We settle on both.
We’re eating the amazing food he put together when a stressful thought makes me pause with my fork hovering in the air.
“Are we hard-launching our relationship with an ornament?”
He chews and swallows as he shakes his head. “Nope. We’re hard launching our relationship when your brother and his wife get here in about five hours.”
CHAPTER 27
The last thing you want to be thinking about is how your friend’s sister looked naked, her hands tied with Christmas lights, dazed from three orgasms, when you are about to see him for the first time since you violated the bro code.
But here we are.
“I’m so nervous.” Liberty tugs on her sweater, twists her hair, and grimaces. “I can’t take this.”
She makes a noise when I grab her, pulling her down into my lap. “You’re just wearing yourself out by pacing. I told you I’ll take care of everything, honey.”
“But…but what am I supposed to do? Hide?”
“How about you head to the hot tub?”
She blinks at me like I suggested she run laps around the resort. Outside. In the snow. “I couldn’t leave you alone to do this.”
Brushing her hair back, I kiss her cheek. “I’m good at solo missions.”
“But—”
“Go sweetie, I’m fine. Seriously.”
Liberty gives me a look. It’s half indecision, half concern. “The hot tub does sound nice.”
She’s so beautiful today with her hair draped over her shoulders to cover my marks on her neck, her white button-up blouse and long gray skirt. I can’t keep my eyes off of her.
It’s going to be painful for her to be out of my sight.
“I’ll join you there after I talk to Justice. Maybe they will want to come for a soak. But I wouldn’t wear your hair up.
All the color blanches from her face. “You’re right. AND you can’t touch me in the hot tub if they do join us.”
“Sooner or later I’m going to touch you in front of him. In front of all the team.”
“Oh god. Why am I so nervous?” She buries her face in my neck.
“Because it’s important. And I understand that. But babe, they love you and only want the best for you. And if they can’t be nice about that then they come through me to get to you. I won’t let anyone behave in a way that’s hurtful to you. Ever.”
Her eyes are misty when she leans back, locking gazes with me. “Is there any wonder I fell in love with you at first sight?”
“The same can be said for you.” I steal one more quick taste of her lips, then lift her off my lap. “Go. I’ll come join you soon.”
She’s grumbling, but soon her small boot-steps are echoing in the hallway as she makes a hasty retreat.
“Music,” I call to the system. “Something Christmas, but not romantic.”
The selection is The Twelve Days of Christmas. It’s playing low enough that the alarm on my phone notifies me that Justice has not only arrived, but he’s parked in the deck.
Exactly one-hundred-twenty seconds later he strides into the resort, with his wife in tow.
She’s grinning. Him…not so much.
