Read Online More Than Once by Elizabeth Briggs - Free Book Online Page A

is my favorite.” The ladies beamed even more.
    “I want more cider,” Hannah said, as we dug into our pies. “More, more, more!”
    “Sorry, baby,” Trish said. “Grandma said you only get one glass. You can have milk now instead.”
    “But I want more! Mommy, pleaaaaaaaaaase. It was a present for me. Mr. Brett said so.”
    “Just let her have it,” Matt said. “It’s Christmas Eve after all.”
    Trish glared at him. “And what about when she’s up all night bouncing around the house? Are you going to get her to sleep?”
    “She’ll be fine.”
    “Right, because you obviously know better than I do, even though I’m home with her
all day long
.”
    Matt’s eyebrows furrowed. “Please let’s not talk about that now.”
    “Patricia, is everything all right, dear?” Evelyn asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
    “Everything’s peachy,” Trish said, crossing her arms.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize the cider would be a problem.”
    “It’s not your fault,” Trish said with a sigh.
    Becca twisted in her seat to lean close to Hannah, then whispered something in her ear. The girl scrunched up her face as she listened, and then her eyes widened. She nodded at Becca and then loudly proclaimed, “I’m ready for bed now.”
    “Now?” Matt asked.
    Hannah nodded quickly. “Becca says the sooner I go to sleep, the sooner Santa will come down the chimney with presents.”
    “That is true,” Trish said with a faint smile.
    “C’mon, let’s go get Santa some milk and cookies,” Matt said, standing up, his pie untouched.
    “Okay!” Hannah said, and the two of them disappeared into the kitchen. The table seemed to collectively relax as soon as Matt was gone.
    David cleared his throat. “What are you doing for Christmas tomorrow, Brett?”
    “I don’t have any plans, really.”
    “No plans?” Evelyn gasped. “It makes me sick thinking of you all alone on Christmas. You must come over again tomorrow. We’re going to open presents in the morning, and then we’ll have brunch together before heading to Austin to visit with my parents and my brother’s family.”
    “Thank you for the offer, but I couldn’t impose on your kindness again. Besides, I’m supposed to go in to work tomorrow.”
    “Work?” David asked. “That’s just not right. Not right at all. It’s Christmas!”
    “It’s no imposition at all, dear,” Evelyn said, smiling at me. “We would love to have you.”
    I hesitated. It was tempting and it’s not like I had any other real plans, but Becca had only invited me for one night. I glanced at her, silently asking her what I should do.
    “Yes, you shouldn’t be alone tomorrow,” Becca said as her hand slipped under the table. A second later I felt it on my thigh, a warm pressure through my jeans. I gave her a sideways glance, but she smiled at me innocently while her hand crept higher and higher. “You should definitely come.”
    I didn’t miss the hidden innuendo there, especially with her fingers inching up my thigh.
    “Oh, I’m pretty sure he will,” Trish said, giggling.
    Neither had Trish, obviously. Luckily her parents seemed oblivious.
    “Okay,” I said. “I’ll be here in the morning. Thanks.”
    Becca’s fingers found the bulge in my jeans, which had sprung to life at her touch, and she slid her fingers along it through the fabric. I cleared my throat and shifted, hoping it wasn’t obvious to anyone else at the table. Damn, she was naughty, doing this right under her parents’ noses. I fucking loved it.
    “This wine is really nice,” David said. “You’re not drinking any, Brett?”
    It took me a second to realize he was talking to me, both because of the name and because his daughter’s hand was in my lap. “No, sir. I have to drive home.”
    “You’re so responsible,” Evelyn said, flashing Becca a proud look. “But what about the storm, dear? I haven’t seen it snow this much in December in