Chapter Thirteen
Joe hadn’t expected to get all choked up on the rush of emotions. But between Sarah’s delight and the hopeful, wistful expression on Nikki’s face, he just couldn’t help it. It felt like his life was coming together in the way it was supposed to. He’d be part of a family—no, part of his family—at Christmas for the first time in decades. Nothing had ever felt more right.
With every ornament carefully hung, with every strand of lights and garland added to the tree, he felt himself sinking into the spirit of family and Christmas. He had told Nikki he wasn’t trying to buy Sarah’s love, and that was true. But the idea of playing Santa for the kid, of sitting up into the wee hours and putting together toys that would make her face light up the next morning? Shit. He wanted that so bad he could taste it.
“So, Sarah, I know about your one wish for Santa…and it was a good one. But isn’t there something you want for Christmas just for yourself? A doll or a game? Something?” he asked.
“Joe,” Nikki said, her voice laced with warning.
“I’m just asking,” he said. “I can put in a good word with the big guy, but I can’t make any promises.”
Sarah cocked her head in a gesture that was becoming achingly familiar. That was her thinking pose. Finally, after a long pause, she said, “A dollhouse. I want a dollhouse.”
Joe nodded. He knew they were expensive, but he didn’t have anything else to spend his money on. Especially since he was pretty sure anything he gave Nikki would be handed back with a firm, “Thank you, but no.” So a dollhouse was totally doable for him.
“We’re almost ready for the star,” Joe said, picking up the glitter encrusted, white star that would sit atop the tree. He placed it carefully in Sarah’s hands and then lifted her. With more enthusiasm than skill, she placed it on the top branch. It listed alarmingly to the right but somehow managed to retain its perch.
Sarah clapped her hands in delight. “Turn on the light, Nikki!”
Joe couldn’t resist a sidelong glance as Nikki bent over at the waist to plug the extension cord into the outlet. The ass on that woman was beyond sinful. Maybe, he thought, if he played his cards right, he might get his hands on it. Not to take her to bed. She wasn’t ready for that, but a throw-back-to-high-school-make-out-session wasn’t out of the question.
The tree lit up. Lights of all different colors twinkled from within the branches. It might not have been the fanciest tree, and the ornaments were a hodgepodge of homemade and store-bought ones, but it was the prettiest Christmas tree Joe had ever seen. Every single one of those ornaments had been placed with glee and delight…and love. Somehow, even though he’d known Sarah a grand total of two days, he loved that kid. She’d wormed her way right into his heart.
Looking back at Nikki, at the worried expression on her face and the nervous way she folded her arms, he knew he had his work cut out for him. He had to convince her that he was there for the long haul and that he could be there not just for her, but for Sarah, too.
“How about some hot cocoa?” Nikki asked. “It’s kind of a tradition we used to have. Hot cocoa after decorating the tree.”
Sarah squealed again, the pitch and volume enough to make his ears bleed. Shaking his head to clear it, Joe nodded. “Sure sounds good.Is it served with a side of noise cancelling headphones?”
Nikki laughed. “Oh no. You did this. You brought the tree and you stirred up the hornet’s nest. You get to pay the consequences.”
Gladly, he decided. “Why don’t you go put on your PJs, Sarah?”
Sarah nodded enthusiastically. “They have reindeers on them.”
Joe smiled. “I bet they’re awesome.”
When the little girl had run down the hallway, he looked at Nikki. “I’m assuming she can get into them by herself. I might be wrong.”
“Oh, no. She can. They’re easy enough. They’re footed PJs that zip up the front,” she replied as she moved toward the kitchen.
Joe followed her, eager for a moment alone with her. “I got something else today,” he said.
“What’s that?” she asked over her shoulder.
Joe pulled the sprig of mistletoe from his pocket and held it aloft. “I thought I might have better luck stealing a kiss if tradition was on my side.”
Surprisingly, Nikki didn’t give him hell, or even some of that sass of hers he had come to like so much. Instead, she leaned in and planted a hungry kiss on his lips. Teasing him with the taste of her tongue. Joe felt a hunger of his own rise, his lion ready to come out and pounce on his mate, when the sound of running little feet caught his attention. About two seconds later, a little body hit his legs so hard it almost bowled both him and Nikki over.
“I’s ready for hot cocoa!” shrieked Sarah.
Joe reluctantly pulled his lips away from his mate and dropped the arm holding the mistletoe to drape around her waist as he looked down at the cub. “Cocoa and then bed, sweetling.”
Sarah’s little face screwed up as if she was thinking really hard about something, and then she fired back, “Cocoa, bedtime story, and then bed.”
Nikki giggled as she leaned into him and whispered, “Take the deal. It’s the best one you’re going to get.”
Joe agreed to the little girl’s terms, but for a very good reason. The sooner they got the wild little cub off the bed, the sooner he’d get his mate all to himself.