“Nick, we said small gifts,” I scolded him.
“Hmm, I must have not heard that,” he teased.
Inside was a printout of an airline reservation confirmation, for the next day to Charleston. Plus a separate page with a code for Uber credits.
Tears flooded my eyes. “Nick, you can’t.”
“I can. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I thought I’d give you the option to see your family.”
“It’s too much,” I objected as my tears streamed.
He cast his eyes down. “I don’t know 100% of what’s going on with you, but if it’s a big burden for you financially, I wanted to lighten the load. I saw how sad you were on Thanksgiving not being with them and I wanted to do something to get you where you want to be for Christmas.”
“Is it . . . one way?” I asked, my hands trembling as I looked over the details.
“I thought I’d see when you have to be back for work and get your return ticket then. Just tell me when you want to come back and I’ll book it.”
My arms flew around his neck. “Nick, this is so generous. So thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Yeah?” he asked. “I’m happy to take you to the airport tomorrow.”
“God, you really are a saint,” I laughed into his shoulder. “I can take a car.”
“Save the ride credits for when you get there. I figured you wouldn’t want to rent a car but you’d still want to surprise your family.”
“I can’t believe you thought of all this, bub. I can’t thank you enough. You’re truly a magic man.”
“I can’t believe you made me a multi-course Christmas dinner,” he said.
“I may have one more little present,” I said, straddling his lap.
“Oh yeah?” His voice was husky as his hands skated down my sides.
I bit my lower lip. “Take off my shirt and find out.”
“Arms up, baby,” he cooed.
I raised my arms as he peeled my sweater away, revealing my sheer red lace bra. “Christ, Annie,” he breathed.
He palmed my breasts, pressing kisses into the skin over my cleavage as he massaged my nipples. “Can’t believe you’re mine, Annabelle.”
For now, until you find someone else, my mind added as his lips traveled up my neck. But my dark thoughts were interrupted by his whispered words. “Will you sit on my face?”
I sat back, holding his cheeks. “Is that what you want?”
Nick nodded, his eyes bright as his fingers deftly unzipped the back of my skirt. My eyes were drowsy, drinking him in as we stripped each other: him fully naked, and me still in my festive bra and underwear. “Have a seat,” he said, lying down on the couch.
I settled my knees on either side of his head, gently lowering myself over his face with one hand on the back of the couch for balance. He tugged my thong to the side and cupped my ass to draw me closer. “Sit, Annabelle. Don’t hover. I can take it.”
“You don’t know that,” I said.
His little hyena laugh escaped for a second, and then he said, “I’m okay to die trying.”
Then, he feasted. Dined. Devoured. Brought me to the brink and backed me down. Drove me to the precipice again and left me dangling.
“Turn around,” he commanded, voice dark.
“Nick,” I whined.
