Page 48 of An Undisputed Christmas
Isla practically purred as she reached for the mug, wrapping her hands around it and breathing in the rich chocolate aroma. "You're all angels."
"Speaking of,” Jax started with that troublemaker smirk I knew so well, "the girls have been asking about our little performance tonight. Apparently, we've created some expectations."
"Oh, we definitely have expectations," Sierra said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Those ski masks were very... effective."
"Effective at what, exactly?" Connor asked, eyeing her curiously.
"At making you all look mysterious and dangerous," Estelle replied with a laugh. "Very sexy burglar meets Christmas fantasy."
"We weren't burglars," I scoffed. "We were festive. Sexy Santas delivering special gifts."
"About those gifts..." Isla repeated, settling more comfortably against my chest. "Christmas is still a few days away. Are we getting early presents?”
I exchanged a look with the other guys, and I could see we were all thinking the same thing.
We'd been planning this Christmas surprise for months, and watching our girls trying to wheedle information out of us was almost as entertaining as the surprise itself would be.
"Patience, angel," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Good things come to those who wait."
"But the masks," Sierra pressed, clearly not ready to let this go. "Can we see you in them again? You know, for... educational purposes?"
"Educational," Connor repeated flatly.
"Very educational," she confirmed with the most innocent expression I'd ever seen on her face.
Before any of us could respond, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the sound of multiple people entering. The travel staff had arrived with dinner, as efficiently and quietly as always.
"Perfect timing," Jax nodded, but when Estelle started to get up, his arms tightened around her. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To help with dinner?" she suggested.
"Not happening," he replied firmly. "They can bring it to us. I'm not letting go of you."
"None of us are," Connor added, his own arms tightening possessively around Sierra. "They can work around us."
I had to laugh at the slightly exasperated but fond expressions on our girls' faces as the staff began setting up a buffet on the dining table.
They'd worked for the Eastons long enough to know how we operated, especially when we were in full protective mode.
"You realize this is ridiculous, right?" Isla murmured, though she made no move to leave my lap.
"Ridiculous is my middle name," I replied cheerfully.
"What about you, princess?" Jax asked Estelle. "Any complaints about being pampered?"
"Oh, I'm not complaining," she replied quickly. "Just enjoying now.”
The staff worked quickly, setting up everything we needed within reach. Plates of prime rib, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and all the fixings for a proper feast.
"You're all crazy,” Sierra breathed fondly as Connor helped her fix a plate without requiring her to move from his lap. "But I love you anyway."
"The feeling is mutual, sweet girl," he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple.
As we settled in to eat, the conversation flowed as easily as the wine.
Jax regaled us with stories about our past Christmases, complete with dramatic reenactments that had the girls laughing.
Connor contributed his dry observations about the various idiots he'd encountered recently, which managed to be both sarcastic and hilarious.
