Chapter 9 #2
"Mine," I whispered against her hair, the word carrying the weight of every promise I'd ever made.
"Always," she replied, her voice hoarse from screaming my name. "Forever, Adrian."
The warmth of the cabin hit us like a blessing as we stumbled through the door, all of us soaked and breathless from our steamy winter adventures.
We collectively sighed once met by the warm air, creating an ethereal haze that made everything feel dreamlike.
We were quite the sight—six adults in various states of undress, snow melting in our hair and dripping from our skin.
We guys had given up our Santa pants to cover the girls, leaving us in nothing but boxers while they clutched the oversized red velvet to their chests like makeshift overalls.
"Holy shit, it's warm in here," I breathed, yanking off my ski mask and running a hand through my damp hair. The sudden absence of the fabric felt strange after wearing it for so long.
My angel, of course, looked absolutely stunning despite being soaked to the bone.
She'd managed to tie one of her silver ribbons around her waist and across her chest, cinching my Santa pants in a way that made them look like designer loungewear. The red velvet contrasted beautifully with her white lingerie underneath and her flushed skin.
"How did you make those look good?" Sierra asked with a laugh, holding Connor's pants up to her chin while shivering slightly. "I look like I'm drowning in fabric."
"It's all about the accessories," Isla replied with a grin, striking a playful pose that made me want to kiss her senseless.
The girls were giggling as they looked at each other, that knowing female intuition telling them exactly what we'd all been up to outside.
Their hair was mussed, cheeks flushed, and there was a satisfied glow about all of them that made my chest swell with pride.
We definitely gave them a Christmas they'll never forget.
"So," Estelle said, raising an eyebrow as she took in our ski masks and shirtless appearances, "are you going to explain the whole sexy mask thing you had going on out there?"
"Sexy Santas," I corrected with a grin, tossing my mask onto the nearest chair. "We were being festive."
"Festive," Connor repeated dryly, but amusement danced in his dark eyes.
"Did you bring us presents?" Sierra asked with mock innocence, though the sparkle in her eyes suggested she already knew the answer.
"Obviously," Jax replied, pulling his own mask off to reveal that satisfied smirk I knew so well. "Though some of the wrapping might have gotten a little... damaged in delivery."
The girls burst into another round of giggles at that, exchanging looks.
"Can we see them?" Isla asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes in a way that made my cock twitch despite having just thoroughly fucked her outside.
"Later," I said firmly, scooping her up in my arms before she could protest. "First, we're getting you warmed up and properly dressed. Can't have our presents catching pneumonia."
She protested, but she was smiling as she wound her arms around my neck. "I'm perfectly fine."
"You're soaked and shivering," I pointed out, already heading for the stairs. "Shower first, then presents."
Connor was doing the same with Sierra, the big man cradling her while she giggled and half-heartedly complained about being manhandled. Jax had Estelle thrown over his shoulder in a fireman's carry, her laughter echoing through the cabin as she playfully beat at his back.
"This is kidnapping!" she called out between giggles.
"This is Christmas care," he replied cheerfully. "Completely different thing."
I loved our chaotic little family.
As we reached the upstairs landing, I could feel Isla relaxing in my arms, the adrenaline from our outdoor adventure finally wearing off.
She was indeed shivering slightly, her skin cool to the touch despite the heat we'd generated earlier.
“Warmth?” she asked hopefully as I carried her toward our room.
"Definitely," I promised, pushing open the door with my shoulder. "Hot water, warm towels, and me washing every inch of you until you're properly thawed."
Her response was a contented sigh as she nuzzled into my neck, her lips pressing soft kisses to my throat that made me want to forget about the shower entirely and just tumble her straight into bed.
That would have to wait for later. I had to take care of my angel first.
The bathroom was a thing of beauty—marble and glass with a rainfall shower that could easily fit four people. I set Isla down gently on her feet, my hands immediately going to the ribbon she'd fashioned into a belt.
"Let's get you out of these wet clothes," I murmured, slowly untying the silver satin. “Need to make sure you don’t catch a cold from our little adventure."
She shivered again, but I could tell it wasn't from being cold. Her eyes were dark with renewed desire as I peeled the damp Santa pants away from her body, followed by what remained of her white lingerie.
I reached into the shower to turn on the water, adjusting the temperature until steam began to rise.
When I turned back, Isla was standing there completely naked except for her Santa hat, and the sight nearly brought me to my knees.
“We’re drying the hat," I said roughly, nabbing her hat and stepping out of my own boxers. "It looks good on you."
Her laugh was soft as I pulled her into the shower with me, both of us sighing in relief as the hot water cascaded over our chilled skin.
I backed her against the marble wall, my hands roaming over her body to check for any signs of cold or injury.
"I'm fine, Adrian," she murmured, though she didn't protest when I continued my thorough examination. "More than fine, actually. Tonight was..."
"Perfect," I finished, reaching for the expensive body wash the bathroom had been stocked with. “Fucking perfect."
I began washing her with gentle hands, working the vanilla-scented lather across her skin. I couldn't help but smile at the contented sounds she made.
Taking care of her, worshipping her body with something as simple as a shower, was almost as satisfying as fucking her had been.
"I love you," she whispered as I shampooed her hair, her eyes closed and head tilted back in bliss.
"I love you too, angel," I replied, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "More than you'll ever know."
When we were both clean and properly warmed through, I wrapped her in the fluffiest towel I could find, taking my time to dry every inch of her before bundling her up.
I dressed her in the softest pajamas she owned—fluffy white with a lace trim that made her look like an angel descended from heaven.
"Better?" I asked, pressing a kiss to her damp hair as I buttoned the last pearl button.
"Much," she sighed contentedly, leaning into my warmth. "Though I think I might need some hot chocolate to complete the recovery process."
"I think that can be arranged, angel."
Hand in hand, we made our way downstairs to find the most perfect Christmas scene waiting for us.
The living room was bathed in the warm glow of the fireplace, Christmas lights twinkling from every surface, and snow falling steadily beyond the windows.
Soft holiday music drifted from speakers—something instrumental and peaceful that wrapped around us like a warm blanket.
The others were already settled in, and I had to grin at the sight. Connor sat in an oversized armchair with Sierra curled up in his lap like a cat, both of them wrapped in a thick plaid blanket.
Jax had claimed the corner of the sectional sofa, Estelle tucked in his lap while he absently played with her hair. Everyone was dressed in fluffy pajamas and looked thoroughly satisfied with life.
And Toffee, my prince, was curled beneath the large tree like the little Christmas king he was.
"There they are!" Estelle called out with a grin. "We were starting to think you'd drowned in there."
"Just being thorough," I replied with mock seriousness, settling into my favorite spot on the opposite corner of the sectional and pulling Isla onto my lap. "Had to make sure every inch of my angel was properly warmed up."
"Your hot chocolate's waiting," Sierra said, nodding toward the coffee table where a steaming mug sat next to a plate of the cookies we'd decorated earlier. “We added extra marshmallows."
Isla practically purred as she reached for the mug, wrapping her hands around it and breathing in the rich chocolate aroma. "You're all angels."
"Speaking of,” Jax started with that troublemaker smirk I knew so well, "the girls have been asking about our little performance tonight. Apparently, we've created some expectations."
"Oh, we definitely have expectations," Sierra said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Those ski masks were very... effective."
"Effective at what, exactly?" Connor asked, eyeing her curiously.
"At making you all look mysterious and dangerous," Estelle replied with a laugh. "Very sexy burglar meets Christmas fantasy."
"We weren't burglars," I scoffed. "We were festive. Sexy Santas delivering special gifts."
"About those gifts..." Isla repeated, settling more comfortably against my chest. "Christmas is still a few days away. Are we getting early presents?”
I exchanged a look with the other guys, and I could see we were all thinking the same thing.
We'd been planning this Christmas surprise for months, and watching our girls trying to wheedle information out of us was almost as entertaining as the surprise itself would be.
"Patience, angel," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Good things come to those who wait."
"But the masks," Sierra pressed, clearly not ready to let this go. "Can we see you in them again? You know, for... educational purposes?"
"Educational," Connor repeated flatly.
"Very educational," she confirmed with the most innocent expression I'd ever seen on her face.
Before any of us could respond, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the sound of multiple people entering. The travel staff had arrived with dinner, as efficiently and quietly as always.
"Perfect timing," Jax nodded, but when Estelle started to get up, his arms tightened around her. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To help with dinner?" she suggested.
"Not happening," he replied firmly. "They can bring it to us. I'm not letting go of you."
"None of us are," Connor added, his own arms tightening possessively around Sierra. "They can work around us."
I had to laugh at the slightly exasperated but fond expressions on our girls' faces as the staff began setting up a buffet on the dining table.
They'd worked for the Eastons long enough to know how we operated, especially when we were in full protective mode.
"You realize this is ridiculous, right?" Isla murmured, though she made no move to leave my lap.
"Ridiculous is my middle name," I replied cheerfully.
"What about you, princess?" Jax asked Estelle. "Any complaints about being pampered?"
"Oh, I'm not complaining," she replied quickly. "Just enjoying now.”
The staff worked quickly, setting up everything we needed within reach. Plates of prime rib, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and all the fixings for a proper feast.
"You're all crazy,” Sierra breathed fondly as Connor helped her fix a plate without requiring her to move from his lap. "But I love you anyway."
"The feeling is mutual, sweet girl," he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple.
As we settled in to eat, the conversation flowed as easily as the wine.
Jax regaled us with stories about our past Christmases, complete with dramatic reenactments that had the girls laughing.
Connor contributed his dry observations about the various idiots he'd encountered recently, which managed to be both sarcastic and hilarious.
As the evening progressed, the hot chocolate and the warmth made everyone increasingly relaxed and silly.
At some point, the girls started making up increasingly ridiculous Christmas carols, which led to a group sing-along that would have had professional musicians crying.
"Jingle bells, Connor smells, I saved the day," I sang purposely off-key, “Jax lost his marbles, but we love him anyway!"
"That doesn't even rhyme properly," Connor pointed out.
"It's called artistic license," I replied with a dignified grin.
"It's called being tone-deaf," Estelle corrected, though she was giggling.
The fire crackled merrily, casting dancing shadows on the walls, and the Christmas lights created a magical atmosphere that made everything feel suspended in time.
"This is perfect," Isla murmured against my chest, her voice soft with contentment. “So perfect."
"It is, isn't it?" I agreed, running my fingers through her hair. "Though I have to say, I'm looking forward to showing you your real Christmas present."
"Real present?" she asked, lifting her head to look at me with curious eyes. "As opposed to fake presents?"
"As opposed to the warm-up presents," I clarified mysteriously.
"Warm-up presents?" Sierra echoed. "There are warm-up presents?"
"Oh, they're definitely getting suspicious now," Connor observed with amusement.
"Good," I said with a grin. "Suspense makes everything more fun."
"I hate surprises," Isla complained, though her eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"No, you don't," I said confidently. "You love surprises. You just hate not getting them.”
"That's... actually accurate," she admitted grudgingly.
"I know my angel," I replied, pressing another kiss to her hair.
As the night wound down, we all seemed reluctant to break up this perfect moment.
The combination of good food, better company, and the magical atmosphere had created something special—a memory we'd all treasure long after the holidays were over.