Page 257 of Sweet Temptation

“I told you, long ago. I want everyone to be happy.”

“I know you do.” He kissed me softly. Then he murmured against my lips, “Aren’t you gonna open your present?”

“It’s not Christmas yet.” I smiled, and since he looked like he really wanted me to open it, I turned my back to him and wrote Xander’s name on the last gift tag. Ronan’s grip on me loosened but didn’t let go. “We’ll take them with us to Victoria and open them Christmas morning,” I added breezily.

“Christmas is only four days away. You can open it early.”

I glanced at him over my shoulder. He was still standing right behind me, his body pressed to mine. Why was he so damn eager to play Santa Claus all of a sudden?

What happened to the Grinch act?

“You already gave me this Christmas sweater,” he went on, as I turned to face him. “And the underwear and tequila…”

“Which I plan on enjoying more than you do, probably. And those are just silly gifts. Your real gift can wait.” I gave him a lingering, hot kiss. “I’m trying to exercise patience and restraint.” Actually, I was trying to tease him, and it was working. “It’s something you’ve inspired me to do, sweetie.”

For some reason, he didn’t seem happy about that.

I taped Xander’s tag to his gift, then turned on my heel and sauntered away. “Make us those drinks, would you?”

“Where’re you going?” Ronan asked behind me, his voice gruff from that kiss.

“To put on the hottest Christmas party outfit you’ve ever seen.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Summer

I was in my bathroom upstairs, half-dressed and putting the final touches on my makeup, when Ronan walked in.

I’d already slipped into my short black skirt with all the ruffled layers of satin-trimmed organza. On top, I wore a black satin bustier that pushed up my breasts. I’d be slipping the blood-red velvet corset overtop before we left, and I’d be asking him to help lace me into it.

The outfit was by Devoid, and he’d really outdone himself.

“Wow.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Ronan stood behind me, a lime margarita in each hand, drinking me in.

“Thank you,” I teased. Then I went back to dusting powder with a subtle glitter over my cleavage.

He slid up behind me, placing one of the drinks in front of me on the counter. “For you,” he said, and kissed my neck.

I picked it up and took a sip. “Mmm. You are getting better at these.”

“Thank you.” He took a sip of his own. Then he set his drink down and reached to pull something from his back pocket. He slipped a hand around my waist.

He was holding the gold-papered gift.

“Open it,” he whispered, his breath on my ear. His stubble brushed my neck, sending a shiver of pure lust through me.

I met his eyes in the mirror. I wasn’t sure what this was about, but I set my brush down.

“Well… if you insist.” I took the gift and turned to him, a happy flutter in my chest. And while I was unwrapping it… he sank down in front of me.

He was down on one knee.

And suddenly I realized what this was about.

“Oh… my… God,” I gasped. “How could you do this to me?”

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