Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
And poof, suddenly we weren’t the most interesting people in the room and the party officially had started as everyone tried to decide what special meant in that context.
There was enough mac-n-cheese and edible desserts that everyone nearly rolled home at the end of the night. Of course, there were some questionable offerings as well and a few brave souls even tasted them.
But not me.
No, I had better plans for the evening than ending up on the toilet all night, so I avoided anything that looked questionable…and it seemed that Ruslan was feeling the same way because he was also careful about which ones he picked.
He still managed to get enough food and presents to feed his little side, though, because Russie nearly popped out several times. He loved the party atmosphere and the mac-n-cheese and the brownies I’d made just for him because his eyes had lit up when I’d stolen the biggest one to give to him.
But Ruslan managed to hide it for the most part. The only obvious note that I thought anyone really caught was the way he’d taken my hand as we’d finally left the party because the way he was swinging it hadn’t been subtle.
I was waiting for panic to set in eventually, but we made it all the way back to his place with him alternating between chattering and just enjoying the walk. “At some point, I’m going to have to ask you for help with the twins, but I’m not going to worry about that yet.”
He grinned sheepishly when I chuckled. “They’re stubborn.”
“And head over heels for my man, so we need to find a distraction for them.” My teasingly gruff response got a blush from Ruslan.
“Your boy.” He squeezed my hand as he looked ahead and did his best to avoid my gaze. “Partner or boyfriend would work too.”
Adorable.
“My boy, huh?” His blush came back as he looked over at me. “Even in university parties and through gossip?”
A mix of nervousness and something like desire peeked out of his gaze. “Even in university parties and gossip…and through nosy students and slightly strange baristas.”
And then he kissed my cheek, right there on the street.
Chapter 23
Ruslan
“Nope, no asking if I’m okay.” I was used to being the ridiculous one, so it was hard not to laugh. “If you need to ask me anything you can ask me how it feels to have been right all along. I knew you were my Secret Santa.”
At some point, he was going to tell me where he’d found someone to make me a Mac-n-Cheese Man superhero shirt, but for the time being, I was just glad he’d said not to open it in front of other people.
“I was very sneaky. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dante smiled, getting distracted from his worries for the moment. “But I might have a Mac Daddy T-shirt that matches your new one very well.”
He was so funny.
“Matching sounds like fun.” Daddy or just Dante, I couldn’t wait to see him wearing it.
“But how are you feeling about me asking you to open your present more privately? I know that it might not have been—”
He was dead set on finding something to worry about, so I tried to find another good distraction as we headed inside and I set my stuff down just inside the door. “Cuddle me, Dante. I would like snugly attention, please.”
That had his eyes going wide. “Dante, huh?”
I barely took time to kick my shoes off before I dragged him back through the house. We’d never get to bed if he kept stopping every thirty seconds to ask me how I was feeling or what I was thinking. “Is this what it’s like dealing with me when I overthink a situation?”
Dante was trying to take off his shoes and ended up almost going headfirst into the wall by my bedroom door. “Yes. But worse because you can probably give a very good lecture on what I’m thinking as I worry.”
And I made him guess.
Well, I wasn’t going to apologize for that because I’d end up doing it tomorrow anyway, but I could at least look sorry, so I kissed his cheek. “I like knowing what you’re thinking. You take very good care of me.”
He rolled his eyes when he realized I wasn’t going to actually promise to change. “I’m glad you like knowing.”
He was so cute.
But it was definitely time to change the subject.
“I said Dante because I wanted cuddle time with my boyfriend and to check in with you. But yes, I almost said Daddy and then had to mentally shift from Master before I could get Dante out.” Now it was my turn to roll my eyes when he flashed me a pleased grin.
“Well, your Daddy is worried about you. Your Master is ready to spank you for making him insane. Oh, and Dante is worried that you hit your head and he didn’t realize it.” Dante was being very Dante as he drove me crazy and left me wondering if that was what he’d really been thinking all night.