But the heat and determination in Hunter’s gaze told me that he’d claim that kiss one way or the other. Hmm... we could manage on
e small, PG-rated kiss, right?
I rose on my tiptoes, intending to give him a quick peck, but before I knew it, I had my arms around his neck and his hands gripped my waist in a deliciously possessive way. I felt every finger pressing against my flesh as he kissed me harder, deeper.
“Anyone feel like a third wheel?” Tess’s voice resounded through the room. “Anyone? No? Just me?”
We pulled apart, chuckling. Skye was watching us, tapping a finger against her chin. “Right. We need to split you two up, or we’re never going to be ready in time.”
To my surprise, Hunter nodded. That was unlike him... missing any opportunity to be around me, sneak in a kiss, a sinful touch.
My mouth formed an O. “Are you just trying to get out of the way so we don’t put you to work?”
“Possibly. But I have a good reason. I’m supposed to pick up your parents from the hotel. Your mom wants to buy something on the way here. Can’t start messing up traditions already, can we?”
Ah, of course. Mom hadn’t had a chance to bake her famous apple tart, so she’d ordered one at my favorite bakery—a small shop in Brooklyn that sold homemade goodies.
“Definitely not.”
He winked before leaving. I sighed as I headed to the girls. They still had three strings of twinkling lights to hang. I caught myself singing along to Christmas carols as I contemplated the best place to hang them (I didn’t have that many options, really, considering we’d already covered most of the living room with lights).
Tess and Skye were exchanging conspiratorial glances.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re humming... and Hunter has never been in such a good mood at Christmas. I mean, he’s never been the Grinch or anything, but usually he was melancholic...”
I could relate. I couldn’t explain why, but the past few Christmases had been a melancholic affair for me too.
“I think he’s just excited at the prospect of... what was the phrase? Having someone to pass the traditions on to?” Skye asked.
“You heard that?”
“Every word. Very creative way of saying he wants to get down and dirty with you.” Tess grinned. I felt the tips of my ears turn hot.
Two hours later, the entire gang arrived. Hunter with my parents, Amelia and Mick with Ryker and Cole. I loved having a full house, and by the looks of it, so did Hunter. In fact, I was pretty sure he was conspiring with Dad right now. Not just whispering. Conspiring. How I knew? They looked more than a little guilty. Plus, from time to time, one of them glanced over his shoulder.
I snuck up on them. They stopped talking abruptly upon seeing me.
I batted my eyelashes, looking from one to the other. Surely one of them had to give in to my charms, right?
“What are my two favorite men in the world plotting?”
“Nothing,” Dad said a little too quickly.
“You think I’m buying that?”
Hunter cupped my cheek, feathering his thumb just under my lower lip.
“Planning the next get-together.”
“Already?” My voice was a little uneven, overcome by sudden emotion. This man. What did he have in mind? Fly them over for every holiday?
Oh, God. I had a hunch that was exactly what he planned. I had to make a concerted effort to keep my hands at my side and not jump right in his arms.
“You’ve got a great man here,” Dad said.
“I do, don’t I?”