Page 138 of The Rescuer

Her heart ballooned, and she felt an overwhelming urge to get her hands on him—more overwhelming than usual. She pushed up on tiptoe, wrapped her good arm around him, and kissed every available swath of exposed skin on his neck and jaw.

“Hey,” he laughed, “what’s this all about?”

“God, you’re sweet! Who knew you could be so sweet?”

He smirked. “My mom did.”

Neve kissed the side of his mouth “And thoughtful.”Kiss. “And kind.”Kiss. “And cute.”Kiss. “And hot as sin.”Kiss.“Like sex on a stick.”Kiss.

He burst out with another laugh. “What is ‘sex on a stick’?”

She drew back. “You’ve never heard that expression before?”

“Never. But I think I like it. Makes me sound like a stud.”

“Youarea stud. You tried to wrap something for me, and you bought presents for the pets.”

One eyebrow dipped. “I like where you’re going with this, but before you gettoocarried away, have you actuallyseenmy wrap job?” He thrust the gift at her and led her to the couch. “Open it.”

She sat beside him, so close she was practically in his lap. “Is this why you got up at four thirty in the morning?”

His look turned sheepish. “I was kind of excited about giving it to you before we go on our hike later this morning, but I wanted it to be perfect, and, well … it’s not.”

The hike. She’d put it out of her mind, but he’d insisted, explaining it was a tradition he followed every year, and if she was going to be part of his life, he wanted her to be part of that too.

“You need to give me this one,” he’d insisted, though with a heaping helping of sweetness she’d found irresistible. Oh well. She’d bundle up in extra layers. They wouldn’t be out too long, he’d promised. He’d also promised to warm her up in the very best ways when they got back, forhoursif that’s what it took. She’d had no choice but to agree; she was only human. She’d have challenged any other woman in her Uggs to say no to his wish.

Wiggling her fingers in between the taped bits, Neve finally found purchase and ripped the gift open, revealing a cardboard box labeled “Littmann.” “You didn’t!”

Reece sprouted an adorably dopey grin. “I did. Open it.”

She opened the box slowly, with reverence, and gasped when she pulled out a brand-new stethoscope with blue tubing. “You replaced my broken one,” she whispered.

“You wear a lot of blue, so I figured it’s your favorite color, and your eyes are blue, so …” Like an excited kid, he took it from her and showed her the instrument’s head. “And it’s engraved.”

Her eyes blurred with tears the instant she read her name withDVMafter it.

Hesitation flickered in his eyes. “I kinda presumed. I hope that’s okay. If not, we can change it.”

She ran her fingertips over the last name.Hunnicutt. How many times had she doodled this very name in her youth? A tear spilled as she looked up at him. “It’s perfect.”

He gently placed the stethoscope around her neck, and her fingers found it, learning its shape. “That’s so … I’m … It’s too much.” She launched herself at him and accidentally whacked his head with her cast.

“You’ve got a dangerous weapon there, toughie. Keep it under control.” He hoisted her onto his lap.

“I love you!” She proved it when she laid her lips on his. A forgotten detail poked at her, and she drew back, her heart sinking. “I’m so sorry.”

Even as his brows drew together in confusion, his hand caressed her back in comforting circles. “About what?”

“I won’t have your present until next week.”

“I. Don’t. Care.” He started tickling her, and giggles bubbled in her chest. “Put away the pouty lip,” he warned.

She released her laughter, and the pouty lip went right along with it. Pearl and Mr. W pounced at the same time, and they became one happy mess of limbs and barks and laughs.

Best Christmas ever.

Except for that frigid hike looming in her future. With his words dancing in her head, she told herself it might not be so bad. And the sooner they got to it, the sooner they’d be back and rollicking on the couch … or under the tree … or in bed. Better yet, all three. Oh yes, for this man, she would endure whatever he asked of her.

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