Page 29 of Heat Haven Holidays

“You’re welcome, daddy,” I say with a grin before kissing his soft lips. “This has been the best Christmas I could have ever imagined. Thank you.”

“Anything for our girl, you know that,” he says, pulling back slightly.

I nod my head. They have worked hard to prove to me how much I mean, how much value I hold. But in this moment I know I can never doubt that again. “I can think of something else to give you all for Christmas,” I say, grinning.

“What’s that, angel?” River says.

“Mmm, I can think of multiple ways I can please you all. But that’s going to involve getting undressed,” I say, pulling the sundress over my head.

None of them hesitate, ripping their clothes off. “Best fucking Christmas, for sure,” Dean says.

I back away, not touching any of them as I slide open the glass door, no care that I’m naked. “You’re just going to have to catch me first.” I watch the slow grin take over River’s face as I run and jump into the water. I clutch my fist making sure my ring doesn’t go anywhere. It’s not long until three loud splashes follow. I can’t help the laughter that escapes me. Watching them swim toward me, I realize my whole heart is right here in front of me and that’s the greatest gift anyone could ever ask for.

A Christmas Surprise

Protector's Promise – Cami & Smith

Cami has been busy with work, can they find the time to reconnect this holiday season?

Smith

Thesnowflakesarethickas they hit my face and eyelashes. I pull my wool hat further down my ears as my boots slosh in the watery, snowy mess. It’s about eight p.m. on Christmas-Eve-Eve and part of me just wants the holiday to be over.

It’s been back-to-back press events, the jingle ball concert, and we have the New Year’s Eve countdown. I just wanted it to be me and Cami, and that’s not happening. I admire Cami in every way, and I can’t explain how unbelievably proud I am of her. But is it so bad to want your Omega to yourself on the Holidays? I can tell she’s struggling too. She seems exhausted. I try every moment that I can to be with her and bring her comfort, but her schedule has been insane.

The jingle bell on the door clangs against the glass as I enter the small dive bar. It’s further from the apartment than I usually go in New York, but it’s perfect to drink away the thoughts of not being with my Omega tonight.

Dom was right. I can’t be her bodyguard, her Alpha, and her husband. So we decided on a compromise. I’m no longer her bodyguard at most functions, but I’m usually present for most of them. It’s been hard for me. I thought doing security was all I could do, but it turns out that I have other passions, and Cami helped me find them.

Training and teaching other people how to do security has been great, but it’s not the same. Cami and I should still be together all the time. I miss her. I know I need to work on how selfish I am with my time with her. But I can’t help but to feel like I want to be around her every moment of every day. I look at Liv and her pack and Kelsey and hers, and I wonder if they ever feel alone with that many people or if they feel suffocated.

I order a whiskey and sip at the bar, feeling like a true Grinch. The thing is, I wanted to go to Bora Bora with Grayson and his pack, but Cami has too many obligations. Or we could have gone further north and rented a cabin and it just be us. We’ve gotten so little time together in the last few months. Sometimes I feel like I’m the needy Omega in this relationship.

The door chimes and the stool next to me is quickly taken. My eyes widen as she flags down the bartender with her long purple nails and my gaze is distracted by her golden skin glistening from the snowflakes outside.

“It’s freezing outside,” she says, smirking at me.

“Where’s your coat?” I ask her.

She glares at me. “I’m not sure how you were raised, but I don’t even know your name, and you’re already bossing me around?”

My mouth parts, and I stare at her for a moment. “Ca—”

“My name is Astoria,” she says, clearing her throat.

“Like where we are right now?” I ask, wondering what exactly she’s playing at.

“Exactly like that. I’ve lived here all my life, you know?”

The bartender interrupts. “What can I get you?”

“Two shots of tequila, please,” she says, and I grimace. “I love tequila,” she says.

“I bet you do,” I reply.

“You never said your name.” She taps a nail on the bar top and flicks her dirty blonde hair over one shoulder.

“Uh, S—” Her pointed boot kicks me underneath the bar top. “Saul?” I reply.

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