Page 3 of New Year's Day

And she also knows exactly what we’re doing.

“Spying on you!” is what Vaughn tells her as he leaps to his feet and runs to her, wrapping his arms around her legs and tilting his head back to smile at his mom. “You look pretty.”

“Why thank you.” She ruffles his dark hair that matches hers, a faint smile still on her face as she glances up and takes in the rest of us. “Well, the terrible weather seems to have closed the roads and none of our guests can make it to the party tonight.”

“Does that mean we get to eat all the food?” Row asks hopefully. He’s always hungry lately. Dad says he’s growing and warns that someday he’ll be taller than me.

I can’t imagine it but I know what my father says will most likely be true.

August slaps my brother’s arm. “Have a little class, cousin.”

Iris rolls her eyes. “Right, because you’re sooooo classy, Augie.”

He sends his younger sister a death glare. “Better watch what you say, Iris, or—”

“Enough.” Summer’s gentle but firm tone silences her squabbling children. “I do think we’re going to have plenty of food to take care of your healthy appetite, Rowan.”

My brother’s cheeks turn red and he ducks his head.

“Looks like the New Year’s Eve party is family only this evening!” Summer laughs when we all start to cheer. “Consider this your official invite.”

“Wait a minute.” I jump to my feet, my gaze going to Mom who’s currently walking up the stairs, stopping right next to Summer. “We get to come to the party tonight?”

Mom nods. “We have all of this food and decorations and music playing. We can’t let it go to waste just because of some snow.”

“Come on.” Summer hooks her arm through Mom’s and they both start walking down the stairs. We all trail after them. “Let’s get this party started!”

TWO

WHIT

I watchSummer and Wren lead our children into the front living room, where we’ve chosen to hold our annual New Year’s Eve party for the last couple of years. When I was a child, my parents had the party in the grand ballroom. Hundreds of people would come every year—it was a much-anticipated party by the social set. My parents went all out with the food and drink and entertainment.

Eventually when their marriage was in trouble, my mother—God rest her damaged soul—would use the party as a weapon, spending as much money on it as she possibly could. My father would retaliate by fucking a random party guest in a bathroom or closet, hoping Mother would find him.

My parents were a disaster together. I vowed to myself—and to my wife when I married her—that I would never do that. Besides, I’m too obsessed with Summer to even think about anyone else.

I also couldn’t give two fucks about New York’s high society and having them in my home for a bullshit party to ring in the new year. I much prefer inviting my family and real, actual friends to celebrate with. Who wants to schmooze with a bunch of phony assholes?

Not me.

“Darling, would you please change the music?” Summer asks me with a sweet smile on her face.

I flash her a wolfish grin and pull out my phone, scrolling through the various playlists we’ve created over the years. “Of course, darling. Coming right up.”

We call each other darling in front of the kids because it sounds nice. We know how to be proper in front of children and mixed company. Behind closed doors though?

We’re still pretty goddamn wild when it comes to…fucking.

I choose a playlist full of songs I know every one of my three children will find something to like, even August, and turn up the volume. The music fills the room, the younger children all screaming their excitement loud enough to make me wince. They run to the middle of the room and start dancing, looking absolutely ridiculous as they shuffle their feet and wiggle their bodies, but they’re having the time of their lives.

And the party has barely begun.

After a few minutes of discussing food matters with Marta our housekeeper, Summer approaches me. I reach for her, slipping my arm around her slender waist, my fingers settling on the bare skin of her back. Her dress is made of soft black velvet and covers most of her body with the exception of her back.

Very chic, my wife. And extremely sexy.

“Is it wrong to say I’m not sad that our original guests can’t make it because of a snowstorm?” Summer tilts her head toward me, resting it on my shoulder for a moment. I catch her scent and my dick twitches.

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