Page 95 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“Save your words, Romeo. You aren’t fooling anyone.” I grin, placing a tender kiss on his lips that he returns. Stroking my hair back, I relax into his grip. “Now, care to be a real man and help me with breakfast?”

“Sure thing.” Smiling, I catch him glancing over my shoulder. I follow his line of sight to see Jason looking on forlornly, before jumping as he realizes we’re watching him.

Some of my earlier joy evaporates. I know we have half made peace, but the past still stings, and he’s still the same asshole he has been all these years. That’s not changed just because he regrets what he’s done now he realizes he’s missing out on something amazing.

“Sorry, I’ll just-” Rubbing the back of his head, he points to the stairs.

“Jason.” He stops, glancing over his shoulder. “I’ll shout when breakfast is ready.”

Nodding his head, he makes his way back up to his room, where he’s been spending most of his time recently.

“You’re-”

I cut Teddy off. “Before you say it, yes. I am making him breakfast. The caretaker in me won’t allow me not to,” I smile grimly and kiss his cheek. Pulling away, I set to doing just that. “It was much easier when he was still the asshole needing punishment. I know it doesn’t make it right, and I still want him to hurt for what he did...Kind of. But, he apologized and showed regret and that tugged on my heart just a smidgen.” I sigh.

Teddy chuckles, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, burying his head in my neck. “And that’s what we love about you. The need to always do right by others.”

“Even if it’s at the detriment of my own happiness?”

“That’s why we’re here, Little One. To protect you from anyone wanting to take advantage of your bleeding heart.”

Punctuating his point with a kiss, a little giggle slips my lips.

“Who are we protecting?” An out of breath Key questions as he appears out of nowhere.

“Where’s Atlas?”

He smirks. “No-”

“I’m here,” Atlas grunts, waltzing up to the island and taking a seat casually.

“Wha- How did you get out of that?” Key’s eyes are wide, his face a look of pure shock and surprise.

“Get out of wha-” I begin to ask when Atlas cuts me off.

“You were too focused on getting the mi-” Atlas clears his throat and Teddy twitches beside me. “Decorations set up, that you completely fucked up the knot.”

“Santa’s butt cheeks!” Key pouts. “But, I wanted to wrap you up like a present for Grace.”

“Tough,” Atlas grumps back.

My lips twitch at the sight of Atlas being tied up underneath the tree.

“Exactly, it was an awesome idea! You fit under the tree perfectly.”

“Wait,” I step forward, out of Teddy’s arms. “You actually tied him up and shoved him under the Christmas tree?” I bite my lip, trying to contain my laughter.

Turning to me as one, they both say, “Yes.”

I can’t hold it in. I fall about in laughter at the absurdity of the image and the serious looks on their faces.

“Care for a re-enactment?” I ask Atlas.

“No.”

I saunter over, putting a little sway in my hips. “Even for your little nutcracker?” I whisper as I run my hands up his chest and over his shoulders, giving him a sly kiss on the cheek.

I visibly see him swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing as he takes a second to think about his response. “Maybe,” comes his uncertain response.

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