“We have a lot of great donations, but I need to find things for the older kids. People usually give dolls and Legos and forget about the older kids. I just want to make sure the teenagers have something to open Christmas morning.”
“I’m guilty of that,” Tess mutters. “How about I do some shopping and have everything shipped directly to the salon? That way, you don’t have to worry about doing a pick-up.”
“That would be great. Thank you!”
“Great!” Tess winks.
“Count me in!” Camila jumps in and offers as well. I love how giving they are. Not just financially but with their time.
After growing up with nothing but brothers, they’re a dream to have. I love that I get along with my brothers’ wives and can actually call them my sisters.
“Just give me an idea of what teenagers might like. I was kind of a nerd growing up. I doubt they’d wanna make a puzzle.” Cami makes a face and I press my lips together.
“A puzzle?” Stella laughs, and Cami rolls her eyes.
“Whatever, don’t judge. You probably used your Easy Bake oven until you left for college.” She teased. They grew up together in the desert and have been best friends for a long time. Luckily for my brothers and my family, with fate’s help, they ended up in Moonlit Pines.
“Um, who said I didn’t take it with me?” Stella laughs, and we all start to giggle.
Before I know it, the night is coming to an end. I feel Jacob’s large body behind me without needing to turn to see him. My heart flutters as butterflies start to stretch their wings inside my belly.
“You ready, angel?” he asks, his voice low and deep. I shiver at the feel of his lips against the shell of my ear.
“Yeah, umm, yes.” I stand up with shaky legs. Almost as if sensing it, he moves in and wraps an arm around my waist.
“No need to rush, angel,” he whispers into my ear. My nipples tighten beneath my bra. I can feel the heat of his breath brushing against my ear, and it makes my skin feel tingly. “I got you,” he vows like a promise. I pull back to look up at him.I got you.The words feel like he means more than just the moment.
“Jacob…” I’m at a loss for words. Wasn’t I forbidden fruit just a couple of hours ago? He told me that, didn’t he? I lick my lips and feel his eyes skate against my mouth.
“We should go say bye.” He tips his head and watches as Stella and Tessa come closer.
“You guys leaving?” Tessa asks, and I nod quietly. I know she’s watching me closely. She’s the one I’m closest to.
Not because Cami and Stella aren’t great.
They are.
But other than my mom, Tessa was honestly the only other girl around when I was growing up. Eli and she have been best friends forever. But I always knew she was secretly in love with Owen. Too bad it took the big oaf such a long time to realize it. By the way she kept touching her stomach all night and avoided the usual beer she likes to drink, I have a feeling he made up for lost time and got straight to work on growing their family.
“Hey, man, we’re gonna get going,” Jacob announces for some reason. I blink, and it feels like time slows down. Suddenly, it’s like my older brother notices his best friend touching me.
That his buddy, even though he trusts him implicitly, has his arm around his little sister’s waist. Reed frowns. His eyes bounce from Jacob’s hand at my waist to my face and then back down. As if by looking at it, he’s trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Like his buddy touching me doesn’t make sense. I brace for the scene I’m more than sure is about to unfold.
I’m not the only one who notices either.
Camila, who I’m not sure what I would do without, moves over and hugs me, then hugs Jacob goodbye. “You guys need to come over soon. It gets a little boring with just this guy around.” She pats Reed on the shoulder, but for once, he’s not paying attention to her.
Nope. He’s looking right at us. Almost like he doesn’t get what’s happening.You and me both, big bro.Reed’s gaze is still on us. But much to my surprise, he doesn’t say a word.
He just nods and waves good night at us, thanking Jacob for picking me up and taking me home. Then, just as I’m almost out the door, I see it. The look he shoots Jacob. A look I know means they’re going to have a long conversation about how touchy-feely he is being with his baby sister.
Even so, Jacob is unaffected.
He doesn’t seem nervous. And I wonder what changed his mind. Didn’t he tell me I’m off limits? That I’m forbidden fruit to him?
The way his fingers tangle with mine as we walk out of Reed’s house and toward Jacob’s truck feels more than right. It feels lovely. Feels like forever.
5
