Mistletoe and Mischief

by Melissa Ivers

Jules has the potential to make my life complicated, and I don’t do complicated very well. She’s the only woman who’s ever made me want to be more. To be a better man. To be good enough. But I can never be that guy. I can never be more.

Her hatred is the only thing holding me at bay. The only thing that keeps my hands to myself and my promise to Bash intact. I need to be a good friend, a loyal friend. But I may need her more.

“Well, thanks, guys. I’ve got cleanup covered. Why don’t you two go play video games or play in traffic or something?” My brother looks over at me, his brows raised. “We’re lawyers. We don’t play in traffic.”

There’s a fine line between love and hate, Jules, and you two have been walking that line for years.”

“Now, move. I’m going to go find Nick.” “Like fuck you are,” Nash grits out before his lips crash into mine.

“Open your eyes. Look at me.” His growled order has me staring into the stormy blue of his eyes. “I want you to know who’s fucking you, Julia. Who gives you what you need.”

“You’re right.” I hold his gaze, my voice rising. “She is more. More than just another notch on my bedpost, more than just a fuck. Why do you think I could never commit to anyone? Why do you think, Bash? No one could fucking compare. I’d have given Jules the world. She’s everything. She always has been. She didn’t deserve some asshole who couldn’t keep it in his pants. She deserves someone who knows how damn special she is and would treat her right. I would have done that. Fuck, Bash, even though I didn’t deserve her, I’d have never used her.”

“Jules, you are the light of my life. You make me do ridiculous things like string lights and hang mistletoe. You make me love you more every single day. You make me be a better man. Your man.”