Page 22 of Her Billionaire Stocking Stuffers

I could really use a hug right now, and he gives great ones.

Gabriel reaches down and snatches me from the tub. Water sluices off me, splashing onto him though he doesn’t seem to give a fuck. “Baby boy, dry her off.”

He holds me while Pax does as he’s told. Cole tries to avert his eyes but sneaks smoking-hot glances at my naked body before I’m bundled in the cloud-like robe.

Gabriel carries me into their room and sets me on the bed.

All three of them swarm me.

“Why are you starving?” Pax wonders before Gabriel asks, “Where’s your family?”

Cole growls, “Isn’t someone going to be pissed when you don’t show up for the holidays?”

“Yeah, Mr. Parker.” I groan. “I told you, I’m sure he’s going to fire me.”

“You’re not going back there. They don’t treat you right and their coffee is shitty.” Gabriel shakes his head.

“So awful you come in all the time?” Yeah, right.

“We don’t go there for the coffee.” Cole rubs his stomach. “It practically burns a hole in my gut, but I slam it down anyway so I have an excuse to see you.”

Well, that shuts me up.

“Who else do we need to call to let them know you’re okay?” Pax holds my hand.

“Uh, no one.” I wince. The last thing I want is their pity. “Look, I grew up in a family that was religious. Likereallyreligious. Fundamentalists. Pretty much a cult, okay? They had seventeen children. Not all of them made it out, but once authorities realized we weren’t being cared for, they put us in the foster program. I was nine.”

I hate the rage simmering beneath Cole’s slowly tensing muscles.

Worse is the horror in Gabriel’s stare.

So I rush through the rest, hoping we can move on. “The problem was the people I got placed with were only in it for the checks. It was even worse than with my birth family. They kept me locked up, and I was lucky if I had moldy crumbs to survive on. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that I escaped.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cole punches his palm, making me flinch.

Gabriel wraps his arm around me and tucks me to his chest. “You’re safe with us. I swear. He’s angry for you, not at you.”

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Pax kisses my temple then starts finger-combing my hair.

“It’s fine now.” I clear my throat. “I don’t have much, but I get by. I put myself through school, and I’m trying to make a better future for myself. It’s just going to take a little time. Less now that you guys helped me out with—ahem—last night.”

“Son of a bitch.” Gabriel pinches the bridge of his nose. Does he regret what we did now that he knows I’m just some gutter rat? Nowhere near the league of these three living in their rustic castle on the mountaintop.

“Don’t worry. It’s fine. I swear.” It’s true even. “With the head start from that performance, I’ll have plenty to move somewhere safer, and I won’t ever have to choose between food and rent or heat again.”

“Damn straight you won’t.” Cole slices his hand through the air. “You’re OnlySantas record-holder for single-night earnings. What we sent you in advance is a blip compared to the full payout.”

“What?” My gaze swings from him to Gabriel to Pax, both of whom are nodding.

“And if you wanted to, you could make a killing on the site.” Gabriel’s tone is flat, though I’m not sure why exactly. I hope what I’ve shared hasn’t changed how they see me.

“Just tell me this. Did you feel like you had to sell your virginity to get ahead?” Pax gulps.

“No.” Couldn’t he tell how much I craved them? Still do. “The money was only one part of it. I—uh—really wanted you three. Even when I didn’t realize who you were. Besides, you didn’t know I was a virgin. It wasn’t part of the deal.”

“I still owe you a spanking for that.” Gabriel sighs.

“Though I have to admit, I didn’t have any idea that being a cam performer could pay this well.” I gesture around at their space.

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