Page 66 of Michael's Awakening
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gabriel
Christmas Eve
“I think it needs to be straighter,” Michael said from behind me.
I was currently on a freaking ladder in his living room, trying to adjust the star on top of the Christmas tree. “How about now?” I asked.
“Nope. Keep moving it.”
Huffing, I studied the star, noticing it was perfectly straight. When I looked down at Michael and saw where his eyes were focused, I burst out laughing. “You jerk! You just wanted to keep looking at my fabulous ass.”
“Guilty as charged.” He smiled and helped me off the ladder. “It’s not my fault, though. Those damn tight pants emphasize that delicious ass of yours and I can’t help myself.”
Finally on flat ground once again, I looked up at him and arched a brow. “You do know it’s Christmas Eve, right? If you keep being naughty, you aren’t getting anything except for coal, mister.”
Laughing, he pulled me against him. “Thank you for this.”
“For what?” I peered up at him curiously.
“For being here with me. For helping me pick out a Christmas tree and, more importantly, helping me put the damn thing up.” He chuckled and nuzzled his nose against mine.
“Well, you’ve never had a tree before.” Sadness filled my chest. “Or anyone to spend Christmas with. I wanted it to be special for you.”
“Damn, I love you, Princess.” Love beamed in his green eyes as he stared down at me. Even after months of being with him, my stomach still fluttered with butterflies when he looked at me in that way.
“I know you do.” I grinned. “I love you more, though.”
“But, I love you most.” He pulled me in for a tender kiss. I shook my head and felt him smile against my lips. “Don’t argue with me, Angel. I’m a lawyer and a master of arguing. You can’t win this one.”
“Whatevs.” I rolled my eyes and kissed him swiftly. “Let’s light this baby up!” I exclaimed with a clap of my hands, looking at the Christmas tree.
The sun had set about an hour ago and I was anxious to see how the tree looked lit up and gorgeous against the large open window behind it. Something I loved about being out there in Michael’s country-styled home was the privacy. We could open the blinds and not have to worry about people spying in on us.
Michael shook his head with a snicker. “You’re like a little kid with how excited you are.”
“I love Christmas. Shut your face.” I stuck my tongue out at him, making him arch an eyebrow.
“Now look who’s being the naughty one. Looks like you’re getting coal too, Princess.” After placing another kiss to my lips, he walked over to plug in the tree.
I gasped as it lit up. It was so beautiful. The red, green, and blue lights twinkled and danced, illuminating the glossy ornaments that were nestled in the tree’s branches.
“Wow,” Michael acknowledged as his eyes lit up. He walked toward me, pulling me against his side, as we both stood in front of the tree and admired it. “Now I see why you like it so much.”
Averting my gaze from the tree, I focused my eyes on Michael. The lights from the tree danced in the reflection of his eyes and my heart squeezed in my chest as I stared at him. He always said I was the beauty and he was the beast, but he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.
“What?” he asked with an adorable smile as his stare flickered to mine.
Giggling, I left the embrace of his arms and ran for the bedroom.
“Where are you going,” he called after me, sounding amused.
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I entered the bedroom and got my overnight bag. Digging through it, I found the gifts I had bought for him and laid them out on the bed. They were already wrapped in shiny, red paper, but the green bows on top were wrinkled from being in my bag. I fluffed and adjusted them before picking them up and carrying them into the living room.
Michael watched me with a curious expression on his handsome face as I sauntered into the room and walked over to the Christmas tree. Placing the presents underneath, I fluffed the bows one last time and then stood up.
“You didn’t have to waste your money on me.” Michael frowned as he looked down at the wrapped presents and then back up at me.
