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My eyes roll back as he thrusts like a jackrabbit, fast, deep, and hard. His fingers dig into my hips. I can’t get enough, won’t ever have enough. I gasp, grab at anything I can, then surrender to the overwhelming pleasure as I come apart in the back seat of the car, louder than the music on the radio.

Hunter groans and jerks me down to finish with me.

A damn good day.

FIVE

Lief

I’m notsure what to do with myself. We already hung the stockings. Cookies are in the oven. The tree is decorated, but it doesn’t feel like Christmas. Even with the snow on the ground and still falling from the sky, it only feels like winter.

Is that a part of growing up? Yes.

“Lief?” Valerie asks as I toss another log on the fire.

I turn to face her and drink her in. She’s beautiful in an effortless way. The light blue sweater she has on over her black leggings keeps falling off her shoulder, teasing me with her collarbone.

Even after enjoying our dinner late thanks to our fun in the bedroom yesterday, I want her. Valerie walks over and kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

“It’s not Hunter or Chase’s fault that they were dragged into last-minute business,” I say.

“I know.” She sucks her bottom lip. “I mean, there are no holidays when you’re in the mafia, but still. It’s Christmas Eve! Your parents are coming over. My brother’s on his way. I just hoped they’d have a peaceful day, too.”

“Are you pouting?”

“No!” She tosses her hair back. “I’m just frustrated. Maybe the whole mafia needs to change. People deserve to have time with their families rather than being on call all the time.”

I watch her process what she just said. Is she worried that being married would be harder than the average relationship? After everything we’ve been through, she wouldn’t expect anything drastic to change.

She sits down on the couch and looks over at the stockings while calming. “It smells good in here.”

“I’m making cookies.”

She smiles. “You’re reliable like that.”

“Am I?” I sit next to her. “Reliable in the kitchen and nowhere else?”

“You let nothing slip through the cracks, Lief. You’re diligent and predictable at home–in the best way–despite being lethal,” she leans her head on my shoulder. “I wish Sophie knew how amazing you three are.”

“She doesn’t need to know what we do for work to know that we’re good for you. That’s all that matters,” I assure, playing with her hair. “You should call her. She’s impossible to reach on Christmas.”

“Yeah, she is,” Valerie sighs. “It’ll be quick and then you can unwrap me.”

I chuckle and rub over the back of her neck. “I can wait for Christmas.”

“You don’t have to. We have a warm, cozy fire. The snow is outside and can’t hurt us. It’s just us with plenty of time for-” Her phone goes off.

She sighs. “Never mind.” After she picks up, she sucks her bottom lip. “Tristan, are you ... we talked about this! We agreed Mom would not be here! No, I’m not saying that just ... fine.”

Valerie climbs onto my lap and rests her head on my shoulder. “I need your amazing conversation skills right now.”

“You’re the expert, pet.”

She presses her forehead to mine. “My mother is coming. You know how she feels about our relationship. How am I supposed to handle her and impress your parents?”

“You’vealreadyimpressed my parents. My mom asks about you all the time. My father is charmed. They keep wondering when we’re going to visit them,” I murmur. “Would you like to get out of the country?”

“Right now. Let’s go! We’ll meet the guys at the private jet and-”

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