First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

“I know.” She emerged, kissed him and pulled the covers around them both.

“We’re awake, bud.”

Liam let out a whoop. Leah couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

“Did you hear that, Sky? He’s awake but he said we, so that means Miss Leah is here too!” he whooped again. They heard an incoherent grumble of a reply.

“Are you coming out? You have to see the tree! There are so many presents!”

“It’s a good thing he’s cute,” Cade grumbled. Leah knew he might be annoyed they got interrupted but deep down he was just as excited to open gifts as his son. He didn’t fool her.

“We’ll be right out!” she called.

Liam whooped for a third time and they heard his footsteps race down the hall.

“Come on, get up!” she sat up and patted his chest. “It’s Christmas!”

“I am up. That’s the problem,” he teased and claimed another kiss before rolling out of bed.

Leah watched him tuck himself, still half erect, back into his pajama pants. It looked awkward. “Sorry.” Leah felt bad. She was the one to initiate and Liam’s interruption kept her from following through. She climbed out of bed and avoided his gaze.

Cade caught her before she could escape to the bathroom. He pulled her into his arms. “These things happen. It’s okay, I’ll survive. Just,” he paused to give her a sexy grin, “hold that thought ’til later, okay?”

She returned his grin and he kissed her thoroughly. Leah disengaged with a laugh, knowing a kiss like that was not going to help his current situation.

Leah slipped into the bathroom, quickly combed her hair and brushed her teeth. She put on her bra but stayed in her Christmas pajamas.

When she came out, Cade had put on a shirt and was eagerly waiting. He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door, his blue eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Come on, love! It’s Christmas!”

♦

Leah couldn’t stop smiling. Finding herself in the middle of the Emerson family’s Christmas morning felt absolutely magical. She did not feel like an outsider. Being here felt like the most perfect thing in the world. It continued to amaze her how real it felt to be with Cade.

She felt accepted. She felt wanted. She felt included.

It felt natural to have Liam on her lap as he opened his stocking. It felt normal to gang up with Sky to tease Cade. It felt right for there to be a stocking with her name on it and gifts she’d purchased and wrapped under the tree. She felt this was the life she was supposed to have.

“Look at this!” Liam was showing her all the things in his stocking. Small trinkets, toys, and candy she and Cade had picked out.

“It’s playdough, yes! And gummy snacks. I love gummy snacks!” Liam held each item up for her approval.

“I’m glad you like them.” She gave him a squeeze. “What about you, Sky? Any hair bows?”

“I’m never gonna live that down, am I?” Cade groaned but he seemed more happy than upset.

“Head bands, no bows,” Sky confirmed. “The kind I like too. And this one matches my favorite sweater perfectly! Thank you, Leah!”

“Hey, how do you know I didn’t pick it out!”

Cade crossed his arms and pouted. More accurately, he attempted to pout but his face kept trying to laugh. Sky did laugh, which made the rest of them laugh too.

“Your turn, Miss Leah! Open yours. Here, I’ll help!” Liam had her stocking and began to pull things out. She saw Cade move to intervene but she stopped him. For her, this was more fun.

“This looks like . . . lipstick or something?”

“Lip gloss,” Sky corrected. “Oh, pretty. It’s pink and it shimmers! I got clear.”

It was on Leah’s lips to offer to trade but Cade shook his head. It was both beautiful and a bit disconcerting the way he could sometimes read her thoughts.

“Gum!” Liam shouted. “Mint, yuck!”

“It’s for me, silly. I like mint!” She gave him a little shake and he giggled as he continued to explore her stocking.

Cade also began opening his stocking. She watched as he pulled out his special treasures too. They both got fuzzy socks and candy. Cade also got an air freshener for his truck and a squishy stress reliever that was shaped like a hammer.

With their stockings opened, Leah eyed the mound of presents and wondered who would open what first. Instead, Sky and Liam stood up. Cade rose and pulled Leah to her feet.

“Breakfast time! Want to be lazy on the couch or help me cook?” he teased. Her love of cooking was no secret.

“What are we making?”

Cade listed off the works: bacon, sausage, eggs, and hash browns. The children cheered.

“Pancakes or French toast?” he offered.

“Oh! I wish I had a waffle iron. That’s what I should have put on my list.” Leah was disappointed. She knew this was an Emerson Christmas but not having waffles on Christmas morning just seemed wrong.

They made their way to the kitchen and Liam started pulling things they would need out of the fridge. He was such a good helper. She smiled and touched his head. He grinned up at her.

Leah noticed Sky and Cade having a private conversation. When Cade gave his daughter a tiny nod, Sky’s face lit in a pretty smile. She rushed out of the kitchen.

“What was that about?” Leah asked.

Cade shrugged, not giving her an answer. Instead, he smiled smugly. She eyed him but before she could get him to confess, Sky returned with a medium-sized box and presented it to Leah.

“I thought we were doing gifts after breakfast?”

“Dad said it was okay.” Sky pushed the box into her arms. “Ugh, take it, it’s heavy.”

Leah took the box and set it on the counter top. The size and weight gave her a clue. She looked to Cade and he nodded. Leah opened her gift.

“Yes!” Liam whooped. “Waffles!”

“It’s perfect! How did you know?”

“You mentioned wanting to make waffles before,” Cade shrugged. “Then Sky mentioned she saw you looking at them in