Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Pierce

W e’re told to return early from hitting the hills for a scavenger hunt. When I get back to our villa and find it empty, I decide to shower and get cleaned up. I was with Andrew, while Brynn went with Tre.

While I’m in the bathroom, I recall her touches from last night. The way Brynn’s hand slid up the bottom of my sweatshirt and ran across my chest. My threadbare T-shirt doing nothing to keep the heat of her palm from searing into my skin.

I would never want to rush her, and when she told me she was ready to open the door to the possibility of something happening between us again the other night, it took every ounce of my willpower to remain cuddling on the couch rather than picking her up and taking her to bed.

Last night when Tre interrupted us, she withdrew quickly, and I missed her immediately.

We got up, and she folded the blanket and let Tre have the main house while we returned to our villa. But once we were inside, any hope that things would pick up where they left off were lost when she went into the bathroom and shut the door. I was pretty sure she wasn’t shaving and putting on a sexy outfit. More likely she was telling herself things were going too fast.

But that’s okay. I’ll wait for her. She’s worth it.

I turn off the shower, sliding the glass door to the side and reaching for a towel when I hear her singing in the room beyond the door. The girl is Christmas all day every day, even down to the music she’s listening to.

She’s singing “All I Want For Christmas is You,” and I smile, hoping like hell she’s thinking of me.

I run the towel over my wet hair, eager to get dried off and join her. The bathroom door opens, and we both freeze.

She blinks and rushes out, slamming the door. “I’m so sorry, Pierce. I didn’t hear you.”

I wrap the towel around myself, step out of the shower, and open the door.

She’s holding her AirPods in her palm. “I just saw the rental pull up and figured you were with Andrew, and I was lost in my music and…” Her gaze falls to my crotch.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen it before.” I walk into the living area to grab some clothes.

“I know, but it’s different now.”

I chuckle and pick out some clothes. “It’s not.”

“Now I’ve seen it, and…”

I chuckle, stepping into my boxers then letting my towel fall. “I think you like what you saw.”

She swallows, and her gaze slips again to my crotch. “Come on, what’s not to like?”

“I appreciate the compliment.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“I showed you mine, aren’t you going to show me yours?” I grin at her.

She turns at the threshold to the bathroom. “Use your memory.” She steps in and starts to shut the door.

“I need a refresher,” I say, my eyes remaining on her.

Her hand falls from the door, and she steps out, grabbing the edge of her sweatshirt. Lord almighty, is she actually going to show me something?

Inch by inch, she lifts the fabric, then tears it off, revealing her thermals. At least the shirt is snug to her tits. I’ve never wanted my hands on something more than her.

I groan. “You’re killing me.”

She giggles. “Delayed gratification is a good thing.” The door shuts.

“Not when it’s this painful.”

Laughter sounds from behind the door, and I hear the shower turn on.

I continue getting dressed, then plop down on the sofa. I really hope we get some more alone time soon.

We enter the main house and find Abe on a ladder, Gwen holding it to keep it steady. He’s hanging something on the beam in front of the fireplace.

“What are you doing?” Brynn asks.

“We almost forgot the mistletoe. I found it in the bin with all the scavenger hunt supplies. Now if anyone gets caught under it, you have to kiss.” Gwen waggles her eyebrows.

At least they waited until Brynn warmed up to me to hang it. It would have been painfully awkward to have her deny me in front of her entire family.

Abe steps down the ladder. “You know the tradition, honey—we’re the first to kiss under it.” He wraps his arm around Gwen and tugs her to his chest. She giggles until their lips meet, and they kiss. It’s a conservative kiss, thank the lord.

Couple by couple, the rest join us, dressed and ready for the scavenger hunt, Nolan and Ryah in their strollers. Gwen and Abe hand out the sheets of paper that list what we need to find. There’s nothing crazy on the list, and we should be able to find everything.

“Your mom and I aren’t doing this one. First team back that has everything wins.” Abe sits down. “Want to leave the kids?” He laughs since they’re all bundled up.

“You could’ve told me before I wrestled with her to put a snowsuit on,” Tre says, but unbuckles Ryah and hands her off to his dad.

Andrew does the same with Nolan. “This evens the odds.”

“Oh god, are you going to make me run?” Kenzie asks, looking at Tessa as though maybe they should stay back too.

“We have to win at least one of these competitions.” Andrew heads toward the door, but Kenzie pulls him back.

“Mistletoe,” she says with a smile.

He stares longingly at the door but bends down and kisses Kenzie. When he gives her just a chaste kiss, she fists his jacket and keeps his lips where they are.

After what is an uncomfortable amount of time for all of us to witness, she releases him. “Remember at the end of this, you come to bed with me.”

Andrew nods, and I laugh.

“I’m never getting married,” Carter grumbles.

Faith huffs.

“It was a little hot,” Carter continues. “She’s got you by the balls though.”

“My balls are very well intact. It’s called compromise.” Andrew faces Kenzie again. “And let me show you how you should really kiss your wife.” He dips her and kisses her fully, making me turn away when I see tongue.

“Kids!” Brynn shouts.

“And this one is upset because she’s not getting any.” Carter thumbs in our direction.

“How about everyone just goes.” Gwen waves, holding Nolan on her lap.

We all walk outside, and I’m determined to take charge of this one. I’ve sat back and allowed Brynn to spearhead the majority of the competitions, but I really want to win this for us and show off a little for her.

“Come on.” I head toward the trail I saw the night I left her at the villa when I needed to be alone to center myself again. Thankfully, whatever Gwen said to her that night seemed to turn a new page for us. I’ll always be grateful for that.

“Where are we going?” Brynn asks, and I slide my hand in hers.

“There’s a trail I know where we can find everything.” I look behind us and see that everyone has gone in their own directions.

“Just so you know, Tre was an army ranger, so we’re probably not going to win this one,” she says.

I stop us at the beginning of the trail. I’d forgotten about that. Still… “Where is my little competitive firecracker?”

She laughs. “Tired, and I’m not great at this part. I know my limitations and where my brothers excel.”

I stare at her for a long beat, and she raises her eyebrows when I don’t say anything right away. “You have no faith in me?”

“Well, you live in the city, and you don’t seem very outdoorsy. You still use skis to get down the mountain.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “What’s with all the hate for skiers?”

“Nothing, but you’re only thirty. Time to get on a board, buddy.” She grins at me.

“Let me show you another side of me.” I walk up the small hill and pick up a flat rock, dropping it in the bag Gwen gave us. “One down.”

We continue up the path, and after I’ve found our fourth item, she finally starts getting into the search.

“Ew, moss, something soft.” She picks it up, and I put it in the bag.

“See, isn’t this fun?” I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

“I’ll admit, I didn’t think you were so observant, but you’ve found almost everything.” She presses her lips to my neck. “Thank you.”

Another hour goes by, and when we have everything, we walk down the trail toward the house, but I spot Tre and Tessa approaching from the other side.

“Ready to run?” I ask Brynn.

“Of course.”

We increase our speed, trying not to let Tre and Tessa see us since they’ll run too if they do.

“Damn it!”

I look back to see Brynn on the ground, face first in a mound of snow. She lifts her head, and it’s red from the temperature of the ice.

“No way, victory is mine,” Tre shouts and grabs Tessa’s hand.

Brynn gets up but slips on the ice again. I bend down and pick her up, swinging her over my shoulder. No way am I letting Tre beat us. My eyes remain on Tre, narrowing as I clear the distance, jumping over a small bush.

“Jesus, I can run. Put me down,” Brynn shouts.

Tre’s practically dragging Tessa.

“Hello, I work at a bakery. I’m not running on a treadmill icing cupcakes. Slow down,” Tessa barks at her husband, who looks just as determined as me.

We’re all a few feet away from the door and increase our pace. I reach the door right before him, placing my hand on the doorknob, and Brynn almost slides off my shoulder.

“Damn it,” Tre says.

I open the door and rush inside to find Gwen and Abe staring at us.

“Both people should have to walk in the door to be eligible for the win,” Tre says.

“I could if someone would put me down,” Brynn grumbles.

I lower Brynn’s feet to the floor and drop our bag in front of Gwen and Abe.

“You guys were fast.” Abe nods at both of us. “Impressive, Pierce. We figured this was Tre’s win.”

“It was, if you’d say that Brynn had to walk in on her own. He carried her the last quarter mile.” Tre crosses his arms.

“My feet weren’t exactly on the ground the whole time either.” Tessa glares at her husband and picks up Ryah from Abe, who is sitting on the chair with her.

Tre blows out a breath.

“Looks like it’s all here. You guys are the winners,” Gwen says.

I grab Brynn and hug her. We do a little dance, then Abe clears his throat. We stop and look at him, and he glances above us.

Oh shit.

“Mistletoe for the winners,” Tre says in a fake excited voice.

Tessa shakes her head but doesn’t say anything.

Brynn’s chest rises and falls as she meets my gaze. I glance at the small bunch of greenery with a red ribbon wrapped around it, then back down at Brynn. I give her a questioning look to ask permission, and she nods.

I lower my head, but the closer I get, the more I don’t want to kiss her for the first time again here in front of her family. I want it to only be us, so I detour at the last second and kiss her cheek.

“Lame,” Tre says. “They shouldn’t win because they don’t know how to kiss.”

“Enough, Tre,” Tessa says.

Whatever is in her tone makes me look closer at Brynn. I’m pretty sure it’s disappointment that rests on her beautiful face.

The door opens and Andrew groans, bending over and heaving for breath. “Damn it.”

“Well, that wasn’t fun.” Kenzie follows him in. “Carter and Faith are in their villa. They quit after about five minutes.”

With all the commotion, I continue to stare at Brynn. She looks upset I didn’t kiss her, but she just has to be patient. I have plans for us.