Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

Christmas morning was a picture of laziness. Judd and I woke up around seven, worked up a sweat then returned to sleep. At ten, we woke up and messed around in the shower. Soon, we were in bed, giving each other oral gifts. Finally, we made it out of the bedroom for a leftover pizza breakfast.

Even knowing what was in the dozens of gifts surrounding our little tree, I was giddy while unwrapping. Since the gifts were as much for his pleasure as mine, we took turns opening them. Twice, we were so happy with our presents that we stopped unwrapping to enjoy them. Eventually, I walked around in a white and pink hearted babydoll while Judd threw on a pair of boxers. We finished with our gifts then enjoyed a glass of wine in front of the fire. Based on Pearl’s shock at how the gas fireplace roared to life, I suspected Judd didn’t use it often.

By the time Vaughn and Zaria arrived, I had a dumb grin plastered on my face. This was the best damn day of my life and Judd was perfection especially after agreeing to adopt a kitten in the New Year.

As the guys watched football in silence, I helped Zaria in the kitchen. Days earlier on the phone, we decided to bake a ham because it was easier than a turkey.

“I used to hate cooking,” Zaria said, grinning while glancing at her son. “So now I only cook for holidays and special occasions.”

“Farah is learning to cook, but I’d be happy to microwave everything.”

Blue eyes bright, Zaria smiled wider. “A girl after my own heart.

“Judd would probably like for me to cook,” I said, studying him as he stared blankly at the TV.

“Oh, I don’t think he cares. Judd is easy to please and he lives a simple life. Sharing that life with you is the biggest thing I’ve ever seen him do.”

Glancing at her, I was surprised to find her sad.

“There were years,” she said quietly, “where I’d thought I lost him. Months ago before he met you, Judd and I would have dinner and he was a shell of a man. He wanted nothing from life, almost like he was just wasting time until his death.”

Looking at Judd, I found him still lost inside himself. Yet, he must have felt my gaze on him because he turned towards me. At first, his eyes were emotionless. Vaughn noticed and stared dead eyed at me too. Giving them a big smile, I waved.

“Hey, guys!” I cried and they laughed. “Why are you two pouting?”

“It’s a good look on us,” Vaughn said, crossing his arms and staring at the television. “Makes us look deep.”

While Zaria and I laughed, Judd just smiled at me as his gaze was warmer. The coldness hiding behind those walls thawed and he was with us again.

“I’m making potatoes,” I said, just to say something.

“We need to get you one of those fancy aprons.”

Immediately, I imagined wearing nothing under the apron. Judd was likely imagining it too because he twisted uncomfortably on the couch.

Noticing Zaria frown at her son’s discomfort, I shrugged. “He’s got hemorrhoids.”

Vaughn burst into laughter. “Smooth.”

Zaria grinned at her son then turned around the work at the stove. “Men.”

Winking at an annoyed Judd, I glanced down at my breasts and he followed my gaze. His eyes returned to my face and narrowed.

“Stop,” Judd warned while fighting a grin.

Ignoring him and his pants problem, I helped Zaria finish dinner and talked about Farah. She even offered a discount on hair and makeup at her salon for the wedding party. Though I knew Cooper didn’t care about saving money, Farah loved a good deal.

Dinner tasted great, mainly because I helped create it. A small ham, cheesy mash potatoes, steamed broccoli, and a pie from the store was the nicest Christmas dinner I’d had outside of the visits to my grandmother’s house. Those visits involved an angry tension with relatives who hated each other. Now, I was surrounded by the man I loved, a woman who treated me like a daughter, and a guy I viewed as a cranky cousin. Even without Farah at dinner, I felt like I was home.

After we ate, I pulled out a deck of cards and we played for a few hours. Vaughn was cranky in the beginning, but perked up after he won a few games. Those wins were my Christmas gifts to him.

“If we went bowling,” I said to Vaughn who shuffled, “could I have those things up that keeps the ball from rolling into the gutter?”

“The bumpers? Sure. You want to bowl with me?”

“Yeah. Hell, we could even bring along Judd.”

A grunt from my man caused me to laugh, but Zaria ruffled Judd’s hair.

“Jealousy is adorable on you, kid,” she teased.

After the cards were handed out, I smiled at Vaughn. “I’ve never bowled before. If I like it, maybe we could make a habit of it? Like have a bowling night every week.”

As Judd frowned, Vaughn shrugged at the suggestion. “We’ll see if you like it first.”

“I like routines,” I continued, ignoring Judd’s irritated stare. “Each week, Judd and I are having dinner at Farah’s. We’re barbecuing and playing pool. On another night, we’ll have dinner out with Zaria.”

“When did this all happen?” Judd muttered.

“I planned it out in my head while I peeled potatoes.”

Judd sighed. “Well, thanks for sharing.”