Page 18 of Holiday Flame
A voice in my head says maybe he’s just been waiting for someone like me.
My heart aches at the possibility of that never being true. Not wanting to spoil the memory of what we’ve shared, I flash a smile.
“Thanks for my Christmas present,” I say with my flirtiest voice.
“Believe me.” He winks at me. “You’re the best present I’ve ever unwrapped.”
With one more smirk, he’s out the window. I collapse back against the bed, taking deep breaths. My mind races with all of the possibilities that my heart has suddenly opened.
I’m still sifting through them when there are dual shouts outside. Wrapping the blanket around myself, I race to the window.
I come face to face with Remington. And my brother.
EIGHT
REMINGTON
The breakfast spread Maverick and his wife, Emerson, have put on the kitchen table for Christmas morning breakfast is impressive.
Unfortunately, I can’t enjoy any of it. Every time I take a bite, I’m afraid I’ll choke. Based on the glares I’m getting from my best friend, I’d guess Mav would be all too happy if that’s exactly what I did.
I’d also say this is one of the best Christmas mornings I’ve had since I was a kid. There’s really something special about waking up with the woman you love in your arms. It’s even more special when you wake her up with a kiss with the power to curl your toes.
Of course, spending Christmas morning with the woman you love would be even better if her brother wasn’t staring at you as if he hopes you’ll spontaneously burst into flames.
“Could you please pass the syrup?” Jade asks.
Mav blinks in surprise. “What?”
“I asked if you could please pass the syrup.”
“Oh.” He frowns and hands over the pitcher. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, brother.” She flashes a smile with those sweet lips of hers.
Those lips that can make me lose every thought in my head when I’m kissing them. Those lips that were well on their way to wrapping around my cock when Maverick nearly walked in on us.
A booted foot kicks my shin.
“Hey.” I hiss and glare across the table at Maverick. “What was that for?”
“What do you mean?” He has the nerve to look innocent.
So that’s how he wants to play it. I narrow my eyes even more. Well fine. I’m more than capable of playing this game.
Leaning back in my seat, I rest an arm along the back of Jade’s chair. She’s just taken a bite of pancakes, but she flashes me a bright, closed-mouth smile. I return it, giving myself permission to unleash the full magnitude of my feelings for her in the warmth of my stare.
I get another kick to the shin. This one is harder. I scowl at Maverick.
“Whoops. Damn.” He lifts his shoulder innocently. “I’m really clumsy today.”
“You’re really something today.”
His eyes flicker with anger. “Speaking of things being something. Isn’t it something that you just so happened to be at our doorstep first thing this morning?”
“Mav…” Emerson says in a warning tone.
“And.” His jaw clenches. “Isn’t it really something that I heard something that sounded exactly like your voice coming from my sister’s bedroom right before that happened?”