Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

B utterflies explode in my stomach the second I stir from blissful sleep, yanking me out of my cozy haze with all the grace of a reindeer who lost one antler mid-gallop. Flashes of last night hit me like a highlight reel on repeat–whispered words, roaming hands, and lips that should probably come with a warning label. Every sensation comes rushing back, from the strong arms that held me to the kind of toe-curling pleasure that should be illegal before breakfast.

I let out a breathless laugh, still half-convinced it was all a dream. I mean, seriously–me, letting three guys get that up close and personal after knowing them for what, a minute? Vulnerability, trust–it felt like diving headfirst into the deep end of an emotional pool I didn’t even know I had.

But honestly, any lingering embarrassment is swiftly overshadowed by a giddy swirl of anticipation. Are they thinking about me the way I’m thinking about them? Did they wake up this morning with goofy smiles plastered on their faces too, or am I flying solo on the heart-flutter train?

I stretch leisurely, arms reaching overhead, feeling my muscles loosen and the delicious ache of well-used limbs. Rolling over, I expect to find nothing but empty sheets beside me, but I’m wrong.

My breath hitches.

Still snuggled into the pillows like a sleepy mountain of grumpy is…Atlas. My pulse skips a beat as I scoot closer, drawn to his heat like a moth to a particularly attractive flame. I press my body against his broad back, fingers tracing lightly over his skin, my voice barely a whisper.

"Morning, Atlas," I whisper, my voice still raspy with sleep.

He responds with a soft grunt before turning towards me, his arm automatically pulling me closer until my face is squished flat against his chest. I grin into his skin, inhaling his warmth and listening to the steady thump of his heart, each beat grounding me. My heart flutters in perfect rhythm with his, and I close my eyes, contentment wrapping around me like a second blanket.

Then, because the universe has a sense of humor, Key bursts into the room like he’s just won the lottery. He’s practically dancing, a breakfast tray balanced in his hands, and a grin brighter than the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

Behind him, Teddy ambles in, clutching his coffee like it’s the Holy Grail. I swear, the man looks more in love with that cup of caffeine than any human being has a right to. My heart does a little happy flip at the sight of them, and before I can stop myself, I’m grinning so wide my cheeks hurt.

“Morning, Sugar!” Key practically sings, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Morning, Attie!”

A growl builds in Atlas’ chest. “Call me that again and you won’t live to see another day, pretty boy,” he rumbles, his voice sleepy.

I push myself up on Atlas’ chest, glancing at his face to see an almost murderous scowl set in place. “Have I missed something?” I ask, my eyes bouncing back and forth between the two of them.

“Key knows Atlas hates that nickname. It’s what his first girlfriend called him in pre-school,” Teddy explains, whacking Key on the back of the head.

“It’s childish,” Atlas grumbles tiredly.

“Aww, I think Attie is rather cute,” I say with a coy smile, trailing my fingers up his chest suggestively. I do an internal victory dance when his murderous scowl is broken with a hint of a smile.

“No,” the grump states matter of factly, sitting up and taking me with him. Drawing me close, he pulls me in for a long, sensual kiss that makes me forget where I am until Key appears at the bedside with the tray full of food.

The tray is piled high with plates, mugs, and what looks like enough food to feed a small army–or, you know, the three men currently making my insides do funny things.

An image of me being worshiped by the three, muscular hitmen around me has a blush warming my cheeks as I move back to lean against the headboard. Instead of following, Atlas decides to lay back down and immediately starts snoozing as Key places the tray in my lap. Handing me a steaming mug of coffee, Teddy’s lips quirk up in a knowing smile, making my heart do an extra little flip.

“This looks delicious. Thank you,” I manage to say, though my voice tightens, my gaze glued to the tray in front of me. Maybe it’s silly to be this moved by something as simple as a morning cuddle and breakfast in bed, but...

I can’t even remember the last time someone cooked for me. Or did anything for me just because they wanted to.

Teddy crawls onto the bed beside me, making himself comfortable, while Key sprawls out at my feet, claiming his spot with that easy, infectious grin. Atlas is now fast asleep on my other side, his face buried in the pillow. The combined heat of their bodies leaves me feeling lightheaded and…warm in more ways than one.

We dive into the spread they’ve brought like it’s the best meal we’ve ever seen. And for me, honestly, it kind of is. Taking a mouthful of bacon, I turn to Teddy. “How are your stitches today?”

“Absolutely fine. That dressing worked perfectly.” He smiles at me, giving me a little wink.

“There’s no heat or tightness?”

He takes a swig of his coffee, shaking his head. “No, Little One. Stop worrying about me.”

Giving him a soft smile, I nod my head and turn my focus to what I want to devour next. Key immediately moves to grab the croissant I was going for, holding it just out of my reach with a teasing grin. “You want it, sugar?” he asks, wagging it in front of me like bait.

I narrow my eyes, doing my best to look stern. “Key, if you don’t give me that croissant right now, I will-”

Before I can finish, he steals a quick kiss, leaving me blinking in surprise. “Payment for delivery,” he murmurs, sliding the croissant in my hand with a parting wink.

My heart skips a beat, and I blink at him, trying to muster up some kind of retort, but all I manage is a smile. I roll my eyes for good measure, but the smile lingers as I take a bite, warmth blooming inside me from more than just the croissant.

Teddy, sitting beside me, has been suspiciously quiet, but when he catches me looking, he smirks and wraps an arm around me. “Eat your food, Grace,” he says in that smooth, deep voice of his, a playful edge lingering beneath his words. The warmth of his arm pulling me closer only adds to the pleasant buzz of the morning.

He presses a gentle kiss to my temple, his lips lingering just long enough to make me blush, and his hand starts tracing soft, lazy circles on my hip, sending little shivers down my spine. I lean into his touch, feeling a little dazed by how easily they’ve integrated into my space, my body reacting to their presence like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Teddy’s voice interrupts my thoughts, low and teasing. “Don’t go drifting off now. We’ve got more food to get through.”

I laugh softly, resting my head against his shoulder. “I’m not drifting,” I protest, though I’m definitely feeling like I could melt into the bed between them.

Key’s voice cuts in from the foot of the bed, playful as ever. “She’s just distracted by how handsome we are.”

I roll my eyes again, but it’s impossible not to laugh. “Oh, is that what it is? I must’ve missed that memo.”

Key winks, leaning back against the headboard, looking entirely too smug for his own good. “You’re lucky we don’t charge for the view.”

“Pretty sure I’ve already paid with that kiss,” I shoot back, my grin widening as the teasing continues.

As the laughter and playful banter swirl around the room, Atlas stirs beside me, his eyes barely cracking open. He reaches over lazily, his hand sliding across the tray before it finds a piece of bacon. His fingers close around it, and without even lifting his head, he brings it to his mouth and takes a slow, deliberate bite. The second it’s gone, he lets out a contented grunt and drifts right back to sleep, a low, rumbling snore filling the air.

I huff in mock indignation, shaking my head as I look down at him. “Seriously? You wake up just to steal my bacon?”

Though the admonishment dies on my lips as I catch sight of the way his muscular back flexes under the blanket. I press my thighs together beneath the covers, stuffing a bite of food into my mouth to distract myself from my suddenly racing thoughts.

Key’s eyes are on me, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Now that bellies are full, how about we go deck the halls downstairs? I saw a ton of decorations," he says, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

I perk up immediately, nearly bouncing where I sit. "Oh my gosh! Are you serious?!" I squeal, unable to contain my excitement.

Teddy chuckles, shaking his head. "Of course. We’d love to help you decorate. Well, most of us," he adds, glancing at Atlas, who’s still snoring lightly. "This fucker would sleep through the actual holiday if we let him."

With a wicked grin, he grabs a pillow and chucks it at Atlas. It hits its mark, and Atlas snorts awake, blinking blearily as he looks around. Laughter erupts from the rest of us, the warmth of it filling the room as Atlas scowls half-heartedly before turning over and going right back to sleep.

We finish eating amidst giggles and teasing, and eventually, the guys head downstairs, leaving me to get ready. Key manages to sneak a frosting-smeared kiss on my cheek on his way out the door, his eyes twinkling as he waggles his eyebrows outrageously.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” I call after him, shaking my head as he gives me a cheeky wink before disappearing.

With my heart doing little flips in my chest, I step into the shower to wash away the frosting and the remnants of last night’s hot tub excursion—all the while thinking about how lucky I am to have this, even if it’s temporary. I let the hot water relax my muscles, easing away the tension, and try not to overthink what tonight might bring.

Afterward, I trade out my gingerbread sleep set for something a little more...cute, trying to ignore the little fact that the guys apparently dressed me last night. Which has a blush spreading over every inch of my skin.

I slip into a mid-thigh length, emerald green satin nightgown, the fabric cool and smooth against my skin. The delicate lace trim along the neckline and straps is adorned with tiny holly berries, a playful bow sitting just above the bust. Modest, yet sexy. Holiday-themed without being garish. It’s perfect—a small indulgence just for myself. At least that’s what I tell myself.

I give a little twirl in front of the mirror, the smooth satin brushing against my legs as it catches the light just right. The soft glow makes the fabric shimmer, and for a moment, I forget everything else. I smile at my reflection, even if the smile feels a bit forced. This might not be the Christmas I had planned, but I’ll be damned if I don’t make it one to remember. I smooth my hands over the dress, savoring the moment before heading downstairs.

The sound of rustling boxes and faint laughter floats up from the living room. I can already hear the guys rummaging through decorations, and it brings a warm feeling to my chest. I pause at the top of the stairs, taking a deep breath, reminding myself that this is good–better than good.

It’s just...unexpected.

When I step into the room, the scene makes me chuckle. Key is knee-deep in a bin of ornaments–literally standing in it for no reason at all–pulling out glittery snowflakes and oversized candy canes like he's found treasure. His excitement is infectious, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Teddy is more careful, gently unwrapping ornaments with precise movements, examining each one like he's handling a fragile piece of art. Then there’s Atlas, standing off to the side with a mild scowl, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, but even so, he starts helping untangle the mess of tinsel-garland with a resigned sigh.

Key’s head pops up first, and his eyes immediately lock on me, widening in appreciation as he takes in the nightgown and whistles.

Teddy glances up, his gaze instantly flaring with heat as it trails over every inch of my exposed skin, smirking when he meets my eyes. Even Atlas pauses what he’s doing–hands frozen mid-tangle with the tinsel-garland. His gaze darkens almost dangerously as he freezes in place.

“Well, damn,” Key drawls, cutting through the silence as his grin turns devilish. “You look like a Christmas miracle just walked in.”

“Glad I dressed for the occasion,” I tease, trying to keep my voice light, but the way they’re looking at me...well, it’s hard to pretend I don’t notice. A warm flush creeps up my neck, and I busy myself with rifling through one of the boxes on the floor to keep from getting too flustered.

Key saunters over, reaching into the same box I’m sifting through. His fingers brush mine as he pulls out an ornament–a bright red candy cane–and I swear the contact feels hotter than it should. “So, you ready to make this place look like Santa’s workshop exploded?” he asks, giving me a playful nudge.

I grin, tossing some tinsel in his direction, watching it land on his head. “I’m ready. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

Teddy lets out a soft chuckle from across the room. “Careful, Key, she’s already got you wrapped up in tinsel.”

Key glances at the strands draped over him and shrugs, flashing me a wink. “I don’t mind being tied up by her.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help laughing. As I dig through more boxes, pulling out ornaments and random decorations, I glance over at Atlas. He’s still working on the tinsel-garland, but every now and then, I catch him sneaking a look in my direction. There’s something about the way he watches me–like he’s holding back, but only just.

I stand up and start finagling the soft, cashmere stockings–thankful that I decorate for a full house every year and not just me and Jason–as I hang five over the fireplace. As I do, a thought strikes me–there’s so much I don’t know about them. Sure, I know bits and pieces from the past few days, but...I want to know more. Maybe decorating is the perfect excuse to dig a little deeper.

“So,” I start, stepping back and dusting my hands off, “I’ve been thinking. What better time to get to know each other than while we’re decking the halls?” My tone is light, but there’s an eagerness bubbling beneath the surface.

Key immediately perks up, always ready to jump into conversation. “I like where this is going. What do you want to know, Sugar?”

I lean back against the arm of the couch, tapping my chin as if in deep thought. “Let’s start with something easy. Favorite color?”

Teddy pauses from untangling the lights, his eyes flicking up to meet mine. There’s a warmth in his gaze, something thoughtful behind his words. “The color of your eyes,” he says softly. “That blue...so light it almost looks silver when the light hits just right.”

I blink, caught off guard by how easily he says it, my cheeks flushing despite myself.

“Ugh, Ted, don’t make the rest of us look bad,” Key grumbles, but then his expression shifts into a playful smirk. He steps closer, eyes narrowing as he studies my face. “Pink,” he says slowly, “like the exact shade of your blush right now.”

I open my mouth to protest, but I feel the heat rise in my cheeks even more. I slap a hand over my face, trying to hide it. “Oh, come on!” I mutter, embarrassed but laughing anyway.

Key grins wider, clearly pleased with himself, while Teddy just chuckles quietly. I shake my head, trying to redirect my attention to Atlas, who’s been extra quiet in his sleepy state.

“And what about you?” I ask, hoping to change the subject before my blush gets any worse.

Atlas, still working on untangling the mess of tinsel-garland, doesn’t look up as he mutters, “Green. Reminds me of the woods.”

The simplicity of his answer makes my chest tighten. There’s something grounding about it, and for a split second, I imagine him out in the forest, at peace, far away from all the chaos. I nod, though he’s still not looking at me. “Mine’s lavender,” I say softly, “It’s soft, but...it has a little bite.”

Key’s head pops up, and he shoots me a wink. “Like you,” he says, his tone playful.

I laugh, shaking my head as I step over to help with the tree. We move around each other, stringing lights, hanging ornaments. There’s an ease to it, as if we’ve been doing this for years, not just days. I carefully place a glass snowflake near the top of the tree, my fingers lingering on its delicate wings. It’s beautiful, fragile–kind of like how I feel right now, trying to navigate all these unfamiliar feelings.

“So, favorite Christmas movie?” I ask, deciding to keep the conversation light, even though something else has been gnawing at me.

Immediately, all three of them answer in perfect unison: “Die Hard.”

I burst into giggles, the synchronized answer catching me completely off guard. “Seriously? Die Hard?”

Key grins, crossing his arms proudly. “Hell yeah, it’s the ultimate Christmas movie. Action, explosions, a dude saving the day? What more do you want?”

I roll my eyes, still laughing. “I mean, come on, isn’t that just...an action movie? You know, with some tinsel thrown in?”

Teddy finishes testing a string of lights, looking over with a soft chuckle. “It’s got Christmas spirit. Family, togetherness, a guy fighting to reunite with his wife and kids on Christmas Eve. It counts.”

“Exactly!” Key jumps in, clearly excited to defend their choice. “And let’s not forget the Christmas music. You’ve got Let It Snow playing while the place is going up in flames. Classic holiday vibes, right there.”

I shake my head, still giggling. “Okay, okay, but there are so many actual Christmas movies. What about It’s A Wonderful Life or Home Alone ?”

Atlas puffs his chest out as if daring me to argue, adding in a gruff tone, “Nah, Die Hard’s better. That kid in Home Alone is clever, but John McClane? He’s a badass. And he’s got Christmas spirit–he tapes a gun to his back with gift-wrapping tape.”

I burst into another round of laughter. “Gift-wrapping tape? That’s your justification?”

Atlas shrugs, but there’s a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It works, doesn’t it?”

Key leans in with a wink. “Plus, let’s face it, the Yippee ki-yay line? That’s basically holiday cheer wrapped in a bow.”

I throw my hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright, you win! Die Hard is a Christmas movie. I can’t believe you’re all this passionate about it!”

Key grins wider, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Welcome to the dark side, sweetheart. We’ll have you quoting lines from the movie by Christmas Day.”

I roll my eyes, but the warmth in my chest only grows as I look at them, their playful banter making the moment feel even more perfect. It’s silly, but their enthusiasm–and how much fun they’re having–makes my heart flutter.

We fall into a comfortable rhythm, passing ornaments back and forth, decorating the tree together. It feels...intimate. Key is draping tinsel on anything that stands still long enough, including Atlas, who grumbles under his breath but lets it happen. A strand of silver tinsel lands around his broad shoulders, and Key steps back, admiring his handiwork.

“Look at you, big guy, you’re practically a Christmas tree now,” Key teases, narrowly dodging a playful swat from Atlas.

I’m about to ask about their favorite foods when the thought that’s been lurking in the back of my mind pushes forward. My fingers trace the scarf on a snowman ornament, and I feel a flicker of nerves. Should I ask? Maybe I should’ve asked before…last night.

“So,” I begin, my voice faltering slightly, “do any of you guys...have girlfriends?”

The room falls silent for a moment, the playful energy shifting. My heart skips a beat, and I instantly regret asking. Why did I? Maybe I don’t want to know the answer. I stare at the snowman in my hand, turning it over, fidgeting.

Key breaks the silence first, grinning like this was the best thing to ever happen to him. “Nah, no girlfriends,” he says, his tone as light as ever.

I nod, feeling a bit of relief, but Teddy’s eyes catch mine. “We’ve always wanted something...different,” he says carefully.

Before I can even process what he means, Atlas chimes in, his voice low but firm. “One woman to share. Long term.”

The snowman slips from my fingers and shatters on the floor.

I stare at the pieces, my heart racing. Did I just hear that right? I look up at them, my pulse thudding in my ears. “Wait...what?”

Key laughs, stepping forward to ease the tension, a broom in his hands. “Careful there, Sugar. We wouldn’t want you to cut up those cute, little feet.”

I swallow hard, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Uh, sorry, I-" I take a deep breath to calm myself, stepping away from the shards of ornament as Key makes quick work of cleaning up my mess. I’ve never heard anything like this before. But their words are echoing in my head, refusing to leave.

It’s Teddy who steps in, his voice softer, more measured. “We’ve always known that’s what we wanted. It’s...unconventional, sure, but it’s the way we are. No hiding it.”

I glance up, feeling a bit like the ground has shifted under my feet. They’re so casual about it, like it’s no big deal to them. But me? I’ve never even imagined something like this before. My eyes dart between Teddy, Key, and Atlas–these men, who have completely upended everything I thought I knew about relationships, all in the span of one conversation.

Atlas stays silent but watches me carefully, his intense gaze making it impossible for me to look away for long. His eyes flicker with something that feels almost...possessive? No, more than that–like he's staking his claim in a way that makes my pulse jump.

I finally clear my throat, trying to sound less like I’m about to freak out. “So...just to be clear, you all want one woman to be with...forever?”

Key grins, casually tossing a bit of tinsel over his shoulder. “That’s the plan, Sugar. The three of us. One lucky woman.”

Lucky woman.

My mind flashes back to last night–the way they took care of me, the way they made me feel seen, desired, and cherished. It was overwhelming but in the best way possible. But the thought of that being something...permanent? It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at something both thrilling and terrifying.

It’s crazy.

But…

“That’s...definitely not something I’ve heard before.”

Teddy gives me a gentle smile, clearly picking up on my discomfort. “We didn’t expect you to. It’s not exactly the kind of thing people talk about over coffee. But it’s always been our plan.”

My fingers nervously play with the lace at the end of my nightgown. “And you’re all okay with that? With sharing...everything?”

Atlas speaks up this time, his voice low and rumbling. “We’ve known each other long enough to understand what we want. We’re a team. Always have been. And we want a wife to be a part of that.”

Key, ever the joker, steps closer and bumps my hip with his, breaking through my racing thoughts. “Don’t worry. We’re not proposing or anything...yet.” He winks, but the playful light in his eyes doesn’t fully hide the seriousness behind his words.

My heart does a flip, and I laugh nervously, still not sure how to respond. “You guys don’t do anything halfway, do you?”

“Nope,” Key says, popping the p before grinning. “Go big or go home.”

I shake my head, a small laugh escaping me despite the tension. I look between the three of them. There’s something grounding about the way they’re all looking at me–like they’re waiting patiently for me to catch up to this new reality they’ve just dropped on me.

“Well, I don’t know if I can compete with that kind of honesty,” I say, trying to regain my composure. I walk over to the tree, picking up another ornament–a small glass angel this time, feeling its cool surface under my fingers. “But I do know I can decorate a damn good Christmas tree.”

Teddy steps up beside me, handing me another ornament to hang, his large hand brushing mine. “Good. Then we’re in for a treat.”

I feel a blush rising again as I focus on the task at hand, carefully placing the ornament on a sturdy branch. “Alright, uhh...What’s everyone’s favorite Christmas song?”

“‘Santa Baby,’” Key says without hesitation. He waggles his eyebrows at me, making me laugh out loud.

Teddy rolls his eyes. “Of course, you’d say that.”

“I’ve got range, man,” Key defends with a shrug.

Teddy throws an ornament at Key, who catches it millimeters before it smacks him in the face, “I’m more of a White Christmas kind of guy. Can’t beat that classic.”

Atlas grunts, “Silent Night.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Silent Night? Really?”

He nods, his eyes softening for a moment. “It’s peaceful.”

I smile, feeling that odd connection to Atlas again, like there’s a lot more under the surface of his tough exterior. “I like that.”

I hum, feeling the tension ease out of the air as we slip back into easy conversation. For now, I let the idea of their bombshell sit in the back of my mind. There’ll be time to unpack it later. Right now, I just want to focus on this—this strange, beautiful Christmas we’re building together.

We move around the room, hanging ornaments and lights. Teddy meticulously spaces each one, while Key keeps trying to hang baubles in ridiculous places just to make me laugh. I catch him sneaking a Christmas light into Atlas’s back pocket, and when Atlas realizes, he gives Key a look that promises revenge. I can’t help but giggle, feeling lighter.

At some point, Atlas starts untangling another string of lights and I’m struck by how careful and gentle his hands are despite how strong they look. There’s something about that contrast that makes me pause, watching him work, lost in thought. What would it be like to truly be with these men, all three of them?

By the time we’re done, the tree is glowing with multi-colored lights, tinsel, and carefully placed ornaments. I take a step back, admiring the scene, and I can’t help the sense of joy bubbling up in me.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. The tree, the laughter, the warmth...it’s all I’ve ever wanted.

“Yeah, it is,” Teddy agrees, his gaze lingering on me a little longer than the tree.

Clearing my throat–ignoring the heat on my cheeks again –I straighten a gingerbread ornament, smiling at the three little cookie men holding hands. "I wish I had some hot cocoa to celebrate with."

No sooner do the words leave my mouth than Key jumps to his feet. "One cocoa coming right up, my lady!"

I blink in confusion, knowing that the hot chocolate was almost gone just last night, until Teddy finally helps me out. "We spotted a storage shed out back when we went out to get wood the other day, and we brought in tons of supplies before the snow got too bad. Which reminds me, we could do with sorting it and putting it all away."

Turning on his heel, with Atlas at his back, they leave the room to probably do exactly that.

Key chuckles as he lingers, offering me a dramatic bow. “We’re here to serve, Sugar.” Before I can respond, he disappears into the kitchen, leaving me shaking my head with a bemused smile.

With the guys out of the room, I finally have a moment to myself and I eye the last box that I had strategically hidden with the decorations when I first got here. Kneeling on the floor by the tree, I mechanically begin removing the contents.

One by one I gently place the gifts I packed for Jason under the tree, a knot forming in my stomach. The cheerful wrapping paper and the carefully tied ribbons seem out of place now, like relics of a plan that no longer fits. My fingers hesitate on one of the boxes, and I feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me.

Why am I even bothering with these?

The thought creeps in uninvited, and I almost flinch from it. The idea of throwing them away, of erasing that part of my life, feels tempting for a moment–freeing, even. Jason doesn’t deserve these gifts, not after what he did. The betrayal, the lies, all of it. I could toss them, and no one would know. No one would care. He wouldn’t even miss them.

My hand hovers, as if daring myself to follow through. But something holds me back.

I’m not that person.

I sigh, sitting back on my heels, my fingers trailing along the edge of the wrapping paper. As much as I want to, I can’t bring myself to toss the gifts. It feels wrong–like it would change something fundamental about me. Even after everything Jason did, even though he broke my heart, a part of me still holds on to the idea that these gifts weren’t for him now, but for the person I thought he was. For the person I wanted to believe in.

It’s too late to take it back now. I’m too...too me .

So, I carefully place the presents under the tree, arranging them just right, even though I know he’ll never deserve them. I bite my lip, trying to push the bittersweet feeling away.

No use dwelling on it. There are better memories to make, and I won’t let Jason ruin this moment.

When the guys reappear, there’s a mischievous glint in their eyes that immediately puts me on edge–in the best way possible. Key is the first to reach me, holding out a steaming mug topped with an indulgent swirl of whipped cream and peppermint sticks. The smell of chocolate and mint wraps around me, making my mouth water.

But it’s Teddy who catches my eye. He’s hanging back, something hidden behind his broad frame, and Atlas is quietly shaking his head beside him. My curiosity spikes.

“What are you hiding, Mr. Secretive?” I ask, arching a brow and trying to peer around him.

Teddy’s grin is positively wicked, and when he steps closer, I swear my pulse doubles. “Just a little something for our Christmas angel,” he teases, his voice dripping with amusement.

I can’t help the blush that blooms across my cheeks at the nickname, heat prickling my skin as his words sink in. Before I can say anything, he reveals what he’s been hiding–a pair of sprigs of mistletoe, tied with bright red bows.

My lips part in surprise, a scandalized laugh escaping before I can stop it. “Mistletoe?” I ask, my voice breathy.

Teddy cocks a brow, his heated gaze settling on me with deliberate intent. “Oh, I’m sure we can come up with a few ideas on how to use it.” His words send a low hum of anticipation spiraling through me, lighting me up from the inside.

“But,” he adds, holding the mistletoe just above our heads with a playful smirk, “maybe you’d like to do the honors first?”

My heart pounds when I meet Teddy’s eyes again, the weight of his gaze drawing me in, making it impossible to resist. “Well,” I murmur, tipping my chin up, “it is tradition…”

That’s all the encouragement he needs. With a low growl, Teddy tosses the mistletoe over his shoulder and closes the distance between us in one swift motion. His hands find my waist, pulling me flush against his solid body, and before I can even take a breath, his lips are on mine.

The kiss is electric. His hand tangles in my hair, angling my face just the way he wants, and the way he deepens the kiss makes my toes curl. Heat floods through me, every nerve lighting up as I melt against him, his woodsy scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

Without thinking, my fingers slide beneath the hem of his shirt, seeking out the warm skin and hard muscle that lies beneath. He makes a rough, approving sound, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. His large hand presses into the small of my back, pulling me even closer, and I can feel the hard evidence of his arousal through our clothes.

When we finally break apart, it’s with reluctance, both of us panting, our breaths mingling in the charged air between us. My lips tingle from the intensity of the kiss, and I can’t help the dazed smile that spreads across my face.

“Well, would you look at that,” Key’s voice cuts through the haze, his tone laced with playful mischief. “It’s still hovering overhead. Looks like another round might be in order to please the Christmas plant gods.”

I barely have time to register his words before he nudges Teddy aside, taking his place in front of me. His hands slide around my hips, and the teasing glint in his eyes makes my pulse skip.

His kiss is different–softer at first, teasing, like he’s coaxing me into a playful dance. But it doesn’t take long for it to deepen, his lips moving against mine with growing urgency. My knees threaten to buckle, and I clutch at Key’s broad shoulders to keep myself upright. His tongue slides against mine with a confidence that leaves me breathless, like he’s daring me to keep up.

Just when I think I might lose myself completely, he breaks the kiss with a final nip at my lower lip, his eyes glinting with the promise of more to come. “That’s just a taste,” he murmurs, his voice low and full of heat.

Before I can catch my breath, two strong arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me back against a hard, familiar chest. Atlas. His low voice rumbles against my spine, sending a shiver down my body.

“My turn.”

His large hand cups my jaw, gently but firmly turning my face towards him, and the moment our eyes lock, I feel my breath catch. The hunger in his gaze is unmistakable–dark, possessive, and filled with raw intensity. He traces my bottom lip with a calloused finger, his touch sending sparks skittering across my skin.

Atlas claims me with a kiss that is pure, unbridled passion. There’s no hesitation, no teasing–just him, taking what he wants. His kiss is a blazing conquest, staking his claim with a heat that leaves me dizzy as he fists my hair, angling me forcefully where he wants me. I grasp at his arms, trying to stay grounded, but it’s impossible to think, impossible to focus on anything but the taste of him, the heat of his body, and the overwhelming sensation of being utterly consumed.

When we finally pull apart, I’m breathless, my body tingling from head to toe. I can’t tear my gaze away from Atlas’s dark, lust-blown eyes, and for a moment, the world seems to stop, suspended in the charged air between us.

Then, a sharp crack splits the moment like a thunderclap. I jump, tearing my gaze away from Atlas to see the shattered remains of a ceramic Santa at the feet of none other than Jason.

A very pissed off Jason.

Oh, tinsel tantrum ...