Laken’s smile widens. “Will you think less of me if I tell you that I missed you too?”
I pull her into my arms and kiss her hard and deep. She tastes like toothpaste and cherry ChapStick. All too soon I break the kiss and lead her into my place, taking her bag from her.
Laken shuts the door while I take her bag and set it against the far wall by my bed. When I turn around, I find her sitting on my bed with her legs crossed. This has become my favorite place to watch TV—it’s one of the joys about living in a studio apartment.
I’ve never been one to just veg out. Mom says I’m like my dad that way—always moving and grooving—but there’s something about snuggling with Laken that is like a natural Xanax.
I climb onto my bed and crawl toward her. Her back is against my headboard, so I lay down with my head in her lap and moan as she scratches my head with her nails. I didn’t know this was an erogenous zone, or maybe it’s just one for me, but I swear I get hard when she does this.
“How many games do you have this weekend?”
“We only have two, and if we win them both we’ll be in fourth place overall. Not really the way I wanted to end the season, but I’m still proud of my team.” I wanted us to get first place, but the other teams we’ve faced have been tougher.
“I still know nothing about soccer, but I think you’ve played amazingly well. You should be proud. I’m sorry I can’t be there.”
Her parents are going to a friend’s wedding in Napa, and she needs to be home for Ava. “Do people really get married right before Christmas?”
“Sure, people sometimes get married right on Christmas day.”
Winter break starts Friday, and after my games I’ll be heading home for the holidays. I’m not sure how much I’m going to like not being around Laken all the time. Not getting to hold her in my arms while I sleep is really going to suck.
“What do you want for Christmas?” She stops scratching, and I look up at her. “What about Ava?”
Laken shakes her head. “You don’t have to get us anything.”
I sit up. “I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” Before we can talk further, my stomach growls, causing us both to laugh. “Come keep me company.” I get off the bed, grab her hand, pull her up and throw her over my shoulder.
“Oh my God, what are you doing, weirdo?” Laken’s laugh warms me deep inside. Fuck, it scares me, but it also excites me. I swear I’m a fucking basket case of emotion.
I plop her down on the little counter and step between her legs, kissing her. “Now sit here like a good girl and watch me make magic happen.”
I flash her the Bateman smile, the one my mom swears makes me look just like my dad, dodging her as she kicks at me with her bare foot. “Maybe I should move to the sofa; that ego of yours is taking up all the space.”
I freeze and turn my head to look at her. “You better run, naughty girl.”
She hops down and takes off toward the bathroom, but I’m bigger and faster. I catch her almost immediately. I toss Laken onto the bed and crawl toward her as she laughs and tries to get away. I grab her ankle and pull her until I completely cover her body.
Laken’s chest rises and falls, her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. Her hand palms my dick, which is now hard—it’s constant state around her—and gives a squeeze.
I moan and grab her wrist. “Oh, you’re going to get it,” I say just before I rip her bottoms off and go about eating, and it’s definitely not dinner.
Chapter Seventeen
Laken
I hold tightly to Ava’s hand as we walk through the mall. I’ve been shopping all day, trying to find the perfect gift for Chance, but what do you get someone who has everything?
Ava picked him out a soccer ball key chain. I’ve ended up buying him a couple t-shirts, which is lame, but I was trying to find out what he wanted without coming right out and asking him.
We’re going to do our gift exchange after Christmas since we’re going to be so busy with family stuff. I miss him, though, and I know it’s probably not healthy that I miss him this much, but I’ve never connected with another person the way I’ve connected with him.
Things with Brandon got intense quick, but that was only because he knew what to say to make me fall hard and fast. In the end it was all bullshit and betrayal.
“Mommy, can I see Santa?” Ava pulls on my hand, trying to pull me toward the line.
“Okay, love bug. Let’s get in line.” Her little body vibrates with excitement, and it makes me smile.
Ava tugs on my hand. “Mommy, I gonna ask for a kitty, Fwozen jammies, a new teddy, and a skaboard so I can skaboard wit Uncle Jay.”
“Baby, that’s skateboard.”
She puts her little hand on her hip. “Das what I said.”
I shake my head at miss sassy pants. “No attitude, miss thang, or we won’t see Santa.”
That’s the ticket right there to get her to stop.
When it’s our turn, Ava runs right up to Santa and climbs onto his lap. I stand off to the side, smiling while my daughter tells him all the things she wants for Christmas while waving her hands in the air. After she’s done, he hands her a candy cane and his “elf” hands me the picture that cost thirty
