Page 47 of Unveiled Wishes

He picked up the pace of his hips, slamming into me. Over and over, until I was screaming his name amongst the trees.

As I was coming down from my high, he whispered in my ear, “It was always meant to be this way, and I love you.”

Tilting my head back, I let one last moan loose.

He shivered as he came, and I wrapped my arms around him. Holding him tight to my chest, I knew I didn’t want to be without him for any length of time. “Come with me to New York. I have to pack.”

Chapter 18

Christmas Eve Dinner

Grace

I watched out the window with my hands still in the sink, covered in soap, as Zook led Emily to the trees. A lot of change was heading her way in a short amount of time. I understood that better than anyone. I liked Emily, and the last thing I wanted was to see her get overwhelmed.

“You think she’ll give him a shot?” Pebbles asked, her gaze fixed on the pair as they disappeared.

“Yes. I think she wants to, but there are a lot of ‘what ifs’ she’ll need answers to,” I replied, my thoughts drifting back to my journey. There had come a time when I had to throw caution to the wind, and it had been terrifying. Emily would have to do the same eventually, and I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

Pebbles threw the dish towel onto the counter with a small laugh. “She has options, and How won’t let anything happen to her.”

Two hands appeared on either side of my waist, grasping the edges of the sink. A hard chest pressed against my back, and ashiver ran down my spine as his breath ghosted over my ear. “Leave them alone, mama,” Sabre murmured.

“We’re just speculating. Not everything needs to be a bet,” I teased, smiling as I heard Pebbles laugh beside me.

“Tell that to the rest of the brothers. They bet on when he’d convince her to stay. I picked right after breakfast, but Dead is winning. He said after breakfast but before dinner.” Sabre’s stubble rubbed against my cheek.

“You know, you only win bets when they’re about us.” It hadn’t been easy. Sabre had had to hold out, but the last bet we'd won had been about how long it would take to get busy after my first ride on his bike.

“Yeah, but I thought I had a shot. How’s the only one that didn’t bet.” He pressed further into my back.

“Of course, he wouldn’t. Would you want to know when Pretty and Wreck finally get together? Down to the minute?” I pushed back against him, my hands still in the soapy water in the sink. “Those trees are going to shake.”

“No.” He kissed the back of my neck. “Are you done here? I need to know how you want to set up the tables for dinner.”

“Oh, give me a sec.” I pulled the plug from the sink and grabbed one of the other towels to dry my hands. Heading towards the main room, I told him, “I figured we could put the square tables on the side for the food, and then use the round ones for families. There are a couple extra card tables…” I trailed off. “Are you listening?” I turned around, and Sabre wasn’t even behind me. No, he was leaning against the door in between the main room and the kitchen, directly underneath the mistletoe.

He was silent as he pointed to it. “Or do you need to check my ass out first?” he asked, causing the room to roar in laughter. His eyes twinkled. This wasn’t about the mistletoe. This was clearly about staking his claim in the main room.

I strutted towards him, but when I was close, I jumped into his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I don’t need a reminder,” I said.

He held me underneath my ass and suffocated me with his body. His lips were on mine, taking all of my air as if he owned me. I didn’t know how much more I could survive. My lungs burned, and when he finally broke the kiss, I sucked in as much air as possible. I’d never complain, though, as I heard catcalls in the background.

“I love you,” he whispered against my lips. “I’m all you need.” He walked away, throwing orders around based on my table instructions. He’d been listening all along.

***

There was so much excitement in the air. Chef was outside smoking briskets while the kids were running around in the yard. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Christmas Eve dinner was turning out better than I had expected. Every brother was here with their family.

I had planned to make potato salad for Pretty, but when I had opened the refrigerator this morning, there was already a pan with his name on it. I wasn’t sure where it had come from, but I didn’t ask questions. Instead, I peeled the potatoes to mash.

“You’re spoiling them,” Dee told me, as she stood at the stove, her hair teased as high as ever. I’d stopped being scared that she’d burn herself or burn down the place. She’d told me more than once that her spot was stirring whatever was on the stove, and she wouldn’t move just to make me happy. The club could afford to build a new clubhouse if she burned this one down.

“They need to be spoiled sometimes,” Bear retorted. “Some of them have forgotten what family is all about. This is just a way to remind them.”

“We really haven’t celebrated Christmas as a club in so long,” Raven joined the conversation. “I can remember past Christmases that were just like this.”

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t see Bear approach me. “You’ve brought new life into this club, honey,” she said with a wink. “How’s Meredith doing? I haven’t seen her today.”

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