The Christmas Playbook (Shadow Valley U, #2.5)

by S. Massery

“Marcus is wrong.” I lean back against Rhys’s hard chest and smile deviously at my sisters. “I’m not single.”

“Well…” The shorter, curvier one frowns. “It’s just that you’ve never actually mentioned him.” “Can you blame her?” I rumble. “You both look like you’re sucking on lemons.”

Why is this kiss better than anything I’ve experienced? I’d take this kiss over a blow job.

Fake dating or not, that kiss was a sucker punch I wasn’t prepared for.

“Brave Mira, were you going to have a random holiday hookup?” I spread my arms. “Because, baby, I am totally available for the job.”

Kiss? More like sex. I was a disoriented afterward. My vision was hazy, and even though I opted for a cold shower, I was still sweating afterward. Rhys can kiss.

“I won’t let you die.” He positions me where he wants me. “Not until after I kiss you a few more times.”

We probably appear obscene, and maybe I have an exhibitionist kink, too, because only a few over-the-pants strokes of her hand has me coming in my pants.

“You should smile more often,” he whispers. “It’s a pretty one.”

“So, you want to unwrap me?” I tease. I take a step backward. Rhys hitches an eyebrow as he watches me move out of his reach. “I want to unravel you, Mira.”

“I can’t decide what version of you I like best,” he whispers. I swallow. “What do you mean?” A chill races down my arms with the brushing of his thumb against my swollen bottom lip. “The fun, flirty version of you when you’re teasing me…” Rhys’s hooded eyes move back and forth between mine. “Or this version… the one where your cheeks turn a bright pink when I look at your lips, because you know I want them on mine. Or how you keep nervously looking away because you realize you’re starting to like the way I stare at you from across the room.”

“Respectfully, babe, shut up. I’m trying to tell you that the fake shit no longer applies to us. It was quick and unexpected, but I find myself head over heels for you. I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with you—if you’ll have me.”

already told your family off. It’d be fun to put a ring on your finger and really make them hate me.” I freeze. “You told them off?” He chuckles, pressing his hips forward. “Hell yeah, I did. No one treats my girl like that and gets away with it.”

And I got the girl. Best. Christmas. Ever.