CHRISTMAS IS MERRY IN THREES (4)

SCARLETT.

We don't leave the bed for the rest of the night.

We try every position I can think of—me on top, them on top, bent over the side of the bed, against the window overlooking the city. We use toys I pull from my nightstand. We take turns, pair up, all pile on together.

By the time midnight rolls around, I've lost count of how many times I've come.

We're taking another break, sprawled across the bed drinking water, when church bells start ringing somewhere in the distance.

"Merry Christmas," Jackson says, raising his water bottle.

"Merry Christmas," we all echo.

I look at these three strangers who showed up to a party and ended up in my bed, and I feel... good. Satisfied and happy and pleasantly exhausted.

"Thank you," I say. "For this. For being game. For making this the best Christmas Eve I've ever had."

"Are you kidding?" Liam says. "We should be thanking you. This is—I mean—"

"Life-changing," Marcus supplies.

"Seriously," Jackson agrees. "I'm pretty sure we're never going to top this."

"Well," I say, rolling over to straddle Marcus, "the night's not over yet."

His eyes darken. "Again?"

"One more time." I lean down to kiss him. "For Christmas."

He grabs my hips, already getting hard again beneath me. "Yes ma'am."

This time is slower. Less frantic. We've gotten the desperate need out of our systems and now it's just about pleasure.

Marcus fucks me slowly while I kiss him, deep and thorough. Jackson and Liam are on either side, hands roaming, mouths on my neck and shoulders.

"You're so beautiful," Marcus murmurs against my lips.

"So are you," I tell him honestly.

When I come this time, it's soft and rolling, spreading through me like warm honey. Marcus follows right after, and we stay locked together for a long moment, just breathing.

Eventually we all collapse in a pile. I'm in the middle, surrounded by warm bodies, and someone pulls a blanket over us.

"Stay," I murmur sleepily. "It's late. Stay till morning."

"You sure?" Liam asks.

"Mhmm. Bed's big enough."

They settle in around me and I drift off feeling safer and more satisfied than I have in months.

––•––

I wake up to sunlight streaming through the windows and an empty bed.

For a second I panic—did they just leave?—but then I smell coffee.

I pull on a robe and pad out to the kitchen.

All three of them are there, wearing various combinations of their clothes from last night, looking rumpled and gorgeous. Marcus is making coffee. Jackson's at the stove doing something that smells amazing. Liam's setting the table.

They look up when I appear.

"Morning," Jackson says with that devastating smile. "Hope you don't mind—we raided your kitchen."

"I definitely don't mind." I accept the coffee Marcus hands me. "What's all this?"

"Figured you might be hungry," Liam says. "After last night."

"Starving, actually."

We eat breakfast together—scrambled eggs and toast and surprisingly good conversation. They're funny and smart and I genuinely like them, which is a nice bonus on top of the incredible sex.

"So," Marcus says eventually, "can we... see you again? Or was this just a one-time thing?"

I consider. "You guys have phones?"

They all pull them out immediately and I laugh, entering my number in each one.

"Text me," I say. "We'll see what happens."

"All of us?" Liam asks.

"Why not? Last night proved we work well together." I grin. "Plus it's nice having options."

They leave around ten, each kissing me goodbye at the door like we're in some kind of reverse harem situation. I watch them go and then close the door, leaning against it with a satisfied smile.

Best. Christmas. Ever.

My phone buzzes a few minutes later.

Marcus: Last night was incredible. Thank you.

Liam: Still can't believe that happened. You're amazing.

Jackson: Same time next year? ;)

I laugh and send back a group text.

Me: Next year? How about next weekend?

The responses are immediate and enthusiastic.

I head to the shower, still smiling, already thinking about round two.

Because if there's one thing I know how to do, it's get exactly what I want.

And what I want is more nights like last night.

Merry fucking Christmas to me.