Page 44 of Home For Christmas

“Go get warmed up. I’ll make you guys sandwiches.” I spoke up before they could continue. “Marla apparently plied them with alcohol, and they are trying to sober up.”

Harrison grinned. “Henry brought us a thermos of hot chocolate from her. It was good if not a little strong.” He’d used air quotes around the words hot chocolate.

Declan pointed at Harrison. “Yeah, that exactly.”

I kissed them both on the forehead. “Go on and get changed. Probably should wash the cum out of your pants anyway.”

Jasper turned so red I worried he’d explode.

Harrison let out a chuckle. “Told you he’d know,” he said as he elbowed Jasper in the ribs.

Jasper groaned as he started for the steps to whistles and cheers from the men at the island.

“Couldn’t not say something, could you?” Harrison asked me, his smile so big his cheeks were nearly covering his eyes.

“Of course not. It’s not often you two come in the house all kiss swollen and smelling like sex. It’s hot.”

Ty giggled. “Oh, I’ve always known he’d be a great fit in this family.”

I pressed my lips to Harrison’s neck. “Go get showered. I’ll have food.”

He shivered and grumbled something about it being uncomfortable to get hard in cum-filled underwear. I couldn’t help but laugh as I turned away and started making sandwiches for them. I wasn’t as comfortable being so open about our sex life around others, but the look Jasper had given me—proud, embarrassed, shocked, aroused—had told me I’d done the right thing.

Fifteen minutes later, two freshly showered men returned to the living room with their sandwiches. We spent the remaining time that afternoon watching Die Hard and chatting. I think we all dozed off a time or two, and when five rolled around, I was pretty sure the buzzes were gone and everyone looked ready to head to Marla and Brice’s for dinner. Derek had changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, no sign of his little side in sight. Ty’s sexy panties had been hidden away under a pair of snug black pants that he’d paired with a heavy winter sweater.

Any meal at the main house was chaotic—a holiday meal with the entire family was something even more insane than I’d ever imagined. The house smelled like turkey, ham, cinnamon, and fresh-baked bread. “Oh my god, Marla, it smells amazing in here,” I said to her as I kissed her cheek.

Kids were running through the house screaming and laughing, Christmas music was playing, the tree was lit, and the house looked like a Christmas boutique. Brice came into the kitchen with Mason in his arms, Carter clinging to one leg, and a smile so big it looked nearly painful. “Merry almost Christmas,” he greeted us. He looked around. “Are your kids not here yet?”

I shook my head. “Tomorrow, early afternoon. Emma and her boyfriend are flying into Ada around one. She somehow convinced Nate and his boyfriend to pick them, and Cody, up at the airport on their way here. So I guess everyone will be here by about two if all goes according to plan.”

Meadow came barreling around the corner into the kitchen when she heard her daddies’ voices. She lost her footing and I saw the moment she started to slide, her trajectory sending her headfirst toward the corner of the counter. On instinct, I reached out and snagged her before she could make contact with anything. Instead of being afraid, Meadow let out a squeal of delight, and I handed her over to Declan.

The kitchen was big but not big enough for the entire Scott family, and as more of the kids filtered in, we realized quickly that we needed to move the party elsewhere. Despite trying to help, Marla shooed all of us—Declan, Colt, and myself included—out of the kitchen, insisting she had it fully under control.

There was no arguing with Marla, so I was left to follow my men into the den, which looked more like Santa’s workshop than a room in Oklahoma. There was no question about where Derek and Ty got their Christmas spirit from—Marla Scott.

The kids climbed around us, chattering on about opening a gift each that evening before bed. Jasper rolled his eyes but it was fond, and he leaned over to me. “It’s the same thing every year, but it’s the best part of Christmas when you’re a kid.”

I gave him a puzzled look, so he elaborated. “Pajamas. Mom has given us pajamas every single year since I was born.”

Ahhh. “That makes sense. I used to do the same thing for my kids.”

“Welcome to being part of the Scott family.” Jasper didn’t sound annoyed or frustrated, just relaxed, and I was pretty sure that was contentment in his voice. He was so far from the man I’d met a few years earlier. He was genuinely happy to be spending the night in a house that used to cause him to be tense and on edge.

Even as dinner was called and we found our way to the table, Jasper sat next to his dad instead of using me as a shield like he used to. Between the constant chatter of children and the side conversations we adults were having, there was no way the two could have discussed anything about the ranch, even if Brice had wanted to. But the truth was, the only time I could remember him bringing up the ranch at dinner was over the summer when Jasper had purchased the neighboring ranch. He’d more than doubled the size of the ranch that year with various property purchases. Most of the locals were happy to sell to Jasper, knowing that he wasn’t planning on building homes or selling to large corporations.

I’d learned very quickly that Jasper had an eye for business that was helped by the fact that people trusted him. The smile that played across my lips was genuine and for no reason other than that I was in love with the man who was so incredibly amazing. Looking over at Harrison, my smile widened. “Love you,” I whispered into Harrison’s ear when he paused his conversation with Jack.

Harrison blinked over. “Love you too. Everything okay?” he asked, studying my face.

“Absolutely. Just wanted to tell you how much I loved you.”

He grinned, then leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Can’t wait to marry you… both of you.”

As food was passed around, the noise died down slowly and Jasper sat back from the conversation he’d been having with his dad. Since they were both smiling and laughing, I wasn’t worried.

“Love you,” I whispered into his ear as he took a slice of ham off the plate I was holding for him.

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