Page 21 of Her Billionaire Stocking Stuffers

I might have liked another demonstration of just how extra they are in bed too, but every time they look like they might be getting naughty ideas again, they take a break and leave me with one of the other two who’s had a chance to cool off.

No matter how long I soak in the jetted tub, the recirculating water stays hot. Light pours in the window as the sun comes out and turns the blanket of snow that fell overnight into a field of glittering diamonds.

It’s gorgeous and serene.

Untouched.

Like I used to be.

I’m about to reluctantly vacate in search of a glass of water or maybe a piece of toast when Pax returns with an enormous wooden tray laden with a smorgasbord of tidbits.

I’ve only ever seen those fancy charcuterie platters in social media posts, but he presents this one with a flourish, setting it across the freestanding white tub. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought a variety of stuff.”

“For me?” My stomach cramps. No one’s ever done something like that. Do I deserve it? What if I can’t finish it? I don’t waste food.

“I might sneak some too.” He smiles as he slides over a wicker basket that I assume is a hamper and sits on top of it so he’s at my height.

When I hesitate, he tips his head. “Don’t want to touch the food with your wet hands? I’ll feed it to you. What do you want to try first?”

I blink furiously to try to hide the moisture gathering in my eyes and play off the sting in them as a symptom prompted by the scented steam.

“Are you okay?” He isn’t fooled for an instant. He leans in and cups my face, his warm brown eyes worried. “Where does it hurt? Do you need a doctor? We can arrange a telehealth appointment if we need an expert. Our friend Gunner has a paramedic on staff at his club who is very discreet. Poppy will know what to do.”

“Pax.” I cut him off before he can work himself up any more. “I’m good. I swear. It’s just, uh, I’m not used to someone caring so much.”

“About your health?” He frowns. “You need better friends.”

“No,” I whisper, unable to meet his gaze. So I stare at the painstaking effort he took to lay out the cheese and crackers and slices of hard-boiled egg and ham on the platter. “About making sure I eat enough, never mind that I like any of my food.”

“Oh.” He puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face to his. “Well, I care about that a hell of a lot. Some of everything then.”

For a while, we sit in silence as he picks up morsel after morsel, slipping bites between my lips before sampling tastes himself. It makes me feel better that he joins me, especially sincethe more he gives me of the delicious treats, the more I want to devour them.

“Baby, you’re so hungry.” He massages my shoulders, loosening the knots while I chew and swallow. “It’s okay. Take more. There’s plenty downstairs if you want another serving.”

Eventually, though, I’m stuffed.

I can’t remember ever being full before in my life. Satisfied. Content.

But when Cole and Gabriel rejoin us, both now wearing sweats and the softest looking long-sleeved shirts—Cole’s black, and Gabriel’s blue—I feel…whole.

They’re driving me insane, being so careful with me.

And while it’s nice, it’s also agonizing.

If they’re not going to set the sheets on fire with me, then they might as well let me be and get on with their agenda. “What were you planning to do for the holidays?”

“First thing is finding out why some appetizers on a tray made you cry.” Pax looks to Gabriel and Cole, sharing his concern with them.

What would it be like to have people to lean on like that?

To work through things with together.

Maybe I’m about to find out.

“What the hell did you say?” Cole crosses his arms while Gabriel paces at the foot of the tub.

“Something’s not right.” Pax rats me out, but somehow I don’t mind.

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