Page 77 of A Very Daddy Christmas

Sebastian shrugs slightly, smiling like the shiest little boy, then gives Riggs a nudge. “Go on, your turn.”

“I’m going to own Christmas Eve with this,” Riggs declares and gives me a smaller box. It’s white and wrapped in golden ribbons that feature silvery snowflake motifs. “You’re going to love it.”

“I already do,” I sigh, staring at the box before I open it to reveal a pretty little keychain made from porcelain. It’s shaped like a rudimentary snowflake, its edges and tips painted in gold. “Oh, Riggs… it’s wonderful.”

“And classy.”

Waylan gives me his present next. “Classy my ass,” he grumbles. “You damn near torched the lady’s workshop because you couldn’t figure out the baking times. It looks better than your first six attempts, though, I’ll give you that.” He then smiles at me. “From me to you, babe.”

“Thank you,” I smile back and unwrap my next present, removing the dark blue paper and silver ribbons. “Oh, wow.”

It’s a glass vase, dark green with streaks of yellow and orange swirling around its unevenly bloated base. It is clearly handmade, and not by an expert glassblower either. For a second, I can almost imagine Waylan blowing his lungs out to make this for me, and it fills my heart with a golden and warm wonderful light.

“Do you like it?” Waylan asks, clearly on the edge of his seat.

“It is so beautiful, Waylan, thank you. Thank all of you for such incredible gifts.” I burst into tears and they come closer, their arms wrapping around me as I plant soft and loving kisses on each of their rugged cheeks. “You guys are something else.”

“Honestly, I wanted to get you a new car, but you seem happier about our shoddy, handmade crap, so…” Sebastian jokes, prompting a hearty laugh from the rest of us.

I go to the tree and offer them three of the boxes from underneath—each neatly wrapped in emerald-green wrapping paper with gingerbread-man motifs tied with red and gold ribbons.

“These are for you. One for each,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to spring for something handmade and as thoughtful as what you’ve given me, but I’m sure the pies and the rest of my cooking for the holidays will count.”

“You bet your gorgeous ass they absolutely do count,” Waylan says, eagerly tearing the paper from his present.

“Oh, wow.” Riggs is the first to open his box. “Seriously… wow.”

Sebastian’s blue eyes widen with genuine surprise. “Cora, this is incredibly thoughtful of you, baby. It’s beautiful.”

They’re fawning over hand-sewn ties I had custom-made for them at their favorite shop, and they recognize the fine silk.

Sebastian pulls me into a kiss, his lips pressed against mine for the longest minute. “Thank you, Cora. I can’t wait to wear it.”

“I know exactly when we’re going to wear these, too,” Riggs says, then kisses me.

Waylan kisses me next, hungry for more, his tongue wrestling mine before he pulls back.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Sebastian says and gives me another present. “This one’s a bonus.”

“For me?” I ask, staring at a white box.

It’s flat and bigger than the others, and I recognize the shape—clothes usually come wrapped in something like this. My heart flutters with excitement. They’ve already spoiled me in so many ways, I’m genuinely overwhelmed.

“Well, yeah. Did you really think we’d give you just the cheap but heartfelt stuff?” Riggs laughs lightly. “Come on, Cora, you know us better than that.”

With trembling fingers and a broad smile, I remove the pale pink satin ribbons and open the box to reveal a gorgeous lingerie set—a lacy bra, crotchless panties, and a beautiful babydoll with silky frills in dusty pink, pearl insets and silk thread.

“Goodness gracious,” I whisper, hooking my finger through the panties and lifting them up between us. “This is beyond naughty.”

“Worthy of our queen,” Waylan replies, the hunger persisting in his eyes.

“It’s for tomorrow night, after Christmas dinner,” Sebastian says.

“My gosh, it’s so beautiful.”

“Just like you,” Sebastian coos.

Maybe it’s just my heart that’s wildly hopeful, and maybe these are dangerous dreams I’m getting so drunk on, but it feels reallygood to let myself be cherished by these men.

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