Page 36 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

“Yeah, lucky for you,” she mumbled, going back to being cocooned in Declan’s lap.

Clark huffed, addressing Declan. “Run for it, man.”

“I can’t.” He leaned over and kissed the side of her neck. “She knows how I like my coffee.”

Holly wrinkled her nose. “You do stink, babe.”

Declan chuckled, burying his head into her neck with a growl, and she squealed, grabbing on to the back of his head. Delilah’s cheeks burned when her best friend’s face contorted, and a little moan escaped her.

“Dude,” Nick shouted. “That’s my sister.”

Holly glared at Nick before flashing Declan a devilish smile. “I think we should go home and get cleaned up.”

“Hey, none of that,” Delilah protested. “We need to finish this, and there will be no distractions until we do.” Delilah flashed the big man an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Declan.”

“He’s used to you cockblocking him,” Holly joked, only to scream when Declan tickled her.

“I don’t cockblock him! I’m sure he finished just fine the other morning,” Delilah quipped.

The guys erupted into a multitude of groans and laughter. Declan released Holly’s shoulders, shaking his head. “Yeah, I am not getting in the middle of this.”

The bathroom door opened, and Merry came out with shimmering eyes. She walked past them toward the living room, Daisy trotting by her side. “I’m going to lie down.”

“Do you need any water?” Clark asked.

“No,” she said, sitting down on the couch. “I just want all of you stinky bastards to go away.”

“I’m sorry for making you puke, Sis,” Nick said.

Merry held up her hand. “I do not forgive you.”

“I’ll get him for you, Mer,” Holly said, flashing an evil grin. “It will be good.”

Merry nodded her head regally. “Thank you.”

“What about the bachelor auction?” Delilah asked.

“I’m here listening,” Merry said, lying back on the couch with her arm over her eyes. “Holly can write. Find me ten more bachelors.” Merry tilted her head up and lifted her arm to glare at all of them. “If you try to sneak Trip onto that list, I will get up and lose my cookies all over both of you.”

“I’m going to go home and get cleaned up,” Clark said, hovering over her. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

“I’m good here. Take Nick with you, please. He is the smelliest.”

Clark kissed her forehead swiftly and headed straight for his brother-in-law. He grabbed Nick around the neck, dragging him toward the door. “You heard her. I’ll let you borrow some clothes.”

“I’ll just go home and get cleaned up,” Nick protested.

Holly got up from Declan’s lap, crossing to the whiteboard. “Where were we?”

“Finding Merry ten more bachelors,” Delilah offered, before adding, “except for the two who are douchebags.”

“Trip is who you’re talking about excluding?” Anthony said, his voice strained.

“Yeah, and Brodie William.” Delilah noticed his dark scowl under the brim of his hat and frowned. “Why?”

“I just think that’s a good call,” he said, gruffly. “They’re pricks.”

“I agree,” Delilah said, thinking about the times Trip had made comments about her when he’d passed by her in public. Delilah knew he meant for her to hear, otherwise, wouldn’t he have waited until she was gone to talk about her?