Exclusive Bonus Scene from Being Merry by Meka James : Festive Kisses Event Day 5 (Including Giveaway of Meka James)

I sang along to “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” as I stood looking at the eight foot pine in front of me. Despite all of Lennox’s protests and grumpiness, she’d gone out and gotten a tree…a real tree…for me. 

“Are you waiting on it to speak?”

I jumped at the sound of her voice as she descended the stairs. 

“No. Just enjoying the fact I have one to decorate. Thank you again for doing this.” 

I’d invaded her house. Put up decorations she hadn’t wanted. And in return she’d gone out of her way to accommodate me so that my first holiday away from home would still be somewhat normal. Maybe even a little special. 

She strolled over and peeked inside one the bags I’d set on the couch. “I’d expected more, Dasher.”

The name that has started as an insult had morphed into a term of endearment and I loved it. “Well, I didn’t want to over buy because I do have a ton back in North Carolina. Once I’m settled in my own place, my parents will ship the designated stuff.”

She laughed. “How many shipping containers will that be?” Forever with the teasing, but it was her and I liked it.

“None,” I replied, rolling my eyes as I grabbed up a box of lights. “I packed all the ones most special to me in one rubber storage bin. I have ornaments from when I was a child. A few vintage ones passed down to me from my grandmother. All sentimental pieces that get mixed in with the others.”

Lennox stared at me for a moment. “I’m sure they’re all beautiful and I can’t wait until you tell me about them.”

No teasing this time. It was true, I had some that did indeed have stories attached and the fact that she not only understood that but expressed genuine interest…my Grinch’s heart had grown which made my own burst with happiness.

“Do you want help?”

I stumbled back in dramatic shock. “Man, you really are trying to get on the nice list this year.”

“I’m on the nice list every year. But this…” She pointed toward the tree. “Should get me on the super VIP one.” She curled her lips into a smile and my heart rate spiked.

“Super VIP, huh?”

She strolled off toward the kitchen, returning a few seconds later with the step stool. She climbed up, then held her hand out for the string of lights. “Yup. In fact, I’m pretty sure turning my house into Santa’s village guarantees me a permanent spot on the nice list.”

Another one of her lopsided, sexy grins took up residence on her face before she started stringing the lights. 

“Kinda put the strands close. I like a well-lit tree.”

She glanced down at me. “Whatever you say, Dasher. This is your show. I’m simply the unpaid help.”

“Oh…I’m sure I can find some way to compensate you for your trouble.”

She licked her lips and climbed down from the stool, letting the lights dangle on the tree. “Is that so?”

Before I could answer, her mouth covered mine. I wrapped my arms around her neck, thrusting my tongue forward. When she grabbed my ass, pulling our bodies closer together, I moaned in response.

She kissed along my jawline. “Does it include you sitting on my face?”

I slipped my hands under her shirt and craned my neck to the side. “If I’m paying you, shouldn’t you be sitting on my face?”

“I’m the one being compensated so I get to choose the reward I’d like to receive,” she whispered before nipping at my earlobe.

“Yes, you do. But first…”

She squeezed my ass again before stepping back. “But first.”

An hour and a half later the tree was no longer bare. The four boxes worth of clear lights shimmered, casting dancing shadows off the silver and red balls. The large bow at the top with the tails that hug to the midpoint of the tree completed the look. Not as eclectic as my normal tree, but I loved it all the same.

I wrapped my arms around Lennox’s waist. “You know the day I arrived I pictured doing something like this.”

“Like what”

“Team building. Decorating and stuff since your house was bare.”

She chuckled. “Did you now?”

“Yup. I decided before you ever opened the door that we’d be great friends and get along. We got off to a rocky start, but I see beautiful things in our future.” I beamed a bright smile at her and she simply shook her head in response.