Page 30 of Pucking Christmas Triplets Surprise

I clear my throat. “Yeah?” I ask, keeping my voice steady. “You really think so?”

She nods, and her gaze hardens as she looks me in the eyes. “Yeah. She makes you happy, Uncle Chris. Happier than you’ve been in... a long time.”

I feel a lump forming in my throat, but I swallow it down, offering her a crooked smile instead. “Thanks, kiddo. That means a lot.”

She shrugs, her playful energy returning. “You’re welcome. Now hurry up and run back to yourgirlfriend,” she adds with a dramatic wiggle of her eyebrows. “You’ve been dying to get back to her sincewe left!”

My jaw drops, and Abby bursts out laughing. “Hey now,” I protest, fighting to keep a straight face. “Who taught you to be such a little punk, huh?”

“Definitelynotyou,” she says between giggles, leaning over to kiss my cheek, before hopping out of the car.

I’ve never driven so fast in my life. My foot is heavy on the accelerator, and I weave through traffic with a reckless abandon I haven’t felt since my wild college days. The realization that I’m deeply, undeniably in love with Josie is a wildfire inside me, igniting everything in its path. I feel like a goddamn teenager again, like I’m breathing for the first time, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Every red light feels like a deliberate challenge, testing my patience. And if I weren’t so damn selfish—if the thought of Josie moving on, dating someone else after mourning me, didn’t claw at my chest—I might just blow through every intersection as if green lights were my birthright. But I don’t. Because I have to get to her, alive and whole, and claim what’s mine.

By the time I pull into the driveway, I barely remember to put the car in park. The front door swings open under my heavy hand, and I’m breathless, not from the drive but from the sheer need to see her. To be close. Rushing through the house, the smell of lemon and pine cones direct me to the kitchen.

Josie leans over the counter, her back to me as she cleans up breakfast, and I pause lookingmygirl over. I lean on the door frame for a moment, watching her every move, just like I did for a year between the time I first saw her at that winter showcase and transferring to Northbrook University. Herblonde locks are pulled up in a messy bun, with some strands framing her face. She's wearing my hockey jersey that reaches almost to her knees, which hangs loosely on her body, showcasing the smooth curve of her collarbone as the neckline slips off one shoulder. My oversized socks are bunched up around her ankles, but somehow my clothes look perfect on her.

She looks perfect, and happy, and mine. So fucking mine, that I’m struck silent, my heart pounding like I just finished a sprint on the ice.

Josie turns when she senses me there, her big eyes lighting up with surprise and warmth. “Chris? How’s Abby? You know I told her--”

I take a step forward, and I know I look half-crazed, still trying to catch my breath from rushing over here. I don’t even know how to put everything I’m feeling into words. So I just say the first thing that bursts out of me, raw and certain. “You’ll be with me for Thanksgiving.”

Her eyes widen slightly, and her spoon pauses mid-stir. “Thanksgiving?” she echoes, her lips twitch into a small smile. “Well, can my mom join us…I know this is so early, but she’s already coming and--”

“Yeah,” I murmur, stepping closer. The sweet, lingering aroma of cherries mixes with the familiar, earthy scent of my soap on her skin, a combination that messes with my head in the best, most dangerous way. My hands find her hips, and I ground myself, forcing down the wild energy coursing through me. “Whatever it takes.” My voice comes out rough, laced with an unmistakable edge—possessive, unwavering, the promise of a man who’s decided he’s never letting her go. “I needyou there. I need youwithme.”

Her lips part for a second, but then her expression softens, and a smile breaks through, beautiful and radiant, looking every bit like she belongs exactly where she is.

“Okay,” she whispers, eyes shining. “Well, I agreed to be with you for Thanksgiving, and you agreed if I waited until the morning that you would…you know.”

“I would…what princess?” I ask, leaning in forward to whisper in her ear.

Her breath catches in her throat as she shifts on her feet. “Your exact words were to leave me breathless, and promised that I would be begging you for more and more.” She twists to speak against my lips as she continues. “And you promised even when I felt like I was done, that my body would want you again, and again.”

A chuckle rolls through my chest, as I flash her my golden boy smile. “Well, your wish is my command, princess.”

CHAPTER 13

CHRISTOPHER

Ipress my fingers into her hips, and hoist her up onto the freshly clean kitchen counter.

“Chris!” she squeals, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, as she pushes herself to the edge of the counter, her core so close to me I can smell her arousal.

Josie bites her lip, a shiver running through her as I run my hands up her creamy thighs. “Wait, here?”

I lean down, bringing my face so close that our noses barely brush. My voice drops, rough and commanding. “You really think I can make it upstairs, princess? I could hardly keep my hands off you this morning, just watching you flip pancakes.” My grip on her hips tightens, making sure she knows exactly how much control she’s stolen from me.

She reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down for a kiss. My mouth feels hot and demanding against hers, my tongue tangles with hers as my hands push my jersey up her hips and press my growing erection into her as her nipples harden under my jersey and rub against my chest.

A low growl escapes my throat as she breaks our kiss and quickly rips the jersey over her body. The sight of her body almost makes me weak at the knees; although I have caught glimpses of it before, and I allowed my eyes to roam over her as I washed her body last night, it’s like I’m seeing her for the first time because Josie is fucking stunning. I will never get used to seeing all of her, and knowing she’s all mine.

“You’re driving me crazy,” I mutter, my voice rough with need as my gaze rolls over the curves of her body. “I need to taste you.”

I drop to my knees in front of her, pressing his face against her thigh, blowing a lazy breath on her glistening pussy. Josie gasps as she instinctively arches her back, pushing her chest forward, and as a reward for her offering me her body, I cup her breasts in my hands, squeezing gently as I run my hand up her inner thigh.

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