Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(8)

As I look down at him, everything grows quiet. The tip of Reed’s tongue traces back and forth over his pointy tooth. There’s something so arrogant and animalistic about it. Like I’m a snack, and he’s hungry.

God, how does he do this—his attention feels like it vacuum-seals the space around us.

If he were a vampire, this would be the moment that I’d be like Bella and break my neck to expose my throat. Fucking bite me for real.

“Hey, Samantha,” he says, hushed like it’s a secret. “You know if you stay up…we’ll show you exactly what grown men do to let loose… I think you’ll like it.”

This time I’m speechless. What Reed said feels sexy, but I can’t trust myself because I can feel how drunk I truly am now that I’ve stood up.

My sister always says, “Never sit and drink because you’ll fall down when you stand.” It’s the only good advice she’s ever given me. But despite knowing I should run to my room before I crawl there, I keep horny-flirting.

“Ummm… do you play cards?” I grin, thinking, Or maybe eat girls out in the middle of the room?

He shakes his head as I hear one of them say, “Try again, sweetheart.”

I swallow, wishing I was being led down a dirty path because then I’d say, take turns fucking girls over the counter. I got next.

Instead, all that comes out is, “Smoke cigars?”

You could hear a pin drop as they sit there, smirking in my direction. Jesus, the number of dirty thoughts playing across my mind makes me a bonafide wine slut.

“Play Twister by the fireplace?” Naked?

Reed’s fingers ghost the inside of my wrist as he takes my hand. “Stay up and find out.” From my side, Jace breathes, “Yeah, you afraid you’ll lose Twister?”

With my hand still nestled in Reed’s, I look between them as a half laugh pulls from my throat. Because all I can fucking think about is us, nude, as someone calls out, “Left hand, yellow.”

God, just the thought of it makes me let out the tiniest hum. Until Cole growls. Fuck. Everything inside me melts, pooling in my damn underwear as my eyes shoot to his. Cole’s jaw ticks before he speaks.

“Stop teasing our girl. There’s always tomorrow. It’s time for Alec to take her to bed.”

I open my mouth, then shut it, frowning a little at the smirk that takes residence on the corner of his mouth. You were going to bed anyway, dummy. Why does it matter who takes you there?

I hadn’t realized Alec had gotten up until his palm presses against my lower back, drawing my eyes to meet his. I blink, staring up past his broad shoulders to those blue eyes looking down at me.

“You’re taking me to bed?” I say way too breathlessly.

Jesus, throw your pussy at him, why don’t you?

“Yes, Samantha, I am. The shower can be tricky. I’ll show you the room. Help you get settled. Unless you don’t want me to.”

I do that dumbass chuckle thing I do when I realize I’m on the completely wrong page. Because of course I am.

Three glasses of wine, and I’m all for an orgy. I’m such a lightweight. A disgrace. I’m sorry .008 percent Irish ancestry, I’ve let you down.

“No. I mean, yes. I mean…totally. Show me the room.” I smile. “And the shower. Yep.” Another dumb chuckle. “Lead the way, boss.”

Boss, boss, boss. They’re all your bosses. Don’t fuck them, idiot.

Reed releases my hand as Alec smiles behind his eyes, saying nothing as we walk toward our…

Oh. My. God—HIS bedroom.

Even after my inner pep talk, I still don’t know what he’s saying as we walk inside and into the bathroom because I’m mentally reliving all of dinner. But I keep nodding. Except all I’m thinking is that I need to get out of here by the crack of dawn.

I can’t be stuck here for days on end with all the flirting, smiling, and growling. It’s like one of those tests you have to pass to become a saint. I’m failing, without a doubt. Another day here, and I’m going straight to hell.

Maybe they have those tennis rackets for your feet here. I saw people do that on some documentary about Alaska once. It didn’t look too hard.

I’ll just snowshoe all the way back. It’s like, conservatively, a hundred and sixty miles. So I’ll get home by next week, but it’s fine. It’s fine.

Jesus. Christ.

“Samantha?”

“Huh?” I give my head a small shake. “Sorry, I’m so tired. Thank you for your hospitality and for, yeah…everything. I’m just going to crash.”

He smirks.

“Sweet dreams, gorgeous. If you need anything…” There’s that pause. My body is on fire, Alec. Get out of here before I combust. “I’m across the hall,” he finishes.

He’s walking toward the door as he glances over his shoulder.

“This might be unprofessional”—now we’re worried about this?—“but I enjoyed getting to know you tonight. All the guys did. You should let your hair down more often.”

I bite my lip before saying, “Thank you. It was fun.”

“Mm-hmm,” he hums before turning and shutting the door behind him.

Dramatically and indelicately, I melt to the floor, letting out a very quiet laugh before I reach into my back pocket for my phone.