Kota

I watched her sleeping, her arms curling around mine as I held her. I was mentally kicking myself for pushing her, but damn she had felt so good.

"Looks like Luke and I aren't the only ones who wore her out," Victor chuckled from the doorway. He leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed watching us. "You're looking at her the way Luke did the morning they confessed their feelings. You're already in love with her," he stated.

My fingers slid through her hair as I sighed, "I am." I looked up at him, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" he asked, coming into the room. "You didn't force her into anything, and based on the sounds coming from the bathroom earlier, she very much enjoyed it." I felt my cheeks heat at the memory and implication. "She's in control here, Kota, not any of us. We will all follow what she wants."

"I've never felt so drawn to someone before. The first time I saw her, it was like no one else was there, the world just vanished around us. I know that sounds cheesy as hell, but it's true. Then when I realized she was my student, I felt so conflicted. Throw in finding out on the train about you and Luke, well...it was like a knife in my gut."

"Just take it slow with her. She's experienced a lot in her short life, and one of her biggest fears is losing the people she loves. Like she said the other night, she's been on her own since she was seventeen. It made her strong and independent, but as we all know from our fucked up childhoods, it also left her with lots of insecurities too." He ran his hand down her leg, then stood heading to the door. "Come on down when you two are ready. Erin and Luke are making cookies. They even dragged North into it," he grinned.

"Yeah, I'll have to see that one," I chuckled, then turned my attention to the beauty in my arms.

She slept for another half hour before stirring. I pressed soft kisses to her forehead as her eyes opened. She gave me a shy smile, "Hi."

"Hello, beautiful. Do you feel better?"

Her cheeks flushed, "Um, yes. I...I've never had anything like that happen before."

I lifted her chin, "Hey, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm guessing you've never had three men push you quite so far sexually in such a short period either. What you experienced is called a subdrop."

Her eyes clouded with confusion, "But isn't that a BDSM thing? I mean, we didn't do that kind of stuff."

I chuckled, "Oh sweetheart, it isn't just a BDSM thing. A subdrop is just a phrase. It happens when you become overstimulated in sex and then your chemical levels suddenly drop. It can happen instantly or even days later."

"Oh," she said softly. Just as she'd done in the bathroom, she darted her tongue over her lips and I groaned.

"You have no clue how fucking sexy you are, do you, Avery?" Her surprised expression answered for her. I cupped her face, "You are beautiful inside and out. These lips are so kissable." I gently kissed her, then continued, "This neck is alluring," my kisses continued with each comment, "Such supple skin, perfect breasts, luscious curves, and a perfectly round ass that begs to be gripped and spanked," I growled as I cupped the two globes and pulled her to me. She whimpered when my erection pressed against her tender clit. "Someday I hope I'm lucky enough to feel myself deep inside of you and hear my name fall from your lips as you come undone."

She whined and shifted as I ground her against me gently. "Kota," her soft voice pleaded.

I growled in frustration, "Fuck. I want you so badly, but a certain little girl is waiting for you downstairs. She talked her Uncle North into making cookies with her and Luke." Avery giggled, lighting up her face. "However, I will take another kiss, if you allow, before we go downstairs."

"Yes, please," she replied, lifting her lips to mine. There was no hesitation as our mouths fought for dominance. I nipped at her bottom lip, pushing my tongue in her mouth when she gasped. Our lips and bodies moved in tandem as if we were always meant to be this way until at last, we pulled apart, both flushed with swollen lips.

"Come on, let's get you dressed," I said, moving off the bed and holding my hand out to her. It was then she realized she was only in her robe still and flushed bright red. "Red looks so good on you, little girl," I purred in her ear as I tugged at the belt. She made a soft squeaking noise as I turned and opened her closet grabbing a soft sweater and jeans. "I'll head to my room. If you get naked in front of me, Luke's going to have to explain the birds and bees far earlier than I'm sure he planned to," I told her with a mischievous smirk as she gaped.

She was still looking at me when I smiled and closed the door, whistling to myself as I went to put on fresh clothes myself.

****

"You look like the cat that ate the canary," Owen grinned as I came downstairs.

"No, just a man who may have won the lottery," I said. "Victor's right, it has to be her decision."

"Agreed," he said as his eyes moved to the steps. I turned and smiled as she came down. Damn, she had amazing curves. She looked like she'd stepped out of a fifties reel with that hourglass figure - her hips and breasts were full and her waist was a healthy size, not like American girls who are obsessed with tiny flat bodies. She looked healthy and sexy.

"Hello, Owen," she said in a cheerful voice.

He stepped forward and kissed her cheek, "You look beautiful, Avery. Did you get enough rest?"

She gave me a sly side glance, "Yes, thank you."

"Good, then you may want to witness the chaos and magic of your kitchen right now," he chuckled. He took her by the arm and led her. All three of us stopped and covered our mouths as we laughed.

There were flour and sugar sprinkles everywhere and on everyone. North had frosting on his face, while Sean and Victor looked like glittered Santas with it in their hair and shadowy beards. Silas and Luke had flour on their faces and clothes, while Erin looked like she was a human cookie covered in sprinkles and frosting. "Mama!" she squealed and launched herself towards Avery who swept her up instantly. "You came too soon. We were trying to surprise you with Christmas cookies," the little girl pouted.

"Oh sweetie, I am definitely surprised," Avery laughed. "So are there any cookies or did it only get all over everyone?"

North held up a platter with odd-shaped cookies, and mumbled, "We, um, may not be great at shapes."

Owen and I both let out loud laughs as Avery gave us a reprimanding look. We quickly stopped and averted our eyes. Dang, she's got that Mama look down. "How about we let the guys get this cleaned up and then we can start the candy cane cookies, okay?"

"Ohh, I love those!" Erin beamed. "Are we going to do the candles tonight?"

Avery smiled sweetly, "Yes, baby, we are lighting the candles tonight. If Daddy says it's okay, you can help me." She looked up at Luke.

"I think that's a great idea, love," he grinned. "Go see if we set everything up correctly."

She carried Erin in her arms as she went to the front room and gasped. I guess while we had been resting they had put up the rest of the decorations. There were boughs of fresh cedar on the hearth and a small table set up that looked a lot like an altar with candles and small bowls. I exchanged a look with Owen who shrugged. "Okay, sweetie, I think you need to go let Daddy get you cleaned up. I've already had my turn in the bathroom today," she gave me a grin as I fought to hide my own. Once Erin had headed into the kitchen she sighed, "It looks perfect. You all did so much. Oh, wait, were you able to find the..."

"Mistletoe," North said, cutting her off. She turned to meet his gaze as he pointed above their heads and smiled. "May I?"

A slow smile crossed her face, "Yes." He gently cupped her face and pressed their lips together. Her hands held his arms as the kiss lingered.

He pressed his forehead to hers, "Better than in my dreams," he whispered as she smiled. "I'm so sorry I upset you earlier. I just didn't know how to tell you, or if I should."

"Do you really feel that way about me?" she asked him.

"Yeah. I have for a while now, I just never thought it would work being so far apart and well I'm sure even before Luke and Vic you've had men beating down your door. What could you possibly see in a guy like me? Hell, I never made it to college."

I was surprised by his comment. I always felt like I was in his shadow when we were kids. Women flocked to him. It never dawned on me that he felt that way. Avery was taken aback as well. "North, why would you say that? You are so smart and talented. Look at how skilled you are in your work. No college could ever teach that. I've seen the cars you've rebuilt, the houses, the furniture, and you cook like a damn chef. Don't ever think less of yourself because you didn't attend college. We all take different paths to find our purpose. Yours resides here and here," she said, holding his hands, then placing a hand on his heart.

She looked around as everyone started coming into the room, "Is Silas right? Do you all think of me that way?"

"You already know how I feel," I told her.

"I'm fascinated by you and would love to get to know you further," Sean said, "And I'm dying to kiss you." She giggled as he waggled his eyebrows at her.

Owen took a step forward and ran a hand down her face, sighing, "Brilliant, determined, beautiful...what's not to love?" He gave her a smirk and then pointed up. She rolled her eyes and laughed just before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely.

Sean made a squeaking noise, "Really? I'm dying over here." Avery pulled back from Owen, chuckling then crooked her finger at Sean. His face lit up as he playfully shoved Owen aside. In typical Sean fashion, he grabbed her and dipped her back as he kissed her dramatically. She was flushed and breathless as he uprighted her.

"Wow."

"That's how it's done gentlemen," he beamed, then kissed her again, softly this time. "Thank you."

Erin piped up as Luke came carrying her in the room, "How come Mama gets kisses, but I don't?" Her little pout was adorable as we all started kissing her cheeks and making her giggle wildly.

Avery leaned against Victor and smiled as she watched us all.  

Author's Notes:  Mistletoe....yay!