Noah’s mouth dropped open with awe. “Wow, you really are Santa.”
I couldn’t help a laugh. “All that training, remember?”
Didn’t take long to purchase what we needed and wanted and then I drove back home. I didn’t bother to park in my driveway. I was making a statement and one I hoped Bess would understand.
Noah left the car and began unloading bags as I reached for her hand.
“I know this seems like a lot. I’m not trying to make you feel pressured, but I really wanted to do this for the both of you tonight. It means a lot to me.”
Bess raised her hand, and her fingers caressed my beard. Her touch felt like velvet and my eyes closed briefly. “You’re not at all what I expected, Jayce.”
“I hope that’s good.”
Amusement danced in those eyes I was beginning to adore. “Yes. For you, it’s very good.”
Leaning in, I took my chance and pressed my lips to hers. The connection fused together our mouths and I groaned low in my throat, needing to taste her more and knowing it was too much and too soon. Cupping her face, I deepened the kiss even when I knew Noah could see. Kid wasn’t stupid. He needed to see I felt something special with his mama.
“Santa! You kissed Mama!”
I broke the kiss, nearly panting with desire and something far more potent. “I sure did, son.”
His laughter echoed around us as he finished c
arrying bags of ornaments and garland up to the house. Took a lot of trips with one arm in a cast but he didn’t complain. We exited the car, and I unloaded the tree, heaving it into the house with an impressive strength that could only come from my Reaper.
Once inside, we began opening boxes and packages while Bess found holiday music to play on her phone. Noah was so excited he hung ornaments too close together and clustered on the same part of the tree, but I didn’t correct him. Bess never said a word. Her eyes filled with tears as she watched her son and if I wasn’t already feeling something strong for this woman, I was sure that moment would have done it.
I’d bought a big plastic tote with a red lid and we placed all the boxes inside so when the tree came down, we could store it all for next year. The final thing to add was the star. Memories flashed in my head of all the years I helped Colter place the star on top, but I didn’t leave the present to dwell on it. My heart was full and happy, and for once I let myself enjoy the moment without adding more heartache.
“Hey, Booga.”
He glanced upward, smiling from ear to ear. “Yeah?”
“The most important part is last. We need to place the star on top. Can you help me with that?” I handed him the star and ticked my head, indicating where he should place it. I picked him up by the waist and he popped the star on like he’d done it a hundred times before. When I set him down, his arms surrounded my waist.
“You’re the best Santa. I know what I’m asking for Christmas.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I can’t tell you because the magic won’t work.”
“That’s okay. I don’t want to lose the magic either.”
We turned off all the lights in the house and plopped down on the couch. I sat in the middle and both Bess and Noah leaned over, placing their heads on my shoulders. It was natural to surround them with my arms as they snuggled closer. We watched the lights twinkle in bright colors as the minutes slowly ticked by. None of us spoke for so long I thought maybe they’d both fallen asleep.
“He’s out,” Bess whispered, lifting her head. “He had a wonderful night thanks to you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude, Jayce. You’re walked into our lives in a whirlwind and I wasn’t sure a big biker was what we needed with all that’s happened to us.” She moved onto her knees and then pressed a kiss to my whiskered cheek. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to us since we moved here. Thank you for your kindness.”
When I stared into her eyes, my Reaper fought hard to break free. He wanted to claim her for us both. “You’re welcome. Better get this little guy to bed. I’ll help.”
I shifted and picked up the kid, cradling him close as I followed Bess into his room. She pulled down the covers and I placed him down, amused by the way he mumbled in his sleep about Christmas trees. Bess pulled off his shoes and tucked him, leaning down to kiss his little button nose.
“Night, Noah. Love you.”
She left the door cracked as we exited and I fought hard not to pull her into my arms and ravage her mouth before I pushed her up against the wall and took her hard and fast, just like she mentioned at the Urgent Care.
“There’s something you need to understand about me, sugar. I’m a biker. An old man. I know what I want and what I like. I don’t do soft and gentle when it comes to women. I fuck hard and I like to give as much pleasure as I receive.”
Bess bit her lip and her thighs clenched together as she leaned against the wall, absorbing my words.