Page 34 of The Naughty List Agreement

She must really be desperate if she was agreeing to all this fairy-tale magic rubbish just to get Nick naked in her bed. That was the only rationale for what she’d wagered with him.

His parents clearly adored him and though he’d mentioned a sister, her name didn’t come up at all during the day. She met Pete again, who still looked like he’d be more at home leading the Russian mob or in some kinky sex club. He wore leather pants with an Armani jacket over them. Once again, he didn’t wear a shirt under it.

That meant she got another look at his tattoos.

Be Good for Goodness’ Sake.

Why were these two guys so obsessed by Christmas? And by who was naughty and who was nice? She wanted to ask about it but she couldn’t think of a good way to bring it up. Nick had been the one to pump the brakes last night, so maybe she should tackle Pete and ask him what his cousin’s deal was.

“You’re staring at my cousin,” Nick said, plopping down next to her on one of the sofas in the living room. Apparently they were going to play a big family game of touch football as soon as everyone arrived. Cora had offered to keep score since she wasn’t sporty and was wearing white pants.

“I’m not staring at him, just his tattoo. You have the same one.” Pushing up the sleeve on his Christmas sweater, she ran her finger over the words. His arm was hot and hard under her touch. He was so muscly.

“I do.”

“What’s it mean to you? It must be important to you?”

“It is,” he admitted. “There are times when we all need a reminder.”

“Were you that naughty as a child?” she teased.

“Sometimes,” he said. “It’s more a reminder to check myself when I’m frazzled with life. Putting good into the universe sends more back.”

She wasn’t sure she agreed but wasn’t about to argue with him when she was feeling all glowing and warm sitting next to him on the couch. “Did you guys get it done together? You don’t seem very similar.”

She saw that twinkle in his eyes and realized she was talking a lot again. But that was her safe space.

“In what way?”

She flushed, heat moving along her cheeks. Why had she started this? Just once could she keep quiet?

“You’re all cuddle by the fire and he’s all you’ve been naughty, let’s go to my dungeon, I’m going to punish you.”

Nick’s eyes went wide for a second and then he threw his head back, letting out a hearty laugh. “Which do you prefer?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Indeed you are. But I’m the one who came to you,” he pointed out.

“Stop stalling and tell me about the tat.”

“We’re part of a … guild.”

“A guild? Do those even exist anymore? I’ve got to be honest, the only one I can think of is the Lollipop Guild from Wizard of Oz. Please tell me you have a cool song and that you’ll be performing it today.”

Rolling his eyes, he stretched his arm along the back of the couch, pulling her closer to him. “Don’t be ridiculous. We have a secret initiation and once you know about the guild you have to swear an oath of secrecy. It means the mantle passes on to you.”

There was mirth in his eyes and on his face. He was teasing her, and she liked it. Way more than she’d have guessed. “So you’re basically in a cult?”

He laughed again, and that snow globe in her stomach rocked and rolled. This man! Her lips felt dry so she licked them. Nick noticed, and his eyes on her mouth sent warm tingles through her body.

She leaned toward him and for a split second he stayed where he was. Their eyes met and the world stopped. There was only the two of them, staring at each other. This connection to him was rocking her on her moorings. She didn’t do connections. Ever.

A smart woman would be on her feet and out the door, but instead she shifted closer to him on the couch. “Come on, Nick, spill the secrets of your guild.”

His hand fell to her shoulder, and she felt her skin tingle as he rubbed her collarbone through her sweater. Was he trying to distract her? God knows it was working.

“You playing, Nick?” Pete asked.