Page 23 of Reindeer and Restraints
My wrangler unfastens my wrists and helps me bring each arm to my side. All of the tugging gave me quite a workout.
He curls behind me, drapes an arm over me, and we listen to the Christmas music while watching the twinkling lights. It's time I grow up and learn to be happy with what I have.
He runs his fingers through my hair, then picks up a strand of tinsel. "Thank you for letting me come over."
I nestle closer, tracing my finger up and down his forearm.
"You can't leave yet, we have at least an hour."
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm just glad this worked out."
"You think I'd turn you down after what you did to me at the club?"
"After whatyoudidto me, yes, I thought you might ghost me."
"What did I do?"
"Friends with benefits…"
"I did say that. What if we upgrade? I'm not so… nervous now."
He holds me tighter. "Would this upgrade happen to involve a little commitment? No seeing anyone else?"
I laugh. "I don't have time."
"But do you want to?"
"No." I squeeze my hand on top of his. I don't know much about him, but I don't want to lose him. "This is perfect."
"I'm going to get us a drink, then I've got another present for you."
"Another one?" I watch him head to the kitchen, enjoying the flex of his butt muscles—those sexy indentions.
Alone, I roll over, spotting another gift. Different paper, but it's smaller than the first box so I must not have noticed it.
Tearing into the package, I lift the lid and pull out a rolled-up paper.
He calls from the kitchen, laughter in his voice. "Guess you're not waiting for me. I promise, there's no pressure. I'll respect whatever time you need, it’s just a symbol of commitment."
"Cups are beside the sink. Alcohol's in the pantry. Plenty of options in the fridge. Make yourself at home." I'm rattling off the directions as I unroll the paper and study the map.
It's an immaculately hand-drawn grid with roads and buildings. Streets are labeled in neat block letters.Jolene's Adventure CourtandHappily Ever After LaneintersectOur Shared Path. A legend in the corner reads:Scale: Lifetime Commitment. Proposed Route: Marry Me.
My breath catches. It's so... orderly. Nerdy, even funny, like a planner mapped out his feelings. But this isn't the work of a flannel-wearing reindeer wrangler.
I glance back in the box at the unmistakable shape of a ring box. It's wrapped, but it's still obvious.
My heart pounds. I break out in a cold sweat. I've found a new level of vulnerability. At the bottom of the map key, he wrote:H + J = 4 Ever
This is from Hudson.
The reindeer wrangler sits beside me. How did I not hear him? He asks, "What's that?"
"Not your second gift?"
He crawls to the tree and reaches way under to retrieve a small box, very similar in size to the other box in Hudson's gift. "This is mine. What's that?"
I swallow the lump in my throat.
