Page 30 of On the Wild Side

Inside is a pair of teal fuzzy socks. And these are way better than the ones I usually get. They’re thick and lined with what looks like sherpa fuzziness, and I know without a doubt that they won’t get holes in the heels like the ones I usually buy myself.

“I notice that you wear these a lot,” he says after clearing his throat. “And I thought you might like them.”

“I can’t wait to get home and wear them,” I admit and lean in to kiss his bicep. “Thank you. I have a little something for you, too.”

“Wait,” he says with a smile. “There’s something else. Do you think that I’d just get yousocks?”

Brady scoffs and lifts another box from under the tree, and I feel my eyes widen. This is asmallbox. Also red with a gold bow.

“Brady.”

“Take the gift, Abbi.” I look up and see him watching me with humor-filled hazel eyes, and I know that I can’t resist him.

Taking the box, I tear the paper and flip open the lid, and I’m pretty sure I just swallowed my tongue.

Twinkling up at me are a pair ofgorgeousdiamond earrings. Not simple studs. No, this cowboy bought me diamond studs with huge teardrops hanging from them.

My jaw drops, and then I close it again. I don’t know what the fuck to say.

“Brady.” It’s a whisper now. My lungs are having a hard time taking in air, and finally, Brady reaches over and takes my hand in his.

“I couldn’t pass them up,” he says, drawing my eyes back to his face. “Nothing could ever be as beautiful as you are, but these earrings are trying, and they’ll look fucking amazing on you.”

I bite my lip and brush a fingertip over the diamonds. “I can’t accept these.”

“Oh, you don’t want them?” Brady shrugs and tugs the box out of my hand, then starts to unfasten one from the black velvet. “Too fucking bad, Blue Eyes. They’re yours.”

He fastens them to my ears and then pulls back to admire them.

“Just as I thought.”

“What?”

He leans in and brushes his lips over my cheek, then presses his lips to my ear. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Heat floods through me, and I have to clear my throat before taking a deep breath.

“Thank you.” I lick my lips. “And I got you something, too.”

Leaning over, I snatch up a box from under the tree and pass it to Brady, who’s frowning at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“You didn’t have to get me a Christmas present.”

“That wasmyline. And after freakingdiamond earrings, I’m glad I did get you something. Here, it’s small.”

He narrows his eyes at me and then rips the paper, opens the box, andsmiles.

God, that smile melts me every time. It’s an arrow right to the heart.

“What is it?” Erin wants to know as she saunters in from the kitchen, where the others have been picking away at Christmas morning cinnamon rolls. “I want to know. She wouldn’t tell us.”

“It’s a leather bracelet,” he says. “With a silver bull head.”

Erin’s gaze meets mine, and I can see in her eyes that sheknows. Hell, they all know that I’ve had a crush on Brady for a while. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it is what it is.

And when I saw this, with the rugged leather strap, I knew that I had to get it for him.

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