Lemon Cake (Naughty Desserts)

Rider

The next morning, woke up to an empty bed and he didn’t like it—not one bit.

“Gemma?” he called.

“Here,” she said, entering the room with a mug in one hand and a book in the other. “I thought I could read a little and let you sleep in. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Gemma climbed back in the bed, setting the cup on the nightstand and her book in her lap. With her legs under the covers, she flipped the pages with one hand and combed through his hair with the other. Still tired as hell, he draped his hand over her legs and easily fell asleep once more.

The only thing that woke him was Gemma leaning down to kiss his cheek. “We need to pick up your mom soon and the Christmas tree is still naked.”

groaned. He really didn’t want to get out of bed. “I meant to do that this week.”

“Well, you did say your mom usually does it.”

“The only reason I have Christmas decorations.”

“I’ll start the coffee and you can wake up a little.”

“You’re too good to me. ”

“I’m only doing it because I need a refill,” she joked, picking up her empty mug.

Reluctantly, he dragged himself from the warm, cosy bed. “What are you wearing?” he called after her.

“You choose.”

He set her bag on the bed and curiously peeked inside, pulling out three sets of clothes neatly folded together. One was a wine-red dress with a flowy skirt, and the others were jeans and blouses.

“Who’s the winner?” she asked, stepping back into the room.

“Dress, but maybe you’ll want to change into that for dinner?”

“I thought the same.”

They got dressed, had a small breakfast, and then left for the airport. Gemma’s family would arrive later that afternoon for dinner and to exchange presents and he couldn’t be more excited. His mom was over the moon to see Gemma by his side, hugging and kissing her cheek before she paid any attention to the child she gave birth to.

Once they got home, ’s mom abandoned her luggage and got straight to work decorating. That was pretty typical, but that year he wasn’t the only one being scolded. He was kneeling on the floor, untangling the tree lights while the women tended to the ornaments.

“Maybe next year we can hang them up after Thanksgiving,” Gemma suggested.

“Oh, that would be a wonderful tradition.”

Gemma winced and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry. I just volunteered your house to be our permanent holiday meet up.”

“I’m all for it.” Little did she know, planned on making it her home too.

“Dan will be so excited to see a real tree—he’s always wanted one. We’ve had the same fake one for years.”

He’d guessed as much. Though Gemma never talked much about it, assumed that money had always been a concern for both twins. He’d needed to control himself at the mall, not wanting to make anyone uncomfortable by spoiling Dan too much. He knew they would be grateful, but he didn’t want to overstep. So instead, he’d opted for one special gift.

“Mom always took me to choose ours,” explained. “We went to the same farm every year with the same farmer and picked the one I wanted.”

“When he was younger, I used to struggle to get it into the truck,” his mom offered.

“I can’t imagine you ever being tiny.”

“I’m sure you’ll fall victim to the baby pictures soon enough.”

Gemma’s eyes sparked and looked over at his mother. “Oh, I would love that.”

While the women left him to decorate the top of the tree, they put together a light lunch and started the dinner preparations. Once the casserole was in the oven and dessert was cooling, Gemma ducked away to change. wasn’t about to miss a second of that, so he followed and sat on the bed.

“I love how well you two get along.”

“She’s an amazing woman. ”

“You both are.” Gemma walked over and turned around, silently asking to zip her up. He didn’t miss the chance to press a kiss to the small of her back before doing up the zipper. “I’m just glad all of you get along.”

She turned, straddling his lap. “I do too. I was so nervous about Thanksgiving, but now I’m just excited for us all to be together again.”

couldn’t help but slip his hands up her thighs, her skin soft beneath his fingertips.

Gemma shook her head and kissed his nose. “Later. We have to get the presents under the tree before Dan gets here.”

Before he allowed Gemma to slide off his lap, held her close and stole a kiss.

A little while later Dan threw the front door open, jumping into ’s arms. “Hey there, trouble.”

“I’ve been a good boy!” he protested.

shifted the boy into one arm and pulled Gina into a side hug. “And what does Mom say to that?”

“I can confirm: he’s been really good.”

Without letting him go, moved on to Mandie. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Thank you for having us again.”

His mom made her rounds before suggesting that they open a bottle of wine. Gina was the one driving this time, so Gemma was excited to be able to drink. The cork had barely popped when Dan found the presents under the tree. There was no way of stopping him, so they took to those first. Dan read the names on the tags and handed out every single one before opening his present first .

He screeched when he held out his new jersey.

“Maybe you can start wearing this one so we can save the signed one,” Gina suggested, helping him change into the new one.

“Open the other one,” muttered, just as Dan ripped the paper on the second gift.

It was a large frame, big enough to hold his signed jersey. He didn’t seem as excited about that as Gina was, who mouthed a thank-you to when Dan was occupied with helping Mandie open her presents. Everyone got small gifts, with Dan having opened his bigger ones that morning.

When it came to Gemma’s gift, was nervous—terrified, but there was no turning back. Gemma let Dan open the wrapper, then took the small wooden box engraved with flowers and hearts.

“It’s so pretty,” Dan cheered, huddling next to his aunt to see what was inside.

Gemma’s eyes sparkled, a wide smile gracing her blushing face. “Yes,” she whispered, lifting the small key for everyone to see. Then she grinned at . “If this is your way of asking if I want to move in, my answer is yes.”

“It was, but you shot out the answer before I could even ask.”

Gemma crossed the room and kissed him, her lips soft and sweet from the wine. “I would love to move in with you.”

Both their mothers hugged each other as they showered them with love filled gazes. While Gina excitedly clapped her hands. “You two are just so adorable!” she cheered .

Dinner was wonderful and not just because Gemma had her hand on his thigh the whole time. In the span of a few months his little two-person family had turned into a chaotic six-person full house—and loved every bit of the noise. Soon, he and Gemma would make this their space. Their safe haven.

Their home.