Christmas with My Ex’s Dad: An Age Gap Holiday Romance (Forbidden Silver Foxes)

My heart races as I lean against the kitchen counter, struggling to process what I just witnessed. Griffin—my ex’s dad—pleasuring himself and moaning my name. My face burns with a mix of embarrassment and arousal. God, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

I can’t get the image out of my head or the sound of his voice saying my name. A tight knot of desire coils in my stomach, but I’m also wracked with guilt and confusion. This is so wrong. Pressing my hands to my cheeks, I try to cool myself down, but it feels nearly impossible.

A sudden knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts, and I rush to answer it. My sister, Iris, stands on the porch, her brows raised in surprise.

“What’s got you so riled up and flushed?” she asks suspiciously, eyes narrowing as they scan my face.

“Nothing, I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile and brushing my hair behind my ear. “Just… surprised to see you, that’s all. You didn’t tell me that you were coming.”

As I stand there, my thoughts still a tangled mess, I can’t help but wonder what Iris would think if she knew the truth. But some things are better left unsaid—at least for now.

Iris narrows her eyes, seemingly on the verge of pressing me for answers. There’s not a single person in this world who knows me better than my sister – which means she can see right through my lies. But then she relaxes, letting her suspicions fall away. “I wanted to check out where you’re staying—and the guy you’re staying with. You know, make sure he’s not some kind of creep.”

Before I can respond, the front door swings open, and Griffin steps in, his brows lifting at the sight of Iris. His presence, the way he fills the room, sends a shiver down my spine. “Didn’t realize we had company,” he says, his voice warm but curious.

“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. “This is my sister, Iris. Iris, this is Griffin…” I trail off, leaving it at just his name. How else could I introduce him anyways? It’s not like he’s my boyfriend’s dad anymore and ex’s dad just doesn’t sound right. Besides, Iris knows all of that already.

Griffin extends a hand, and Iris shakes it, smiling genuinely. “So, you’re the one taking care of my sister. Thanks for looking out for her.”

His gaze flickers to me, his expression unreadable. “You’re welcome to stay for dinner if you’ve got time.”

Iris hesitates, clearly considering the offer. I hold my breath, unsure of what I want her to say. After a moment, she nods. “Sure, why not? I’d love to get to know the man my sister’s living with.”

As Griffin disappears into the kitchen, I can’t help but feel a mixture of relief and dread. The prospect of spending an entire meal with both Griffin and Iris is both exhilarating and terrifying. What if Iris senses the tension between us? What if Griffin says something incriminating?

I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the present. Whatever happens, I’ll handle it.

Griffin, ever the capable host, places the steaming dish at the center of the table with an inviting smile.

“Bon appétit,” he announces as we all dig into the meal. Iris wastes no time, peppering him with questions about his work and life. His responses flow easily, reflecting his charm and confidence.

“GreenFrame Construction is more than just a business—it’s my passion. There’s something truly satisfying about building things from the ground up… creating something beautiful and functional out of raw materials,” he explains, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

I can’t help but notice how effortlessly he commands attention, captivating both Iris and me with his animated storytelling. My lips curl into a smile as I catch myself laughing along with them at one of his jokes. The tension that had built up within me begins to dissipate, replaced by a sense of ease and comfort.

But midway through dinner, that calm shatters when I feel the gentle graze of Griffin’s hand on my thigh under the table. My breath hitches, and I freeze, my fork hovering in midair. His fingers move slowly, caressing my skin before drifting closer to my center. I swallow hard, feeling my cheeks burn as I fight to maintain my composure. Oh my God, what is he doing? I think, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

“Is everything okay, Faye?” Iris asks, her brow furrowing with concern.

“Uh, yeah,” I stammer, forcing a smile. “Just… lost in thought.”

Griffin’s touch lingers, sending waves of desire coursing through me. I want to tell him to stop, but the gentle pressure of his fingers makes me ache with need. My mind whirls as I struggle to focus on the conversation, every fiber of my being yearning for more.

As we continue to eat and chat, my thoughts spiral into a tangle of desire and guilt. What am I supposed to do in this situation? How can I resist the magnetic pull between us when it feels so intoxicatingly right and wrong all at once?

I try to focus on Iris’s story about her latest work mishap, but my thoughts keep straying to the electrifying sensation of Griffin’s fingers gliding over my thigh.

“Really, Faye?” Iris laughs, oblivious to my struggle. “You should have seen the look on our boss’s face.”

“Sounds… hilarious,” I manage, feigning interest. My responses are clipped and distracted, a far cry from my usual attentiveness.

Griffin’s smirk widens ever so slightly as his teasing touch continues, sending shivers down my spine that make it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything else. Each time our eyes meet, it’s as if he’s daring me to break—to confess what’s happening beneath the tablecloth.

And I can’t because I’m enjoying it too much.

As we finish the meal, I practically leap from my seat, desperate for any excuse to escape his intoxicating proximity before I alert my sister to what’s going on. But before I can even reach for a dish, Griffin stops me with a gentle hand on my arm.

“I’ve got it,” he says, his voice firm yet kind. He turns to Iris, who’s been watching us with a curious smile. “Are you staying the night? We’ve got plenty of room.”

“Thanks, but the kids are with the babysitter, and I need to get back,” she replies, still grinning. “But I appreciate the offer.”

“Of course.” Griffin nods and excuses himself, saying he’ll let us say our goodbyes in private. As he disappears into the kitchen, I watch him leave, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and arousal. What is he playing at? And more importantly, why can’t I bring myself to resist?

The moment Griffin disappears into the kitchen, Iris is grabbing my arm. “Griffin is something, huh?” Iris says, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “He’s hot. Like, way hotter than Elliot.”

My face flames with embarrassment. “Iris! You can’t say things like that.”

“Come on,” she challenges, raising an eyebrow. “Did you see the way he was looking at you? Like he wanted to devour you.” Leave it to my sister to notice something else going on.

I hesitate, torn between the urge to confess and the fear of being judged. Finally, unable to bear the pressure any longer, I admit, “We… kissed once. But that’s it.” I don’t mention catching him earlier or what he did under the table, but even the kiss feels like too much to confess.

“Really?” Iris smirks, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Tell me he was a good kisser. He looks like a good kisser.”

“It was just a short and sweet mistletoe kiss.” I shrug. “Don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not like anything can happen between us anyways.”

Iris raises an eyebrow at me. “And why is that?”

“He’s my ex’s dad. It feels wrong.”

Iris doesn’t look phased. “It’ll only feel wrong if you let it. I personally say go for it. What Elliot did – cheating – is wrong. Moving on isn’t—no matter who it’s with. You deserve to be happy.”

My chest aches with the weight of her words, and for a moment, I allow myself to imagine a life where happiness isn’t tainted by guilt or shame. A life where I could freely explore my desires without fear of judgment.

“Thanks, Iris,” I murmur, my voice wavering slightly. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” she whispers, pressing a tender kiss to my cheek before stepping back. “And if you ever need anything… you know where to find me.”

I watch her get into her car. The engine roars to life, drowning out my thoughts as she pulls away, leaving me standing in the doorway.

What am I going to do? I already know the answer to that.

There’s no turning back now. All that’s left is to face the consequences, whatever they may be. And maybe, just maybe, find happiness along the way.