Page 24 of The Christmas Gift

“The first car, the right front wheel came off down the track, but my dad was determined to have me reach the finish line. I remember him running onto the track to push the car.”

Ivy smiled. His childhood was not at all as she’d imagined. Her parents wanted her to thrive too, however, he had more fun on the way to achieving success.

Cor finished fastening the last side of the crib. He gave the crib a little shake, testing the front, making sure it slid easily and went up and down. “The second year was a flop, but by the third, we’d built a sweet little yellow car with an image of the Road Runner on the hood.”

“The Road Runner?”

“Yeah, that bird is super chill. It was my dad’s way of saying I had what it took to win.”

“The Road Runner is a speed demon.”

“There is that.” He chuckled.

“Did you win?”

“Nope, Spencer did. But don’t remind him or he’ll never shut up.”

Ivy laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t try to beat him the next year.”

Cor picked up one of the many picture frames he’d purchased to fill with memories and walked over to the far wall. “When the next year rolled around, the three of us thought we were expert campers.” He shook his head.

“You moved on to the next exciting thing.”

“As kids do. Besides, once we became friends, it wasn’t as enticing to outdo each other.”

“To the right,” she said when he held the frame against the wall.

“How’s that?” His head tilted to get a better view, except he was too close to the wall.

“Left,” she said, holding in a giggle.

“Now?”

“Too far left. You have to get just the right spot.”

To her wide-eyed dismay, he tossed the frame into the floor. Next to hit the floor was his tee-shirt. His muscles rippled as he stalked her. “Now, Cor—” She squealed when he lifted her off her feet and onto the plush rug.

“Am I in the right spot now?”

She sucked in a sharp breath. He was deliciously wedged between her thighs. Her hands skimmed up his bare shoulder, marveling at how wonderful he felt beneath her hands. He was all hard muscle in contrast to her soft curves.

Cor was spontaneous where she couldn’t remember a time every aspect of her life wasn’t planned. Even her plan had a backup—that was why she hadn’t shelved personally overseeing the next project.

“You know, we’d be bad parents if we don’t christen this room, make sure it’s safe for play.”

She groaned when he nibbled her collar. “I read playtime is important.”

“Great for brain stimulation,” he whispered, slipping her dress off her shoulders to envelope a puckered nipple into his mouth.

Chapter Seven

Ivy

They were cuddled on the new sofa, under the duvet from their bedroom. Cor reclined against the couch’s arm, a pillow under his shoulders while she laid between his thighs. She was happy with her choice of a deep sofa since it seemed Cor wasn’t opposed to lazy days. Soft fabric instead of leather had been a good choice. Since becoming pregnant, her need to be wrapped in comfortable warmth had grown.

Ivy pressed her cheek against Cor’s tee-shirt-clad stomach. She’d never simply spent a day doing nothing with a man before…not like this. Intimacy was limited to the one night she allowed herself between projects. Usually on her way out of a city, far away from anything that resembledmore.More time. More affection. More of her heart.

This, being in Cor’s arms was strange. Each moment with him was like deep breathing. Each breath slower than the last, as if waiting for a sign their relationship was too good to be true. Ivy knew the emotions stemmed from fear. Fear of being vulnerable. Despite knowing the source of her anxiety, Ivy couldn’t seem to stop her thoughts from spiraling.

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