Page 108 of The More the Merrier

I started up the engine, watching as my brother rested his elbow on my driver’s side door. “What’s on your Christmas list?” I asked.

“For my favorite little sister to have a magical holiday.”

“I’m your only sister.”

“Don’t worry about me. Text me when you get home tonight, okay? Otherwise, I’ll be messaging your new boyfriends.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” I tugged the door shut and opened the window far enough that my brother stuck his head inside. I skimmed over the part about Dalton and Grant becoming my boyfriends, since I wasn’t entirely sure if they wanted to be in a relationship as much as I did.

“Yes, I would.” He obnoxiously kissed my forehead and the tip of my nose the way he used to when we were younger, making annoying sounds as he did it. Gage knew that no matter how irritated, angry, or upset I was, the gesture always soothed away some of the yucky emotions.

I attempted to keep a smile off my face and failed. “I love you.”

“Love you.” He tapped the roof of my car once before strutting to his car.

Gage deserved so much better than just working crazy hours at the firehouse. He really could use two submissive partners to bring some magic into his life. I didn’t know all the things he wanted in a relationship, but I was sure he could find it in our hometown. The thought warmed me as I headed to the bar. Christmas was the time for miracles, after all.

Dalton

I leaned against one of the pool tables as I casually drank a beer. Grant closed the bar early, but there were still regulars hanging out. He approached and stood next to me.

“So, why aren’t you and Kendall in a relationship yet?”

“I balance better with two partners and she seems caught in her head about it,” I replied.

He nodded, but seemed miles away. Reading into what he didn’t say, I decided I might as well throw my hat into the ring and see where it landed. “Have you ever been in a relationship where you follow rules?”

“Let me clear the bar, Dalton, and then I’ll answer your question.”

Grant charmed and hustled the rest of the patrons out in no time flat. He reached the door to lock up just as Kendall bounced through the door. She looked positively adorable, dressed in a cute red sweater with her hair done in pigtails. As innocent as she appeared, I didn’t love the haunting gaze flickering across her eyes. I’d seen it more than once the night I brought her home. I wished I had some magical Christmas cheer in my pocket that would ease some of the weight off her shoulders. She hugged Grant and a small smile broke out across her lips. If she had any idea the sort of fantasies that had been playing across my mind the past few hours, she’d likely spin around in her cute winter boots and flit away.

Crossing the room to stand in front of Grant, I enjoyed the way she drank in the sight of me. I’d worn my favorite black leather jacket, dark jeans, and I’d slipped a diamond stud into my right ear, something I rarely wore at my job. Her pupils widened as I approached, and she chewed on her bottom lip, staring.

“No drinking tonight, prancer.” I hugged her. “If we’re going to talk about some of the things that have been on your mind, you should have a clear head.”

Kendall pushed out of my arms and rolled her eyes. “I didn’t plan on drinking, but as soon as you tell me not to do something, it makes me want to do it more.”

“One simple rule.” I took her hands, making sure I had her full attention. Grant was transfixed on the two of us. He was quiet, likely wanting to know which way our evening was going to play out. “Listen to what I tell you to do. Do you agree?”

“Just for tonight?” she asked breathlessly.

“I don’t typically answer a question with another question, but humor me. Do you know what a safeword is?”

Kendall nodded. “Yes, I’ve been toCreeksidemore than once.”

I had seen both her and Grant there in the past, though Kendall not as often. It was a BDSM club that many of us frequented. However, the two of us had not engaged in a scene together. “Give me a verbal explanation, please.”

“It means you need the action in a scene to stop.”

“Very good,” I praised. “What’s yours?”

“Gingerbread.” She giggled mischievously.

With only one rule in place, I hoped I’d be able to navigate whatever she was about to throw at me. Her brat had been peeking out more than usual. “Agree to listen from here on out. If you call your safeword or ‘red’, we’ll stop and discuss the issue. What do you say, Kendall?”

She stared up at me, a naughty glint in her eye. I allowed her the moment, wondering if I should prepare for battle instead.

“Yes, Dalton. I agree.”

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