BONUS SCENE
The sharp, piney scent of the Christmas tree permeates the air of our cozy living room. We stand side by side, leaning in close as we hang ornaments and strands of garland. It’s our first holiday in our new house, and I’ve never been happier than I am right now.
The past year has been a complete whirlwind. Falling in love with this amazing man, graduating college and getting a new job, learning that Dylan is now a billionaire… It’s all been so much, on top of us moving in together and getting engaged. I thought my mom was going to pass out when she saw the ring. A five-carat, round-cut stone with pave diamonds in a platinum setting.
But her mouth really dropped when she found out we bought a house. It’s nothing extravagant like hers, just a slightly better-than-modest home that’s big enough to start a family. Pretty sure if she had things her way, we’d be starting that family right now. But she’ll have to wait a while for grandkids. I want the wedding first and then a few years for me and Dylan to enjoy being married. Everything has happened so fast. It’s hard to believe we’re only celebrating our one-year anniversary this Christmas.
I secure another ornament to the tree as his fingers brush along my bare arm, sending a shiver down my spine. It’s an innocent graze, but anytime he touches me, my body instantly reacts. I crave having his hands on me, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how affectionate he is, even when we’re in public. Being with him is a dream, one I hope to never wake up from.
I exhale a contented sigh as I step back to admire my soon-to-be husband. The golden glow of the twinkle lights glitters across his handsome face.
“I can feel you staring at me, baby.” He turns his head in my direction and gives me a heart-stopping smile.
“Can you blame me? I practically have to beat women away anytime we leave the house.”
He hangs a glass ball before reaching for me and tugging me into his hard, muscular body. Six days a week in the gym has certainly paid off. “If anyone has to keep admirers away, it’s me. I see the way men look at you. And that’s fine. They can look all they want. Because this rock on your hand—” He lifts my left palm and places a sweet kiss on my knuckles. “Says you belong to me and only me.”
“Always so protective,” I lightly gruff as he wraps me in his arms.
“Damn right, baby. I have to be when you’re as beautiful as you are.” He’s pretty smooth. I’ll give him that.
“Let’s finish this up, so we can watch a movie,” I suggest, feeling myself becoming lost in his captivating green eyes. If I stay in his embrace any longer, I won’t want him to let me go.
“Do I get cookies and hot chocolate?” he asks excitedly, and I giggle at his child-like enthusiasm.
“Only if you’re good for Santa,” I tease.
“Oh, I’m always good. You said so yourself this morning.” He winks, and I stifle a smile that threatens to turn up the corners of my lips. Leaning forward, Dylan gives me a revenant kiss before finally releasing me to resume our holiday decorating.
We continue working, and I reach into a box and grab a miniature snowman figurine, bringing back memories of our failed attempt at a family Christmas all those years ago. As I gingerly drag a fingertip over the sparkly white ornament, I notice Dylan looking over at me.
“I still have it,” he declares.
My brow wrinkles as I gaze at him. I think for a minute, wondering what he could possibly be talking about, but my mind draws a blank. “You have what?”
He rummages through a few open boxes until he finds what he’s looking for. “This,” he says while removing layers of tissue paper wrapped around a familiar object.
“Is that…?” I can barely get the words out as my throat begins to tighten.
He nods with a tender smile on his lips. “Did you think I’d throw it away?”
My heart swells as he places the trinket in my hands. It’s a snow globe with a tiny snowman standing next to a miniature Christmas tree, frozen in time within its own winter wonderland.
“I can’t believe you still have this,” I whisper as my eyes become misty. “I remember buying it, but I felt so stupid when I gave it to you.”
“Why? I thought it was sweet.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Because I was a dumb kid with a silly crush. Who gives a grown man a snow globe for Christmas?” I shake my head as I inwardly cringe.
Dylan slightly bends forward and speaks in a hushed voice. “Wanna know a secret?” He grins at me while I push down a wave of emotions. “I’d never had one before. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.”
A gust of air is forced from my lungs, blowing a stray curl out of my face. “I know you’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“I promise I’m not. I didn’t open it until I got back to the city that night, but I immediately put it on my mantle. And that’s where I put it every year, so I can look at it when I’m home.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he says, taking the little globe from my hands and placing it over our fireplace. “See? It looks good here.”
I swoon at my gorgeous fiancé standing by the fire, watching fake snow swirling inside its glass orb. “I’m happy you liked the gift. I wanted to give you something more, but I didn’t know what to get.”
“It was perfect, baby.” He strides back over to me and kisses me on the forehead. “Speaking of gifts… I have one for you.”
“If it’s a dick in a box, you already gave that to me.” I smirk, and he lands a smack on my right ass cheek.
“You’re hilarious. Ha-ha.” He walks over to the closet and retrieves a small bag.
“But it’s not Christmas yet.” I tilt my head with a curious smile playing on my lips.
“I know, but I’m impatient and I want to give it to you now.” He grins mischievously as he hands me my present.
I turn the bag from side to side, looking for a logo or a clue to what might be inside. But it’s just a simple, kraft paper gift bag with a few tufts of tissue sticking out of the top. I glance at Dylan and he nods for me to open it.
After removing the decorative paper and tossing it aside, I carefully reach into the bag and pull out what appears to be a new ornament. I slowly spin the thin glass, noting the hand-painted picture on the surface with beautiful shades of blue and green and a hint of yellow.
“It’s so pretty,” I exclaim. “Did you have this made for me?”
“I did. Did you get a good look at it?” He lifts his eyebrows, his wide eyes silently suggesting I have another look.
It’s a building, a house of some kind. Maybe a villa or a hotel. And there’s a word and a date on the back, painted in pretty gold script.
“Capri. Is that a name or…”
“It’s a place. In Italy.” He smiles, still waiting for me to catch on.
I glance at the ornament again and read the date, when suddenly it hits me. “You’re taking me to Italy?” I shout, making him laugh.
“We’re going to Italy. And that’s the private villa where we’ll be staying.”
“Oh my God, Dylan. This is amazing!” I throw my arms around his neck and rise on the balls of my feet to give him an appreciative kiss. “But what about work? Does Mike know? I should call my boss.” I drop my heels to the floor and begin to worry my bottom lip.
“It’s all taken care of, baby. Everyone knows but you.” He laughs. “And your mom even bet me that I couldn’t keep it a secret until Christmas. Guess I owe her a hundred bucks.”
“Ooh, that’s kinda steep for a guy on a construction salary,” I taunt.
“I know. That’s why I have a sugar mama on the side.”
That earns him a swat to the arm, but it only makes him chuckle even more.
“Thank you, Dylan. This is such a thoughtful and romantic gift. Completely unexpected.”
“You deserve it. You should be treated like a princess every day of your life.”
“Guess I’m gonna have to upgrade your gift this year.” I snicker, wondering how I’ll ever top a present like this.
“Actually, there’s something you could give me and it wouldn’t cost a thing.”
I pull back from his embrace and give him a puzzled look. But I narrow my gaze at him when his lips part into a wide grin. He doesn’t elaborate, and instead, he hoists me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and marches down the hall to our bedroom.
I hold on to the belt loops of his jeans. “There’s no such thing as a pussy in a box, you know,” I sass, and the loud spank he plants on my ass echoes off the walls.
He soothes the sting with a rub and a squeeze. “Even without a box, your pussy is still a gift.”