LOGAN

“You can’t be serious?” I ask Kayla as soon as she holds up the sweater she bought for us. “It looks like Buddy the elf vomited all over it with his obnoxious Christmas spirit.”

“Hey now.” She points her finger at me and tries to hide the smirk forming on her lips. “No bad talking Buddy. He’s legit.”

Sitting on her bed, I tilt my head back and laugh. “I’m sure he is. But does that mean I have to wear that?” I arch a brow, hoping she changes her mind. Instead, she sticks out her lower lip and pouts.

“But you said we could wear matching sweaters,” she reminds me, giving me her best sad puppy eyes.

Groaning, I brush a hand over my face and give in. “Okay, fine.” I grab her hand and pull her over by me. I grab the sweaters out of her other hand and toss them behind us as she straddles my lap.

“On one condition,” I say as she grinds her hips against me. “No pictures.”

She tilts her head and narrows her eyes at me as if I said something completely crazy. “I’m not agreeing to that.”

“Okay, then just no pictures of me.” I chuckle.

“Stop!” She laughs. “Don’t you want to get at least one of us so we can put it in one of your empty frames?” She smiles up at me and it’s the cutest thing ever. Damn her. She knows just how to work me to get what she wants.

But I can’t even complain about it because I love giving her what she wants anyway.

“You got me there. Fine.”

She smiles and crashes her lips to mine. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly against my chest. My hands slide to the edge of her shirt and start riding up her back until I feel her bra strap. Just as I’m about to unclasp it, she stops me.

“I don’t think so, mister.” She swats my hands away. “We have a party to get ready for.”

“Not even a little?” I whine, pretending to pout.

She places both hands on my cheeks and pecks my lips briefly. “No time, but if you play your cards right, I might let you take a bath with me later.” She flashes a wink and a smirk that drives me insane.

“Okay, deal.”

We spend the afternoon setting up, getting Christmas lights, her mini-sized tree, and decorations all placed. It feels completely weird considering it’s hot and sunny outside right now, but I love seeing Kayla happy. She’s beaming from ear to ear right now, and I’d do anything to see that look on her face.

“What else needs to be done?” I ask her. “Popcorn garland and mistletoe?” I tease.

“Funny, but no. Well, possibly mistletoe.” She grins. “But I have another bin in my garage. Can you go grab it for me please? It’s green and has XMAS DECOR written on the outside.”

“Almost every bin in your garage has Christmas written on it,” I mock, dodging out of the way at her attempt to swat my chest. “Kidding! I’ll go grab it.” I flash a smile in her direction and she shakes her head at me.

As I shuffle the bins around, I see the one she’s after and accidentally knock over a box in the crossfire. “Shit.” The bins are all stacked on top of each other, and even though I was trying to be careful, one tipped over.

Expecting to see more decorations or items she put away in storage, I’m completely shocked when I see files inside. I check the outside of the box where it reads SOCIAL SERVICES PAPERS.

I know about Kayla’s upbringing, although she doesn’t seem to like to talk about it very much. She’s told me about being in foster homes all her life, which is the ultimate reason behind her traditional Christmas in July parties. As I begin collecting the files that have fallen out, I stop when one titled ADOPTION catches my attention.

Kayla never got adopted by a family, which is why she was on her own after she graduated high school and ultimately was left to fend for herself. The way she told it, she didn’t get along with her foster parents but stuck it out until she could leave for college.

Knowing I shouldn’t snoop through her personal files, I collect the rest of the papers that fell out of the box. Before I place the lid back on, I hesitate and stare at the file. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I grab the file back out and open it up.

I don’t quite understand what I’m looking at as I browse quick over the documents, but I stop as soon as I read the line, BIOLOGICAL MOTHER: KAYLA SINCLAIR.

Blinking over and over, I refuse to believe I’m reading this right. I continue reading and finally understand what I’m looking at.

I hear the door to the garage open and quickly shuffle everything back in the box and push it out of the way. Standing up, I grab the Christmas bin and spin around to Kayla walking toward me.

“You find it okay?”

“Yup.” I plaster on a smile. “Was just coming out.”

“Oh, perfect. We have to make a run to the store still. I need ice, soda, beer, and wine.”

“Okay, no problem.” We walk out of the garage together, but I feel completely uneasy about what I just found. Conflicted on whether to mention it to her, I know it probably wouldn’t end well. If she had wanted me to know, she would’ve told me. If I bring it up and ask her about it, she’ll get upset I looked through her stuff.

Either way, I’m starting to realize there’s still so much I don’t know about Kayla and stuff she doesn’t know about me. I can only hope one day she feels safe telling me the truth, and even though I’ve never felt more comfortable being with someone before, there’s something I’ve yet to reveal to her that I had hoped to keep to myself. However, the longer we’re together and I don’t tell her, the harder it is going to be to come clean.

A few hours later, the house is complete with decorations, the kitchen is filled with drinks and snacks, the dogs are asleep in her room, and Kayla and I are ready to get in our matching sweaters. She’s a bit more excited about that part than I am, but hey, I’m trying. 

Kayla’s been schooling me on some of the other guests she’s invited. A few girls she works with, a couple from college that still live in the area, and, of course, our mutual friends. She told me to invite some buddies of mine from work, but I don’t want to blur the lines of my professional life with my personal life. At least not if I don’t have to.

“You two look so stinking cute, it’s disgusting.” The first words that come out of Courtney’s mouth, not that anyone should be surprised.

Kayla greets her with a hug and smile. Courtney and Drew are the first to arrive. He holds up a six-pack as a silent greeting and I motion for him to follow me into the kitchen.

“Been awhile since I’ve seen you, man. Courtney been holding you up?” I tease since they’ve only been married since March, and I haven’t seen much of him.

“You could say that.” He grins while taking a pull of his beer. “She jumps on me every chance she gets. I barely walk in the door and my pants are already off.”

I laugh, happy that Drew found a great girl like Courtney. They’re a perfect match and it’s evident in the way they look at one another.

“Excuse me, mister.” Courtney comes strolling in, obviously hearing the entire conversation. “I can’t even get dressed in the morning without him clawing them off like a wild animal.”

Kayla and I both laugh. She’s standing next to Courtney and I hear her offering her a drink.

“No, thanks. I’m not drinking.”

Kayla zeroes in on Courtney and gives her a weird look.

“What?” Courtney asks.

“Are you pregnant?” Kayla asks.

Drew’s face goes pale and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing.

“No, no!” Courtney’s quick to correct. “I’m just taking early precaution and making sure I don’t drink and take my prenatal vitamins and all that. You don’t know you’re pregnant for at least two weeks, so I don’t want to take any chances. Just in case, you know?”

“Oh, got it. Well, it’s only been four months. I’m sure you two are enjoying trying though.” Kayla smirks.

“Speaking of which,” Courtney scowls at Drew. “You’re not supposed to be drinking either. You told me that pack was for Logan.”

“But it’s a party, Court.” He tries defending himself. “Just one, I swear.”

She groans and rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” She tries being serious but soon busts out laughing. “That’s going to cost you, by the way.”

“Cost what? I’m already putting out twice a day,” Drew blurts out and Courtney’s eyes bug out.

Kayla is dying laughing and as if on cue, the doorbell rings. “I’m going to go answer that,” she says, backing away.

“I’ll come with you,” I tell her, needing an out of this awkward conversation.

“Aren’t you glad we have the best kind of friends?” Kayla quips as I wrap my arm around her and guide her to the front door.

“Even more so since that’s how we met in the first place.” I wink at her as she reaches for the door.

She smiles. “True.”

It’s Travis and Viola minus their tribe. They must’ve found a sitter for tonight after all. “Hey!” They all scream at the same time. We greet them and lead them inside. Right behind them comes another couple of people.

“Oh, I want you to meet Lucy and Rochelle. The girls I work with.”

We stand at the door and wait for them to walk up the sidewalk. They both charge at Kayla and give her obnoxious bear hugs.

“So, you’re the one with the big—”

“Lucy!” Kayla shouts at her before she can finish.

“What?” She throws her hands up. “I was going to say big heart. Geez. Get your mind out of the gutter,” she teases with a cheeky smile. “For taking in Herman,” she adds to her explanation.

“Yeah, okay. Let’s get you inside with a plate of food so you can’t talk anymore.” Kayla grabs her hand and leads her two friends inside. I watch as she introduces them to Courtney and Viola and decide to go stand by Travis and Drew.

“So, what’s this I hear about you being pussy whipped?” Travis blurts out, making me nearly choke on my beer.

“Dude,” Drew snickers.

Travis points to my sweater with his beer and raises his brows. “I know I’m pussy whipped, but that’s after being married and three kids. You’re still in the new relationship phase. You’re supposed to cover your balls for another few months at least before you hand them over.”

I shake my head at him. “You’re such a prick.”

Drew and I laugh.

A few more of Kayla’s friends come, and even after introducing them to me, I don’t remember their names, but they seem nice enough so I just smile and say hello. I can see she’s busy talking with her girlfriends in the kitchen, but I can’t stop staring at her. I want to grab her and keep her all to myself.

Kayla has Christmas music playing in the background and when All I Want For Christmas is You comes on, I decide to stalk over and interrupt their little powwow. Grabbing her hand, I spin her around and lead her to the doorway. I dip her in my arms and press my lips to hers directly under the mistletoe.

I can hear her friends hooting and hollering around us and Kayla eventually breaks the kiss with her laughter. We stand back up and Kayla giggles again.

“Guess that was one way to mark your first public event as a couple?” Viola says loud enough for everyone to hear.

I don’t care though. I stare into Kayla’s eyes and smile. “First of many.”

––––––––

KAYLA

By the time everyone leaves, I’m completely feeling the effects of the alcohol. Logan was such a great cohost even though he pretends it was all my doing.

“We can clean up tomorrow,” I tell him as I lean against the doorway.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Let’s take the dogs out and go to bed.”

He smiles at the buzzed look in my eyes. “Okay. I’ll let them out. Let’s get you in bed.”

“I’m fine,” I lie.

“Yeah, and I’m Thor. C’mon.” He grabs my hand and leads me down the hallway.

“Oh, Chris Hemsworth.” I chuckle. “Don’t tease me.”

He laughs. “I’ll be Thor. You be Jane.”

“As long as you wear my face like a hat, I’m down to be anyone you want.”

“Jesus, Kayla.” He shakes his head at me and I watch as he adjusts his crotch. “You can’t say things like that when I’m really tempted to do just that.”

“I’m not stopping you, Detective...” I taunt as I open my bedroom door and all three dogs come barreling out.

“Well, I am. You’ve been drinking,” he states in a serious tone. 

“Lemonade,” I counter.

“Vodka Lemonade,” he reminds me, and I roll my eyes at him being so technical as he motions for me to step in. “I’ll take the dogs out. You get in bed and I’ll meet you there.”

“You got it, Thor.”

I watch as the dogs follow him down the hall and start getting undressed. I strip down to my bra and panties before slipping under the covers. I grab my sleep mask and wrap it around my head and wait for Logan and the dogs to return. My eyelids feel heavy, so I succumb to sleep, knowing the lemonade—vodka—is taking over.

The sun shining through my window startles me awake and makes me realize I forgot to pull my mask over my eyes. Annoyed, I look over to check the time when I realize that Logan isn’t in the bed with me. Kristoff is sleeping at the end of the bed and Adam and Philip are both sleeping on the floor, so he’s not taking them out. Blinking, I finally clear my vision enough to see that it’s just after six o’clock in the morning. Where the hell would he be?

Almost every time we slept in the same bed together, I’ve woken up to him not being in the bed. He was either in the shower or taking Herman out or making breakfast. But considering it’s Sunday, there’s no reason for him to be up this early doing any of those things.

Kristoff feels me waking up and takes it upon himself to wake up the other two. “You bastard,” I mutter, groaning, but unable to stay mad for long. He nudges his nose in my face and licks my cheek. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

I grab my silk robe from the back of my door and slip it on. They’re anxious to go on their walk, but I want to look for Logan first.

I find him in the living room sleeping on the couch. He’s using the small couch blanket, which barely covers up to his waist. Admiring the view of him shirtless for only a moment, I tiptoe to the couch so I don’t startle him, but Philip comes up behind me and jumps on top of the couch next to him.

“Philip!” I whisper-hiss, but it’s too late. Logan’s already woken up.

“Shit, sorry!” I snap my fingers at Philip and tell him to get down. “I came out looking for you. What are you doing out here?”

He blinks a few times before he sits up and brushes his palms over his face. “I couldn’t sleep,” he finally says. “I came out to pick up a little and must’ve fallen asleep.”

I kneel in between his legs and wrap my arms around his waist. “I told you we could worry about that later. You’re going to be exhausted now.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine.” He reassures me with a smile and kiss. “What are you doing up so early?”

I explain to him about the sun and sleep mask situation and he laughs at my dramatics, but it’s a real issue.

“You go back to bed.” He kisses the top of my nose. “I’ll walk the dogs and come back in when I’m back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! Now go.”

Logan follows me into the bedroom to get dressed, but mostly to make sure I get back into the bed. I make sure to put my mask on this time and anxiously wait for him to return.

I feel movement on the bed about twenty minutes later. I’m only about half asleep, but I can feel the chill of his skin against mine. He itches closer, and I feel his facial hair rubbing against my cheek.

“Don’t take the mask off,” he whispers in my ear.

Wait, what?

“I’m trying to sleep,” I groan, pushing him away with a grin.

“Go ahead,” he snickers, grabbing my hands and raising my arms above my head. “Grab ahold of the headboard.”

I do as he says and wrap my fingers around the bars. “What are you doing?”

“Just giving you the breakfast in bed experience.”

I feel his hands and mouth moving down my body, pressing his lips against my bare skin. I’m still in only my bra and panties, so the cold chill of his skin gives me goose bumps.

“I don’t smell any breakfast,” I mock, knowing he hasn’t made anything.

“Oh...I meant breakfast for me, Angel.” The teasing tone in his voice doesn’t go unnoticed. In fact, I know exactly what he’s up to.

He slides my panties to the side and teases me with his tongue, circling my clit and licking up my slit. He devours me, tossing my legs over his shoulders and eating me like a Thanksgiving Day feast. He inserts two fingers and circulates them while teasing my clit and driving me insane.

I fist a hand in his hair, needing him to give me a moment to catch my breath.

“Put your hand back on the bar,” he demands. “Or I’ll be forced to tie them there instead.”

“I-I can’t...” I pant, wiggling my legs against his mouth, needing relief. “I want to touch you.”

“We’re playing by my rules this time, baby. No looking. No touching.”

“That’s not fair,” I complain, moving my hand back to the headboard.

“Too bad.” He smiles against my thigh. “I don’t tell you how to eat your breakfast, so you don’t get to be the boss this time.”

I chuckle at his little game, but it doesn’t last long. He twists his fingers in deeper, sucks my clit harder, and makes me come within seconds.

“Holy fuck,” I mutter, my legs feeling sore as they stay wrapped around his neck.

He presses more kisses along my thigh, cleaning me up with his tongue. “Well, I can attest to your tagline now.”

“Huh?” I ask confused, still on a high.

“Serves the Best Breakfast in Town!” He finally sets my legs down and crawls up my body, pressing a sweet kiss to my lips. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

I lick my lips, pretending to give it actual thought. I still can’t see him, but I can tell he’s satisfied with himself. “I can’t quite say. I haven’t tasted their proclaimed World’s Best Sausage yet.”

He laughs against my mouth and rolls us so I’m on top of him now. “Well. Bon appétit!”