Page 101 of Holiday Hopefuls
Callie’s grin widens. “I know. I can feel it.”
“Not that,” I laugh, “but hold on to that thought.” Bracing her with one arm, I shift to grab the gift box from my nightstand. Holding the little box wrapped in green paper featuring cartoon plants, I offer it to her. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
Callie leans onto her side, taking the gift. Big doe eyes meet mine. Her silent question emanates from every feature.
Tucking her in close with my palm already on her back, I grasp her hip with the other. One deep breath, and here goes nothing. “I love you, Callie.”
“You love me?”
The disbelief still lingering in her voice takes hold of my heart. Channeling all my love for her into my grip, I pull Callie flush to me. I make sure I have this woman’s full attention before continuing. “I do, Calloway,” I nod, “I really do. I love you.” My chest feels a little lighter each time I utter the words.
So I don’t stop.
“I. Love. You, Callie,” I whisper, a smile taking over my face.
Tender eyes trace my eyes, nose, and lips.
“And I don’t want you to feel like you have to say anything?—”
“I love you, too,” Callie beams, “so much.” A breath of sweet relief rushes from her lips, as if she’s been holding in a secret that’s desperately wanted out.
My answering grin nearly splits my face in two. Unable to help myself, I crush her to my chest, Callie’s arms winding around my neck in the process. Pressing a kiss into her hair, Iexhale my own sigh of relief. “So this is real?” I ask, just to be sure.
Callie giggles. “This is real, Oliver.” Pillowy lips stamp a tender kiss over my heart.
Her leg still draped over my waist, I help her resituate to a sitting position so that she’s straddling me. My fingertips graze her flushed cheek, and Callie’s empty hand steadies herself on my abs. “Open it,” I say, nodding to the box.
Callie leans back, excitedly untying the green velvet ribbon. She slips a thumbnail under the paper, carefully removing it, and by the time only the unwrapped box remains, we could reuse the silly gift wrap if we wanted. She opens the green velvet box and gasps. “Oliver, it’s beautiful.” Callie gingerly lifts the necklace from its holder, placing the box on the nightstand. Her bright smile shines my way. “Help me put it on?”
Taking the delicate chain from her, I secure it around her neck as she holds her hair out of the way. The yellow gold of the four-point star shimmers off her skin, perfectly highlighting the superimposed half carat marquis ruby. The short chain allows it to lay just below her collarbone, glimmering with every movement. “The stone reminded me of your hair,” I admit.
Tipping her chin to get a better look, her fingers gently brush the pendant. “It’s absolutely stunning, Oliver, really,” she gushes, “thank you.” Callie leans down so that our lips meet in the small amount of space I’ve allowed to remain between us. When she pulls back, a beautiful blush stains her cheeks. “I actually have something for you, too.”
Curiosity gets the best of me as I lift my brows.
“But there’s something I’d like to take care of first,” she says, a wicked grin taking over my sweet girl’s face.
Heat races through my system, my entire body flushing with anticipation. “Callie … ” I warn. But my grin doesn’t falter.
Walking her hands up my chest, one wraps around the nape of my neck as she pulls me into a kiss. The other grabs the last unopened foil packet from my nightstand. Breaking the kiss, Callie rips the pack open with her teeth. I help lift her so she can roll on the condom before she sits back down, sheathing me within her warmth.
“That’s the last one,” I tell her.
Callie smiles, the backs of her fingers brushing along my face. “Then we’d better make it count.”
When we’re both spent once more and Callie has collapsed on top of me, my love runs her hand through my hair. “You’re in pretty good shape, you know.”
Snorting, I rub my palms along her back. “Gee, thanks.”
“You just seem to be busy,” she says, adjusting so that I can get up to take care of the aftermath. Callie wraps the blanket around herself as I head into the bathroom. “I guess I’m just surprised you have time to go to the gym.”
Twisting the shower knob, warm water sprays to life. “I get the feeling I’m about to have a lot less time,” I call.
The sound of mattress springs whining rings through the air as Callie gets up, joining me in the bathroom. Her necklace glistens even in the fluorescent bathroom lighting. “Only if I can help it.” She grins up at me as she slips past and gets into the steamy shower, gathering her long hair into a bun. The shower door remains open, and my love bats criminally long eyelashes at me.
Shaking my head, I groan. “If I get in that shower with you, we’ll never make it downstairs.”
“Maybe that’s the point.”
