Page 89 of Fractured Souls
He shuts his light off, pulling me tighter to his body, the soft glow from the bathroom giving him enough light to make hischest ease. I place a hand on his cheek. We need to get cleaned up, but first he presses a soft kiss to my mouth and another to my jaw.
I realize now that I’m waiting . . . waiting for him to want me just as much. While I love this, I don’t think this is all I can settle for. I want Cam, but I want all of Cam, and I will not settle for less than I deserve. Cam has to want me too. All of me.
What happens if he doesn't?
I’m terrified he won’t ever want all of me. Which is a shame because all of me is made for loving him.
Chapter 23
Bo
“Specialdelivery.”Bricarriesa tray over with mugs of hot chocolate, and I almost laugh at her pajamas. She's made a pair of onesie Christmas themed pajamas. I can’t believe how fast she made these. They’re really comfortable. The material she used so soft and warm. Her and Xavi have slutty little lady elves on theirs while all of ours have slutty male elves in short shorts holding an obscenely long candy cane in various naughty poses. “The one on the left in the black mug is for Bo. I didn’t want to mess it up and get them confused. Made it with almond milk. Noah says you prefer that.”
That warms me. “Thank you, Bri.”
“No problem. It’s just sugar, coco powder, and vanilla, with almond milk and vanilla vodka. That’s all okay, right?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. The distillation process in vodka removes gluten. Thank you.” I take my mug, sniffing it, and flinch.Holy shit.I look to Noah who grabs his mug then looks at me.
“I know,” he says, leaning into me. “Our lovely Bri is a bit heavy-handed.”
“What was that, Noah?” She glares, scrunching her adorable icy blue nose. Her eyeshadow is a bold bright blue with white glitter snowflakes along her cheek and temple. A glitter highlight makes her cheekbones sharpen, and white freckles dot over her nose that pop against her warm brown skin. It’s stunning.
Noah grins up at his friend. “I said you are the most beautiful, perfect, gorgeous woman on earth, and if I was sexually attracted to women I would hold on tight and never let go.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” She preens.
The light from the fire glows in the room. “This tree is beautiful. You guys did a great job,” Noah says, sitting in Jamie’s lap. Bri walks back over, placing shot glasses on the table with a bottle of peppermint vodka and the rest of the vanilla vodka. I take a sip of my hot chocolate—Christmas,my eyes water.
“Holy shit,” I wheeze. Cam takes a sip, his eyes blowing wide.
What the fuckhe mouths to me, and I shrug, taking another sip.
I won’t remember tomorrow.
“Oh, toastie time.” Bri stands in the middle of the room, smiling and looking at all of us. “To see us all like this really makes me happy. It’s a been a while since Christmas has felt like Christmas, and I just want to say how much I love all of you.” She smiles back at us. “Even our new friends. Thank you guys for being here. I love you all.” We all raise our mugs then take a sip.
A series of coughs echo through the room.
“Dammit, Bri.” Xavi shakes his head. “How is there even any alcohol left in the bottles?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She sips her drink without flinching. She must have a stomach of steel.
“We’re going to be so sick tomorrow.” Hunter takes a big swig.
“You don’t have to drink it,” Mark reminds him.
“We’re trapped in a house with your insane friend. I’m going to drink all of it. And go for seconds.” Hunter sips his drink again, grimacing.
“Hunter, you had your chance to let me be a third.” Noah leans back against Jamie, patting his stomach. “Your time has passed.”
“I wouldn’t let you anywhere near him.” Mark shakes his head.
“He’d fall in love with me, and we’d find ways to push you out. Three’s a crowd.”
Jamie sighs.
This is going to be an interesting night.
