Christmas in His Bed

“Joy,” Patton muttered.

“Come on, Aunt Imogene, be happy this is happening,” Lucy said. “Patton was fine with Cady’s idea of eloping.”

Mrs. Ryan groaned and covered her face with both hands.

“One of the hotels Zach manages had a wedding cancel at the beginning of the month. Cady and Patton stepped in, making everyone happy.” Bianca smiled.

Patton didn’t look very happy, but Tatum didn’t say a thing.

“You are coming?” Cady asked. “It’s New Year’s. In Aspen. At some swanky hotel. So you should come. Dance, laugh, have fun.” She glanced at Spencer, then back at her.

It was hard to miss the other woman’s message. But by then, her time with Spencer would be up. Attending his brother’s wedding, surrounded by family and close friends, would be beyond awkward.

“Come on, Tatum,” Lucy whispered. “We can be roomies.”

But she was saved by the static of the microphone and the emcee’s announcement. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We have our ugly sweater contest first. The winners of our silent auction. And then the big event, our bachelor auction.”

* * *

SPENCER COULDN’T BREATHE. He was in serious trouble and he knew it. Watching her, every smile, every laugh... He wanted to take her hand so Dean would back the hell off. He wanted to take her hand so everyone knew she was spoken for. Even if she wasn’t.

His hand tightened around his beer bottle.

Her long blond hair spilled over her shoulder as she leaned fo

rward to listen to what Lucy was saying. Her neck arched, pale and graceful. He knew how that skin felt beneath his lips, how she tasted.

He took a swig of his beer.

“Congratulations,” Patton said, sliding into the empty chair at his side. “A plastic trophy and a day helping Mrs. Graham around her house.”

He glared at his brother. “Jealous?”

Patton shook his head, his crooked grin quick. “Hell no.”

Spencer laughed. “How’s the wedding thing going?”

It was Patton’s turn to glare. “Don’t go there.” He paused. “She looks good.”

Spencer knew who they were talking about. “She does.”

“Cady likes her.”

“What’s not to like?” he asked.

Patton didn’t say anything.

“What if I more than like her?” Spencer asked softly.

Patton smiled a real smile. “You always have.”

The truth in his brother’s words was freeing—and terrifying.

Patton cocked his head, meeting his brother’s gaze. “If she can forgive you for what you did, you’re probably the luckiest son of a bitch of all time.”

Spencer nodded, taking another swig.

“You two talk?”