Page 23 of Bringing Home the Biker

“I mean…” I fanned my face with my hand, feigning nonchalance. “Anything on you seems to do it for me, but gray sweatpants would be…” I trailed off, and my cheeks heated as I laughed softly.

“You’re going to be good for my ego, honey.” He tugged the shirt over his head and grinned. “Now get your ass out of bed before Woods busts in here.”

“Fine,” I grumbled and slipped out of the covers.

I grabbed the pajamas I’d planned to wear last night—a dark green pair of pants with nutcrackers all over them and a plain white long-sleeve shirt. As I got dressed, I could feel Axel’s eyes on me, and the weight of his gaze was like a physical touch.

When I turned, his expression was heated but soft, as his lips curled into a smirk.

“God damn,” he muttered with appreciation in his voice. “You even look sexy in a pair of pajamas.”

I laughed and felt slightly embarrassed. “I think you might want to get your eyes checked when we get back to Flagstaff.”

Axel shook his head and stepped closer. “I’ve got twenty-twenty vision, honey. I see you just fine.”

I grabbed the bag of gifts I’d brought, but Axel took it from my hands.

“There’s one in there from you to me,” I told him. “You know, to make everything believable.”

Axel grunted. “I don’t need that. I got you something.”

His words stopped me in my tracks. “You… you what?”

He dug through the gifts and pulled out the one I’d wrapped to look like it was from him. He tossed it on the bed. “I went shopping. No need to open that one in front of your family. The ones I got you are already under the tree.”

I blinked, my heart leaping unexpectedly. “Oh. Uh… okay. I did get you something, though.”

He smiled and took my hand. “I figured you would, honey.”

His words stung, even though he didn’t mean them to. The idea that I’d think of him, but he wouldn’t think of me, was something I hadn’t realized would hurt so much.

“Axel!” Woods shouted from somewhere down the hall.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the urgency in his voice.

“We better get out there before he busts down the door,” Axel said, his grip on my hand firm but comforting.

Together, we walked out of the bedroom, ready to face the chaos of Christmas morning. It was time to get this show going.

Chapter Fourteen

Axel

The living room was alive with the sounds of Christmas—ripped wrapping paper, exclamations of delight, and the occasional clang of a new toy being tossed aside for the next. Woods, as expected, had torn through his pile of presents with the kind of frenzied joy only a six-year-old could muster. Trucks, cars, a racetrack, board games, clothes, and the pièce de résistance: a shiny new bicycle. The kid was in heaven, surrounded by the spoils of Santa’s generosity.

While Woods busied himself with his new toys, the rest of us exchanged gifts.

“This one is for you, Star,” Rickie called and handed her a box.

When Star and I had walked into the living room earlier, I’d been introduced to Rickie and Davis. Rickie looked like Carmen’s twin, save for her jet-black hair. Davis, on the other hand, stayed planted on the couch and gave me a casual wave when we were introduced. His back was still giving him some trouble.

Star opened the box Rickie had handed her and pulled out a white coffee mug with a tan bottom. Painted on it was a set of antlers with a bright red nose.

“Oh my goodness,” Star gushed. “I absolutely love it!”

Rickie beamed. “Every year since the girls moved out, I get them handmade coffee cups from the pottery store in town. This makes cup number eleven.”

“Thirteen for me,” Rain called from where she sat across the room. “I moved out before Star did.”

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