Page 9 of Hot Mess Christmas Express

“Get back to the kiddos who need you?”

“Exactly. I miss them.”

“Girlfriend?”

A new wave of nerves washed over her as she asked the question. She assumed since he was at the wedding without a date and had been plenty generous with his kisses that there wasn’t another woman in the picture. But one could never be too careful.

“Last girl I went out with spent the entire date talking about how much I would like her friend. Everything I said resulted in an ‘OMG, Jess would love that!’, which as you can imagine, was a blast. You?”

“Well, let’s see…couple of casual dates here and there. I was seeing someone up until a month ago. He also worked for Cosmas, and I’d always thought he was really cute, but he was with someone. Then about seven months ago he told me they broke up, and we started dating. We had to keep it hush-hush because of work, but whatever. Then one night, we’re lying in bed, and he lets it slip that his ‘ex’ is pregnant and ‘they’ are four months along,” she offered, making sure to use the air quotes to emphasize her points.

“Oh, shit.”

“Yup. I told you, I’m the hot mess express.”

She gave a slight shrug, not knowing what else to do. She was sure that if he knew what a failure she’d become since they’d first met that he would hightail it out of here any moment. Instead, he shifted on the couch, burrowing his arm behind her and hauling her into his lap. Sienna’s heart raced as he pulled her close, their mouths a whisper away from each other.

“I don’t think you’re a hot mess,” he said. His hand found the small of her back, and it felt like it had been made just for the spot. Like she was made to fit right here in his arms. The heat of his body seared through her clothes, making her skin tingle with anticipation. “I think you’re just hot.”

Sienna threw her head back, letting out a laugh that seemed to echo throughout the room. The line was cheesy, still her heart felt like it could burst. That was the sweet, funny guy she knew was in there. The same one she’d spent that whirlwind night with. She kissed him softly, feeling the air around them sizzle. Damn, she wanted him.

“You’re still shivering,” Caleb whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. Sienna snuggled into him more, enjoying how warm he was. “Do I need to warm you up?”

“Just what do you have in mind?”

“Well,” he answered, very matter-of-factly. “We weren't outside all that long, and you were mostly covered, but I should still probably check all over. Just in case.”

The playful wink he gave her let loose a collection of butterflies that she hadn’t realized were inside her. She wanted to come up with something fun and witty to say in return, but her mind was blank. All she could focus on was his strong jaw and those whiskey-colored eyes and just how they were bewitching her. Making her want to do very naughty things.

“I seem to remember you having an excellent bedside manner,” she offered, unable to hide her giddiness at the thought. Licking her lips, she sucked in a deep breath, ready to admit something she’d never told anyone. “Truth be told, I think about that night a lot. More than once I’ve considered getting a boob job just to feel your hands on me again. But then I remembered that you don’t like boobs.”

Caleb let out a long groan, the vibrations rumbling against Sienna, sending another thrill through her. She wanted him. Bad.

“If I recall, yours were the exception,” he said, his eyes turning dark. “And if you’ll trust me again, I’d love the chance to examine them again, just to make sure they still meet standards. You know, as a doctor.”

“I did skip my physical this year.”

“Naughty girl.”

“You have no idea.”