Page 25 of Her Billionaire Stocking Stuffers

Pax chuckles as he sinks down beside me and rubs Snowflake’s belly.

And when Gabriel finishes whatever he is doing in his office and joins us, he declares, “Present time.”

“Finally!” Cole fist bumps Pax.

I’m curious about what they picked out for each other. But, to my surprise, they start by dumping out the stocking that they put Snowflake’s name on. Inside there are mice that rattle, balls with bells the middle, small stuffies with catnip, and even bags of treats.

She’s going to be so spoiled, belonging to them.

My heart melts as Snowflake zooms around from prize to prize, trying to play with them all at once. While she’s preoccupied, the guys exchange gifts. A watch for Gabriel, a photo of new gym equipment to be installed for Cole, and a first-edition leather-bound book of Pax’s favorite poetry.

But I’m shocked when Gabriel faces me and says, “Your turn.”

“Huh?” I don’t have anything to give them, other than myself, and they’ve already taken my virginity. If I could do it again, I would…

“Your stocking.” Gabriel takes one I haven’t seen from behind him and hands it over.

“What’s this?” I shake a heavy, rectangular box about the size of my palm from the depths of the stocking.

No one’s ever given me a present before.

“It’s customary to unwrap it and find out,” Cole teases.

“Go ahead.” Pax squeezes my knee reassuringly.

For a second or two, I hesitate, awkward and unsure, but then the thrill of my first real Christmas hits, and I tear into the shiny wrapping paper.

“See, I told you she wasn’t going to be the sort to neatly pick it apart at the tape.” Cole cheers me on like he did to Snowflake, who’s still living her best life surrounded by her new toys.

But when I uncover what’s inside, I’m stunned.

It’s not a bauble or a regifted tin of chocolate or something they slapped together quick so I wouldn’t be left out, which would have been lovely.

It’s a brand-new top-of-the-line cell phone. One I can even afford a plan for now.

“How?” I glance up at Gabriel.

“We ordered it as soon as we got home from the coffee shop that night you told us you didn’t have one.” Pax beams.

“You shouldn’t be without a way to contact us if you need something. Anything.” Cole is serious for once. “Any time of day or night. You call us if you’re worried. You call us if you want to talk about nothing. But especially, you call us if you’re ever in trouble.”

“You’ll keep me safe?” No one’s ever given a crap about that in my life. It’s a gift beyond measure.

“Of course.” Gabriel isn’t looking at me like I’m weird. He’s looking at me like he intends to show me that my security matters to them. Like it’s never going to be me against the world ever again.

And finally, I’m comfortable and confident enough with them to ask for what I really want. “Thank you. This is so kind, thoughtful, and…unexpected.”

All of it, truly.

“So I hope you’ll accept my gift in return.” I stand and begin unbuttoning the flannel shirt Cole lent me, that hangs to my knees.

“That’s not necessary.” Pax scoots away from me, making my heart sink.

“You don’t want to?—”

“Of course we want to.” Gabriel steps in. “What he’s saying is that you don’t owe us anything, and especially not your body, for caring about you.”

They’re right.

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