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Instead of thinking of that particular brand of trauma, I stick out my tongue and lick a line up Sage’s throat ending behind her ear which I nibble slightly before pulling back to take one last look at the goddess in my arms.

“There is a way I can sneak out, if that would make you more comfortable. I don’t want you to be a secret but I understand that Thanksgiving morning might not be the best way to introduce this new development to my whole family.”

The small smile that Sage gives me almost makes my heart stop. “I would really like to not have that type of conversation over turkey and mashed potatoes.” She stretches her neck to place a soft kiss on the side of my jaw and any doubts, no matter how minuscule, I had about pursuing this with her evaporates from my mind.

“Okay, one last question before I get out of here.” I can tell she wasn’t expecting a question, the little frown is adorable.

“I guess I have one more answer for you, then.”

Chuckling, I tighten my hold around Sage, ducking my head so my lips tickle her ear when I ask, “Are you gonna spend the night with me again?”

Stay with me every night.

Nope. I can’t let requests like that slip out after one night. Maybe I’ll save that for two nights from now. I’ll buy my mother a house in town and Sage can commute or Mother could come and visit. For lunch. I don’t want her around for breakfast or dinner. My plan on having Sage for those meals would not allow for extra guests.

Okay, perhaps I was getting a little ahead of myself. Just because she agreed on not wanting to keep this a secret doesn't mean she wants something long term. Right?

Sage bites her lower lip and smiles, giving me a quick nod. “Yes Mr. Snyder, I’d very much like to spend the night with you again.”

I can’t stop myself from attacking her mouth with renewed excitement. That elicits a squeal from Sage that I swallow with more kisses, can’t let my family hear any sounds that are meant for me.

I need to stop kissing this woman. If I don’t, my family will be sure to catch us together before we’re ready. “Okay, okay. I have to go.” I very reluctantly climb off the bed, goosebumps pepper my skin now that I don’t have the warmth of Sage’s body pressed against mine.

“I’m going to take a shower, so you have some time.” Sage informs me as I do a quick stretch to wake up my muscles before heading towards the door.

“See you soon, beautiful.” I shoot her a quick wink and get to sneaking out and back into my home.

Turns out, it’s a lot harder than I had originally thought it was going to be. My niece and nephew are running around like they were racing in the Olympics, Sybil’s reading in the living room, Mom and Mars are at the kitchen table eating. Reese almost caught me when he was coming out of the upstairs bathroom but I was able to rush into my room and swing the door shut. Thank god he was drying his hair with a towel, obscuring his vision.

There was no way in hell I was going downstairs in my current Sage-scented state, so I hopped into my en suite and took a very hot shower. I really didn’t want my brothers, or god forbid my mother, smelling sex on me.

By the time I make it downstairs to the rest of the family, Sage has yet to make an appearance. “Look who finally graces us with their presence! The king himself.” Mars calls out as I walk into the kitchen. I flip him the bird before heading over to the breakfast bar and loading up a plate.

“Oh shut up, Mars. Let the man sleep in every once in a while.” Sybil calls from the couch, coming to my defense. “He wasn’t sleeping in, he was running errands,” Mars says as he gets up from the table, supplying air quotes to the last two words of his sentence. He makes his way to his wife and all but jumps on the couch she’s lounging on, wriggling his body against hers until he’s got her sandwiched between his body and the couch.

Sybil lets out a peal of laughter as she fights against her husband’s attack before finally relenting, turning it into a warm embrace. I have to avert my gaze from the married couple. A pang of longing and jealousy stirs my stomach. Instead of looking into those feelings any further, I take Mars’ abandoned seat next to my mother and shove a piece of bacon into my mouth.

“The caterer you hired was here early and put the turkey in the oven. They also brought all the sides, which are currently in the fridge, with instructions on when and how long to cook for.” Mom informs me while I chew.

I offer a nod in acknowledgement but keep my mouth full of breakfast foods to do my best to avoid any further conversation for the moment. Despite our mutual decision, I’m finding it hard to keep quiet about Sage and what we mean to each other now.

14

SAGE

Istay in bed for a while after York leaves me. My thighs are sore from the extended workout last night and I need an extra moment to rest before I head to the shower and I really need to shower before facing York’s family. Even though he cleaned up, I’m pretty sure there were still traces of our time together on York’s body when we snuggled together and slept last night.

I’m not complaining, but there’s no way in heaven or hell I’m going to spend my favorite holiday with sex juices on my body with children, the contributor of those juices, his mother—who is also my boss—and three other adults. No sir. I’d rather camp out in the basement for the rest of the trip.

Thankfully, I don’t have to worry because I have my own bathroom and I’m hopefulI have enough leeway to take as long as I want this morning after suffering an air hockey puck to the face. I’m not sure if I need to be spiraling after the events of last night or not. The sexy parts of last night, not the air hockey part.

That part was definitely not fun, but it will make a funny story eventually. One day.

No, I need to figure out if things with York are spiral-worthy or not. We don’t even live in the same state for god’s sake and it’s not like I can just quit my job and move.

I work for his mother!

My job might be her personal chef on paper, but we’ve become so much more than that. I run errands for her, take her to her appointments, we go out and have lunch and see movies together. We go on shopping trips! Bea is more than an employer, she’s family, more family than any of my blood relatives.