Page 79 of The Crush of Christmas Past
She rises, wobbling slightly.
Instinct takes over, and I steady her with a hand at her waist, anchoring her against me.
Her breath hitches at the contact. So does mine.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur against her ear.
“Theo?” She draws back, squinting up at me. “Why are you being so…sweet?”
Sweet? I’m seconds from self-destructing and she thinks this is fuckingsweet?
“Quit stalling, Sunshine. Your gift. My room. Move that perky ass.”
There it is. That smile. Brilliant, bright, and so very her.
“Let me guess…” She taps her chin with mock innocence. “This gift involves your bed?”
“At present? Yes. But trust me, you’ll want to take advantage of it everywhere. Anywhere. Especiallyyourbed.”
She snorts.Actuallysnorts.
The sound cracks something open in me, flooding the space between my ribs with warmth.
Isla’s joy?
I’ll gladly spend the rest of my life chasing it, earning it.
“And I bet it’s big!” She giggles as I guide her toward the stairs. “Too big, I’m sure.”
I throw a smirk over my shoulder. “No such thing astoo big, remember?”
She lights up at the callback, her own grin glowing.
“I believe you’ll find it satisfying enough,” I assure her. “Definitely an upgrade from what you’ve been working with so far.”
“Wow. Cocky much?”
“I was being perfectly cordial. You’re the one who made your present all about my dick.”
“Theo!” A scandalized gasp precedes her laughter, and I feel the tiny pinch of her fingers at my side.
When we reach the top of the stairs, I steer her down the hall to my room. The moment we step inside, she freezes, clocking the boxes on the bed.
All thirteen of them.
The rainbow of pastel-colored cardboard stretches across my comforter.
Isla’s eyes widen as she spots the familiar logo stamped on each lid. “You didn’t! Cotton & Chaos?! Really?”
“‘Unapologetically soft. Questionably appropriate.’” I quote the brand’s catchphrase, sweeping my hand toward the bed. “All yours.”
“All of these?” She bolts forward, expression wavering between awe and panic.
“Yup.” Leaning against the doorframe, I cross my arms and try to appear unfazed by her reaction.
Impossible.
Isla’s excitement blooms around the room like she just unwrapped actual magic. And she’s gazing at me as if I’m the one who delivered it to her.
