Page 82 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“Oh, you’ll see.” I grin, pulling out more props from the box. “We’re going full Christmas card mode.”

First up: the reindeer antlers and Rudolph nose set. I hand them out like party favors. Teddy looks like he wants to punch something as he puts them on, the antlers drooping slightly to the side. I stifle a giggle, setting up the phone again.

“Alright, everyone strike a pose! Atlas, you can be Santa. Key, you’re an elf. Teddy, you’re Rudolph, obviously.”

Key’s grinning like a fool as he poses, throwing a peace sign at the camera. Atlas, ever stoic, just stands there, looking like he’s about to throttle me. But Teddy...Oh, Teddy. With his arms crossed, he looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, but there’s something about those reindeer antlers that makes him weirdly adorable. I snap the photo just as Key starts jingling his bells again, sending Teddy into another scowl.

But I’m not satisfied. Oh no. We’re going to take this to the next level.

“Okay, next shot!” I chirp, my enthusiasm infectious as I set up the camera for another round.

Key’s the first to give in, though there’s something in the way he sidles up to me that feels more like a cat preparing to pounce than a willing participant. “You know, Sugar,” he drawls, slinging his arm around my shoulders. “This whole festive thing is kind of growing on me.” There’s a gleam in his amber eyes, something mischievous and wild that immediately sets off alarms in my brain.

Before I can react, he leans in, biting at the crook of my neck. It’s not the playful peck I was expecting–it’s warm, lingering, and...possessive. The bells on his sweater jingle as he pulls me closer. His lips brushing over my ear as he whispers, “You want more photos? Let’s give you something worth capturing.”

The camera clicks, but I barely register it over the sudden racing of my heart. Atlas moves closer, crowding me against Key’s side, his large frame looming over me as his hand cups my chin. Without warning, he leans down, his lips brushing against my own, but this kiss is different. It’s soft, sure, but there’s an edge to it–like he’s staking a claim, a silent message that makes my skin flush.

His mouth lingers just a second too long, and when he pulls back, the look in his eyes is molten. Dark. The kind of intensity that sends shivers down my spine. The camera clicks again, but it feels like we’ve shifted to a completely different game. One I wasn’t prepared for.

And then there’s Teddy. His blue eyes are locked on me in a way that makes my breath hitch. There’s no reluctance in his movements as he steps forward, crowding me further between all three of them. He grabs a handful of my hair and he tilts my head up toward him.

The camera clicks again, but it’s like a distant sound now, lost in the electric charge crackling between us. I feel trapped in the best possible way–Key’s arm around my waist, Atlas watching me with that dangerous intensity, and Teddy’s hold on my hair tight and controlling, sending a wave of heat coursing through my body.

“Smile for the camera, Grace,” Teddy murmurs, but his voice is thick with something deeper, something more primal.

I can’t help it–a shiver runs through me, and just as I part my lips to speak, he captures my mouth in a kiss that’s anything but sweet. It’s rough, insistent, like he’s punishing me for pushing them this far, and I melt into it before I can even think to resist. The camera clicks again, but I barely notice as my hands find their way to Teddy’s chest, gripping his sweater as his tongue brushes against mine, stealing my breath.

I gasp, the camera flashes again, and this time it feels like the moment has completely unraveled. Any pretense of playful fun gone. They’re all in on it now, every touch, every kiss, loaded with intent. My heart races as Teddy’s kiss deepens, his hand tangling in my hair, and I can feel Key’s mouth grazing my collarbone, his fingers digging into my hips in a way that makes my pulse throb. Atlas’ hands move underneath my sweater, teasing my sensitive flesh.

The camera keeps flashing, capturing every heated moment as the playful photoshoot turns into something far more intimate. The fun and laughter are still there, but the kisses are no longer playful pecks. There’s heat, and the festive fun has evolved into something more charged.

And then like they choreographed it, all three step away at once, leaving me a panting mess standing alone in the middle of the room.

I can barely form words, my mind spinning from the intensity of it all. “I–I think we’re good on the photos,” I manageto gasp out. Their answering chuckles are heated, intense, but still full of warmth, and I can’t help but smile back. “Touché, you big meanies!”

I go and grab my phone, scrolling through the pictures. It’s a perfect mix of goofy, heartwarming, and...well, things that are definitely not going on any Christmas cards.

Before I can show them the photos, I suddenly notice how the view outside the windows has changed. What was earlier a peaceful snowfall has turned into a near white-out. The wind howls, rattling the window panes as thick sheets of snow whip across the landscape, completely obscuring the trees that were clearly visible just moments ago.

“Uh, guys?” I say, my voice tinged with concern. “Is it just me, or did the storm just go from festive to full-on scary blizzard?”

Key looks out the window, his playful grin fading as he takes in the scene. “Shit,” he mutters. “That’s coming down hard.”

The mood immediately shifts as they move to join me. The windows, which moments ago framed a peaceful, if slightly stormy winter wonderland, are now almost completely obscured by snow and wind. My heart skips a beat. I can barely see the trees that were once so close, now swallowed up by swirling white. The flakes are coming down so thick and fast that it looks like someone took a snow globe and shook it violently, refusing to stop.

“Holy crap,” I murmur, suddenly feeling small as I stare out into the storm. The snow is sticking to the glass, piling up along the windowsills. Even the porch around the cabin, once clearly visible from their shoveling, is rapidly disappearing under layers of snow.

Key whistles low from behind me. “That’s...bad.”

Atlas turns away from the window and starts toward the door without hesitation. “I’m going to check the generator. Make sure it’s still good before this gets worse.”

Teddy, always ready for action, is already on his feet, grabbing his coat. “I’ll help. It won’t take long.”

“Do you think it’ll hold?” I ask, my voice quieter than I mean for it to be. It’s not like I’ve ever experienced a blizzard this intense before. The wind is howling outside, rattling the windows like they might give out at any moment.

Atlas pauses at the door, turning back to give me one of his steady, reassuring looks. “It’ll hold. The generator’s solid, but we should be prepared for the worst. Stay inside, Grace. We’ve got this.”

I nod, trying to push away the sinking feeling in my gut. I know they’ll take care of it. I trust them to handle just about anything at this point. But seeing the storm growing worse by the second doesn’t exactly calm my nerves.

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