“That’s for amateurs.” Blitz dramatically placed his gold ornament, then stepped back to assess. “See? Already the lower left quadrant is gold heavy.”
“The tree has quadrants now?” I smiled in amusement as I reached for another ornament.
“You can’t just hang things willy-nilly, Neve.” Blitz’s feigned seriousness made Don’s shoulders shake with silent laughter.
The playlist shifted to “Santa Baby,” and Blitz immediately began singing along, shimmying his shoulders in a ridiculous dance that made me laugh out loud. The sound surprised me. When was the last time I’d laughed like that?
I reached up to place a snowflake, suddenly aware of howwarm I felt. My cheeks flushed, and sweat prickled at my hairline. “It’s getting way too hot in here.” I walked over to flip on the ceiling fan.
When I turned back, Don and Blitz were exchanging a look. Don raised his eyebrows, and Blitz gave an almost imperceptible shrug.
“What?” I planted my hands on my hips.
“Nothing.” Blitz grinned. “I was wondering if you were going to accuse us of tampering with your thermostat next.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching back into the bag. “Let’s finish this tree before I change my mind.”
We continued decorating, the tree slowly transforming into something that looked like it belonged in a magazine spread. Even I had to admit it was beautiful.
“I think the right side needs another red one.” I pointed to a bare patch.
Blitz gasped dramatically. “She’s getting into it, Don! Quick, document this historic moment!”
I spotted a perfect red ornament and reached for it just as Blitz’s hand shot out. Our fingers tangled around the sphere.
“I saw it first!” Blitz tugged playfully.
“It’s my tree!” I pulled back, laughing.
“Children, please.” Don reached into the fray, but his foot caught on the edge of my area rug.
Everything happened in slow motion: Don stumbling forward, Blitz jerking backward with me still gripping the ornament, the three of us colliding.
I fell against Blitz, and he backed into the couch, taking me with him as his legs buckled. I found myself straddling him, my knees bracketing his thighs, hands braced against his chest.
He didn’t move, and his eyes locked with mine. The usual playfulness was replaced with something darker and more intense. His hands came to rest lightly on my waist.
I noticed every point of contact between us: my thighs against his, his chest rising and falling beneath my palms, his fingers flexing on my waist.
Don cleared his throat fromsomewhere behind me.
Blitz didn’t look away. Neither did I.
My body stayed perfectly still, caught in the pull of him. Panic prickled at the edges of it because I hadn’t made a single move to get up. Worse, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
The heat of Blitz’s body radiated through his T-shirt, warming my palms. His thumbs found the strip of skin right above the waistband of my shorts.
I should have jumped up. Should have made a joke, brushed it off, created distance. Instead, my body betrayed me by sinking a fraction lower against him.
“The ornament survived, at least.” Don’s deep voice rumbled close to my ear as the couch dipped, and he settled beside us.
Blitz’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Neve.”
Just my name. Nothing else. But the way he said it, like a question and an answer all at once, sent a shiver of anticipation through my body.
My gaze dropped to his mouth. Why did I want to know what it would feel like against mine?
“I should probably…” I started to shift, but Blitz’s hands held me gently in place.
