Page 172 of Gloves Off

“And the bunnies just got settled,” I add, watching her pretty eyes.

“Yeah.” She nods. “It would be irresponsible to uproot them again so quickly.”

“How about another six months with me, Hellfire? Until the end of the season. Think you can manage that?”

She starts to smile, soft and lovely. “I can manage.”

We walk back to the house, our boots crunching in the snow, and I’m flooded with resolve.

I’m going to do everything I can to make this woman fall in love with me like I have with her.

CHAPTER 80

ALEXEI

Back at the house,I’m helping her out of her coat when she sucks in a sharp breath.

“I got you a present. For Christmas.”

My eyebrows lift. “Yeah?”

“You don’t have to get me anything,” she adds, a nervous edge to her voice that makes me smile more.

“I did.” The black velvet box in my bag upstairs tugs at my attention, but from the panic in her eyes earlier, she isn’t ready for it.

“I didn’t know if we were exchanging gifts.”

“We are.”

She bites her bottom lip, Christmas tree lights sparkling in her pretty eyes. “Okay.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?” Her eyes dart around. She’s nervous. Fucking adorable.

“I want my present.”

Her eyes flicker with amusement. “So demanding.”

I stare at her before she rolls her eyes and heads to the garage. When she doesn’t return, I find her standing at the open trunk of her car, chewing her lip. She sees me and steps in the way, blocking my view.

“You know what?” She makes a face like she’s laughing at herself. “I’m so sorry. I forgot your gift at the store.”

Little liar. I try not to smile. “Georgia. You don’t need to be nervous, sweetheart.” And I need to see what’s in those boxes.

“I’mnotnervous?—”

I gather the boxes and carry them inside. She follows at my heels.

“You’re so hard to buy for, Alexei. Like, really, what do you get the guy who can buy anything for himself, you know?”

In the front room, I take a seat on the sofa and open the first box, hooking my finger into the strap of something emerald green, lacy, and hot as hell. I raise an eyebrow at her, already picturing her in it.

A pretty blush appears on her face. “That’s for me.” She presses her lips together, eyes sparkling. “But also for you.”

We’ve been fooling around nonstop since I got home. Last night, the middle of the night, this morning. This morning again, in the shower.

And yet, I want her again. It still won’t be enough, though. My appetite for Georgia Greene is insatiable.

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