Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“Take charge?”
“Yeah.”
“I, uh . . .”
“It’s okay to admit to your needs, Brody.”
“Maybe,” he said. “I guess we’ll see. Finish opening your gifts.”
“I might save some for tonight. Why don’t you open yours?”
He unwrapped his, revealing a small red bag. “That . . . that blasted man!”
“What is it?” she asked.
She leaned over. Written along the front in black lettering were the words, You’ve Been Naughty.
What the heck?
When he opened it up, small pieces of fake coal fell out. Horror filled her. Followed by amusement. “You got coal?”
He frowned at her.
“Brody-bear, have you been naughty?”
“I haven’t!” he replied hotly. Then he groaned. “Fine, maybe a little bit. But he didn’t have to give me coal.”
“What did you do?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
That just made her more curious. She’d find out eventually. “How did he know you’d been naughty? Oh my God, he’s not really Santa, is he?”
“He’s so far from Santa it’s not funny.”
She giggled.
“Don’t laugh.” But he looked like he was trying not to grin. “Open the rest of your gifts, then we’ll watch some more cheesy Christmas movies.”
“Don’t you have to get ready to go to your mom’s place soon?”
“Oh, I’m not going.” He turned away. “I’ll get your special Christmas coffee.”
“Brody.” She grabbed his hand, turning him around to face her again. “Why aren’t you going? You have to go. They’re your family.”
“Will you come?”
“I . . . I . . .” Oh, holy crap. Meet a whole group of strangers? She was sure they were lovely . . . although from the things Brody had said, they also sounded crazy.
“Hey, easy. I’m not going to make you do anything you’re not ready for.”
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be sorry. I wouldn’t want to meet them either. If I wasn’t related to them, I’d never spend time with them.”
“Brody,” she scolded.
“You haven’t met them; they’re horrid. Every last one of them. When I was twelve, they drew a penis on my forehead in permanent marker while I was ill and sleeping.”
She put her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, not wanting him to think she was laughing at him.
“That . . . that’s awful.”
“Uh-huh, go on, have a laugh. Laugh at poor Brody. That’s what everyone else did.”
“Aww. Want me to beat them up for you?” She wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his chest so she could look up at him.
“Yes,” he said sulkily.
“When I meet them, I’ll blacken all of their eyes to defend your honor.”
He smiled. “Thanks, Captain Redhead.”
“Take that nickname back, you scoundrel.”
“Never!”
“Then prepare to defend yourself.” She raced into the kitchen to grab two wooden spoons. One, she threw to him before whacking her own against his. They fought their way through the house. The fight to the death ended with him on his back on the floor while she stood over him, pressing the tip of her sword to his neck.
“Surrender!”
“I surrender!” he cried.
“Declare me your mistress and pledge to always obey me.” She placed her foot on his chest. She loved it when his Middle came out to play with her.
“I swear it, mistress.”
“Hmm. Then I shall let you live. You may get up and kiss my toes.”
“Ew no. I’d rather die.”
She gasped. “Then you shall walk the plank into shark infested waters.”
“I’ll take me chances with the sharks!”
“Then get up. Up! And walk.” She threw some of the couch cushions on the floor to create a plank. He walked along it, turned at the end.
“I shall forever love you, Mistress!” he declared before he dived off. “Wait! I can’t swim! I’m drowning! Drowning!”
“You made your choice, you flea-ridden scoundrel.”
“Hey! I don’t have fleas! Oh no! A shark got me. I’m dying! Dying!”
He was writhing around dramatically on the floor.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “It was your choice, scoundrel. Bet you wished you’d kissed my feet. Now, be quiet. I want to count my treasure in peace.”
“Dying . . . dying . . .”
He smiled as he watched them through the cameras, wishing he could be there with them. Watching them play together was something he could never grow tired of.
Seeing them carefree and happy.
It made him feel lighter. Almost as though . . . was he happy?
How strange.
His Pup hadn’t been happy over his coal. But the Fox still wasn’t happy with him. Putting himself in danger was unacceptable.
As soon as the Fox had discovered what was happening . . . that his Pup was at risk, this fear had filled him.
It was then that he realized how much the Pup meant to him. Exactly how much he wanted him.
That he was his. Just like she was.
The Fox’s family. One day, he’d be there playing pirates with them, sipping hot chocolate and opening presents.
Soon.
17
After spending the afternoon at his mother’s house, Brody’s head was thumping as he let himself into his apartment. His sisters were as full-on as always. They’d all wanted to know where his girlfriend was.