to Callahan Kane and you being the only person in town who knew about me pitching a new show.”
The tips of his ears turn pink. “He owed me a favor.”
“And you used it on me?”
“I know how much you loved having your own show.”
The Kanes rarely owe any favors, so the fact that Julian used his to pitch my show means the world to me.
My chest squeezes. “I can’t believe you got me a deal with DreamStream.”
He cradles my head between his palms. “All I did was speak with Declan and tell him about your idea for a show. His company offering you a deal was all thanks to you and your years of hard work.” He pauses. “And probably the fact that Declan Kane’s wife might be your second biggest fan.”
“Who’s the first?”
“You’re in love with him.” He slides his fingers through my hair and steals another kiss.
The phone on his desk rings, and we break away with a groan.
“I should get that.”
I brush my lips across his. “You should.”
He sighs. “Don’t make this harder for me.”
I run my hand down the front of his pants. “Not sure that’s possible.”
“Dahlia,” he groans as I trace the tip of his cock.
The phone rings again, and I slide off his lap. His dark gaze trails down my body as I walk toward the door, and I’m hit with the same rush of butterflies in my stomach that never seem to go away no matter what.
I glance over my shoulder. “See you in an hour.”
“Make it thirty minutes. And ditch the underwear.”
“Deal.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Julian
ONE WEEK LATER
For the first time, I hosted Christmas Eve with my mom’s and Dahlia’s help. The last time all of us were together at my house for the holidays was before my dad died, so I’m a bit overwhelmed when everyone floods my kitchen bright and early in the morning with supplies to make tamales.
Cooking is a whole-day production filled with music, laughter, and too many embarrassing stories from all of our childhoods. By the time we finish dinner and the clock hits midnight, an antsy Nico drags us all toward the living room to open presents.
My godson tears at the wrapping paper with more speed than a superhero, revealing his gift. He squeals before jumping into my arms. “You’re the best tío ever!”
Dahlia plucks the Formula 1 VIP paddock passes from the floor. “Nice choice.”
“You could have been the best madrina ever,” I tease.
When I mentioned going fifty-fifty on Nico’s gift this year, Dahlia scoffed and told me there was no way she would go cheap on her godson.
We may be dating now, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up our competition anytime soon, she said.
I should have expected a response like that from her after spending eight years trying to one-up each other with our presents, but I was still surprised.
She nudges me with her hip. “Don’t count me out of the competition yet.”
I don’t know how she will top my gift. After spending a month hearing Nico talk about his favorite Mexican driver, Elías Cruz, I knew I had to get him a VIP behind-thescenes pass for Christmas. Although he is a relatively new fan of Formula 1 thanks to his nanny, Ellie, who watches races religiously, he has quickly become a superfan.
“Good luck topping that.” I kiss the top of Dahlia’s head before taking a seat on the couch.
“I got one for you and Ellie too.” I toss Rafa the gift I kept hidden behind the couch until Nico opened his.
“One for Ellie? Why?” Rafa scowls.
“Um…because Nico said she’s going on the summer trip with you?”
The vein in my cousin’s neck looks ready to burst as he stares at his son. “Is that right?”
“You said I could do whatever I wanted.” Nico places the VIP lanyard around his neck.
“I said you could do whatever you wanted. Not invite whoever you wanted.”
“I want to do cool stuff with Ellie, so she has to come. Duh!” Nico poses beside me while my mom snaps a photo of us.
Lily laughs. “He got you there.”
Rafa’s eye twitches as he pulls out two more paddock passes from the gift bag and grumbles a quick thanks. Everyone knows he will go along with whatever Nico wants so long as it makes his son happy, including taking his nanny on a summerlong trip around the world, even if he hates every second of it.
“You’re welcome for the tickets. Be sure to send us photos and videos of Nico and Ellie freaking out.” I wink.
He brushes his eyebrow with his middle finger.
“Please. No fighting on Christmas Eve.” My mom tsks.
“Sorry, Ma,” Rafa and I say at the same time.
“My turn,” Dahlia announces as she passes Nico a small, wrapped box. “Here you go.”
“Thank you!” He rips at the red-and-white striped paper with glee before screaming.
“What is it?” Rafa leans forward to check out the tickets Nico keeps clutched in his iron grip.
My godson throws his arms around Dahlia’s neck and squeezes her until she is about to turn purple from lack of oxygen.
“Easy there.” I pull him away. “What did she get you?”
“Tickets to see Duke Brass in concert!”
“What?” my mom gasps.
“Whoa.” Lily gapes. “Way to make us all look bad.”
Shit. Those tickets are impossible to find. I tried to score a pair for Nico myself without any success.
Rafa’s eyes remain permanently wide. “How did you get those?”