Page 78 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“Alright,” I say, clapping my hands together and turning back toward the piano, trying to shake off the sudden tension in the air. “I think that’s enough Christmas caroling for tonight.”

Teddy groans from the couch. “Thank God. I was one sleigh bell away from losing my mind.”

I giggle, giving him a mock salute. “You’re welcome. Consider it an early Christmas gift.”

Key grumbles something under his breath about cruel Christmas punishments, but I just wave him off, feeling lighter than I have in days. The banter, the teasing, even the sulking–it all feels so...right. Like we’re creating our own little family.

As I turn back to Atlas, catching his eye again, I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude. For these men, for this crazy situation, for this strange little Christmas that’s turning out to be one of the best I’ve ever had.

“Come on, Atlas,” I say softly, holding out my hand. “Let’s go to bed.”

He takes my hand without hesitation, his grip warm and solid as we leave the others behind on the couch. As we head upstairs, I can’t help but smile, knowing that no matter what happens next, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Iglance over at Key and Teddy, sprawled out on the couch, pouting like kids that were grounded for sneaking cookies before dinner. I can’t help but smirk at them. Key narrows his eyes, giving me the finger, while Teddy gives a shrug, acting the unbothered mastermind as always. They want time with her too, but tonight? Tonight, she’s all mine.

Grace pulls me by my hand, her fingers soft but insistent, guiding me toward the stairs. I shoot the guys a final look, something between a smug grin and a warning. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the group dynamic–we all have a pretty good thing going here–but there’s something about having her to myself for a few hours. No interruptions. No teasing from Key. No strategic inputs from Teddy. Just me and Grace.

We head up the stairs, the soft creaks under our feet setting a rhythm that makes the whole scene feel cozy. I can feel Grace’s excitement bubbling next to me, her silver-blue eyes glinting like she’s got something up her sleeve. And honestly? I don’t care what it is. Just being close to her is enough.

The bedroom door closes with a soft click behind us, and she turns, that playful grin lighting up her whole face. Damn, she’sbeautiful. My heart does this weird little twist every time she looks at me like that, like she’s thrilled to have me here. I watch as she moves across the room, kicking off her slippers before climbing onto the bed, her tiny frame barely making a dent in the oversized mattress. She leans back on her hands, waiting for me.

I stand by the door for a moment, just taking her in, her hair falling around her shoulders in soft waves, her eyes never leaving mine. She’s mine tonight. The thought stirs something deep in my chest, a protective instinct so strong it almost knocks the breath out of me.

“You just gonna stand there all night, Attie?” She teases, using that nickname she knows I hate. Yet on her lips, it sounds like pure perfection.

“Maybe I like the view,” I murmur, my voice low as I finally cross the room, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her.

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a flush creeping up her neck that tells me she loves the attention. I sit next to her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, my thumb grazing her cheek. She leans into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before they snap back open, mischief dancing behind them.

She shifts closer, her legs brushing against mine as she settles in, resting her head on my shoulder. For a moment, it’s just the sound of our breathing filling the room, and I can feel the tension melting away.

“Can I ask you something?” She murmurs after a while, her fingers tracing small circles on my arm.

I tilt my head toward her, a little curious now. “Anything.”

She doesn’t say anything right away, but I can feel her thinking, her mind working through whatever it is she has to say. Finally, she takes a deep breath and looks up at me, her expression serious in a way that tugs at something deep inside me.

“Do you ever wonder…if this is too good to be true?”

I blink, caught off guard by the question. “What do you mean?”

She shrugs a little, looking down as if she’s embarrassed to even ask. “I don’t know. Just...everything. You guys. This crazy situation. How fast things have happened between us. It feels like a dream sometimes, like it’s all too good to last. I’m scared that I’m going to wake up, and it’ll all be gone. You’ll be gone. And I really don’t want that.”

I feel like someone just punched me in the gut. I turn her gently so she’s facing me, her small hands resting in mine, and I wait until she looks up at me.

“Grace,” I say quietly. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re not going anywhere.”

Her eyes search mine, and I can see the vulnerability there, the part of her that’s still scared to trust, scared to let herself believe that something good can last. I know that feeling better than I’d like to admit. Before her, I never thought anything could last either.

“I get it,” I continue, running my thumb over her hand. “This feels fast. It feels crazy. But if you want me, you have me.”

She closes her eyes for a moment, and when she opens them again, I see the relief there, like a weight she’s been carrying has finally been lifted. She lets out a soft laugh, a little shaky, but it’s real.

“You make it sound so simple,” she whispers.

I smile. “Because it is. We’re complicated, sure. But this? Us? That’s the one thing I know for sure.”

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