Page 43 of Unwrapped

I blink in surprise. “Today? As in… right now?”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice full of certainty. “You’re going to your family’s Christmas lunch, right? What if I come with you? And then tonight, we’ll go to my family’s Christmas dinner together.”

I stare at him, waiting for the punchline, but his expression remains serious. “You mean, meet your family tonight? As in, officially?”

Asher nods, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Yes. I don’t want to spend another Christmas without you, Ivy. I want to be with you for every Christmas, from now on. And technically, you have met my parents before and I’ve met yours, only this time, we’ll be introducing each other as more thanjust friends.”

My heart skips a beat, and for a moment, I’m speechless. The weight of his words sinks in, and I can feel the warmth spreading through my chest. He’s not just talking about a casual introduction—he’s talking about forever. About us being part of each other’s families, not just for today, but for the long haul.

“Asher,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion, “are you sure? That’s a big step.”

He gently cups my face with one hand, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek. “I’m sure. You’ve changed my world in ways I didn’t expect, Ivy. I don’t want to go back to a life without you. I regret not choosing you sooner.”

His words catch me off guard, and I feel my eyes welling with tears. I blink quickly, trying to hold them back. “You really mean that?”

“I do,” he says, his voice soft but full of conviction. “You’re it for me, Ivy. I want to go to your family’s Christmas lunch with you today, and then tonight… I want you by my side at my family’s dinner. I want to introduce you to them as my girlfriend, as the person I plan to spend my life with.”

I don’t know why, but hearing him say it like that—so plainly, so honestly—makes my chest tighten in the best possible way. I’ve always felt like I didn’t quite fit into his world, that maybe we were moving too fast, but right now, none of that matters. What matters is this, and the way he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing that’s real to him.

“I…” I pause, taking a deep breath, my voice unsteady. “Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s tell our families together. Oh,” I say softly, “and another thing… I love you too.”

Asher’s smile widens, and before I can say anything else, he leans in and kisses me, his lips soft and hungry against mine. I melt into him, feeling the warmth of his love wrap around me like a blanket. When he pulls back, his eyes are bright with excitement, and finally, I feel like everything is falling into place. I clutch his shirt, tugging him toward me.

Within seconds my hands are tangling in his hair, his tongue finding it’s way down my neck as I lean back, exposing my breast to him.

“God,” he groans, his breath hot against my skin, “the thoughts I have about you…” his words trail off as he pulls at my shirt.

“Tell me,” I moan against his lips.

“Better yet,” he flashes that sexy grin, “let me show you.”

“Please.” It’s a whispered plea.

His eyes lock with mine, dark with desire as he draws me closer. The morning sunlight catches the planes of his face, highlighting the intensity in his expression that makes my breath catch.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough with restraint. His fingers trace down my spine, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I arch into his touch, my body responding instinctively to his.

"Asher," I breathe, as his lips find that sensitive spot beneath my ear. My fingers clutch his shoulders, feeling the strong muscles flex beneath my touch. The warmth of his skin against mine sends electricity coursing through my veins.

His mouth traces a burning path down my neck, and I tilt my head back with a soft gasp. "The things you do to me," he growls softly, his breath hot against my skin. "You drive me crazy, Ivy. Like nobody ever has. You are my every fantasy."

I run my fingers through his hair, tugging gently as his kisses become more urgent. The weight of him pressing me into the couch makes my head spin with desire. Every touch, every caress feels amplified by the depth of emotion between us.

"I need you," I whisper against his lips, my heart racing as his hands explore with practiced dedication. He knows exactly how to touch me, how to make me melt for him. The Christmas lights blur into stars behind my closed eyes as sensation overwhelms me. He’s hard against me, throbbing. I slide my hand down, between us, wrapping my fingers around him.

"Look at me," he commands softly, and I open my eyes to find him watching me with such raw passion it steals my breath. "I want to see you." His thumb traces my lower lip as he drinks in my expression. "I want to memorize every beautiful sound youmake.” His fingers are already tugging my clothes from my body, his lips finding mine again as we tear and paw at one another.

I lose myself in his kiss, in the perfect rhythm we create together as he slides into me. There's reverence in the way he touches me, worship in every caress. When we finally break apart, we're both panting, completely lost in each other.

"I love you," he whispers against my skin, and I can feel the words vibrating through his chest. "Every inch of you, every part of your soul."

My response is lost in another passionate kiss as we let the moments fade away around us, consumed by each other. The rest of the world ceases to exist - there is only this moment, only us, only the perfect symphony we create together.

“Holy fuck,” Asher groans, sitting up after round three this morning. “I think—you might have broken me that time,” he laughs, looking back at me sprawled naked across the couch.

“Can’t say I’m sorry,” I confess.

“And I wouldn’t want you to be,” he pulls me up to stand in front of him, looking up at my body with the hunger of a starving predator. “If I thought you could handle me,” his voice rumbles as he slides his hand up between my thighs, “I’d take you again.” He cups me gently, “but I’d like to save some for later too.”

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