Page 137 of The Very Naughty List

“Thank you,” I whisper past the emotions clogging my throat. “Thank you so much. I love it!”

I walk over and run my fingers over the instrument, feeling the smooth, cool keys beneath my hands. Then a rush of excitement floods me as I remember that I have a surprise for them too. I reach around behind the tree to take out the three small packages that I hid there last night.

“I got each of you presents too.”

I can’t contain my smile as I hand them their gifts. It’s not much, definitely not as extravagant as a new keyboard, but I wanted to give each of them something special and meaningful.

Reid opens his gift first, and as soon as he pulls out the frame and looks at it, his blue-gray eyes warm.

“Hailey, this isperfect. Thank you.”

He holds up the picture, one of the four of us that my sister managed to snap on the downlow when we were all at my family’s Christmas party together.

“I know it’s not a very elaborate gift, but I wanted to give you this picture because I know it will be the first of many. This is just the start of our collection of memories together,” I tell him softly.

He gazes at the photograph for a long moment, love and adoration playing across his features. Then he tugs me onto his lap and kisses me, his lips warm and hungry. I lose myself in it for a moment, allowing myself to bask in his affection unhurriedly. After all, we don’t just have all day to spend together—we have a lot longer than that.

“Okay, Sebastian,” I say once we break apart. “You’re next.”

I watch as he opens his package, hoping that I didn’t miss the mark with this gift.

For a few seconds, Sebastian just stares at the small plaque I got him without saying a word. His brows are furrowed, and I can’t read his expression. But then he pulls me into a hug and buries his face against my neck.

“It’s fucking perfect, shortcake,” he breathes. “God, I love you.”

“What is it?” Nick asks, wanting to see the gift that is still in Sebastian’s hands and partially obscured by our bodies.

When Sebastian lets me go, he holds up the sign that I had made for the front door of his garage.

Cooper Automotive

Sebastian Cooper, Owner, and best damn mechanic in all of Chestnut Hill

“It’s just that the garage never really hadyourname on it after your father passed away. And I know how much that place means to you, so I?—”

I shrug, breaking off, and Sebastian cradles my jaw, kissing me deeply.

“I can’t wait for you to come visit me there like you used to,” he murmurs. “I’ll set up a spot just for you.”

“It’s a date,” I tell him, my heart fluttering.

Nick is the last to open his gift, and when he pulls out the shirt that has the wordChiefembroidered on the back of it, he immediately pulls it over his head, tugging it on. It fits him perfectly.

“I know you’re not fire chiefyet, but you will be someday.” I grin. “I figured you should start looking the part.”

He chuckles. “I like the way you think, songbird.”

“I know the presents aren’t anything big.” I lift a shoulder, feeling my face flush. “I wish I could do even more, but?—”

“Are you kidding me?” Nick tugs me closer, drawing me into his arms. “You’reour present. And that’s the best fucking gift I’ve ever gotten.”

My heart flip flops as they all kiss me, sparks dancing across my skin everywhere their hands wander.

This could all easily heat up, with me nestled between them in nothing but a flannel shirt, socks, and panties, and two of the men still shirtless—but we manage to pry ourselves apart several minutes later, breathless and mussed. As much as I’d love to spend the entire day naked with them, Christmas only comes around once a year, and there will be plenty of time for that later.

Once we’ve untangled ourselves from each other, we carefully set our gifts by the tree and go get ready for the festivities we have planned with my family.

When we arrive at my parents’ house an hour later, my mom and dad greet us all warmly. I can tell they’re still adjusting to the new dynamic between me and the guys, but they were never really upset about it the way Lucas was. And Pippa and Grandma Dee? They’re all in.

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