A Very Daddy Christmas (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems)

Chapter 3

3

Cora

“ I still think you’re nuts to do this, but I love you so much for it,” Eva says as she drops me off outside Sebastian, Waylan, and Riggs’s house. It is huge and beautiful, dominating the entire block of private luxury residences on the northeastern side of Madison. “Oh, wow.”

“Yeah, it really is something else, huh?” I mumble.

“Oh, look at that, they have magnolia trees. I’ll bet you those look pretty in the spring,” Eva gasps, a huge smile upon her face.

“This has to be serendipity, right?” I ask, stealing another glance at the mansion. “I mean, it’s got to be a Christmas miracle. Meeting them. Getting this job offer. All that money…”

“Maybe,” Eva replies. “Even so, it won’t be a done deal until the escrow expires. Three months from the moment we make that two-hundred- and fifty-thousand-dollar transfer, we’re going to be on the edge of our seats.”

“At least we’ll be closer to victory than we were a couple of days ago, right?”

“Victory,” she laughs bitterly. “What a pompous word.”

“But it would be a victory. Our parents wanted to buy the building for us, but they couldn’t. And here we are, one step closer to fulfilling that dream. Our kids are going to inherit the bakery someday and keep the family legacy going.”

I blink back tears as Eva reaches over and hugs me. “You’re a good soul, Cora. And these guys are a godsend doing this for us.”

“Well, they get their benefits out of it, too. Someone to look after Dario while they get their big fat contract. It’s a win-win.”

“And they also get to piss Orson St. James off.” My sister lets out a satisfied cackle. “My God, I can’t wait ‘til he’s out of our lives.”

“The hypocrite,” I shake my head slowly. “Prances around town, pretending to be a godly man, a charitable man, but he sure enjoyed giving us a two-month notice just before the Christmas holiday.”

“I’m telling you, the universe works in mysterious ways.” Eva pauses as the front door opens, and Sebastian, Waylan, and Riggs come out to greet us. “Plus, all three are so easy on the eyes. You should try to have a little fun while you’re here.”

“Eva Levine-Bronx, get your mind out of the gutter! You’re a married woman and a mother of two!” I faux gasp in outrage. “Have you no shame?”

“You’re not married!” she laughs. “Have at it, sister. You’re young. Who knows, one of them might even make an honest woman out of you.”

I can’t exactly tell her I’ve got the hots for all three.

The memory of Sebastian’s kiss still haunts me. More than once, I’ve woken from dreams about him, about them , my pussy wet and hot and aching for the real thing. I think living with them in the same house is going to be a new form of torture.

“Alright, time to get this show on the road,” I say and get out of the car.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the bakery.”

“Yes ma’am,” I shoot back and go to grab my bags from the trunk.

I don’t even have the chance to pull them out before I find myself flanked by Waylan and Riggs, who take over for me.

“Allow us,” Riggs says.

I give them both a shy smile as they take my bags. They give Eva a brief but warm, “Hello!” before they go back inside. Sebastian waits for me on the steps while I watch Eva wave at me one last time before driving off.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Sebastian asks, standing a few inches too close to me.

I offer another smile. “Just trying to figure out what to do next.”

“You could come in,” he replies. “Unless you want to stay out here until nightfall. It gets kind of creepy, though. This neighborhood gets eerily quiet after dark. Even the lampposts flicker.”

“You’re right, that does sound creepy.”

He laughs and puts an arm around my shoulders, beckoning me to join him. I can feel his warm touch through my denim jacket, the sensation of his fingertips sending ripples across my skin.

I keep my head high and a smile on as he escorts me through the garden before heading up the stairs and into his home. “Welcome. I hope you’ll feel at home here. It’s our little slice of paradise.”

Waylan and Riggs have already gone upstairs. I can hear their footsteps, the sound of a door opening. I can hear the TV on in another room spouting familiar cartoon voices.

“Thank you for having me,” I reply. “Is Dario in his room?”

“Yeah, watching his favorite show. It’s the weekend, so we let him have his way until you got here.”

“Good,” I say. “I am yet another change being added into his life. You know he’s going to need some time to adjust to all of this, right?”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” Sebastian sighs. “But he seemed pretty excited about you coming to live with us for a while. He wanted to know what your favorite color was.”

“Oh, that’s easy. Pink.”

“Any kind of pink?” He raises a suspicious eyebrow.

“The dusty pink.”

“I think Dario was asking because he wants to draw you a picture. Something to put up on the wall in your room. He was digging through the colored pencil box when he asked me.”

I am genuinely touched. “He’s so sweet.”

“Let me give you the tour,” Sebastian says, then casually takes my hand and shows me around. “We bought this place shortly after the owners passed away. Old age, no surviving relatives. Kind of a sad story, but we looked into their family history and found out the patriarch was an accomplished furniture designer and carpenter.”

I look around, suddenly seeing the furniture in a completely different light. It doesn’t take a designer’s eye to observe the unique craftsmanship, the care behind every line and corner. The kitchen is fully custom with sparkling white marble tops and dark blue cupboards, a large glass door opening to a gorgeous patio leading into the back garden.

“You have a pool,” I mumble, staring at it through the window.

“It’s very nice during the summer,” Sebastian replies.

“I can imagine.”

Sebastian’s hand works its way down to the small of my back. The shift is discreet and barely noticeable, but I immediately feel it.

I also feel what it does to me.

Unspoken words hang between us. Thoughts that transpire through stolen glances and fleeting touches. Something is happening here, something I may not be able to control.

“Come on, let me show you to your room,” Sebastian says, pulling me out of my naughty thoughts. “You’re going to love it.”

Boy, do I ever.

It’s huge, almost as big as my entire apartment above the bakery. My bags sit next to the dresser, and I can’t help but laugh.

“I didn’t bring enough clothes and shoes to fill these things up,” I point to the dresser and the giant chest of drawers next to it. “Hell, I don’t think I own enough clothes and shoes to fill even one of them.”

“If you need more things, we’re happy to get them for you,” Waylan says, casually leaning against one of the windows, flashing me a soft, flattering smile. It makes my stomach tighten.

“I… well, no. I mean, thank you, but there’s no need,” I awkwardly reply.

I’ve never relied on anyone except my parents and my sister until I turned eighteen. Even while I was in Paris, I took a bakery job to secure a cash flow of my own. So when a man like Waylan suggests buying me clothes and shoes, I’m subconsciously programmed to lean into my hyper-independent side.

“You’d look stunning in white silk,” Riggs adds. He stands on the other side of the same window, while Sebastian’s hand lingers on the small of my back. “How do you like your room?”

“It’s gorgeous, I love it,” I reply.

“There’s a key in the door,” Sebastian says. “In case you need absolute privacy. But this is your space, Cora. We’ll never come in without your permission. Not even while you’re out. Just so we’re clear.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Riggs chuckles softly. “You’re nervous.”

“It’s a little awkward yet,” I admit, putting on a smile.

“You’ll get used to us soon enough.”

“I still can’t believe I’m doing this,” I say, my gaze wandering around the room as I register every detail. “Again, thank you all, so much.”

“You’re helping us,” Sebastian kindly reminds me.

“So, you all live here, huh?” I ask.

The air shifts. Something changes. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I can almost see the tension morphing from awkward to something infinitely sweeter, spicier, and more intense.

The way they look at me changes too, and I find myself hopping along for the ride, my muscles relaxing as I slowly lean into Sebastian. He doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, it prompts his hand to slowly move around my hip.

“We do, yeah,” Waylan says. “It’s been our home for ten years now.”

“And Dario? How does he like it?”

“He loves it. He really loves his room. Granted, we redecorated and proofed every corner of it. He’s got everything he needs in there,” Waylan replies. “I had a child psychologist work with us throughout the entire process. We understood that Dario would need a safe space to be in, so I brought in a team of designers to make sure we got it right.”

“His room is right across the hall from yours,” Sebastian adds.

“It’s odd that you’ve been here for a decade and we’ve never crossed paths until the other day. I mean, Madison isn’t tiny, but it’s not exactly a metropolis, either.”

“We traveled a lot before Dario came to live with us,” Riggs says. “We’re patrons at the Levine Bakery, though.”

“I actually found your names in our online database.” I chuckle softly. “You guys really love our breakfast and brunch baskets, huh?”

They laugh and exchange sparkling glances, then Sebastian gently pulls me closer, his massive frame making me feel small and fragile, yet at the same time, wanted and protected.

“It’s a great place,” he says. “We want to see it survive people like Orson St. James. We honestly want to see you thrive, Cora. You deserve it. You showed us kindness and helped us with the simplest yet most important thing that day at the fair. Most people assume we just pay to have our problems resolved. But it’s not like that.”

“There are some solutions money can’t buy,” I whisper.

“And we’re still trying to figure it all out. We’re learning every day as foster dads. So much,” he says.

“Well, the fact that Dario is so well provided for is a clear sign that you care about him,” I reply, giving Waylan a soft nod. “And you’re doing something incredible by taking him in after losing his parents.”

Waylan comes closer, a deep shadow crossing his gray blue eyes.

Too close.

Sebastian is already holding me.

Riggs watches with keen interest as Waylan reaches us. His gaze wanders up and down my figure, and I feel self-conscious. My thoughts have melted away. I feel safe leaning into Sebastian, his hand resting on my hip, just underneath the hem of my jacket.

“You’re doing something equally incredible too, Cora,” Waylan says. He brings a hand up and touches my cheek with his bare knuckles. I hold my breath, not wanting this strange, exhilarating moment to end. “From the minute we met you, we understood how special you are. You may not see it yet, but we do.”

“You do?”

“It’s written in your eyes,” Waylan inches closer.

Sebastian’s fingers dig into my hip. I inhale sharply, and it’s all Waylan needs to lean in and plant a quick but effective kiss on my lips. I’m speechless, my cheeks burning as I realize that both Sebastian and Riggs are totally okay with what’s happening.

Waylan pulls back and gives me a reassuring smile. “We share everything in this house, in this life.”

Oh.

Oh.

What do I say to that?

My blood is racing, red-hot and simmering. My dirty mind wanders back into the forbidden recesses of my imagination as I take these words to mean precisely what they’re supposed to mean. Sebastian kissed me. Waylan kissed me. Riggs looks as though he’d want to do a hell of a lot more.

And I would probably be unable and unwilling to refuse.

“I’d love to see Dario’s room,” I blurt out.

I don’t know whether to be proud of myself or just embarrassed for having ruined the single most exciting moment of my existence.

“Sure,” Riggs says with a playful smile teasing his lips again.

I nod slowly as Waylan and Sebastian take a step back, their eyes never leaving mine as I head for the door. I can feel them following me, giving me a strange sense of comfort.

We find Dario at his drawing table by the window, having a hard time choosing the right color for a landscape.

“Hey, buddy,” I say, moving closer. “How’s it going?”

The boy gives me a broad smile but doesn’t move away from the table. “I’m drawing you a picture. Waylan says you need pictures for your walls.”

“Oh, that is so sweet! And Waylan is right, I do need pictures for my walls. Goodness gracious, that’s a really beautiful drawing.”

Inching even closer, I notice that the kid’s got a keen eye for dimension in his drawings. There’s raw talent here aplenty, waiting to be nurtured. His sense of color is also remarkably advanced for a boy his age.

“Yeah, I’m doing the backyard. Did you see it?” he asks, looking over to the window.

I follow his gaze and I am mesmerized. From the upper floor, I can see not only the splendid backyard with its ancestral oaks and maple trees guarding the four corners of the wrought iron fence, but I can also see the rolling hills beyond, flowing dark green and brown under a clear blue sky. It’s late autumn now, and most of the trees are shedding their crowns, awaiting the crispness of winter, but it is still a gorgeous view.

“It’s wonderful,” I tell him. “But honestly, I like your drawing better.”

He gives me a surprised and cheery look. “Really?”

“Oh, definitely. I love how you keep everything green, even though it’s autumn.”

“I want it to look nice all the time,” he says, his brow furrowed as he gathers his thoughts.

“Excellent job, buddy,” Sebastian chimes in. “Dario, we’re going to have lunch in about an hour. What do you want to eat?”

“Can we have mac and cheese?”

“What are we thinking, Cora?” Waylan asks. “Can we have mac and cheese?”

“We can absolutely swing that. I’ll add bacon to it.”

“Bacon?” Dario’s eyes widen.

“Yeah. Wanna try it?”

“Yes!” He lights up like the sun.

“I’ll fire up the grill and throw a couple of steaks on, for good measure,” Riggs suggests. “Might as well take advantage of the weather while it’s still good to us.”

Dario nods in agreement. “I like steak.” He pauses and shifts his focus back to me. “Are you gonna stay here forever, Cora?”

That takes me by surprise. “I’m not sure about forever, Dario, but let’s see how it works out through Christmas and go from there, okay?”

“Our home is your home,” Sebastian says. “It could be yours for much longer than that.”

“That’s very kind of you,” I reply. “I just… nothing is certain at this point. Your contracts and work hours. My work with the bakery. There are multiple factors at play here.”

“So you’ll stay until Christmas?” Dario asks.

“Yep, I’ll be here ‘til then,” I assure him. He nods and goes back to his drawing.

The guys and I leave him to it so we can go put lunch together.

“Just give us a list of whatever you want to have in the house and I’ll make a grocery run later,” Waylan offers.

I nod and head into the kitchen, the guys hot on my trail. I can feel their gazes burning into me from behind, and I find myself wondering how long I’m going to be able to resist them.

If I even want to.