"Ew."
"You weren't complainin’ when y'all came over and ate that yummy as fuck deer sausage a few weeks ago."
I laugh because he has a point. I'll eat it, but I don't want to see it.
Payton and I find a couch to sit on while we watch a Christmas movie. Dad's passing out beer, and Mom's pouring the spiked eggnog. When Dad offers one to Payton, he passes.
"Just because I can't drink doesn't mean you can't," I whisper to him.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in closer. "Nah, it only seems fair. You're sacrificing a lot for our baby, and I don't want you to feel alone."
“I don’t because Hadleigh and Ivy aren’t drinkin’ either.” I glance at his charming grin. "But you're too sweet for your own good."
"Just what every man wants to hear when they aren't gettin' any," Knox says, interrupting our private conversation.
"Do you ever go away?" I snap.
"No, ma'am. I'll be your pain in the ass brother for as long as I live."
"Ugh, God. Why do you have to make it sound like a death sentence."
"Because it is," Kane adds.
The room erupts with laughter. Even Hadleigh joins in although she's trying to act like it’s not funny. She's well aware of Knox's behavior. Hell, she chose it.
Ivy sits next to me, and Kane cradles her to his chest, palming her belly and whispering in her ear. Her cheeks blush, and I hate that I'm jealous. They are too damn cute for their own good.
After Payton made it clear he wouldn’t cross the line anymore, I've been dreaming about him nonstop.
By midnight, everyone’s tired, and we make our rounds to say goodbye. My mom and aunts help Grandma clean the kitchen while the guys pick up the wrapping paper.
"Take care of my great-grandbaby," Grandma says, rubbing my belly.
"I will. See ya soon." I give her a hug, then wait for Payton so we can walk out to his truck.
"You gettin' tired?" he asks.
"Actually, not really. I think I'm getting my second wind."
He laughs, helping me into my seat. "Wanna watch a movie before bed?"
I smile. "Sure."
As soon as we get home, he tells me he's going to change into something more comfortable, and I do the same.
Except I don't put on baggy clothes like I typically do. This time I'm going to try something different.
"What’re ya doing?" Payton asks when I walk into the living room twenty minutes later in nothing but a thin tank top and booty shorts. My makeup and hair are still done from the party, but I'm hoping he'll help me mess it up.
The last time I tried to seduce him, he used the it'll complicate things excuse. But after months of nonstop sexual tension, I'm tired of holding back.
"What do you mean?" I ask as I sit next to him on the couch.
"You warm or somethin'?" His eyes land on my chest, then lower down to my legs. "I can change the temp."
"No, I'm comfortable, actually. Though my vibrator died before I could finish, so I'm kinda mad about that."
He pauses for a beat before asking, "What kind of batteries does it take?"