Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(51)

And Jace. Jesus, Jace. He’s easy on the eyes but also sweet, like a heart-eye emoji sweet, and deeply thoughtful. The way he sat in that tub with me until I was comfortable was pretty damn incredible. Answering all the questions, patiently understanding, and freaking sexy. He’s impossible not to like.

Then there’s Alec and those shoulders and those eyes. For fuck’s sake, he’s dreamy. But most importantly, the way I feel like he always knows exactly what I need because he’s always paying attention. Men say they listen, but Alec could teach a masterclass in understanding a woman’s needs. The moment he looked me in the eyes and said, “If it’s too much, you look at me. Do you understand? You look at me and say stop. And it all stops.” I almost melted.

I bite my lip, tucking my hair behind my ears as I walk around the corner of the hallway into the great room. My eyes instantly locked on Cole’s.

Him. He’s the most surprising of them all. My body responds to him in a way I could’ve never believed it was capable of. But it’s the way he’s so different than I thought he was. Cole’s funny and easy with a smirk while still making me spark with goosebumps while his eyes peruse the endless supply of his T-shirts I’ve been wearing.

I break from the connection, taking in the others because whatever they’re talking about has each of them animated, speaking with their hands like guys do when they disagree. They’re seated around the coffee table. Jace and Reed are on the couch with Alec and Cole in the leather armchairs. All shirtless, of course.

I can’t help but chuckle because I can’t even make out what’s said since they’re talking over each other, eyes shining with humor.

“Sunshine, you’re just in time—” Reed calls, looking back at me, clapping his hands. “Come here. Settle something.”

My brows raise in question, but I don’t say anything, opting to smile because it’s cute how his arms reach over the back of the couch for me like he’s calling dibs.

I guess I won’t be playing the role of good ole Samantha. Yay for me.

I walk toward the back of the couch, eyes ticking toward the fire.

It’s still raging, making the room perfectly warm, but the tree lights are dimmed so low they’re barely visible, making the room darker than before. It feels cozy and cocooned.

I kind of wish I had snuggly socks and hot chocolate and one of the cookies I made earlier.

I’m playing with the hem of my shirt as I stop behind the couch, Reed’s hands already on me. But my brows furrow because I suddenly notice the empty tray of snowball cookies sitting on the coffee table.

My stomach grumbles on cue.

“In time for what?” I snark, smacking his hand, looking down between him and Jace on the couch. “Not a cookie. You guys ate them.”

As Alec hides a smile, I lift my eyes just in time to catch Cole’s grin. But Jace clears his throat, stealing my attention.

“Not all of them,” he teases, bringing the last snowball cookie toward his mouth.

Oh no, you don’t.

I dart out quickly and snatch it. Only to be grabbed and hauled over the couch and onto his lap. Laughter cracks my chest as I fight to keep my cookie intact. Jace’s arms wrap around my waist, tucking me into his lap before nabbing a bite of my treat from over my shoulder with a growl.

“Mine.”

I stick out my tongue, but he winks, chewing happily. Before I can scold Jace, Reed plucks the rest of my cookie from my fingers and devours it in one bite.

My mouth falls open, gasping. But my eyes are lit with humor.

“Reed,” I hiss, and narrow my eyes. “You’re a monster. I’m starving.”

“Aw, come on, sunshine. Since when don’t you want me to eat your cookie?”

Well damn. His tone is low and suggestive as he licks his fingers. And I’m completely sucked into his charm. But my face grows serious.

“Technically, you ate Jace’s cookie. You might want to see if it was as good for him as it seems to be for you.”

Cole laughs, as does Jace, but Reed leans in and kisses me, whispering, “Stop being so funny. It’s making me like you.”

He leaves a dusting of powdered sugar behind before turning back to the guys and making a joke. I lick my lips, cleaning the remnants, but I’m happy he isn’t looking at me. Because I’m shy? What is going on? I was literally on my knees, deep in cock, like an hour ago. The time for shy left the building when I asked someone to come on me.

But here I am, blushing and trying not to smile.

A thought niggles. That kiss was sweet and not even remotely laced with intention. Reed just kissed me because he wanted to. Like he likes me. Not like he wanted to fuck me.

That feels against the rules.

My eyes search the room, but everyone else seems cool and collected. They’re not trying to examine the rules like a nerd. Okay. Yep. I’m overthinking. Of course, that’s what I’m doing.

Page 7, paragraph 2: There are no rules once you’ve been gang-banged under the mistletoe.

I take a deep breath snuggling up to Jace, who’s laughing.

Just go with the flow, Samantha. We’re just kissing each other like we like each other. Easy peasy. It’s not complicated at all.

Jace’s fingers press under my chin, bringing my eyes to his.

“You good?”