Page 126 of Sinning for Santa

“Well…” He tugs me forward, his eyes dropping to my naked chest and the way my nipples are already in tight peaks. “While I stripped that fucking hospital gown off you, Finn got the t-shirt from my drawer, and Mabel peeled back the bed sheets so I could lay you down. Then Finn tossed me the shirt and I slipped it on you while Mabel got a warm washcloth and cleaned up most of the juice clinging to your skin.” He grazes his thumb over my cheek, and I can tell he’s remembering the sight.

“So, what you’re saying is Mabel and Finn saw me naked.”

He shrugs. “Finn’s my best mate. We share a lot.”

My eyes widen. “Um, excuse me? You’re not sharing me.”

Chuckling, he shakes his head. “Nope. Not like that, but…”

“But?”

“I trust him to take care of you if I can’t, little mouse. And I trust his discretion when he helps me with something I consider important. There’s no one on this earth more loyal to me than Finn.”

Wow. How nice that must be to have that sort of unconditional loyalty. I’m both envious, and happy for him.

“What about your parents? Your mother?”

His eyes darken at my question, and his tone is final.

“We’re not speaking about them today.”

“Oh... okay.” I nod, a little confused as to why it was alright for me to open up and not him.

Not saying another word, Devon strips out of his boxers and leads me into his shower. His rather big shower that has plenty of room for two people. Probably even four.

Tugging me under the water with him, I stay silent, watching his face as he reaches up and runs his hands over my hair, helping the water to soak through, before he does the same to his own.

He’s avoiding my eyes. I can tell. His focus remains on pumping out the shampoo and lathering my hair, before spinning me to face the tiled wall where he proceeds to massage my scalp.

A moan escapes me as goosebumps travel over my skin from the way the tips of his fingers dig into my scalp.

“You like that, little mouse?”

“Yes.” I breathe, my lids fluttering closed as I give in to yet another way Devon Marx makes me feel good.

“My parents aren’t good people,” he admits quietly behind me, and my eyes part slightly, as I take in his tone.

I should tell him he doesn’t have to divulge this to me, but he continues, and I don’t want to be rude and interrupt him.

“I always knew it, even as a young kid. My father disciplined with his fists. My mother disciplined by making sure Dad knew of our transgressions.” His fingers leave my scalp, and run through the ends of my hair, slowly stroking, slowly cleaning. “I’m the oldest of five. I have three sisters and a brother. I always made sure I took their punishments. There was no way I was letting my old man lay a hand on my siblings if I could help it.”

Not able to bear not seeing his face, I turn to him, taking in his flat expression, and the way he still tries to avoid my eyes.

“You protected your sisters and brother,” I point out and he shrugs.

“As much as I could.”

“What are their names?” I ask, wanting to know everything about him.

“Lily is the oldest sister, just a couple of years younger than me. I haven’t seen her in years. She… moved away.”

“Moved away?” I nudge, hoping he’ll open up even more.

“Yeah, she lives in the UK. Went on a gap year and ended up getting knocked up by a real douche preppy motherfucker. Our parents being the rays of sunshine they are, demanded she abort the pregnancy, so she never returned. She’s been across the other side of the world ever since, raising her twin sons. She thinks Barrett is the only one who knows where she is in England, but I know.”

“Who’s Barrett? Is he your younger brother?”

“Nah. Barrett is one of my many cousins. He works mostly overseas, brokering deals for the family business. He’s been keeping an eye on Lily for me.”

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