Page 70 of Filthy Rich Santas

I shrug, the reminder dampening the playful, intimate mood a little. Not that they’re bad memories, but I feel a bit exposed.

Lana smiles gently. “I guess I figured it was because you and Caleb were so close, but it was because your folks weren’t around, wasn’t it.”

“Can’t it be both?”

I’m joking to lighten the mood, and Lana laughs softly but doesn’t let it go.

“I didn’t realize things with your parents were that bad. Not back then. And I’m sorry about that. But thank you for opening up last night. It means a lot.”

I almost make another joke, but maybe I actually don’t mind that she’s not letting it go.

“It did kind of suck that they weren’t ever around,” I surprise myself by admitting. “Not that I hated spending holidays with you guys, of course.”

She laughs. “Of course not! But I get it.” Her voice softens. “They were your family.”

I nod. “Yeah, and I would have felt ungrateful if I’d complained about it since it wasn’t like I had a rough life. They gave me whatever I wanted.”

She cocks her head to the side. “You mean material things. But that’s easy with the kind of wealth they have.”

It’s my turn to laugh, although I’m basically laughing at myself. Because of course she doesn’t let me get away with downplaying my feelings. Not when she’s been so brave about her own.

And maybe I don’t really mind her pushing me on this, either.

“Right,” I agree. “Material things. But all Ireallywanted was…”

“For them to be around,” she finishes for me quietly.

“Yeah.”

She holds my gaze, the warm blue of her eyes making it easy to get a little lost in them. It’s peaceful, the quiet of the night around us broken only by the gentle hum of the refrigerator.

“They didn’t deserve you,” she says quietly.

“I’ve got money in a trust from them.” I’m not sure why I’m telling her this. “Enough that even if the club failed, I’d never have to work again.”

She smiles at me. “But you haven’t touched a penny of it, have you?”

I’m not sure how she knows.

“Never. And I never will. You know what the best feeling in the world is?”

She blushes again, making my cock stir. “I think I might have some ideas about that.”

I grin at her. “I’m happy to give you a few more. Anytime, love. But I actually mean the feeling of knowing I’ve fucking done it. That I’ve been able to succeed in this worldwithouttheir money, you know? Without having to take anything at all from them.”

“You should be proud of that,” she says fiercely. “Your family doesn’t know what they’ve missed out on.”

“Maybe, but I’m good without them.” I lift her hand from my chest and press my lips to her knuckles. “I built a family of my own.”

“Tristan and Beckett,” she whispers.

I grin. “Hey, just because we don’t see each other as often anymore, don’t leave Caleb out.”

A tender look passes over Lana’s face, and it hits me that I just claimed her family as my own, connecting us.

“Can I kiss you?” she breathes.

“Are you asking if that’s part of our arrangement?” I tease, cocking a brow even as heat surges in my blood.

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