I need to reassure her.
Reaching out, I touch her face, then trace her lips. “Yeah.”
Her smile grows. “Me too.”
“Forget the fake shit.” I’ve always been wary of relationships, always keeping it casual, playing it safe.
Until Sydney. Forget casual. She makes me feel safe.
She makes me feel so much, it’s hard to describe.
“I agree,” she says. “This is for real.”
“For realz?” It’s my turn to tease and I can’t help myself, I start chuckling.
“For realzies.” She rears up and kisses me on the lips, a soft, sweet kiss that tells me exactly how she feels about me. “We should take those sweats off.”
“I’m wearing nothing underneath them,” I warn her.
“Even better,” she whispers just before I kiss her again. “Are you wanting to collect on that full body massage now?”
“I don’t think so. Not tonight.” Another kiss, this one with tongue. “I’ll save that for another time. But I am wanting to collect something from you.”
“What exactly are you looking for?” she asks.
“You.” I kiss her. “Naked.” Kiss her again. “Beneath me.” One more kiss, with lots of tongue this time, until we’re both breathless and panting and her shirt is shoved up over her breasts and I’m cupping them in my hands. “Me inside you.”
“That sounds good,” she whispers.
“No,” I tell her just before I start to kiss her all over again. “That sounds fucking perfect.”
“I still can’t believe you agreed to have all of these people over on Christmas Eve,” I tell Fable with a slight shake of my head. We’re standing in the formal dining room, the long table covered with a variety of delicious food that smells amazing, despite the fact that I’ve eaten enough to cover my calorie intake for the next five days. Or more like five years.
Oh well, who’s counting?
The Callahan house is jam packed with people, there’s Christmas music playing in the background and Autumn and Jacob are running all over the house like savages, the both of them beyond excited at the prospect that Santa Claus is coming tonight.
“Well, you’ve been by my side helping me with all the planning so no big deal, right?” Fable smiles and rubs her belly, her face glowing. This pregnancy has agreed with her and luckily enough has given her no complications. She looks beautiful in a flowing red dress, and she’s still tiny save for the slope of her belly. “Now go mingle. I’m going to go talk to your brother.”
My mouth drops open. Gabe and his girlfriend Lucy came to the party, and for some reason, Fable and Gabe have really hit it off. “Seriously?” I guess I shouldn’t be shocked. Gabe can be quite charming when he wants to be.
“Seriously. He’s funny. So are his friends. I particularly like Shep,” Fable says with a smile because yes, Shep and his girlfriend Jade are here too.
“I like Shep, but I’ve always been partial to Tristan.” It’s true, even though Tristan has been a total dickwad most of his life, he was always nice to me. His girlfriend Alex has really helped him learn how to not be a dickwad to everyone, which is a bonus.
“Oh, I like Tristan too, and his girlfriend Alex. I love her! Steven and Kelli are sweet too, I’m so glad they brought them.” Fable beams. “I love all your brother’s friends. They’re so much fun.” And with that, Fable leaves, calling out Gabe’s name when she spots him.
Shaking my head, I go and grab a glass of champagne and sip from it, smiling as I watch everyone talk and laugh. There’s a real hodge podge of people here tonight. I invited my brother and Lucy, and he ends up bringing an entourage, which thankfully Fable and Drew don’t mind.
I’m just thankful I can surround myself with people I know and love during the holiday season. My relationship with my parents still isn’t perfect, but we’re slowly healing. Mom and I talk on the phone on occasion. Dad and I chatted on Face Time last week. We’re trying, and that’s all I can ask for.
“Hey Syd.” An offensive lineman for the Niners smiles and nods at me as we walk past each other and I say hi in return, marveling yet again at my surreal life. A year ago—heck, even a few months ago—I would’ve never believed it if someone told me I’d work as a nanny for a famous NFL player and his wife.
But here I am, working for a wonderful family, looking forward to the newest edition coming soon. Thankfully the paparazzi have moved on, and I’m not referred to as the ‘Naughty Nanny’ any longer.
Nope, now I’m referred to as Wade Knox’s girlfriend, and I don’t have a problem with that. Not at all.
I go in search of Wade, stopping to chat briefly with Fable’s former boss Colin and his wife, Jen. They own multiple restaurants on the west coast and they are so stunningly beautiful together, it’s hard for me to not stare at them. Totally ridiculous, I know, but I’m star struck—by pretty much everyone in this house.
It’s when I’m wandering aimlessly through the house a few minutes later that Wade finds me. Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind as he pulls me close to him.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he murmurs near my ear just before he kisses it, making me shiver.
I turn in his embrace, slipping my arms around his neck so I can play with the hair at his nape. “I’ve been here all night. Where’d you disappear off to?”
“I was with Owen. We were talking.” I adore his best friend, and they don’t get to spend much time together considering they’re both so busy. When they have the opportunity to talk, I don’t want to interfere.
“I thought so.” I run my hand across his shoulder, down his chest. “You look nice. I like the sweater.” It’s charcoal gray and extra soft.
“Thanks. I like your dress.” It’s dark green and also extra soft. His hand slides down my side, then back up, making my skirt rise. I slap at his hand, making him chuckle. “I’ve always been a fan of dresses.”
“More like you’re a fan of easy access,” I retort, though I’m not angry. Not in the least.
With Wade, I’ve become a fan of easy access too.
“Quit complaining.” He kisses me before I can say something, stealing all my words, my thoughts, with a mere brush of his lips. “Are you having fun?” he asks once the kiss is over.
I nod and snuggle close, his arms tightening around me. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
“Really?” He sounds surprised.
“Really.” I kiss him this time, rising up on my tiptoes to put my all into it. And I am. The both of us are, the kiss getting deeper and deeper, until I hear a tiny giggle at our feet.
I break away to see Autumn gaping up at us, her hand going over her mouth to contain her laughter. She’s wearing a black velvet dress with a white lace collar and a full skirt and she looks adorable. “You’re always kissing Uncle Wade!” she accuses.
My cheeks go warm at being called out by a four year old. “I really like Uncle Wade.”
“I know,” Autumn says in a voice that has clear duh undertones. “He likes you too. Maybe he likes you too much!”