Page 105 of The Very Naughty List

His words hit my heart like a ton of bricks. I know Reid isn’t wrong about that sentiment, but I still think that Chestnut Hill might not be the place for me. How could I ever launch a singing career in such a tiny place with no big label studios and no crowd-drawing venues? Then again, I’m still struggling with even getting myself to sing without freezing up, so maybe that’s not a question I’ll ever have to grapple with.

My mind drifts back to the way the three Cooper brothers supported me from the crowd at karaoke. Just having them there helped me overcome my nerves and sing in front of an audience for the first time in ages. It literally plays into the point that Reid is making.

I spent two whole years in Los Angeles trying to make it as a singer and carve out a career for myself in the music industry. And what do I have to show for it?

Absolutely nothing.

Not unless you count crippling self-doubt every time my feet hit the stage.

But when I’m around these men, I don’t feel like a failure. I don’t feel like the only measure of my success is in whether I built a successful career.

I feel amazing. I feel treasured.

Just as I am.

“Okay, this is by far the biggest plate of cookies you’ve ever seen.” Sebastian strides back into the room, interrupting our quiet conversation as he shows off the large plate piled high with the Christmas cookies we made when Iris was here.

After the workout we all just had, the cookies look and smell delicious. So does the eggnog that Nick carries in a moment later, and I can already smell the spices and whiskey that they must’ve doctored it up with.

“What? Wehadto spike it at least a little.” Sebastian notices me eying the eggnog and smirks as Nick passes out the cups. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”

Reid snorts. “Funny, I thought Christmas was about peace and love for your fellow man, and maybe even the magic of Santa Claus. I had no idea it was about spiked eggnog.”

“Oh. Well, then, I’ll drink yours.”

Sebastian reaches out to take the cup from his brother’s hands in response to Reid’s sarcasm, but Reid snatches it back quickly, making me laugh. Nick and Sebastian settle in close by, and I sigh contentedly.

This is perfection—all four of us lounging in the living room, munching on Christmas cookies and eggnog after a completely mind-blowing night of sex. The fact that it’s framed by falling snow and a crackling fire is definitely something that seems like it goes along with what Reid was saying. This kind of thing wouldn’t be happening if I was still in LA right now.

This is a Chestnut Hill, Montana thing. More than that, it’s a Cooper brothers thing.

I sip my eggnog and listen as the guys talk and banter with each other. It’s so easy, sliding back and forth between hot sexual fantasies and the feeling as if we all just belong together. And I honestly don’t know which part of this I love the most. Is it living out every sexual fantasy I’ve ever had with three of the hottest guys in all of Montana? Or is it this feeling of being safe and at ease with these guys who make me feel like I’m at home with them?

I’m lost in that thought when Bruno suddenly pads across the floor and comes to stand directly in front of me, showing off my slobbered-on panties, which are hanging from his mouth.

“Hey, give those back!” I reach out to grab them, but he takes off, obviously wanting me to chase him around and turn it into a game.

But I’m too exhausted from all the sex, too cozy where I’m sitting with the guys by the fireplace, and too distracted by all of my conflicting emotions, to want to run around chasing the dog right now.

“Fine,” I grumble as I sink back down between Reid and Nick, resigning myself to the fact that I’m going to need to buy some new panties that haven’t been chewed up or drooled all over. “Just keep them. It’s the least of my worries.”

I watch as Bruno gives a shake of his head, splaying out his front paws like he’s trying to tempt me into running after him.

“What are you doing?” I say with a wry chuckle. “You won. You won the panties. They’re all yours, you naughty dog.”

All three of the Cooper triplets glance between me and the dog—and to my surprise, Bruno looks almostguiltyat the slight scolding that I gave him. He turns slowly around, as if he doesn’t like the fact that I called him a “naughty dog.”

He walks toward me, panties still firmly clenched in his teeth, and sits down as if he’s come to talk. Then, without meeven having to say anything, the dog drops the panties in front of me and lowers his head for pets.

I’m stunned. Hell, we all are. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Nick and Reid staring at Bruno with open mouths.

“Holy shit. I’ve never seen him do that before,” Nick murmurs, shock clear in his tone.

“Do what?” I blink. “Return a pair of stolen panties?”

He shakes his head. “No, I’ve never seen him give something back like that. Even with me, he never brings back any of the things that he grabs and runs off with. I swear, in the springtime after the snow thaws, I’m going to find a pile of my stuff half-buried in the yard.”

I reach out to pet Bruno’s head, taking my panties and setting them up on the top of the couch so that they won’t tempt him again.

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