Page 158 of Return Policy

I kiss her on the cheek, leaving her to scan over the romance section for some recommendations I found after a bit of research. The Miles High Club series by author T L Swan had high reviews, and I’ve found all four books side by side. I stack them in one arm and keep browsing.

“What are you doing? Ooh, what’s in that bag?” Sophia asks, staring at the large pink striped bag in my hand, but I ignore her, having spotted the other top seller:Icebreakerby Hannah Grace.

“I did some research, and these books are supposed to have equally good plot and sex.”

Sophia’s mouth falls open. “You didresearch?”

“Yes.” I glare at her, using my pointer finger to close her mouth. “Don’t want you to be bored when you read me all these.”

She throws her head back, laughing. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.” I hold up the cute, animated cover with an ice skater and hockey player on it. “Are you sure this one’s sexy? It looks so cutesy.”

“Oh, yes. That one isextremelyspicy. But I’ve already read it.” She holds up the okay sign with a dopey smile on her face. “Top tier book boyfriend material.”

And now I’m jealous of a fictional man…

“Okay? And now you get to read it tomeso I can learn how to be a ‘top tier’realboyfriend.” I juggle the books in my arms. “Come on, let's go.”

“Wait!” she calls out as I turn away. “I haven't decided yet.”

I spin to face her as she holds her own pile of books in her arms. “I told you yesterday, you can buy the whole damn bookstore. Now let’s get out of here.” I grab the books from her hands, adding them to my pile, and she follows me through the store with a satisfied smile on her face.

We get back in the truck, and I put Sophia’s books in the back, but not before pulling outIcebreakerand setting it on the center console so she can start that one first.

“Here,” I say, handing her the large pinkbag. “I don’t want to give you this present in front of your family.”

She purses her lips and grins up at me. “Elijah, you’re spoiling me.”

“And? I’m happy to do it.”

“I just feel bad. I only got you something small.”

“So? You’re my gift. Just tie a bow around your tits, and we can call it even.” I smirk and she leans over the center console to kiss me.

She settles back in her seat and sifts through the bag, pulling out the first scrap of lace and twirling it around her finger. “Really?”

“What?” I smile innocently. “It looked easy to rip off.”

She shakes her head and releases a breathy laugh. “You are so ridiculous. You saw how expensive this shit is, and you’re still considering ripping them off?”

“Hey.” I slide my palm under her shirt and towards the hem of her leggings. “If the opportunity arises, I guess we’ll just consider it an expensive bad habit.”

She rolls her eyes, obviously amused as I toy with the string of her thong, and she swats me away.

“Alright, you can give me a fashion show later. Let’s get back on the road so we can make it for dinner.”

“Wait,” Sophia says, leaning back over the center console and brushing her hand against my face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, baby.” She kisses me, slipping her tongue inside my mouth, eliciting a deep groan. “Sophia, I just spent half an hour in a lingerie store where all I could do was imagine you in every piece of see-through clothing they had. You have to give me a break or I’ll end up fucking you in the back seat.”

She gives me another peck before pulling away and snatching the book off the center console. “Fine. I’ll start your first book.”

“Good.” The smile doesn’t leave my face as her sweet voice serenades me all the way to Longwood.

45

SOPHIA

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