Free Gift Wrapped by Karla Doyle Page B

crazy, though. This bed, the man spooning her protectively, affectionately—everything felt right. Safe.
    “Are your eyes closed?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “That’s good.” The lowered volume of his voice made it seem even deeper. “Santa won’t come unless you’re sleeping.”
    “Santa’s such a pervert.”
    A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Half-asleep and you still have a dirty mind. I like it.”
    She hummed, fatigue finally stripping her of the ability to form words.
    “When that right time and guy comes along, I hope he realizes what a lucky bastard he is.”
    “What?” she whispered. Had he really said those sweet things, or was she already dreaming?
    “Nothing, go to sleep. See you in the morning, good girl.”
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    On the bedside table, Brinn’s cell phone started ringing for the third consecutive time. The perky, chirping-birds ringtone had woken Davis on the first go-round. The woman sharing his bed hadn’t even flinched at the sound.
    He stroked her hair, tucking it behind her ear, making it easier for the little birdies to reach their intended recipient. All she did was smile in her sleep and snuggle closer to him. Okay, not all . Her hand also slid down his chest and curled around his cock.
    Up and down, she stroked. Her leg wrapped over his hip and her heel spurred him in the butt, urging him closer. “Good morning.”
    “So you are awake.”
    “Not completely, but you can help with that, if you want.”
    “I want.” He disentangled, chuckling at her pouty whimper when he rolled away to get a condom. “Here.” He snagged her cell and tossed it onto the bed, then tore into the square packet. “Mute that while I do this.”
    “You don’t want to pretend we’re getting back to nature?” she asked, giggling while scooping up the phone on its final chirp.
    He didn’t get a chance to answer, because Brinn had shot upright the second she looked at the phone’s screen.
    “It was my mom’s cell. She’s called three times.”
    “You didn’t hear it ringing the first two?”
    Early-morning sunshine streaming through the window bounced off Brinn’s silky hair as she shook her head. “I woke up when you touched me. I figured it was my parents wanting to say Merry Christmas, but they wouldn’t keep calling just to do that, and they wouldn’t call from her cell.” She looked up at him with wide-open eyes, biting her downturned lip. “I’d better call her back…I’m sorry.”
    “Hey,” he patted just above his knee and winked, “I warned you what would happen if you keep saying that.” His attempt at keeping things light and playful earned him a weak smile. “I’m going to grab a shower and give you some privacy,” he said, before the apology written all over her face had a chance to slip through her lips. Again. “Join me when you’re off the phone. I’ll help you clean all those hard-to-reach places.”
    This time, she smiled for real. “Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”
    He left her to her call and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Twenty-eight years old and her parents still called to say Merry Christmas at seven in the morning. Hard to wrap his mind around. He couldn’t remember a time when he and his parents had exchanged any kind of warm holiday sentiment. Any warmth at all.
    He turned on the shower, adjusted the temperature and stepped under the spray. A little cooler than usual, to conserve the hot water for when Brinn joined him. Once he had her curvy, naked body all slick and glistening, he planned to be in here awhile.
    When they’d used the last drop of hot water, he’d cook her breakfast. Most women picked at their food and it irked the hell out of him. Not Brinn. She ate with gusto. Watching her thoroughly enjoy the meal he’d prepared last night had made his chest puff out as if he’d received a five-star review at the restaurant. After he’d satisfied her hunger this morning, he’d carry her back to bed to take care