Page 49 of Christmas With The Kings
“The big one,” he said, gesturing toward the corner box.
“Oh, good choice,” I teased, shooting him a smirk. “I do tend to favor the bigger ones.”
He let out a slow breath through his nose before chuckling and shaking his head. Seizing the package, I dropped to my knees and tore into the wrapping paper with the unbridled joy of a kid on Christmas morning. Inside were two sweaters—one for him, one for me.
I pulled his out and laid it flat. It read,I come in peace. Mine said,I’m peace.
I threw my head back and laughed deeply. “You did not.”
“Oh, but I did. And it’s true. Toss me mine.”
I flung his sweater across the room, catching a glimpse of his bare torso as he yanked his shirt off in one smooth motion. For a second, I forgot about my sweater entirely.
He looked up in time to catch me staring and smirked knowingly. “Eyes up, sweetheart. Or we’ll never make it to the next gift.”
That sounded very much like a challenge. One I couldn’t resist. With deliberate slowness, I tugged the hem of Nik’s oversized T-shirt over my head, letting it catch enough to make his eyes darken.
I stood before him in my sleep shorts. His gaze locked onto me—hungry, amused, completely unbothered by the way I was clearly baiting him.
I tossed the shirt aside and arched a brow. “Your move.”
His eyes dropped once more, then rose, fire blooming behind them. His mouth twitched like he wanted to say something cocky, but the words didn’t quite make it past whatever spell I’d cast.
“I see how we’re playing. Okay. Game on,” he said finally, voice a touch deeper than before. “Grab another one. But don’t put that sweater on yet.”
“Very well, my beloved,” I replied with a deep, theatrical, perfectly delivered curtsy before spinning toward the tree again.
The next box was smaller, square-shaped and neatly wrapped. I crouched down and lifted it. I half expected it to be something ridiculous and sweet all at once. That’s how he operated. Mischief wrapped in devotion.
“Should I be worried?” I asked, shaking the box.
“Always,” he said. “But also…never.”
The butterflies in my stomach took off again. There was mystery in his tone, but there was something about the weight of the moment too, that hit. It was silly, sweet, and intensely private.
I tore into the second package, grinning when I caught the shimmer of metal against velvet. Nipple clamps. Of course they were. But not just any clamps. These were stunning.
The little bells on the ends were a deep amethyst, my favorite shade of purple, delicate and polished, connected by a thin chain that looked more ornamental than cruel. Still, I knew better.
My fingers toyed with the chain, the cool metal kissing my skin. I imagined how it would tease—pinch in the best way. I gulped. The fantasy started—his fingers tightening the clamps, his gaze locked on mine while the chain swung between us with every movement. The weight, the pressure, the helpless want curling inside me…
I exhaled, realizing how long I’d been holding the box. I placed it carefully beside the tree but cast one last glance at it. Maybe two. Okay, three.
“Kinsley,” Ivan’s voice cut through my haze, teasing. “You’re starting to make my cock jealous by the way you’re staring at those.”
I blinked up at him, my cheeks flushing. “Sorry. Easily distracted.”
“That’s one word for it,” he muttered under his breath, though the crooked smile on his lips said he didn’t mind one bit.
I reached for the next package, tearing into it with a new wave of curiosity—and stilled.
Inside, neatly arranged and perfectly color-coded, was a custom sensory play kit. A feather tickler, soft and elegant. Vampire gloves, worn black leather with fine points along the fingers—elegant but sinister.
A pinwheel rested beside them, cold and sharp even in its stillness. Then, there were the noise-cancelling headphones. The possibilities…Beneath those was a new tickler whip and, lastly, a dual-sided paddle that stole my breath.
One side was covered in faux fur, so soft I had to pet it twice. The other? Smooth, dense black leather that screamed intent. I held it up and ran it across my stomach, enjoying both sensations.
My beloved leaned in, voice low. “For when you inevitably misbehave.”
