We are flipping through television channels when I mindlessly mention Christmas movies. I see the horror on Santino’s face when I flipped to the Lifetime channel for a picture-perfect Christmas movie. I laughed, then turned the channel. With only cable available, we settled on a classic,Enemy of the State. Santino had never seen it. Also, Hallmark Christmas movies are reserved for my mom. So, I told him I’d like to make a tradition with him. Next Christmas, we’ll fight over popcorn while analyzingDie HardorA Long Kiss Goodnight, or another action flick he has no idea includes Christmas themes.
But anyway, I scrutinize the construct of telling him I love him the entire time. Now, my eyebrows pinch together as Santino drops shiny boxes in the center of the bed. With a terry cloth towel wrapped around me and a shower cap over my hair, I poke at one of the pink boxes.
I muse. “First, why are you so obsessed with pink? Second, it’s ChristmasEve. When I was little, Gabby begged to open a gift on Christmas Eve like the rest of America. I held off. Third, I may have bought your mom and Antonia something, but I didn’t get around . . .”
“Woah.” Santino’s hands drop onto my shoulders. “These aren’t Christmas gifts, sweet—”
“Call me ‘sweet’ anything. I dare you.”
“You admitted to not buying me anything for Christmas. I’ll refer to you as any variation of sweet this entire day. Complain all you like.” His hands drag down my back, claw into my ass.
“Hmmm, I’m to infer that I’ll pay dearly later.”
“You may like getting that ass spanked. I’ll love it tremendously, Bella.”
Folding an arm over the loosening towel to inhibit Santino’s view of my breasts, I snatch up one of the boxes. “Where were these gifts, anyway?”
“Not gifts. You shower long enough to fill an entire pool. I had ample time to pick up a few things.”
Although I concur, a smirk creases my lips. My fingers tear into the lustrous wrapping paper. In the end, laid before me, is a pearl-white snow outfit, with a cable beanie, from The North Face.
“Okay, Santino, let me analyze this. Days ago, I attempted to evade you, with an inexplicable belief that you intended to kill me.”
“Gina,” he groans.
“Full disclosure, this is kind of creeping me out right now. Now, you want me to head outside? You know I get cold!”
Smiling at me, Santino drops a kiss on my nose. “Should I dress you?”
* * *
Santino pullshis truck into the lot at the base of a snowcapped mountain. Gray skies whir above. The sun’s fighting a losing battle. Outside, not a single inch of green earth is exposed due to the thick flurry blanketing the ground.
“I’m freezing,” I murmur, engrossed in the scenic sight while opening the door.
“Keep talking. I’ll have you on your knees soon enough.”
“Oh, hush, I’m not complaining. Nevertheless, I like where your head's at, me on my knees. Maybe I will gripe.” I step out of the truck in the Thermoball button-up boots. The snug, comfortable feeling causes me to stop, close my eyes, and moan. “I may never wear high heels again.”
A cold wind blows, and my fingers clutch under. Santino cups my hands against his mouth and blows warm air on my freezing fingers. His face lingers inches away from my mouth; then he reaches inside for the new gloves. I smile at his thoughtfulness and how he hadn’t missed a single necessity.
Far ahead of us, dots of varying colors are along the snow-white trail, where others are hiking. Santino’s placing a royal blue backpack on.
“Where’s mine?”
He tilts his head, and I laugh. Soon enough, tiny puffs emit from my lips as I hike alongside Santino.
“Hey, is there supposed to be a river somewhere around here?”
“I think so.” He winks.
Sometime later, we headed off the beaten path, trudging through snow. Drinking hot cocoa from a canister, my ears perk.
“I hear the rush of water,” I murmur. I stop walking as I come upon an icy cavern. Light glints off the iridescent bluish walls, slick with ice. As we step into the icebox, I can’t take it all in fast enough. Santino places a hand at the small of my back. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Slow down, baby. We have all the time in the world, Gina.”
“Humph, I’ll take a side of sexy accent later. I’m not getting frisky here, no matter how alluringyousound.”