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It’s Charlie’s favorite holiday drink. It’s basically homemade hot chocolate mixed with RumChata. Not gonna lie—it’s electric.

“I’m good for now. If I have too much more, I won’t be able to eat dinner. Thank you though, babe.”

She blows me another kiss. And I wink at her. I’m the only one who gets to give her winks, dammit.

I turn around and clap my hands. Casey and Liam are just standing around, shootin’ the shit, while Archie and I are doing all the work.

I walk over to Casey, grab his shoulder, and steer him toward the table. I give him a little shove. “Bro, go set the table or something. You’re just getting in the way, standing here.” I look over my shoulder and point at Liam. “And, Pitz, put the rolls on a cookie sheet so we can warm those up too. No one likes cold rolls. The butter won’t melt.”

Thirty minutes later, the table looks as good as it can for a houseful of football players and one beauty, but the food is hot, and I can’t imagine spending this day with any other group of people.

After dinner, Casey and Liam cleaned up the kitchen since Archie and I had done most of the food prep. I moved Charlie over to our oversize couch in the family room. I tried getting her to lie on me, but she refused because she would have to distribute the gifts.

Noelle arrived just as we were finishing dinner. Not sure why she was late, but I thought I heard her say Trey’s name. Now she’s sitting at the table, picking at some leftover ham, while Casey does the dishes.

As much fun as all of this is, I’m ready to take Charlie back to our room and get some dessert. I will never get tired of seeing her sprawled out on my bed, legs open, pussy wet and waiting for me.

“Beck, did you hear me?” Charlie squeezes my thigh that she’s resting her hand on, and when I place my hand on top of hers and start moving it toward my dick, she pulls her hand back and gasps. Her mouth falls open, eyes wide, and she leans into me. “Babe, you cannot be serious right now. We have gifts to open. Get control of yourself.” She pops a kiss on my lips and giggles.

“I need you, Boss,” I whisper. “It’s been, like, two days since I was inside of you.”

She doesn’t respond, just laughs again, grips my leg, and squeezes.

“You guys about done in there? I’m dying to see what everyone got for their person!” Archie shouts to Casey and Noelle.

Charlie stands from the couch and walks over to the tree. She bends down, and I can’t help but stare at her ass. The waistband of her jeans has dipped down, and I can see the top of her thong. I swear she’s trying to kill me.

Casey, Noelle, and Liam come into the room. Liam takes the chair next to Archie, a small table between them. And Casey and Noelle take the other half of the couch. They’re sitting close, but not close enough to touch. Her legs are pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. She’s facing Casey, and they share a smile. I haven’t seen her much lately, but this is the first time I’ve seen her truly smile in a while.

“Okay, I’ll just do a random selection. Remember, you can’t tell your person it was you until after we’re all done opening gifts.” She points to each of us while she talks.

My bossy girl.

“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” Archie shouts and gives her a salute, which makes her roll her eyes.

She hands one to her brother. “Casey, yours is the first one. Open it up, then show everyone what you got,” Charlie instructs, then turns back to the tree.

He tears into the paper and pauses when he opens the top of the box. I’m not sure who got Casey, but I know it wasn’t me or Charlie. So, really, it could be anything, and by the look on his face, it’s not something he wants anyone to see.

He looks up, mouth hanging open. “You can’t be serious.”

“What is it, Case?” Noelle reaches for his arm to see in the box, but he quickly pulls it away from her.

“Uh, it’s just a flashlight. Inside joke because, you know, I don’t like my room to be dark.”

He slaps the box lid back on and looks around the room, mouthing,Motherfuckers, to all of us.

His gaze lands on me, and I shrug. I didn’t see what was in it, but after he said flashlight, I have an idea. And from the way Liam’s shoulders are shaking as he tries to hold in his laughter, my guess is that he’s the one who got it.

Charlie walks over to Archie next and hands him his gift, then hands one to Liam. “Open them one at a time, so we can see.”

Archie opens his, and it’s a box of Magnum condoms. He smiles, looks up at each of us, and shakes his head. I see him mouth something, but I can’t figure out what he said. I don’t miss Liam’s foot nudging Archie’s though.

“Thank you to whoever got me these. I appreciate your concern for my safety.” He holds the box up and nods, letting it drop into his lap.

“Is it my turn?” Liam asks, practically bouncing like a little kid.

“Go ahead.” Charlie gestures to the box in his hands, and then she turns back to the tree.