Page 50 of Mistle-Ho

A bark of laughter breaks free, a level of happiness I’ve never experienced consuming me. I didn’t know how much it bothered me that I couldn’t tease Alexis anymore. Having her not only allow my teasing, but also dish out some of her own, is fucking amazing.

Almost as amazing as it’s going to be having her in my bed tonight.

Even though I have no plans for any more screaming.

I scoop her up, carrying her down the hall. “Too late to change your mind now.” I bump the door to my bedroom open wider, going straight to the king-sized bed lined against one wall and dumping her into the center of the mattress.

Alexis lets out a little squeal as she flails around. “You can’t just throw me around.”

“I can. I think I’ve proven that.” Grabbing the covers, I yank them back, shucking my clothes before sliding beneath the blankets in nothing but my briefs. “Now get your cute ass under here so we can cuddle.”

23

The Cuddle Conundrum

Alexis

CUDDLE?

Gavin really only wants tocuddle?

I’m thrown off enough by his request that I automatically wiggle my way beneath the light layer of blanket and sheet covering his bed. I’m barely in place before he hooks one thick arm around my waist and pulls me into his side, tucking my body tight against his and planting a kiss on my forehead.

Huh. I guess he does just want to cuddle. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Messing around is one thing. Scratching itches and fulfilling needs can be only that. Just two people helping each other find physical release. Cuddling is a whole different ball game. One that is way more dangerous than rugby could ever be.

When he spent the night at my apartment, I was nearly comatose as he tucked me into bed, and we both pretty much stayed on our respective sides.

That does not seem to be in the plans for tonight.

Gavin’s thick arm keeps me close as he grabs the remote from his nightstand and switches on the giant television mounted to the wall across from us. It fills the room with a gentle glow andI finally have the chance to look around part of Gavin’s home without worrying I’m about to be accosted by a lizard or feral cat.

It’s pretty bare bones. There’s no headboard or footboard on his bed, just a mattress, albeit a nice one. I splurged on my own bed, but it’s still nowhere near as comfortable as the cloud of angel fluff Gavin owns. The sheets are just as nice. They’re crisp and smooth and they smell fresh and clean.

Besides the amazing bed, there’s only a chest of drawers and the humongous television to round out the room. He doesn’t even have a rug covering the hardwood floor. There’s also no blinds on the floor-to-ceiling windows lining one whole side of the room.

“What do you want to watch?” Gavin flips through the menu on the screen, stopping when he gets to a specific row of shows. “Maid to Murder,The Santa Stalker,Killer in the Courthouse…” He rattles off a few options as he continues down the line.

I crane my neck to look at him. “How did you know I liked to watch—”

“Creepy shit that would give most people nightmares?” He lifts an eyebrow at me. “I saw the ‘recently watched’ list on your bedroom TV.” His lips quirk. “Kind of a weird way to wind down at night, but I have a one-eyed lizard in my bathroom, so I don’t think I have room to judge anyone for anything.”

WAKING UP NEXT to Gavin is just as strange the second time it happens. Both because he’s basically wrapped around me, and because I’m not in my own bed.

“Morning.” His voice is sleepy and soft in my ear. “How did you sleep?”

I peek at him from the corner of one eye. “I guess I know how my stuffed animals felt when I was a kid now.”

Gavin chuckles, the deep sound reverberating through his chest and into my right side where he’s pressed against me. “Funny.”

“You’re the only person who thinks so.” No one has ever accused me of being funny. I don’t try to be. I know it’s not my skill set. Organization? Styling? Solving a cold case through a television screen? Those are things I’m good at.

“Most people just don’t get your sense of humor.”

I peek his way again, angling a brow. “And you do?”

Gavin shifts around, bracing one bent arm against the pillow before propping his head on his hand. “I do.”

---