Chapter 3

Three

The first light of dawn is more like the lowest setting on a dimmer switch, but the sky is noticeably lighter when my phone burbles a tiny chime at seven fifteen.

Down to embers, the Yule log glows in the fireplace, a lingering warmth.

This Yule passed, more memorable than any other, and I untangle myself from them.

I bank it to the sound of gentle snores.

Chase is the only one still awake with me and I almost make a joke about his nap, but why even pretend to ridicule a thing that's given me something I want?

Placing the screen back over the fire and making sure the other three aren't likely to roll into it as they sleep, I step over them and go back to him, but he holds out a soft nightgown and when I take it from him, I know it's not one from my room.

"It's an early Christmas present," he says sleepily as I slip it over my head.

The black fabric sends a shiver down my spine as it slides across my skin. It's not warm enough to do anything other than hide me from view, but I have the four of them for any heat I might need.

Snuggled down against him, I let Chase's warmth seep into me

His fingers trail over my stomach.

"I think," He says, words a whisper that won't wake the others. "This is going to be my favorite Christmas ever."

"I hope so."

"Until next Christmas." He smiles against my skin, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. "And then the next."

I fall asleep in his arms as the first, weak beams of light begin to filter into the room.

But my dreams are a turbulent sea of white mist and gray water. They whisper lies and cold sinks through to my bones.