I knew every dip and hollow of her body, and every part of me craved every part of her.
Rafe stood beside Colt at the bar, the two of them deep in conversation with their heads bent together.
Colt nudged Rafe’s shoulder when he spotted Noelle, picked up his schnapps, and walked away.
Noelle wrapped her arm around Rafe and hugged him.
Her face tilted up toward him, and she propped her toes on top of his boot.
The look in her eyes screamed happiness and lust.
Rafe almost smiled, a rare sight on any day.
But today was the kind of day that left me reeling after seeing Rafe dressed in his antique Santa suit.
I had no idea where he’d gotten it, only that I’d never seen him wear it, and the one time I’d seen it in the closet and asked about it, he’d snapped and ordered me to never mention it again.
My foot lifted of its own accord and tried to push me toward Noelle.
I gripped my mug tighter and forced my heel into the floor.
Rafe looked down at Noelle, and I’d never seen that expression on his face before.
He adored Noelle, and it showed.
Grinning, he leaned down and brushed a kiss over her cheek.
Looking at the two of them, no one would ever know that just a few days ago, he’d introduced her to bondage and Dom/Sub.
He’d given her a taste of the forbidden, and she relished it.
Where did that leave me? I’d barely spoken to her since that afternoon.
Noelle rose onto her tiptoes and whispered into Rafe’s ear.
His hand slid down her back in response, and he cupped her ass, hauling her closer to his side.
The moment remained PG for our crowd and no one else paid them any attention.
Colt joined Ash near the Christmas tree, and the two engaged in a spirited conversation that included a lot of laughter and hand gestures.
I finished my eggnog and set the mug on the half wall behind me.
The crack of the pool balls smacked together as a trio started a game.
I shifted my weight away from the pool table behind me and almost crossed the room to stand with Ash and Colt.
They’d welcome me without thought or question.
Noelle’s laughter bubbled up.
She hugged Rafe and shimmied from his grasp, snagging a second drink from the bar.
Her eyes caught mine as she headed toward Ash and Colt.
The look invited me closer.
I shook my head, breaking eye contact.
