Page 235 of Rush

I lean in and kiss him.

His eyes widen slightly, flicking to Riley and Luca.

Riley freezes.

That’s the first time I’ve ever displayed any kind of PDA with Broderick. I mean if you don’t count the times we’d been caught…

Whatever. Rules, schmules.

“Elena,” she gasps. “You minx.”

“Oops,” I say, covering my mouth. “Here you go,” I add, handing Broderick his box, heat rising in my face.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he says with a smirk.

“And Luca—the best driver and security detail a girl could ask for.”

Shit. I’m drunk.

Luca laughs. Riley buries her face in her hands.

Weird. She’s usually the first with the dirty jokes. Now she’s all bashful, before I can analyze it, I notice her eyes turn wicked.

“My beloved Elena, the love of my life—I present thee with your own Christmas Eve box,” she says, handing it over.

“Awwww, you got me one too?”

“Okay. On one, we all open. Ready?One!”

Broderick opens his first—forest green silk pajamas. The image of him wearing them, me dry humping him on the couch, makes my head feel...hot.

Luca’s box reveals black silk ones—same cut, just moodier.

“Enjoy peeling those off him, Riley…with my blessing.” I wink—or try to. Pretty sure I just blink both eyelids shut like a lizard.

All three of them turn to look at me.

Oh shit. Did I say that out loud?

“Elena, the fuck?” Riley chokes out, eyes wide.

“Whoopsie.” I shrug like it’s all very innocent.

“I like drunk Elena. She’s fun,” Luca says, shaking his head.

Broderick pulls me into his lap and clamps a hand over my mouth.

Hmm. Now we’re talking.

I shift slightly—Yep. That’s definitely him.

Confirmed. He’s having averymerry Christmas.

Riley opens her box next—an emerald green negligee and robe set that matches her eyes and makes her hair practically glow. She holds it up like she’s on stage, grinning like a maniac.

I applaud like she’s revealing a prize onThe Price Is Right.

Broderick tickles my side, and my laugh comes out strangled, still half-muffled under his palm.