Page 77 of Filthy Rich Santas

CALEB: Of course you’d say that, LOL. But you’re not driving in it, right?

He sends a string of emojis with that one—a cloud with snow falling, a car, and a red circle with a slash.

I roll my eyes, even though I’m still smiling. It may be overprotective of him, but it’s still nice that he cares.

ME: We’ll wait until the roads are clear. We’re all good. I promise.

CALEB: Good. I’m glad the guys are with you.

I blush. I am too. Not that I’m about to tell my brother exactlyhowglad I am.

Caleb and I chat for another couple of minutes before he tells me he has to head out for practice, but when I finally put the phone down, the mood between me, Tristan, and Ryder has shifted. Caleb’s text was a stark reminder of just how temporary the agreement I’ve got with the guys is. No matter how incredible what we’re sharing is, there isn’t a future for us back in the real world.

Not that they’d even want one, of course. I need to remember that even if I wasn’t Caleb’s little sister, they’ve all been very clear about their feelings on relationships.

Tristan comes back over with a warm washcloth and hands it to Ryder, who uses it to clean me up before kissing me softly.

“We should go back to bed, love.”

I nod, glancing out the window as he helps me down from the counter. Caleb was right, the snow is still coming down pretty heavily. And while too much of it will mean it really isn’t safe to drive, I’m not sure whether to hope it clears up by morning or not.

18

LANA

I wakeup to the sound of wind whistling outside, and my heart skips a beat. Padding over to the window, I push the curtain aside and let out a soft gasp. The world outside is a swirling mess of white, fat snowflakes dancing on gusts of wind that bend the trees nearly in half.

It’s breathtaking, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.

By all rights, I should be tired. The clock on the nightstand tells me it’s just past eight in the morning, and the ache between my legs is a visceral reminder of how late I was up last night.

But somehow, instead of wearing me out, being able to live out some of my deepest fantasies has only invigorated me.

I press my palm against the cold glass, my breath fogging it slightly, then let the curtain fall back into place, ignoring the echo of my mother’s voice in my head. The one trying to remind me of my “obligations,” and the importance of arriving in time for the Christmas Eve party.

I can almost hear her exasperated sigh, can picture the tight lines around her mouth as she inevitably scolds me for the delay. Because I’m sure the men will agree once they wake up; there’s no way we should be driving in this weather.

But right now, wrapped in the cocoon of this hotel room, those concerns feel as distant and hazy as the buildings I can barely make out through the falling snow.

There’s no way I can regret being stuck here a little longer. Sure, it means more time on the road. But that just means more time in this little alternate universe, where seemingly impossible things become possible. Where I can be bolder, braver, more authentically myself than I’ve ever dared to be before.

Where I getthem.

For now.

I bite my lip to hold in my smile as I finish my morning routine, then wrap myself in soft, silky lounge clothes and head into the kitchen.

The dismay I felt in the middle of the night when it really hit me that this fantasy I’m living can’t last is gone for now. Yes, it’s temporary. And yes, if I’m being completely honest with myself, I wish there was a way to keep what I’ve found here with Tristan, Ryder, and Beckett forever.

But there isn’t a way.

I can’t keep them.

And I’m not going to let that stop me from wasting what Idohave, from enjoying the fact that I have them right now. And for as long as that snow keeps falling.

My stomach gives a quiet rumble, and my phone pings, making me grin at the perfect timing. I ordered groceries after waking up, and it sounds like they’re here.

When I get to the door, the delivery guy looks like he’s battled the elements of a small apocalypse just to bring me my groceries.

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