“Had a bit of excitement, but all ended well.” I removed my cut, then sat down on the sofa next to her. I placed her Christmas gift in her lap. “Merry Christmas.”
“We’re doing it now?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Hold on a sec!” She jumped up off the sofa, then rushed over to the sound system and turned on some corny Christmas music. Once she had it at just the right volume, she raced over to the tree and grabbed the gifts she’d gotten me, then returned to her spot on the sofa. She looked like she was about to bust at the seams as she handed them to me and said, “Here ya go. I really hope you like them.”
As if she’d totally forgotten the gift I’d just given her, Sophie watched impatiently as I began to unwrap the first present. I carefully opened it and was pleased to see a new pair of riding gloves. I started to slip them on as I said, “These are great, babe.”
“You really like them?”
“Yeah, babe. They’re just what I wanted.”
“Yay! Now, open the second one.” As soon as I started unwrapping it, she warned, “This one is a little corny, but you’re really hard to buy for and—”
“I’m sure it’s great.”
I opened the gift and was surprised to find a photo album. I turned to the first page and couldn’t help but smile at a photo of Sophie and me on my bike. I was looking at a second picture of us at the clubhouse when she said, “It’s our first memory book.”
“It’s perfect.” I leaned over and kissed her on the temple before motioning my hand towards her gift. “Your turn.”
“Oh yeah!”
She dove into the gift, ripping the paper off the small box. Seconds later, her eyes grew wide, and a soft smile crossed her face as she pulled the small gold chain from the box. I didn’t have many family heirlooms, just a few pieces of furniture and a necklace my mother wore on special occasions.
The chain was thin and dated, so I had it replaced and the small diamonds cleaned. I took it from her hand, and as I put it around her neck, I told her, “It was my mother’s.”
“Oh, Dalton, it’s beautiful.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. “It’s perfect.”
“I have another gift for you, but I’m saving it for tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She ran her fingertips across the teardrop pendant as she said, “But this was more than enough. This is just the best Christmas ever.”
“Hold that thought. I’ve got something to show ya.” I took her hand and led her over to the window. The second I pulled the curtain back, her eyes began to sparkle with excitement as she watched the flakes fall to the ground. “I can’t believe it’s really snowing!”
“Looks like we’re gonna have a white Christmas.”
“Oh Dalton! I can’t remember the last time we had a white Christmas.” She glanced up at me with a bright smile. “It really is the best Christmas ever.”
“Yes, it is.”
I walked over to the sofa, grabbed a couple of blankets and pillows, and laid them in front of the fire, then kicked off my boots and jeans before lying down. My head barely hit the pillow when Sophie curled up next to me. With the Christmas music quietly playing in the background, we both rolled to our sides and watched the flames dance in the darkness.
I couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment. We hadn’t been lying there long when she glanced up at me and said, “I love you, Dalton.”
“Love you, too, babe.”
“You’ll never know how happy you’ve made me.”
She was everything I’d ever wanted and more, and now that I had her, there was nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to keep her. Unable to put my feelings into words, I slid my hand behind her neck, savoring the feeling of her soft skin as I crashed my mouth down on hers.
My tongue swept across her full, supple lips, and they parted, welcoming my kiss. A small moan escaped her lips as I delved deeper, tasting her, teasing her, making her squirm impatiently beside me.
She inched her way closer, tipping her head back in invitation, and the velvety touch of her tongue against mine unraveled my self-control. I swiftly rolled my body on top of hers, and her thighs spread as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me close and grinding her hips against mine.
Her nails raked down the skin of my back in a perfect balance of pleasure and pain. I rocked my growing erection against her, feeling the warmth of her center through her black thong.
My mouth moved to her neck, kissing and nipping gently at her soft skin before traveling to her collarbone. I hooked the spaghetti strap of her satin nightgown around my finger and slowly, tantalizingly, pulled it down, freeing her firm, heavy breast for my mouth to devour.