Page 54 of Setting Limits

“How long?” It’s clear he means how long have Wes and I been together. But in a way, it feels like he’s asking more.

Which is why when I look up at Wes, I smile. “I don’t know. Years, maybe? But we started seeing each other after we came back from Thanksgiving.” When we met years ago, was when the undeniable connection first started. It just took us until now to act on it.

Lochlyn’s takes a deep breath, but he’s instantly calmed by Shay’s hand. That’s the sort of bond I want to have with somebody. And for the first time ever, it feels possible with Wes. “You hurt my sister, I’ll hunt you down,” he says, pointing at Weston.

Weston holds his hands up. “I promise, I’ll take good care of her. Besides, you know where I live.”

“Guess we’ll have to figure out some sort of schedule or something.” I try to keep the joking going, but the look on Lochlyn’s face says it’s misplaced, and Wes stops the laugh he started. Lochlyn’s doing that intimidating thing he likes to do around my boyfriends, where he stands taller and puffs out his chest.

Thankfully, Shay intervenes. “Loch was going to teach me how to cook a chicken and some other things for dinner. Why don’t you stay? We have plenty of food.”

Lochlyn starts to grumble, but I ignore him and walk toward the living room.

Wes and I settle on the couch while Lochlyn teaches Shay how to make what I’m sure will be a delicious roast chicken.

It takes maybe five minutes before we hear a shriek from the kitchen. “Absolutely not. No way! I amnottouching that damn thing again. Gross!”

Shay storms down the hall to the bathroom, and I hear Lochlyn’s exasperated chuckle. “I guess I’ll just cook it myself then,” he calls down the hall.

A few minutes later, Shay walks out of Lochlyn’s bedroom—in new clothes—and flops onto the love seat, crossing her arms and sinking low in the chair with a big huff. Her gaze focuses on the kitchen, and there’s an irritation there that I’m sure isn’t normal.

But once Lochlyn’s done and walks into the living room, he freezes when he sees her pout, tilting his head to the side and frowning at her. When he walks over to her, he scoops her off the couch and places her in his lap. Though she keeps her arms crossed, she settles right into him.

His hand lazily rubs her back, and he nuzzles his nose into her hair. It’s an interaction that I’ve become less uncomfortable with over time.

Dinner is, of course, delicious. And a real holiday meal. But I’d expect nothing less from Lochlyn. His food is always amazing. If he wasn’t on track to be a lawyer, he’d make a great chef.

After dinner, we pair off and snuggle up to watchHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, a childhood favorite for all of us.

Heading to bed is the tiniest bit awkward, surely for everyone. Aside from the one night Loch stayed in September and Thanksgiving, I haven’t been in the same place as them at bedtime. At least not knowingly.

And they just found out about Wes and me. When we all freeze on our way to our separate rooms, the strangeness becomes palpable.

“Good night, everybody. Merry Christmas. Love you all.” Shay’s probably the only one that could somewhat break the awkwardness.

With mumbled good nights, Wes pulls me down the hall, off into our own secluded little sanctuary.

“I wish we had gone to the hotel, sweets.” When they invited us to stay for dinner, we decided to stay here instead so we could all spend time together. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

“Why? Is it that weird being here with them?”

I’m not paying close attention to what he’s doing, facing his dresser as I unhook the heart necklace he got me, when he wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in the swoop of my neck.

“No, not weird at all. But I can’t make you scream while they’re down the hall. And I want to make you scream. I wantedthatas my Christmas present from you.”

A small moan eases from my throat as I tip my head back against his shoulder.

“Mm, that sounds good to you, does it, sweets?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been that loud for anybody else?” This jealousy doesn’t get old. Some part of me likes it, likes that he wants to be the best for me.

“Never. Only you can make me scream like that, Wes.” It’s not just true, but I know it’s what he wants to hear.

“That’s right, baby, only me. Fuck. So sexy.” His finger trails down the side of my neck, dipping under the collar of my shirt, and all I want in this moment is for him to tear the clothes from our bodies and fuck me senseless.

But I know he won’t, because of who’s down the hall.Ifwe have sex, it will be quiet and timid, at least compared to how we normally are. Wes can be rough and aggressive in all the best ways, and it’s something I never knew I needed until he showed me. The dominance he exhibits with me is a desire finally fulfilled.

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