Page 54 of Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

“Rude! I’m the one scarred for life!” Something scraped against the other side of his door. “Noel, I’m hanging your shirt on the outside of the door. Hurry up!”

Nick turned his back on the door and leaned his head against it. “Fucking sisters.”

Noel held her hands over her face, her shoulders shaking. When she peeked through her fingers, he heard her hysterical laugher echo through the room.

Reluctantly, Nick smirked. “I guess I’d be laughing too if the roles were reversed and you flashed your ass to a sibling.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped, bent over with laughter. As if she couldn’t hold herself up anymore, she collapsed back on his bed.

“Really making me feel good here, Noel.”

She giggled harder. “I…can’t…stop…”

Nick grinned devilishly and loosened his hold on the towel. “Well, if you don’t actually want to get a show, I suggest you close your eyes. The last thing I need is my mother barging in here and getting the wrong idea.”

Noel covered her face again.

“No peeking, now.”

“I’m not.”

Nick dropped the towel, his heart hammering in his chest. Even as teens, Nick hadn’t kicked Noel out when he changed, because he’d never thought for a second she would look. Why was it this time, he actually wanted her to?

He’d pulled his slacks into place when he caught her gaze in the mirror above his dresser. She sat up on his bed, leaning back on her hands as she watched him. Her dark eyes trailing over him hungrily.

Nick turned around, his body humming. “Thought you weren’t going to peek.”

“I’m not. I’m brazenly checking you out.”

“See, now that isn’t fair,” he said, crossing the room to stand in front of her. “You can’t say things like that to me if you want to be just friends.”

“I was just being honest, Nick. We’re adults and you’re a lot of fun to look at.”

“Oh yeah?” Nick leaned over her, waiting for her to pull back. To escape. “How’s this for honesty?”

Nick’s hand cradled the back of her head, bringing her up just enough to meet his kiss. After a week of thinking about nothing else but her mouth under his, he deepened it, wrapping his other arm around her waist. He lifted her up until she pressed against him and he slipped his tongue into her open mouth. She tasted of mint and smelled of fresh fruit and honey, sweet and delicious.

“Nicholas Christopher Winters! Get out here now!”

His mother banged heavily on the door and he pulled away, reluctantly releasing a dazed Noel from his embrace. Grabbing his shirt from the hanger, he unbuttoned it with shaking hands.

“I’m just putting on my shirt, Mom. Be out in a second.”

“You better be!”

Once he had his shirt right, he faced Noel sheepishly. “Guess I’ll see you out there.”

“Yeah. I guess so.”

Nick opened the door and grabbed Noel’s shirt off the knob. He waved it in front of him wickedly. “Or, I could stick around.”

Noel took the shirt from him with a yank. “And have your mother come back here screaming again? No thank you! I don’t know how I’m going to look her in the eye as is.”

“I promise, she doesn’t suspect a thing.” Nick snaked his arm around her and kissed her one more time, his lips barely grazing hers.

He released her with a whispered, “I’ll see you out there.”

Noel’s eyelashes fluttered, her dark eyes heavy.

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