Tangled in Tinsel (a holidates series)
Tangled in Tinsel: Part 1 – Chapter 9

It’s been thirty minutes. Thirty long damn minutes since Reed just breezed in with his million-dollar indecent proposal and swept me off my feet. But now, all I can think about is how many times they’ve done this.

…And when the last time someone was tested.

…And is this just a “focus on me” thing, or will swords cross?

I bite my lip because the picture in my head is Jace shoving Reed to his knees. Damn, that’s hot. And yet, selfishly, I want to be the star of this show.

“All about me, please,” I whisper as a smile blooms on my lips again.

I need to get it together, or there won’t be anyone on their knees. More importantly, I need to man up and go out there and ask all the damn questions. But does that make this all less sexy?

This is why women who take lovers and smoke off-brand European cigarettes do shit like this. I’m not cool. I have a thousand questions—that I’m putting in the Notes app on my phone, like I’m making a grocery list.

Milk, eggs, lube. Because is it going in my ass? Or is this more of a tag you’re in kind of situation? Why am I such a nerd?

My phone vibrates, so I look down at the message from my sister.

Elle: stop overthinking. I know you are. If there isn’t a dick in your mouth, then I’m disappointed in you.

I laugh, but it vibrates again.

Elle: Dammit! Your read receipts are on. There. Is. No. Pe-nigh surrounding you.

Me: Shut up. I’m spiraling, freaking out with too many unanswered questions.

Elle: So ask them.

Me: I don’t want to spoil the mood.

My phone rings. I answer as my sister starts speaking right away.

“I feel like any four dudes trying to fuck you at eight in the morning aren’t going to give a shit about your dumbass questions.”

My eyes search the room. She has a point.

“Okay, so here’s my plan. I’m just going to walk out there like the adult I am and ask some very justified questions. Right? No big deal.”

She huffs another laugh.

“Yes. Exactly. Well, hold on, there is one thing we’re forgetting—”

“What?” I rush out, cutting in.

“The fact that you’re saying yes to the dirtiest fantasy of all time…standing in basically nothing. Isn’t that what bachelor number one told you to do? To come out in only a T-shirt? There’s no way a conversation is happening. You’re going to ramble and be dumb. Maybe you should back out.”

Screw that.

“I’m a grown woman, Eleanor. Give me some credit. I think I can manage a conversation without dissolving into a puddle. I’m just nervous. I’ll call you later.”

“Mmmkay. Sure. Whatever. Good luck with that. Byeee.”

I hang up, frowning.

It’s fine. I got this.

I’ll just put it out of my mind and treat this like any regular discussion adults have.

My sister is so off base to think I can’t ignore the fact that these guys…with all their muscley frames and kissable mouths…are hot. I can keep my cool watching the way Cole likes to draw his bottom lip between his teeth. Or how Alec looks me up and down. Maybe even playing out a dirty scenario in his head.

I let out a quiet whoosh of a breath, my body starting to warm. Because I suddenly can’t stop thinking about the four of them, eyes on me, looking at me like I’m about to be devoured.

Oh my god.

I shake my head, ridding myself of the thought.

“For fuck’s sake.”

My pussy is literally the most irresponsible monster. She’s right. I’m going to need a cold shower before I—

My eyes narrow as I think, metaphorically…to myself. I’ll need a metaphorical cold shower.

Because we all need something to dampen the sexual firestorm I feel every time I see them. I spin around, eyes locking on the closet. Yep, there’s no point in fighting who I am.

If they want this body, then they’ll have to play by my rules first.

I start toward the bedroom door, then stop again.

Oh, this might be the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever done. I turn to face the mirror on the side wall next to the door, taking myself in as a laugh escapes.

I’m dressed head to toe in mismatched snow gear.

I put on everything I found in Alec’s closet—black snow pants too long, a red puffy jacket that’s already making me sweat, and snow boots too big.

Good god, even the beanie on me looks enormous.

I tug it down again over my hair, the Niners’ insignia almost covered because of the way I had to fold it so that I wasn’t blind.

“This is ridiculous,” I say aloud before reaching down and yanking up the pants again. I do a little jump to help before tightening the belt as much as it will go again.

Oh god. I look like that kid from A Christmas Story who couldn’t lower his arms because his mom put him in a thousand layers. The only difference is his clothes fit.

But this is exactly the cold shower we all needed. There’s no way we’ll think about sex…not with me looking like a jack-off Jack Frost.

I grab the door handle and take a deep breath before swinging it open and clunking through.

Game time.

Their voices echo off the walls. Laughter mixed with all the bass in those deep voices. I’m already biting my lip as I take one awkward step after another, adjusting my jacket. God, Alec wears a size three-hundred shoe compared to my size eight. I might as well be wearing clown shoes.

I bet I know what won’t be clown size, though. The thought has me grinning. Because I keep thinking, what if it was? Clown size. Would it be a grower, not a shower?

Like how a clown car keeps producing person after person even though it’s Tonka sized.

My deep thoughts are circulating as my stomach starts flipping over and over. Because the closer I come to the end of the hallway, the more nervous I get.

This is stupid. What am I doing?

Jace’s voice cuts through the others.

“She’s been hiding for a while now. This is your fault, Reed. Maybe I should check on her?”

Shit. Instinctually I try to spin around, but I go nowhere.

I’m planted, hostage to size fifteen boots. I couldn’t run away even if I tried. I’d break my fucking ankle. My ass almost hits the ground, but I squat, balancing myself as my palms hit the wall, bracing my dignity and myself before I push back to standing.

“No, she’ll come when she’s ready,” Alec levels as I mouth, yep, and ready or not, here I come.

No turning back now. With one more deep breath, I noisily make the last of the hidden steps before rounding the corner and coming into view. I was planning to clear my throat to gather their attention. But Jace notices me first from where he’s sitting on the couch. His eyebrows raise, eyes wide as those dimples indent with his growing smile.

“Oh, wow. That’s something.”

Reed follows Jace’s eyeline as he speaks before almost spitting out the coffee in his mouth and choking out, “What the fuck are you wearing, sunshine?”

They’re all staring, and I’m regretting every bit of this harebrained idea. But I ignore the rational part of my brain and just keep going.

“Just sit down and be quiet,” I rush out, waving my hand like I’m trying to swat away my humiliation.

I steel my spine and start walking toward the couch.

“I needed a cold shower, so to speak. My head gets fuzzy around all your—” I pause, looking around at them before I start walking again. “All your charm. So thirty-seven layers were my best defense.”

Reed’s still laughing as he sets his coffee mug down, staring at me.

I turn to Alec, who’s leaning his elbow on the arm of the chair while running his thumb over his bottom lip as I say, “What? I’d say it almost fits. You did loan me your shirt, so I figured this would be okay too.”

I can’t help myself. I’m flirting. Just a little.

Alec is, too, though. Just not with words.

As I stop in front of the coffee table, his eyes shine with amusement. I glance over my shoulder. Great, right in front of the fireplace.

“Okay,” I breathe out, looking around the room. “Obviously, there’s been a change of plans. So everyone, have a seat on the couch, and we’ll get started. Quickly, before I die of embarrassment and/or heat in this getup.”

“Started for what? Snowboarding lessons?” Jace teases, spanning his arms across the back of the couch and kicking his legs out as I roll my eyes playfully.

Reed cocks his head, a glint in his eyes. “No lesson needed, pal. I was snowboarded once in college.”

Jesus. Christ. My eyes bulge out of my head.

Somehow, I. Of all people. Know what that means. My head swings between him and Jace as my words come tumbling out.

“What? No. I’m not doing that to you—” I shift around, looking between them again. “That’s not what I meant.” I’m chuckling, waving up and down in my outfit. “This was to help me think…not to infer…because I have questions. Just questions. I’m not snowboarding anyone.”

Jesus, my cheeks are so red. And Reed’s enjoying every moment. Asshole.

“Ignore Reed,” Alec offers before standing and making his way to the couch. “His specialty is having a one-track mind. As you’ve come to witness. We’re happy to answer anything you’d like to know, gorgeous. Don’t worry. Nobody thinks you want to snort blow off any of our dicks.”

I squeeze my eyes closed for the briefest moment as the embarrassment rolls over me again. Fucking Reed.

Alec sits next to Jace, but Reed keeps standing, still smirking at me. I hate him, but I also like that way too much to keep a clear mind.

This conversation is going to be harder than I thought.

Especially if they all keep flirting like this.

Come on, snowsuit of armor, help a horny girl out.

Cole stands, drawing my eyes to his. He’s dressed in regular clothes. Of course, he is.

He starts toward me in his dark jeans, the olive-colored hue in his skin made brighter by his garnet sweater. Just his presence is intimidating. I swear I try to take a step back before swallowing hard, forced to hold my ground by sheer fucking will.

The room’s quiet, watching with the same rapture I feel as he stops in front of me.

His eyes drop to my mouth, then tick back to my eyes. So I lick my lips, testing their softness for him, just in case he kisses me again.

My collar feels like steam’s coming out. Am I hot or heated? Honestly, it’s a coin toss as a trickle of sweat rolls down between my breasts.

Never mind, it’s not me. It’s him. The way he hovers over me, forcing my face to his as his eyes never leave mine, makes me feel dizzy.

“Nervous?” he says low and direct.

I nod.

“Want some help with him?” Cole’s head softly motions toward the couch.

Who? What? I follow the direction to Reed, realizing what he means, so I nod again. Cole never leaves my face as his steady words hit with force.

“Reed, the lady said to sit. I suggest you do as she requested.”

I glance over, seeing Reed slide over the arm onto the cushion while giving me a wink before I look back at Cole.

“Thank you.”

My manners are rewarded by Cole lifting my hand and pressing a soft kiss to the top.

“You’re welcome.”

But he frowns, nabbing the zipper on my jacket, tugging it up an inch more to the top, as he adds, “Let’s hope this plan works.”

I don’t answer because I can’t help but notice that his hair looks damp. I almost lift to my tiptoes to try to sniff because I bet he smells like soap.

As if he’s heard my thoughts, Cole bends down. But his hand snakes around the nape of my neck, holding me in place before he pulls me in, bringing my ear to his lips. Our bodies are so close that if I arched my back, my breasts would press against his chest.

“The floor’s yours, sweetheart. But I’d make it fast because this outfit isn’t helping. It’s only serving to make me consider all the possibilities for what’s underneath. And all the things I’d like to do to that body once you say yes.”

“Okay,” I breathe out before catching myself. “I mean. Yep, I’ll be expedient.”

He lets me go with a smirk. And I let out a breath, unconcerned that everyone would hear the exhale leaving my lungs. Cole doesn’t look back as he walks to join the others on the couch. And I can’t help but stare, following his movement all the way until he sits.

I’m so out of my league.

I swallow again because my mouth is suddenly dry. It’ll be a miracle if I make it past question number two. Ignoring their undivided attention, I reach into my jacket pocket, pulling out my phone. Trying to gather myself before glancing at them, saying, “Sorry, I put my questions on my Notes app.”

My mind doesn’t want to cooperate. All I can think is that Cole intends to unwrap me. Reed wants to treat me like a toy. And I don’t know what Alec and Jace want. But thinking about it has me reaching up and pulling off the beanie, tossing it to the chair.

I’m way too overheated.

“Okay,” I sigh, looking up with my first question as I smooth my hair. Halted just as I say, “I just have a few—”

Because looking back are four of the most handsome men I’ve ever laid eyes on. They’re relaxed but still intense. Each staring back with all their intentions behind each set of eyes.

Holy fuck. Standing here, even in this snowsuit, I’ve never felt more powerful. A smile begins to bloom again. This feeling and them…that’s mine for the weekend. I’ve won the sexual lotto.

Another trickle of sweat runs down my body. This time it’s on my back, but it still serves to keep me focused, making me bite back a laugh. I just hope I don’t pass out from heat exhaustion before I make it through my list.

I open my phone and swipe before beginning.

“So let me start by saying thank you for the offer….” Poorly hidden smiles are my only view, but I keep going. “Before I can fully commit, I’ll need some answers.”

Oh, there are those nerves. I blow out some air as I read from my phone.

“I think we can all agree that I’m not cool….” Fuck. Why did I write that? I look up, scrambling my words, “I mean, I’m cool as in personality. What I meant was I’m not seasoned at this stuff like you whores.”

I shut my mouth because I didn’t mean to say that last part.

“Sorry,” I offer, scrunching my nose, but Alec winks.

“It’s fair, gorgeous. Continue.”

I nod, clearing my throat. “So, like I was saying, there are things I need to know before I let you fuck me like a pack of wild animals all over this house.”

Why do all the wrong things keep coming out of my mouth?

Cole adjusts himself. “Less descriptive, sweetheart. The blood’s going the wrong way. And your brows are starting to sweat.”

I let out a half laugh, patting my forehead. Shit, he’s not wrong. Without thought, I tug the zipper he choked closed back down just an inch.

“Let me cut to the chase,” I level.

“By all means, you look like you’re melting,” Cole adds. “And I honestly can’t predict what will come out of your mouth next.”

I ignore him, tugging the zipper down another inch. Dammit, it’s hot. Or maybe I’m just that nervous. Just say it. This is do or die time, Sam. Say it.

Before I can chicken out, I look at my phone and blurt out the exact sentence I wrote.

“How am I not getting pregnant? Or getting, like…herpes?”