Page 5 of Packed for the Holidays

Now comes the hard part.

I carry the ladder up to the third floor. My quads scream at the exercise. I can swim for miles, but sneaking a ladder up two flights of stairs without banging it on the wall is apparently quite the workout. I hang a bundle on the door that leads to the nest and grin with holiday joy at seeing the green leaves and red ribbon over our shared special place.

I have two more, and I’d really like to put one in the open arch that leads to the bathroom. As nervous as I am, it’s kind of fun to sneak around under their noses. The adrenaline pumping through my system, the anticipation of surprising them, the fear of getting caught.

Easing the door open, I set up the ladder in frontof the bathroom doorway. Dante rolls over and McQuinn snores, but they’re all still asleep. Of course, they’re all in the nest tonight. Maybe I should have waited until tomorrow night and hoped at least a few of them would sleep somewhere else. But it’s rare for any of them to sleep anywhere else these days.

It happens if Dante and Ellis, or Nils and McQuinn, want some alone time together or if one of them just needs a really good night’s sleep without interruption. It’s not uncommon for some combination of us to wake up horny and wake the others.

More than once, Harrison has locked everyone out of the nest and demanded me all to himself. But most of the time, our pack is in here together.

So the chances that this would be easier tomorrow are slim.

A breath leaves me as I climb the first rung of the ladder. Please, don’t wake up.

At the top, I carefully push a thumb tack into the wall. I usually use nails, but this is quieter and it should hold. Ellis mutters something in his sleep and kicks the covers off.

From up here, I have the perfect view of all of them. They look so peaceful. Ellis is half draped across Dante, both of them shirtless and wearing matching flannel pants. Dante’s got his hands behind his head like he’s lounging in a recliner.

Oz is laying at the foot of the bed on his stomach, covers kicked off. He’s only wearing bright red boxers, which are tight enough to show off his firm backside.He’s got a great ass. His feet are pressed up against McQuinn, who’s spooning Nils. I know for a fact that both Nils and McQuinn are naked under the covers. My pussy clenches, remembering the things the three of us did just before falling asleep.

Harrison spreads out like a king, taking up more of the bed than anyone else. He’s the only one fully clothed, wearing navy sweatpants and a fitted white undershirt. His outstretched hand barely brushes Dante’s left arm.

Some part of each of them touches someone else.

They look like pack. Like family. Like mine.

After hanging the mistletoe, I quietly get my phone from the nightstand, climb back up the ladder, and take a picture of them, wanting to remember this moment forever.

Meggie's Men Group Chat

Ellis: Can we go shopping for Meggie’s gift tonight?

Dante: Nah, It’s the team’s last practice before school’s out

McQuinn: They need it.

Ellis: What about Saturday?

Nils: Saturday is the Christmas party for Meggie’s non-profit, remember?

Oz: I could do Sunday

Ellis: I promised Emily I’d go to mass with her and Mr. Emily

McQuinn: You should callhim “Mr. Emily” to his face

Nils: Harrison, you’re the busiest, when can you do it?

Ellis: Harrison?

McQuinn: Harrison!

Oz: Answer your texts, man.

Oz: I know what will get him to answer…

Harrison: Don’t you fucking dare send me a picture of your bare ass. I’m in a meeting. We can talk about this when I get home.

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