Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(44)

“Let’s get you nice and wet.”

I’m laughing, drenched, turning my head from side to side, as he bends forward, dropping the bottle, hauling me right over his shoulder.

My ass is slapped before he grips a handful, thundering his words.

“Time to open our present, gentlemen.”





eighteen





“Get it wet for me, sunshine.”





I’m carried, laughing, slapping wet hands against Cole’s back as I’m touched and rubbed from every angle.

“You’re all animals,” I squeal as I’m flung back over Cole’s shoulder to my feet and left breathless.

Reed catches my shining eyes, his hand steadying my waist. “Sunshine, you have no idea.”

But I think I’m about to find out.

I take a moment to catch my breath, looking at these beautifully flirtatious men standing in front of me. And for a second, butterflies explode in my stomach.

This is happening. Freaking finally.

Reed’s standing next to Cole, with Jace and Alec on either side of me as he reaches up and plucks the bow to make me unravel.

But I don’t….unravel.

My head drops, eyes on the bow as a full fledge smile blooms. All the champagne has glued the material to my body and to itself. I’m basically in velvet papier-m?ché, like a fancy Christmas pi?ata waiting to be poked by their sticks. I look back at them, shrugging flirtatiously.

“Guys, I’m ruined. I guess you’ll have to return me now.”

Without skipping a beat, I pretend to walk away. But they descend upon me, pulling and tugging at the ribbon. I scream-laugh being turned in circles, pushed and pulled as they try tearing wet ribbon off my body. But it’s just shifting, letting portions of my skin show without letting loose.

“What the fuck is this made of?” Reed grumbles, matched by Alec’s groan as I’m spun again.

Their hands are everywhere—my breasts, my back, my stomach. And I can’t stop laughing.

“It’s tied together,” I breathe. “You guys! Oh my god, it’s all connected.”

Cole growls, running his hand down between my legs and tugs.

“Ah,” I squeak, but he ignores me, barking, “I’m going to buy the company that makes this shit and burn it down.”

I’m spun around again with another laugh-shriek before Jace throws my arms above my head, bending down, saying, “Fuck this.”

The sound of ripping makes me suck in a gasp.

He did not.

“That should do it,” Jace exhales harshly.

He did.

My arms fall back down as he stands and locks eyes with me. His fingers brush my skin as he slowly peels a piece away, his lips tugging at the corner.

“I’m almost free,” I whisper, feeling that familiar crackle.

Pieces begin to slip away from my breasts with the help of my committed elves, who are working together, exposing me inch by inch.

I lift my chin at Alec, instructing him. “That piece loops around then goes down my stomach.”

He smirks, pulling the last wet velvet strip from my breasts, following direction.

Alec holds tight to the long strip of matted velvet, but nobody else makes a move to unwrap me any further. They’re all frozen. Silent, as I stand under their perusing eyes, blooming under their gaze as my nipples harden.

Alec bends down, whispering, “Beautiful,” before taking the pebbled bud into his mouth. I melt. But the lips suddenly joining, brushing against my neck, wake me up. Fuck yes.

My head drops back, a sigh drifting from my lips, welcoming the feel of Jace’s mouth on my skin.

“Hey, baby,” he whispers.

The feel of Alec gently circling and flicking his tongue around the sensitive bud has goosebumps peppering my skin.

“This feels so good,” I murmur, diving my hand into Alec’s hair.

But what I mean is they feel so good.

Another set of lips, Reed’s, trail up the back of my neck as my hair is lifted to expose the nape of my neck.

“Mmm,” I hum, closing my eyes, giving myself over to the sensation.

But the moment I do, I’m left cold. Just like that. No hands, no lips, my nipple popping from Alec’s mouth. I gasp, eyes springing open, locking directly on Cole.

He’s standing in front of me, the guys surrounding me. Cole’s tan skin glows golden under the soft white Christmas lights as he stares down at me. Shadows cast between the dips of his muscles, making him feel powerful and intimidating. He isn’t, though. Cole’s just intense. It’s the way he looks at me as if I’m the only person he sees. It’s overwhelming.

His jaw tenses before he lifts my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist, speaking his words into my skin.

“You’re perfect under our touch.”

Good god. Those words. In that sentence.

I can’t explain what happens inside of me, but I don’t want the feeling to ever end.

Jace tucks my hair behind my ear as I stare back into Cole’s eyes. Perfect, Cole mouths again before he adds, “But this round goes to us, Samantha. Remember?”

I shiver with excitement as Cole reaches up, taking the leftover ribbon still in Alec’s hand. He tilts his head as Reed shifts beside me. I suck in a breath, feeling the delicate connecting piece slide down my stomach as Cole’s fingers brush over my skin.