Page 5 of Gifted to The Billionaires

He hums, the noise going straight to my warm stomach. “Containers are fine. Silverware and drinks?”

“On it!” I move toward the attached kitchen while he starts to unload food onto the green marble coffee table Brett got for me. It’s adorable in this space, fitting in with my warm emerald style. “Wine, soda, or juice?” I call out.

I hear him laugh under his breath. “Wine, if you please.”

Nik always goes with wine or water. I think I might assume he’d been replaced with a clone if I saw him sipping on a Coke or asking for apple juice.

Returning with two glasses, forks, and an opened bottle of Pinot Grigio, I find his large frame consuming half of my three-seater sofa. Gouda has twirled herself into a ball of fur at his feet, content as ever. My eyes take him in, every lovely inch of him dominating my space. In his gingerbread-color knitted sweater, you can still see the outline of his biceps. His strength can’t be hidden and it can’t be ignored.

I’m not petite but Cal and Nik make me feel that way for sure. My 5’10 height may be tall for the average woman, but the two of them still have to look down at me when we stand close. I’ve always had a naturally fast metabolism but I’m definitely not into fitness. So while I’m smaller and soft, they’re big and hard.

My face heats.Big and hard.He’s only been here for five minutes and I’m thinking about big and hard.Get a hold of yourself, woman!

“Have you been drinking already?” Nik asks, passing me the TV remote and beginning to pour our wine.

I sit down and give him a questioning look. “What? No, why?”

“You’re flushed,” he notes calmly. Like the words haven’t just made me almost swallow my tongue.

“I showered,” I say quickly. “Probably from the temperature change. I just finished a few minutes ago.”

He nods like the explanation is totally plausible. “What were you planning to watch tonight?”

Watch?

Oh! The movie!

“Um, I hadn’t decided yet,” I admit and he hands me my packaged food, setting my wine on the coaster in front of me. “Maybe something funny?”

He nods with a smile. “Always a safe bet.”

I quickly put on a comedy with a cast I know I’ll like and we both tuck in, eating quietly.

The food is, of course, delicious. The smell of garlic and tomato filters around us, almost as if the dishes were cooked here. My love for cooking is often beat out by my love of treats. Something about being cooked for makes eating even more special.

Nik finishes his food before I do, likely due to his larger mouth.He can fit way more inside of it than I can.I shake away the thought. I cannotbe thinking about his mouth right now. I’ll end up needing to change my panties before he’s ready to leave.

Nik sets his empty container down and sips on his wine. “Good day today?” he asks, leaning back in his seat and parting his thighs farther apart than before.

We’re so close that his jeans touch my leggings and I have to withhold a shiver.

I shrug. “Normal day, nothing special. You?”

“I did some last-minute Christmas shopping,” he says with a wince. “It was chaos, but it’s the only way I can get Callahan anything without him finding out. I have no idea how he hides my gifts. I swear, every year I assume he hasn’t gotten me anything until the day of.” He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “Sneaky shit.”

I nod, understanding. Callahan and Nik are both impatient when it comes to gifts. They’re always looking to spoil the surprise for themselves.

“What’d you go with this year?” I ask innocently.

He grins. “Oh no, pchelka, I know you can’t be trusted.”

I mock gasp. “Moi? I’m amazing with secrets!”

Nik rolls his eyes at my dramatics. “You are amazing with a lot of things, Ivy, but keeping secrets is not one of them. Callahan found his birthday watch inyourapartment if you recall.”

I groan, putting down the remainder of my food. “That wasonetime, and how was I supposed to know he’d snoop while I napped? I was sleepy!”

“You’re always sleepy,” he jokes. “It’s adorable… when it doesn’t ruin surprises.”

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