Page 51 of Wishing Stone

“Santa’s toy sack?” she asked.

“Something like that,” I answered, tossing her a wink.

While the first few days after her little escapade into the city had been strained, we’d found our footing again. I swore that she only defied me because she knew it drove me absolutely crazy. I recalled her ire over feeling controlled just as well and I remembered how badly I wanted to take her over my knee and give her the paddling she deserved. The problem was, I was just so happy she was safe, and I found that I couldn’t dole out a punishment when all I wanted to do was hold her. It was out of character for me, and I couldn’t help but think it was directly related to how I’d felt when Krystina had been kidnapped a few years back. I never wanted to feel that fear again.

It didn’t matter what Krystina’s arguments were for going to the shelter. I didn’t care if she thought it was safe or if it was an impulsive decision made out of anger at me. I still wasn’t happy about the risks she took. However, my deep understanding of her generous heart allowed me to look past it—along with Hale’s assurances that he would be Krystina’s shadow from now on.

When we stepped outside into the cold night air, I breathed deep. The temperature had been just below freezing all week, leaving just the right amount of moisture in the air so as not to make it feel too brisk. I glanced up and saw that there wasn’t a star in sight. The cloud cover and lack of wind would ensure our evening outdoors would be pleasurable.

“Do you want to walk, or do you want to take one of the golf carts?” I asked.

“Well, if our excursion ends like it did the last time, I’d prefer to skip the long walk back. Let’s take a golf cart.”

I smirked as I remembered how I’d barely made it to the front door without stripping her bare. It was highly unlikely that would be the case tonight, but she didn’t know that.

“Good call, angel. Golf cart it is.” Walking around back to the main garage, I pulled a key out of my pocket, inserted it into the exterior lockbox, then went through the security steps to open the main door.

When we entered the garage, I had to suppress a curse. Only one of the three golf carts used to navigate the property was parked along the far wall. Both ATVs were missing as well. That meant Hale must have taken them down to the pond. I glanced at Krystina, hoping she didn’t notice their absence, then quickly stepped in front of her to block her view of where they would usually be parked.

Removing the backpack from my shoulders, I unzipped the top. Thankfully, Krystina was curious about what I was doing and kept her attention on me. She didn’t seem to notice the missing recreational vehicles, and I internally sighed with relief.

Reaching into the backpack, I pulled out a satin scarf.

“Turn so I can tie this over your eyes,” I told her.

“Alex, it’s silly to blindfold me again. I already know that you have the area around the pond all decorated.”

“After the surprise was ruined last time, I made some adjustments and additions. For starters, I know the lights work this time,” I said with a chuckle. “Now, turn around.”

Shaking her head, she did as I instructed and asked, “Did you find out why they weren’t working before?”

“A critter got to the main electrical line to the shed and chewed it straight through,” I explained as I tied the knot at the back of her head. Once I was satisfied it was secure, I stepped in front of her and cupped her face between my palms. Then, leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to her lips and said, “I hope you know how much I love you.”

“Mmmm…” she hummed, darting her tongue out to lick her lips as if she were searching for more of my kisses. That little action made my cock jerk to life, wanting to give her more and then some.

“Careful, angel. We’ll never make it back to the pond if you don’t put that tongue back in your mouth.”

“Since I’ve forgiven you for being a neurotic control freak, does this mean you’ve forgiven me for leaving the house last week?” she asked with a coquettish grin.

“As furious as I was, I can’t stay mad at you for long. You know that.”

Taking her arm, I guided her over to the lone golf cart and helped her into the passenger side. Then, sliding into the driver’s seat, I pulled a pair of noise-canceling headphones from the backpack and placed them over her ears.

“What’s this?” she asked in surprise. “Am I not allowed to hear anything either?”

I chuckled, then shifted one of the ear coverings aside so she could hear me.

“Sensory deprivation, baby. You know how much I get off on that,” I teased, then laughed at Krystina’s quick intake of breath.

I slid the headphones back into place, then started the golf cart. Maneuvering it out into the main driveaway, I secured the garage doors once more, then began the drive back to the pond.

It had snowed this afternoon, leaving a dusting on the path. Tire tracks from the other recreational vehicles marred the pristine white and I was grateful I’d decided to put the blindfold on Krystina before we left the garage. If she saw the tracks, it might give her a clue about her surprise. Santa’s sack, as she so aptly put it, still had a few more surprises in it. However, the most significant gift I had for her this Christmas wasn’t something that could be wrapped or put under a tree.

When we reached the end of the path, the trees gave way to reveal the clearing around the pond, and I took my foot off the gas pedal. Looking to Krystina, I made sure her blindfold was still secure. Satisfied that she still couldn’t see anything, I got off the golf cart and came around to her side to help her down.

Leading her around to the front of the cart, I placed my hands on her shoulders and held steady, my firm grip signaling that she should remain still. Turning to my head to the left, I took in the sight of Krystina’s big gift.

Our closest friends, Allyson, Matteo, Bryan, and Stephen, stood huddled together next to Krystina’s mother and stepfather, Elizabeth and Frank Long. Hale and my sister, Justine, were there as well. They had brought my mother to the surprise, knowing she would enjoy seeing all the Christmas lights. She sat bundled up in her wheelchair with Hale watching protectively over her, just as he always did.

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