“I’m just wondering if you’re missing something tonight.”
“Missing something?” He opens a bag of screws.
“You know, a party, booze,” I hold out my hands from my chest. “Big breasted elves.”
“Clarissa, I’m not into that anymore.”
“Hmm,” I say, pulling the trash from the carpet.
He grabs my free hand and commands my eyes. “I’m exactly where I want to be. Okay?”
He slides his thumb over the back of my hand, and I melt into that touch as my skin heats.
It’s ridiculous. I’m ridiculous. I’m a horny, needy woman. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been on the receiving end of more of his attention because I’m reeking of desperation. I feel like a fool as I gather the rest of the trash.
“He’s going to love this,” Troy says. “I can’t wait to see his face.”
“I was thinking. If you want to spend the night on the couch, you’re welcome to, so you can be here when he wakes up.”
“Yeah. That will be cool.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
He nods, intent on his task.
I crack Dante’s door for a quick check and see he’s hanging off the bed. I right him beneath the covers before closing his door and setting a decorative ring of bells on the handle to ensure we can hear him coming.
Armed with blankets and a pillow, I pad into the living room to see Troy standing and stretching.
“You’re done already?”
I bend over to inspect Dante’s new desk and light stands. “This is awesome. What a good idea. He’s going to love making his videos with this.”
“Jesus Christ,” I hear uttered in annoyance and glance over my shoulder to see Troy scrubbing his face with his palm.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he says hoarsely.
I frown and take a step forward. “Troy, what’s going on? I thought we were okay.”
He stares down at me, pushing the hair away from my shoulder. “We are.”
“Why are you acting so weird?”
“It’s nothing,” he says, “I just have a lot on my mind. I’m going to head home. I’ll probably be up anyway when he wakes up.”
“You’re not going to stay?”
“No. I’ve got some stuff to do.”
“It’s one in the morning,” I hear the whine in my own voice and inwardly cringe.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
But I can’t stop the thoughts racing through my mind. Jealousy burns through me at the idea that it might not be stuff, but a who he needs to do.
He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Merry Christmas. See you in the morning.”