Page 40 of Breach of Honor

I took a deep breath, feeling her absence. I missed her like crazy. “She wanted Christmas Eve with her friends.” I shrugged even though I understood why she had asked this of me. Our lives would be changing once she moved into my beach house. Still, it hurt like hell that I hadn’t been invited totheirChristmas.

“Damn, that sucks, getting cut out like that so early in your relationship.”

I clenched my jaw, a smoldering of defensiveness taking root in my gut. “I wasn’t cut out. And it didn’t bother me. Miranda is entitled to her own friends.”

“Right. Keep telling yourself that. You’re jealous, and you know it.” Jason stood from his chair and proceeded to make another cup of coffee. “Women are nothing but trouble. They have ridiculous expectations and double standards. They’re nothing but a headache. You watch. If you want a night out with your friends, she’s going to cry foul.”

I drummed my fingers on the table. Jason didn’t know shit about anything, especially anything about Miranda. “I’m going to take a shower.” A long, scalding-hot shower. “Remember, my mother expects everyone to be there by one.”

“Yes, I know. This isn’t my first time at the grand St. James Christmas pageant.”

I rolled my eyes, walking out of the kitchen. That answered my question: Jason did have to be an ass.

Christmas at the St. James mansion would be an experience that would either put Miranda at ease or end us. I hoped to hell the festivities today didn’t end in disaster.

The sun warmed me as I strolled to her door in my mandatory suit. Maybe it would be an uneventful day, and I had nothing to worry about. At least every St. James was a well-bred, honorable person. The name required as much.

The standard had begun with my grandfather, William Howard St. James. He led by example, teaching my dad and Uncle Peter to be men of honor. In my family, respect was more valuable than money. Whether my grandfather had truly believed it or not was neither here nor there. He was a respected businessman and family man in the world of finance. And he expected nothing less from the rest of us.

I knocked on the door, listening for Miranda’s sweet voice, and when the door opened, I nearly wrapped Lily in my arms. “Oh, hi,” I said with a sheepish grin as I stepped back.

“Aww, Will almost kissed me,” Lily hollered over her shoulder.

My face heated. That was close.Calm the fuck down…

“Let’s save it for the mistletoe.” She winked, waving me in. “Please, come in.”

“Thank you.”

Lily certainly had spunk and pretty much left me speechless.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” Miranda called. The sound of her voice excited me. I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around her and kiss her. I exhaled, sticking my hands into the pockets of my dress pants, trying to contain my need for her.

On the white loveseat were Tate and Vivien, I assumed. I approached them. “Hi, I’m Will.”

“Tate and my wife, Viv.” Tate extended a hand as he stood. Miranda had told me Tate was tall with a basketball player’s physique. At least six four, I estimated. His dark bushy brows had not been mentioned.

“Good to meet you both.” We shook hands, and his firm grip surprised me. I’d liken it to a silent warning that I better not hurt Miranda.Noted. Wasn’t planning to.

Vivien flashed a full smile, raking her copper-brown eyes up and down me. Miranda had mentioned Vivien was biracial in passing and how she envied her golden skin and full lips. I didn’t see the draw; I loved my beauty’s fair skin and pouty lips.

“I see you’ve met Tate and Viv.” Miranda walked over to me inthe reddress.

I gasped, all the air leaving my lungs.

She gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas. You look…beautiful.”

She turned in a circle playfully. Her cleavage called to me, and my cock twitched. The red dress. It spurred sinful desires in me.

“Thank you! Let’s sit for a bit.” She took my hand, pulling me to the sofa. I preferred to take her to the bedroom and have our own private celebration.

“So…I hear you’re moving in together?” Lily asked, sitting beside Miranda. “I knew it was coming.”

“I think it’s too soon, personally,” Tate interjected. His wife nudged his shoulder.

“Tate’s old-fashioned in his sensibilities,” Viv said in a hypnotic British accent. “I, on the other hand, saylive and let live.”

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