Page 51 of The Merriest Christmas

Seaver's gaze met mine again, and he lowered his voice.

"Told you already, Emilia.For you, I'd take that ass-kicking with a smile."

He leaned in closer, and I did too.

"But I won't mention it if you don't want me to."

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome."

We shared the same breath, kissing without kissing, just being there in the dark together.I loved every second even if I knew it couldn't last.The door to the pantry opened wide, and light filtered in.

Finn stood there with his hands on his hips.

"Found them in the pantry again," he said.

"What are they doing in there?" Baylor's voice called out.

"We were talking," I said back.

"In the dark?" Finn said dubiously.

I rolled my eyes."You sound just like Rose.Seriously, Finn, we were talking."

"Okay."

Seaver let me step out first, but before he could leave, Finn blocked his path.

"You should know," he said then stuck a finger in Seaver's chest, "the only reason I didn't rat you out to my brothers is because I'd never do that to Emmy.I love her too much."

"Guess we have that in common," Seaver said.

My heart stuttered—but then Finn got right in his face, and my brows to hit my hairline.

"If you do anything to hurt my sister," he said, "I'll find you and make you regret it."

"Thanks, Finn, but that's unnecessary," I said.

"I'll cut you with your own hockey skates."

"Finn!"

My baby brother tossed me a grin."I was just kidding," he said.But then he turned to Seaver and added, "Or was I?"

"I hear you," Seaver said, "and I respect you for that."

Finn nodded."I came to get you guys because we're about to open presents.See you in there."

Once he was gone, I put my hands on my hips.

"Since when did my baby brother turn into a cold-blooded criminal?" I said.

"I'm guessing it was when he saw me making moves on his sister," Seaver said, and as I looked to him, he smiled."It's okay, Emilia.Every guy with sisters understands where he's coming from."

Before I could ask what he meant by that, Mom called my name, and we walked together into the living room.Everyone was already there, sitting in chairs, on the couch, or just on the floor.And they all had a present in their hands.Apparently, they'd been waiting for us.

"Finally," Bay said.

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