Page 63 of Vintage

The smile lighting up his face made my heart flutter.

"Yup, in a way, because technically, I’m the gift!" I lifted my chin like a proud little kitty.

He erupted into a fit of laughter, rolling around on our bed.

I sat in the middle, watching him clutch his stomach as he laughed at my playful antics.

"Dang..." he gasped, trying to catch his breath. "You really have me wrapped around your finger, don’t you?" It wasn’t a question; I could tell.

Still, I nodded, embracing my little victory over him.

"Now, it’s kiss time... Muwah..." I waited, pouting my lips, but he didn’t respond right away.

I squinted at him, noticing the conflict in his expression.

"Ro, what’s on your mind?"

He gave me a small smile, and I understood all too well.

"I know what you’re thinking, but it’s been over a year since that. I realize the things we faced, the things you faced, won’t just disappear, but we can’t stop living. I won’t stop forgiving you, and you won’t stop loving me, so we don’t have to be stuck in a painful past."

His blue eyes sparkled, and I felt lucky to be the only woman allowed to witness this beautiful side of him.

"You won’t regret it?" He leaned in slightly but paused, waiting for my answer.

“I don’t, but if I have to stay wrapped in this ribbon for even a second longer, you definitely will! Whatever time Reese took to put this on, Mr. Santa Claus, please unwrap me! Hurry!”

He chuckled, scooting closer and planting a sweet kiss on the tip of my nose, then on my forehead.

We might have our little quirks, and things aren’t always perfect, but loving this man is a true gift, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

"What kind of sinner gets a reward? I have no idea, Mrs. Rowan. But I’m so happy you’re my present." He captured my lips in a fiery kiss, unwrapping the ribbons and pulling me onto his lap.

As I straddled him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled back, showering kisses along his jawline.

“Christmas is my favorite,” he growled, his hands weaving through my hair, pulling my face closer as he crashed his lips against mine in a heated, passionate kiss that made me moan when he licked my bottom lip and deepened the kiss.

I giggled, reminding him how he said the same thing during Thanksgiving when we visited our families, and I shared my roasted turkey with him.

During our Christmas dinner at Darius' place, I had already asked Reese to drop me off at home first, allowing Ro some time with the guys since he would be busy until New Year’s.

Our tongues danced for dominance, and this time, I took charge, savoring every bit of his mouth.

His hands glided down my back, stopping at the clasp of my bra, teasing it before my frustration took over. I bit his lip, causing him to gasp as he undid the clasp, leaving me bare, yet we didn’t stop our passionate battle of tongues and lips.

I pulled at his sweater, tearing open his shirt. There was only one piece of clothing left on me for him to remove, while I still had to contend with his trousers and boxer briefs. Even then, I didn’t hesitate as I unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down along with his boxers, just as he ripped my lace panties apart, leaving us both completely bare.

"Just so you know, that set cost me forty bucks, so you owe me a new one." The expression on his face was absolutely priceless.

"Forty what? For that scrap?" he grumbled, but I simply kissed the tip of his nose.

He grinned and pressed his lips against mine, his large hands enveloping my breasts, kneading them as his mouth found my neck, sucking and biting gently.

As I tangled my fingers in his hair, I pressed my body closer to his fiery touch, craving more of his warmth.

“Ahhh... Ro...” I moaned, overwhelmed by the deep pleasure coursing through me as his hands explored my skin, rolling and pinching with his thumb and forefinger. His mouth traveled to the other side of my neck, trailing down to my collarbone, making my eyes roll back in ecstasy.

He shifted our positions, laying me back on the bed beneath him.

---