“Yeah.” I lean forward and nibble on her earlobe as my fingers reach for the hem of my T-shirt she’s wearing. Slowly, I raise it up and over her shoulders and head. “Hmm. That’s a little better.”
My mouth waters at the sight of her, topless, sitting in my lap in only a pair of black lace panties. The gold necklace around her neck glints in the light of the Christmas tree, accentuating my number across her chest. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything sexier than her right now. Her nipples harden, under my gaze, begging for my attention.
“Now what?” She’s breathless, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide as she waits for her next instruction. I love this side of her, and I love that I’m the only one who gets to see it.
A wicked smile appears on my face. “Take off your underwear.”
THIRTY-TWO
jersey
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
When Hayes’sdoorbell rings not long later—after we’ve both showered and put on presentable clothes—I pop up from the couch. “I’ll get it.” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited to see his mom again and finally have the chance to meet Riley.
A flutter of butterflies takes flight in my stomach, but I chalk it up to anticipation.
Throwing the door open, I’m immediately greeted by a hug from Hayes’s mom. “Oh, Jersey! Merry Christmas!”
I wrap my arms around her shoulders and grin from ear to ear. As soon as she lets me go, I’m engulfed by a similar hug from his dad. He pats my back and then lets me go, placing his large hands on my shoulders and holding me at arm’s length.
He smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corner. He pats my shoulders again before letting me go. Then he bends down to pick up a large tote bag full of ornately wrapped presents. Eyeing the Christmas tree, Andy heads into the living room to deliver the gifts, like a younger, trimmer, Santa Claus.
Following closely behind him is a young woman, watching me with wide eyes, as if she can’t believe that I’m standing there in front of her. I step forward and hold out my hand.
“You must be Riley. I’m Jersey.”
She blinks a few times, looking down at my hand before taking it. “Wow, you’re shorter than I thought you’d be. Not that you’re short... but—I’ll stop talking now.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Most people are surprised by that. My show costumes are all paired with either high-heeled boots or tall platform shoes, so I don’t look small compared to my backup dancers.”
“Uh, how tall are you?” Riley asks, amusement sparkling in her eyes and looking a bit dazed.
“Five-foot six.”
“Right, that’s not reallythatshort. I’m only a few inches taller than you. I get it from my dad,” she tells me.
“Riley, stop fangirling over Jersey,” Hayes calls from the living room, ribbing his sister.
She drops my hand like it’s made of molten lava and her cheeks heat as she glances at me nervously. “I’m not!”
“Don’t listen to him,” I tell her, conspiratorially. “MaybeI’mfangirling overyou.”
Riley rolls her eyes. “Please.”
“Come in here, squirt,” Hayes calls, wanting to see his sister.
She shakes her head at me as if to say “brothers” but walks into the living room, bending over the couch and giving Hayes a big hug.
I can’t help but appreciate the small gesture. It’s clear they’re fond of each other, and it makes me miss my brother. Distantly, I wonder what Roman’s doing for Christmas. I know he’s on site for a movie shoot, but I have no idea what that looks like while on set.
I decide I’ll have to send him a text later, wish the menace a Merry Christmas.
The rest of us follow Riley’s lead, moving into the living room to sit by the Christmas tree. It appears Hayes’s mom has helped herself to a cup of coffee and she holds it in both hands as she settles down on the couch at the opposite end of Hayes. She catches my eye and pats the seat between her and her son.
My chest flutters and I take her up on her offer, settling into my position. Hayes rests his arm across the back of the couch, opening up his side for me to fit into.
Cheeks heating, I scoot closer to him. Even though I was in a serious relationship before, there were never many personal displays of affection. Not that Hayes is going over the top, but even still, his assumption that I would curl into his side while his family is here speaks volumes.
