Page 89 of Perfect Composition

His lips twitch. “Well, maybe in better accommodations. Did I ever tell you about what a bitch it was when you’d be on top and I’d feel the rocks beneath my back? It will be a pleasure not to have to deal with that.”

Deciding we’ve had enough serious talk for now, I dive and take him to his back—much the same way I did when I had just turned seventeen and felt like I could fly every time he was near. “Why don’t we see if it makes a difference in a bed?” I suggest.

A wicked smile crosses his handsome face before he takes my suggestion and puts it to practice.

BECKETT

CHAPTER THIRTY- TWO

What’s the best gift you ever received? For me, it was a second chance.

— StellaNova

I woke up alone but feeling better than I have in twenty years. I latch onto Paige’s hand as she passes me another gift—the sneak. All that online shopping I teased her about and it was gifts for me—which causes her to blush furiously.

Instead of being disturbed I woke alone, I tugged Paige’s pillow against me and held it close against my heart, absorbing her essence deeper into my every heartbeat. After last night, there’s nowhere she could go I wouldn’t carry her with me. My lips curve at the thought.

Then the weight of an adult woman drops like lead into my lap. “Merry Christmas, Beckett!” Austyn looks ridiculously adorable wearing a crocheted elf hat complete with ears.

I squeeze her tight. “Your mother keeps piling gifts in front of me. I don’t need things when I already have been given the best gift ever.”

Her eyes crinkle much like I imagine mine do when I’m up to no good. She teases, “What’s that?” leaving me to wonder if she knows where her mother spent the night.

I press my lips to her brow and whisper, “You.”

Much to my surprise, Austyn’s lips begin to quiver. Fortunately, that’s when Santa’s little helper unceremoniously drops another gift in her lap. “For your father,” Paige announces. She winks at me over our daughter’s head.

I jiggle Austyn before I mouth, “Thank you.”

Her emerald eyes, which were determined doling out gifts, noticeably soften. “Austyn, get off your father’s lap and finish giving him your gifts.”

My head whips down in surprise. “These are all from you?”

Her lips tremble a second more before the doorbell rings. She bounces up as quickly as she landed. “I’ve got it!”

Paige takes her place, perching on my knee. “Merry Christmas.”

I wrap my arm around her waist to hold her there. “Merry Christmas. Would it traumatize her if I kissed you good morning?”

“Unlikely, as she caught me coming out of your room to start making cinnamon rolls as is our normal Christmas tradition,” Paige says dryly right before her cheeks flush.

I feel a warmth in my own, but I still take advantage and press my lips against Paige’s, who responds warmly. After I lift my mouth from hers, I bury my face into the side of Paige’s neck and snicker out, “Busted.”

“Totally. And my brothers are going to notice too,” Paige predicts.

I frown. “Why do you say that?”

“I had to put on makeup.” At my confusion, she explains. “It’s Christmas. I never wear makeup.”

“Why did you wear any at all? You’re beautiful without any gunk.”

Paige leans forward and brushes her cheek against my beard. Then her voice drops to an intimate level. “It feels great against the inside of my legs, honey, but I’ve learned it leaves marks in other areas.” With that, she stands and leaves the room to go greet her brothers.

Just watching her walk away stirs my dick into hardening again. I don’t immediately follow so I can attempt to try to get my now raging boner under control.

But there’s no ditching the crazy-happy smile on my face. Nor would I want to.

After a few moments where I pray mightily that each and every package set in front of me forms a time machine that allows me to relive the last twenty-four hours over again in perpetuity, I stand and follow the voices into the kitchen. Immediately, Jesse punches my arm, and Ethan places me in a headlock. Both shout, “Merry Christmas,” before Paige’s “Seriously?” and Austyn’s “Is this for real?” causes them both to cease tormenting me.