Page 109 of The Risk Taker

Mom’s asleep against Dad’s chest, and Izzy’s half-asleep, her eyes fluttering closed, but she still manages to mumble something that might benightwithout opening her eyes.

Logan stands, helping me clear the coffee table, heading to the kitchen to wash up the dishes before we head upstairs.

I kick the door closed and flick off the light, leaving only the dim glow from the hallway sneaking under the crack. Logan kicks his shoes off, then peels off his socks and flicks them toward the laundry basket. They hit the wall, bounce off, and land nowhere near it.

A snort escapes me. “Real romantic.”

He grins. “I can strip to Santa Baby if you’d prefer.”

I arch an eyebrow. “I think I’m good.”

He laughs under his breath and reaches out, tugging lightly on the hem of my T-shirt. “Come here, Hayes.”

I let him pull me in.

His arms slide around my waist, and we just stand there, chest to chest. I didn’t realize how tightly wound I was before him, but I just melt whenever he’s near me, especially when his fingers run across my back.

I lean in, press a kiss to his forehead, and he huffs out a breath.

“Okay,” he says. “That was condescending.”

I blink, pulling back slightly. “What?”

He tips his head up to look at me, his brows tugging together. “Forehead kisses are for short people.”

I snort. “You know I’m taller than you, right?”

“By an inch,” Logan says, arching a brow.

“An inch still counts.”

A taunting smile pulls at his lips, his gaze dipping briefly before lifting again. “Good thing I’m an inch bigger somewhere else,” he replies, shooting me a wink.

Heat curls low in my stomach. “You’re not funny,” I tell him, even as my mouth betrays me.

He chuckles, tightening his hold on my waist. “Thanks for today,” he murmurs. “Your family’s incredible.”

I lean in and press another kiss to his forehead. “You’re welcome, baby.”

He stills, his brows shooting up to his hairline.

“What?” I ask, frowning down at him.

“You just called me baby.”

I blink. “Did I?”

“Yep.” His smile grows wider.

I huff out a quiet laugh, raking my fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

He leans in closer, eyes still on mine. “Gonna start calling me that all the time now?”

“Don’t push it,” I say, rolling my eyes, but he’s already laughing as he tugs off his sweatshirt before crawling into bed.

I peel off my shirt, toss it to the floor, and slide in beside him. The sheets are cool against my skin, but he isn’t. He shifts closer immediately, fitting himself against me like he’s done it a hundred times.

His fingers find my jaw, tracing down my neck, over my chest, slow and lazy. “You’re really warm,” he murmurs.