Page 13 of His Christmas Gift

“I love it when you blush.” Jasper pulled her into his chest, holding her there as the rest of the drive went past them.

He reluctantly released her when Keith opened the door for them to exit the car, Melissa’s things in his hands, and his eyes watching him closely. He smiled taking her things, guiding her into the building and up to her apartment, making sure no one was paying that close of attention to them. The last thing he wanted was anyone in this building thinking they could harm Melissa for a few extra bucks.

“Thank you, I had a lovely night,” she said when he settled her bags onto her little table situated between the kitchen and living space just beyond the entryway.

“Mine was more than lovely thanks to you Melissa.” He gave her a lingering kiss before he knew he had to leave or risk something happening she wouldn’t want right now.

“Goodnight Jasper.” Melissa locked the door behind him before heading to grab her phone and assure Jenny she was perfectly safe.

Zack said he punched his brother for calling you a greedy B the first time and then the second an idiot. He was worried he’d have to stop him from killing the guy.

‘Thanks for the info. He wants to go out tomorrow to show me the city, take things slow.’

Good luck on that one if that kiss was anything to go by…yeah I saw it when I was checking to see where you were. Dang girl, hold on tight and thank the stars for meeting him because I do believe he’s exactly what you need. Strong, in control, and gorgeous, can’t beat that.

‘No, you can’t, and I’m certainly going to enjoy getting to know him. Goodnight and the food was amazing.’

Of course, it was I’m a master in the kitchen and that man definitely thinks you’re a master at everything else…go get him baby.

Melissa laughed to herself as she washed off the makeup and climbed into bed, drifting off to sleep with thoughts of Jasper on her mind, his kisses making her body react even with a simple memory. She was definitely going to enjoy spending time with him, no question about that.

Chapter 6

Melissa moved into Jasper’s suite thumbing through the catalog of options the decorator for the investors’ dinner had given her. After seeing what Jasper’s mother arranged the last five years, she knew there was a dozen different ways to go. She hoped to stop by the venue later this week to get a better feel for the space and that something in this catalog gave her the inspiration just hiding below the surface.

The catering for it was already arranged. Due to the sheer number of people attending the sit-down dinner event, there was no way Jenny could manage it by herself and they’d agreed to use the same company his mother had the last three years.

Jenny was catering the Christmas party in three weeks and over the moon about it. Melissa was as well since it’d kept her nose in the cookbooks the last two weeks letting her spend time with Jasper without her looking over their shoulders.

“Hi beautiful,” Jasper said pulling her attention out of the catalog. Her eyes slid over to Elaine’s desk in slight shock before seeing it empty.

She slipped over to his side and didn’t argue about the kiss he dropped on her waiting lips. They’d agreed to keep this from the others at the office, the last thing she wanted was to have to explain why she was sticking with the internship or that she wasn’t with Jasper simply to keep it.

“Hi handsome.” She sighed as the kiss ended and she took a step back so no one would walk in on them.

“How was the meeting with the decorators?” he asked his eyes devouring her making her body flush.

“Good, they’ve decorated the space before so they’re well aware of the rules and restrictions on it and the quality of their materials are amazing for the prices. I like them a lot more than the companies you’ve used in the past.”

“And the Christmas party?” he asked bringing a full smile to her lips.

“That one I have far more worked out.” She set the catalog down before reaching into her bag to show him the ideas she’d come up with so far. “I’m thinking we stay far away from the usual tacky decorations. I think everyone around here sees enough of them outside of work, so we don’t want to push more on them for their party.”

“True, flashing red and green lights are enough to kill a person,” he stated, his brow lifting at the pieces she laid out over her desk. “Ski lodge Christmas?”

“A Cabin in the Woods Christmas.” She could understand his thought of ski lodges because most of them were similar in décor as well. “Who doesn’t want to imagine that they could find everything they’d want at their fingertips but then being out in the snow, open space around them, family or friends surrounding them for Christmas? Okay, so probably a lot, but it’ll definitely be a change from the typical, right?”

“I love it,” Jasper agreed not caring what anyone else thought about it. “And as we’re discussing Christmas décor, would you be willing to help me decorate the house for it? My mother called last night, she and her new husband are coming into town for it, and she wanted to know if they could invite Fred’s kids as well. Normally my mother would put up a tree and such but that’s about as far as we’d take it. Fred has three kids who are all married between my and Callum’s age, two grandkids, the first is three and other was almost one at the wedding this summer.”

“Leave it to me,” she said letting him pull her up against his chest with a smile.

“You’re incredible Missy, I’m lucky to have you.” He gave her a soft kiss before stepping away knowing Elaine would likely be back any time now. “Are you going home for Christmas or New Year’s?”

“I don’t think so, Dad figured I wouldn’t get the time off, so he went ahead with some meetings. It would be a lot of rushing to get home and then back in just a couple days. He’d question things with the internship if I took off for a week.”

“Well then, if you’re staying in town, spend Christmas with me,” he suggested, quite happy to have her with him for it. “I told my mother last night Callum was no longer working with me or welcome in my home. She didn’t fight me on it. I think she’s seen who he is as well.”

“Promise me you won’t get me something ridiculously expensive,” she said making him laugh deeply.

---