Page 123 of The Crush of Christmas Past
“I’m happy to see you so happy.” He bumps his shoulder gently into mine. “Witnessing you build this thing—pixel by pixel, pitch by pitch—is inspiring. Watching you at your mostcreative is easily one of the best parts of my week. You’re shining, Sunshine.”
Is it normal to simultaneously want to sob and straddle someone?
“You can’t just say stuff like that and expect me to survive the sweetness. I’m about to melt into this couch and become one with the cushions.”
A spark ignites his eyes. “I’ve got a messier idea. Why don’t you crawl onto my lap and become one with me?”
My entire body tilts a few degrees toward the invitation before I catch myself. “No—wait.” Holding out a hand between us, I shake my head. “I’m on a mission tonight. You took the lead this afternoon. It’s only fair our evening goes down on my terms.”
“Well, if that’s where the night is headed…” His attention drops to my mouth. “I gladly surrender to your mercy.”
I groan and spring to my feet. “You’re impossible. Come on—let’s go get your gifts.”
Theo raises a brow. “Where are we going?”
“Bedroom. Hurry before I change my mind.”
“Bossy Isla. Adorable.” He leans back, arms draped over the cushions, legs spreading in invitation. “But there’s no need for a bed, Sunshine. Plenty of room to kneel right here.”
The playful gleam in his eyes tells me he’s notactuallyexpecting a blow job.
So why is gravity dragging me straight to the floor?
“Up.” I motion, trying to stick to the plan.
“Down,” Theo counters with a teasing growl.
I sway on my feet.Temptedis putting it mildly.
The power I get from giving him pleasure is addictive. He makes caring feel like conquering—and I get off on every second of it.
Before I can act on the urge, he springs to his feet, grabs me by the waist, and throws me over his shoulder.
I shriek his name, kicking and laughing as he marches us toward the bedroom. “What are you doing?!”
“Following orders. Something you apparently knownothingabout.” He punctuates his point with a swat to my butt.
Yelping, I twist in his hold. “Spank me again and your ass will lose present privileges.”
Theo pushes the bedroom door open with his shoulder and stops cold.
“Oh.” He sounds startled. “There are actual presents.”
From my upside-down vantage point, I catch a glimpse of the three boxes I stacked earlier at the foot of the bed. They’re arranged like a cardboard layer cake, with the smallest on top and the largest on the bottom.
“Of course,” I say smugly. “What did you think I meant?”
“Nothing.” He hikes me higher. “As in—full nudity.Maybea bow.”
It’s my turn to smack him. “Put me down, you beast.”
He obeys, setting me on my feet with a kiss to the top of my head.
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Isla.” His voice loses all traces of humor as his expression turns serious. A subtle, vulnerable warmth emanates from him—the kind that makes my chest tighten and my hands twitch with the urge to wrap him in a protective embrace.
I walk to the edge of the bed, grabbing the box at the top of the pile.
“It’s not a big deal,” I say, handing it over. “Just figured it was time.”
