Page 130 of Where Sinners Repent

My hands twist in front of me. There was something that I was working on for them. In my sketchbook, I’ve been drawing a picture of them. Their two strong bodies, with me intertwined between them.

I wanted to frame it and give it to them, but I wasn’t totally prepared since this Christmas was sprung on me.

“Do we have time to stop into my studio for one sec afterwards?”

Maddy smiles. “Of course.”

We continue down the aisle, and I stop with a gasp. “And these. I’m totally getting them these.”

Snatching the two mugs from the shelf, I lift them to show her. She chokes on her laughter.

One says, MY GIRLFRIEND HAS A BETTER ASS THAN YOURS.

The next says, SO DOES MINE.

“Perfect,” she giggles.

I tuck them into the trolley under everything else so that Kai doesn’t see them.

Twenty minutes later, the boot is barely able to close around Maddy’s shopping. I make sure the mugs are buried behind the stacks of wrapping paper, and Kai flinches when the dancing Santa starts moving obnoxiously. He shoves it extra hard before slamming the trunk shut.

Me and Maddy bite our lips to stop from laughing before following him into the car.

When we pull up to the studio, I can’t stop fidgeting. Seeing the building waiting for me, completely paid for, is a dream come true. I’m dying to open again and beg my clients for forgiveness.

“I’ll be right back,” I murmur, opening the door.

“I’m coming,” Kai grunts.

“No,” I snap. “Kai, you can’t follow me everywhere. You’re acting crazy! My Christmas present for you is in there, and the wall is literally glass!”

He stares at me.

“Five minutes,” I bargain. “You can literally wait by the front door and watch me.”

His jaw works, and for a second I think he’s going to argue.

“Two minutes.”

I was right. “Five!” I sigh dramatically. “I need to get your present sorted, and I really don’t want you to see it. Please.” I pout at him.

He gives me a single nod, and I jump out of the ute. The bell chimes when I open the door, just like old times. It sparks a yearning like never before.

Aware that I’m on a time limit, I run to my office. I have stacks of frames in there, all ready to be hung up when I’m finished a design. My office is different. The makeshift bed is gone, replaced by a brand new couch.

Everything feels new.

Kai really outdid himself.

I find a simple black frame that is a perfect size for the charcoal drawing. Perfect for them.

Dropping it onto my desk, I open the bottom drawer and rifle through it. My old one is full. Full of Kai’s carved body. Of Kaleb’s sharp jaw. Their hands.

Who knew hands could be so fucking sexy?

My throat tightens. Fuck. When did this happen?

When did two men I should be terrified of become the two people I feel safest around.