“Just like your dad in his younger years—on both counts.” Brayden rubbed his hands together in glee. “Oh, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it, Gracie?”
“You want to wear that coffee, Bray? Keep it up,” Gracie snarled. “Why is he still talking to my parents?”
Brayden chuckled. “Chatting to his new in-laws. I think your dad likes him. Your mom does, for sure. He’ll fit in nicely once they get over the shock.”
“Shut it, asshole,” she growled.
I lifted my eyebrows at her vehemence.
“Just answering your question.” Brayden defended himself. He grinned widely. “Maybe you should join him. Get them used to you as a couple.”
“I’m going to slash your tires, and you’ll have to walk home. I hope you freeze.”
“What about my wife? Your best friend?” he asked, not at all concerned.
“She can stay with me.”
“Hmm,” he mused. “Three’s a crowd. If the storm is bad, Jaxson is gonna have to stay over. I bet he chooses your bed to rest his weary bones.” He winked lewdly at her. “His rights and all as your hubs.”
She glared, her gaze colder than the wind blowing outside. “Get stuffed, Bray.”
“I think that’s his job.”
“Stop it, both of you,” I interrupted. As amusing as their banter was, I didn’t want to miss a second of the action happening around me. Jaxson didn’t strike me as only acting nice. He seemed intense but not mean or nasty. I wondered if perhaps people found his forceful nature off-putting. Maybe it was an act. People found me cold. Those who knew me best knew I was anything but. It was the persona I used to protect myself from the outside world. I peeked over at Gracie. Had she ever considered that? Had she really never seen this side of Jaxson?
Jaxson handed both Nan and Pops their gifts and received another kiss from Nan and a handshake from Pops. Again, he stood and spoke to them, seemingly at ease. Then he turned and headed our way.
Gracie pushed herself farther into the corner of the sofa.
He sat across from us, pulling off his hat and running his hand through his hair. He offered us a rueful smile. “This being Santa is tiring stuff. No wonder it only happens once a year.”
Gracie shook her head. “There was no need for all the gifts, Jaxson. Or to risk your life to drive here. You should probably head back before the storm gets worse.”
I gaped at her rudeness, but he only smiled. “Your mother and aunts were kind enough to invite me here today so I wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. I still have the four-wheel drive, so I was perfectly fine on the roads, although I appreciate your concern. And to show up empty-handed would have been rude.”
“A bottle of wine would have sufficed. This—” she waved her hand “—is a little overboard.”
“There, I beg to differ. I recall being told that Santa’s visit made the entire day magical. How can one ignore a chance to do that?” He paused, his voice lowering as he stared at her. “Especially for you, Gracie.”
I tried not to giggle.
She sniffed, turning her head as if she could ignore his presence. Brayden and I exchanged a glance. The sexual tension between them was palpable. His gaze locked on her no matter where he was in the room, and whether Gracie admitted it or not, hers did as well. His words said so much. Why wasn’t Gracie listening?
With them sitting that close to each other, you could feel something between them. How on earth they thought no one would catch on today was laughable. I had a feeling today was simply a ticking time bomb, and I wondered who would be caught in the explosion.
Jaxson handed me a lovely box of chocolates and Brayden a small bottle of his favorite whiskey. As with his dad, it was his preferred alcohol, although he didn’t enjoy sampling as much as Maddox did. Brayden had a brand, and he stuck to it.
Ignoring the look Gracie threw me, I stood and kissed Jaxson’s cheek. “Thank you. How on earth did you know these are my favorites?”
He smiled. “I listen.” He glanced at Gracie. “I’m always listening.” He reached into the bag and withdrew a box of chocolate caramels—Gracie’s favorite. The box was larger than the others had been and decorated beautifully. “For my favorite intern.”
“I’m your only intern.”
“Yes, you are. You are both.”
She took the box, touching the lovely bow. I noticed the way her fingers trembled. “Thank you.”
Jaxson folded the bag beside him. “I guess my work is done.” He stood and pulled off his heavy Santa coat and removed the padded stomach. His actions revealed a white dress shirt, covered in a deep navy cable-knit cardigan. He looked casual but dressy at the same time. I noticed the way Gracie’s gaze flickered up and down, then she looked away. He was incredibly well built and sexy. A cross between Aiden and Brayden. Tall and strong. Broad yet slim. I could only imagine the muscles his clothes hid. I had to avert my eyes.