Page 59 of Yule Know It When You See It
“Where is everything? I’ll start a pot while you set up stuff on your laptop.”
He rubs my nose with his. “Grains are in the top left cabinet. Mugs are in the cabinet right below it. Sugar is next to the maker.”
“Creamer?”
Axel winces and rakes two fingers through my hair, pausing when he snags on a tiny knot that’s formed, smoothing it out. “Sorry. I usually only do sugar. There’s milk, though.”
“Perfect.” I give him a reassuring smile.
After a deep sigh, Axel crawls off me and stands, stretching his arms above him. That hardness I’ve felt countless times inside me is there in all its morning glory as his back arches and he groggily scratches the back of his head. The product he uses to keep his hair slicked back has given up and shambles of blonde locks fall over his gaze.
“You keep looking at me like that, Romance, and we’re going to miss our deadline.” A devilish grin plays on his lips, his finger pointing at my face.
I’m unsure at what point my gaze turned into starving with lust and my hand found its way to my breasts, but I fan a palm over my face, turning it back to neutral as best I can. Because as much as I want to say screw the deadline, youdon’tscrew with Simone. And this was both our jobs on the line.
“You’re right. We have plenty of time for hanky panky after we turn in the stories.” I clap my hands together and leap to my feet. The chill in the air has me fumbling for the blanket to wrap myself in, the fire now only glowing embers in the hearth.
“Hanky panky,” Axel mumbles as he makes his way down the hall, shaking his head and chuckling.
I bite my thumbnail as I watch his perfectly toned butt walk away—flex, bounce, flex, bounce.
Axel points toward the kitchen before disappearing into another room. “Coffee, Theo.”
“Right,” I shout, hurrying to the kitchen and doing as I said I would.
Moments later, we’re on the couch again, laptop open and ready on the table in front of us. We consume three pots of coffee, bouncing ideas back and forth and revising as we go. Axel finishes his article within thirty minutes, I proofread it, and approximately three hours later, we have two polished and ready-to-publish pieces of work to submit. I throw my legs over his lap, smiling at him after planting a satisfied kiss against his lips. And together, we tap our forefingers to the touchpad, submitting it.
Axel pats my thigh. “Let’s get dressed. It’s almost time for your nextJulgift.”
“It’s not here?” I ask, confused, and point at the floorboards like he’s hidden it there.
Gently, Axel moves my legs from over him and coaxes me to stand. “No. And you’re welcome to use the shower and everything if you’d like.”
“Or—” I saunter closer and finger walk up his taut, tanned chest. “We could both take a shower and save time?”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” Axel’s gaze turns downright feral and I’m on my stomach on his shoulder, butt in the air in a fireman’s carry.
Shrieking and laughing as Axel carries me down the hallway, I take the opportunity to swat his bare ass, and he does the same right back to me. After sudsing each other up and making love again with my back slammed against the tiled wall, we’ve blow-dried our hair, dressed, and I beg him to stop by my apartment so I can grab something warmer to wear and slap on more make-up.
He’s pacing my living room while I’m in the bedroom, rummaging through my closet. And it’s gone far too quiet out there for comfort. “You alright out there?” I call out.
“Yeah, I’m just gawking at your decorations or lack thereof. I thought you’d have a bigger tree. And more—well—everything.”
Admittedly, I didn’t decorate my apartment this year as much as I usually do, which made the sight of Axel’s apartment when I opened my eyes that much more magical. I settle on a pair of light skinny jeans, a dark blue sweater, and tan boots, which I hop on one foot down the hall as I slide them on. “I’ve never had as big a tree as yours because my apartment is half the size of yours, Ax. And as far as the decorations? I hadn’t felt much in the spirit this year.” I frown at the one strip of garland hanging from my kitchen island and cheesy static clings in the front window.
“And now?” Axel chuckles at the sight of me still hopping around and moves beside me so I can use him to balance.
Finally wedging my heel in the boot, I let it flop to the floor, and stand straight, throwing my arms around his neck. “I’m at a level I wasn’t sure I could get anymore. And I have you to thank for that. HaveJulto thank for that.”
Grinning, his arms are around my waist, and he gives a quick peck to my lips. “Good. Now grab your coat.” He pats my butt twice. “We’re going to be late.”
“Late?” Doing as he asks, I throw my jacket over my shoulders and snatch my scarf. “Where are we going?”
“Do you always ask this many questions when someone’s trying to surprise you?” His light brows raise, and he moves to the door, holding it open for me.
Surrendering, I hold my palms up. “Alright, alright. Surprise away.”
Curiosity and anticipation continue to plague my brain as we walk through the streets of downtown. It’s not until we arrive at the train station that the thought dawns on what exactly he may have arranged. Tears form in my eyes when the familiar red and green train rolls to a stop in front of us, the lights bordering each window.
