Page 60 of Hostile for the Holidays

We join my family in the living room, snuggling together on the couch. Jasper sits behind me, and I’m in his lap with my head tucked under his chin while we share a bowl of buttery popcorn. When Jasper can’t reach the bowl, I pinch a few pieces of popcorn in my fingers and reach it over my shoulder to his mouth. He eats the popcorn, then teasingly licks my fingers.

I glance around to see if anyone is observing how adorable we are, but everyone’s eyes are on the movie. They’re missing a good show.

Look at this performance. We’re naturals.

And it does feel natural with Jasper.

That inkling from last night rears its head again. If no one is watching, what’s the point in pretending? And are we even pretending anymore?

NINETEEN

JASPER

“Nooooo!You’ve got to be kidding me!” Stella yells from behind the bathroom door.

I pause, mid-pull on the cork from the wine bottle I’m opening. We just arrived at the cabin I booked for the next two days. A small window of time between Christmas with our families and Stella needing to be back for wedding festivities.

We’ve both been craving time alone that wasn’t behind a locked door, afraid one of our family members would knock or in Stella’s case, hear her muffled screams.

“Everything okay, Stell?” I call.

The toilet flushes and I hear the faucet running. A moment later, the door swings open and Stella comes flying out.

“Well, the fuck-fest is off.”

I chuckle, brows lifting. “Fuck-fest? I wasn’t aware the weekend had a theme.”

With the cork now free, I pour us each a half glass of pinot noir.

“You know as well as I do that’s why we’re here.” She glances into the living room where the fire I started is roaring. “Look at that fire, and the snow falling outside. And you have wine.” She takes the glass from me, her gaze dropping to my outstretchedhand. “Even the veins in your hands are giving off fuck me vibes,” she cries.

I’m not sure what happened in that bathroom, and part of me is afraid to ask.

“I think I missed something. Why are you upset?”

“I just got my period.” She groans, taking a hearty gulp of wine. “I mean I knew it was going to happen soon, like in a day or two, but apparently my body didn’t get the memo that multiple orgasms were to be had this weekend. Couldn’t it have waited? It feels like sabotage.”

She sets the wine glass down and claps her hands. “Oh, I know! We can dry hump while you play with my tits. It’s not what we had planned, but it’s something. And I’ll definitely be giving you a blow job because this place,” she motions around to the luxury cabin before turning back to me with both hands thumb to index finger and the remaining three fingers upright, “is NICE.”

“Stella,” I wrap her up in my arms, “I want to spend time with you. Naked time was going to be a bonus.”

“You’re just saying that so I won’t fall into an emotional pit of despair.”

“I mean it.” I release her so I can show her the bag of books and games I packed. “See? I wouldn’t have brought Holiday Monopoly if I thought we’d only be having sex. That’s at least a three-hour commitment.”

“Well, you’re clearly not as horny as I am. I only packed lingerie and sex toys.” She sighs. “I’m thinking the crotchless panties are not going to be useful anymore.”

“Stell, the things that come out of your mouth never cease to surprise me.”

She takes a sip of her wine, then smirks. “If you play your cards right, one of them could be your dick.”

I press a soft kiss to her mouth.

“Why don’t you go change into some comfy clothes and I’ll order us in some dinner. We’ll watch a movie, eat chocolate, and I’ll give you a foot massage.”

“You know you don’t have to do the whole fake boyfriend thing while we’re here. The only person I’ll tell about this is Sadie and she already knows we’re not really together so…”

“I’m not your fake boyfriend right now, Stell. I’m just a guy trying to make you more comfortable when you’re not feeling your best.”

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