Page 18 of His Christmas Gift

“We have three and a half weeks before anyone should show up for Christmas, there’s no need to rush straight into it, Missy.”

“Says the man who doesn’t know how long it takes to decorate a house this size,” she stated shaking her head at him. “I’m assuming your mother and Fred will use the room I did?”

“Yes, and then Fred’s three kids and their spouses can use the ones on this floor. I’m sure they’ll keep their kids in with them so that should reduce it to just three rooms up here to redo.”

“And the master suite,” she said making his brow lift in question. “It’s nice but it’s definitely a man’s room.” She slid her arms over his shoulders with a huge grin up at him. “You won’t mind if I add a few extra touches to it, add a couple more pillows to the bed?”

“As long as you sleep in it with me, you can change it all, princess,” he agreed unable to argue with that look she wore. He nuzzled along her neck with his nose making her squirm. “Now, why don’t we wait to do the decorating until at least tomorrow and take advantage of this light snow shower, hmm?”

“What were you thinking to suggest?” She felt the tingles shoot through her as his lips caressed her earlobe, his teeth nibbling it making her heart race.

“I’ve asked Mrs. Nelson to do an early dinner for us, a nice meal next to the windows, watching the snow dust the ground, while we sample that bottle of ’85 you’re still holding onto?” he said making her sigh happily. “Followed by an early night, at least in the bedroom, sleep might come a lot later.”

“Yes.” She sighed against his lips, letting him build her higher.

She clung to him when he pulled back with a smile, pulling her hips into his to show her he was just as affected by that kiss as she was. She wanted to say dinner didn’t matter, but she hadn’t eaten since their cold breakfast and she was hungry, moving her things used up the little energy the food gave her.

“Just think what it will be like when we finally get to bed later, princess,” he said letting his lips press soft touches across her face. “Sometimes, the more torturous the build-up, the more rewarding the release.”

“You’re promising big things, Jasper, are you sure you can fulfill them?”

“For you, always, Missy, absolutely always,” he promised with another kiss before he led her down to the living room to enjoy the wine while dinner finished. He’d see that the only things she thought of later were him and the way he made her feel. Everything else could wait, tonight was all theirs.

Chapter 8

Jasper put his phone back into his pocket as he moved into the house, stopping in surprise when he spotted the subtle gleam of new lights reflecting around the entryway. He looked left then right, and a smile settled onto his lips letting him head down to the living room to see if Melissa was there. He set his briefcase on the edge of the stairs hearing sounds coming from the room and he leaned against the doorway watching as she debated between two items in her hands as she looked at the tree before her.

“I thought I told you not to rush on this, princess,” he stated surprising her it seemed as she jumped a bit before turning towards him with a bright smile.

“Sneak, I wanted to be done before you got home.” She moved over to him with a soft kiss that made him want to head straight upstairs and to bed.

“I’m glad you weren’t, it let me see you in your element.” He slid his arms around her waist as he took in the room, the garland over the fireplace was exquisite and he wondered how long it’d taken her to do all of this. “Didn’t you have the meeting with the decorators for the investors’ dinner this morning though?”

“I met with them, and I think we have an idea of how we want to arrange things for it, the décor theme,” she said with a huge grin at his surprise. “As I was heading out, I saw that angel.” She motioned towards where it sat in a chair he’d never seen before adding, “And I knew it would be perfect for in here.”

“And that led you to arranging all of this?” he asked motioning around the room, stopping when he spotted the couch. “Where did this furniture come from?”

“The store, it goes so much better with the normal décor in the room,” she said, and he saw that the couch, chairs, and new coffee table all lent themselves to pulling the space together phenomenally.

“It’s stunning, princess. I just didn’t think you’d have time to do all of this, it’s only been three days since you moved in and already I barely recognize the place,” he mused making her laugh with a full grin up at him.

“Well then, maybe you should just get it all over with at once,” she stated, pulling him towards the stairs. They went up to the third floor first where she’d redone all of the guest rooms and let him peek around them before leading him up to the fourth floor wondering what he’d think about it. She paused outside the now closed doors to the lounge area and teased, “Close your eyes…”

He did and she opened the doors, stepping back into the space for him to see.

“Missy! There is no way you managed this in a day.” Jasper took in the cleared space that now contained the prior living room furniture and a few extra pieces that complimented them and the space. The furniture was arranged to give the best view of the windows and it was going to be an incredible space to entertain a more intimate group.

“I’m not finished yet,” she said moving to the new den letting him see what was there as well. He shook his head and slipped over to pull her into his hold.

She moved away from him and showed off the last room she’d arranged up here, a library thanks to the already built-in shelves in the space. The fireplace tempting her still to simply take a book and enjoy getting lost in a story while the fire burnt warm and bright.

“You managed all of this in three days?” he asked pulling her tightly into his hold and she nodded. “What did I do before I met you, princess? You’re incredible and I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Good because neither can I.” She was more than content to stay in his hold for now. She rubbed her cheek against his chest and his arms tightened around her further making her grin up at him adding, “I haven’t shown you the bedroom yet, have I?”

“No, you haven’t,” he agreed sweeping her down to see it.

“I like the changes,” Jasper mused taking in the chaise with a cashmere throw draped on it, her robe over the end of it.

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