“This will be the best Christmas,” he declares as we carry bags of goodies from a full day of shopping.
“You think so?” I answer with a laugh, nodding at the back of his truck which is full of dozens of gifts for his sister, a brother I have yet to meet, and even some for the kids.
“Not because of a few gifts in pretty packages,” he insists, pulling me to him after he has buckled the kids in safely. I burrow against his firm chest, warmed by the tightness of his thick arms wrapped around me. “Because of you, honey. If anyone got the best gift this year, it was me finding you.”
Snuggling against his chest, I do not argue because how can I? My heart is completely melted—I even find myself humming along with the Christmas music filling the streets. He is right—this may be the best Christmas ever.
Because for the first time in a long time—I want to celebrate.
Chapter Eight
Niko
Giving gifts is my favorite thing to do—but I don’t mind getting them.
Finding Nova has been like being given the gift of a lifetime. Being with her feels right. Even if it is just a moment at her shop when I sneak in to visit her or late at night when we’re at my place cuddled by the fireplace, making out like teenagers about to get caught by our parents.
Christmas is just days away, but I do not want to wait another day to open my present. Hooking up in the cold bed of my truck has run its course. A few times at her place we’ve wound up in her bed, but I’ve yet to get her bare beneath me to claim her the way I am craving. Tonight, there will be no more waiting, no more flirting texts or hours long make outs.
I am unwrapping my present and claiming her as mine.
“What is going on in that handsome head?” Nova wonders, brushing her fingers through my hair as I drive towards my cabin.
Not bothering to hide the shudder her touch gives me, I smirk at her. We’ve spent hours Christmas shopping with Evan and Ava. If I had any doubts that Nova is the woman for me—which I have none—they would have been wiped out once I saw her with my niece and nephew.
From the start they have liked her. They’re good judges of character if you ask me. Ava declared her a flower fairy, because of her pretty purple hair and bright indigo eyes. Evan was smitten the minute she started talking about monkeys with him, his current fascination. After stopping for some hot cocoa with them, they were sad we were dropping them off with my sister.
To be fair, I think Nova was just as sad to leave them. Seeingher with them, how kind and caring she was, how patient, it made up my mind. I want her in my life. Hell, I want to build a life with her. I would love a hundred more days with her like the one we spent today. Someday with our own kids.
“Not sure you want to hear it,” I admit as I turn up the drive to my cabin.
“Try me, Peter Pan,” she murmurs, turning towards me, her other hand coming up to tangle in my hair.
Before I answer, I grasp her by the waist, forcing a surprised cry from her. I drag her over my lap as I kick open my door. I stumble out with her clinging to me, a soft little laugh echoing in the late afternoon sunshine. I burrow my face against her neck as I start to lose control. I have never wanted anything as badly as I want her. Once I have her, there will be no going back, no living without her, no celebrating life if she is not in it.
“Honey, I was thinking about kids. How many of my kids do you want?”
We’re on the porch when she lets out another sound. I am about to throw the door open, but I pause. If I cross that threshold, I am taking her to my bed. I am burying myself inside of her the way I’ve wanted to from that first day. I hope I get her pregnant on the first try. If not, I will keep on trying.
“You want me....to have...Niko?”
“Hell, yes, I want you to have my kids, Nova. I want the whole thing with you. If I ever wanted to celebrate something, it is you. How much you mean to me, what you make me feel, how badly I want you. I want you, Nova. For good. For fucking ever, tied up with a nice big bow.”
Nova falls back against the door, her eyes shining down at me. That sparkle that I mentioned once before is there. It has been there for days, maybe even weeks. Now it shimmers bright as she stares at me with a smile.
“Sounds an awful lot like a Christmas list wish. What if Idon’tdoChristmas, Niko?”
“You will. You do, with me. Christmas hurt you, I get it now that I know why. I can’t imagine, Nova. Whatever I can give you won’t give back what you lost, but I am damn sure going to try. I will make you want to celebrate everything again. Do you trust me, honey?”
Nova does not hesitate to answer, nodding her head. “Yes, honey, I trust you. I trust every single thing you’ve said to me.”
“Good. Because I won’t break a promise to you. I promise to make you love Christmas again, no matter what it takes. Gifts, orgasms, singing Christmas carols, no matter what it takes. I will give you what you need, Nova. Because I need you, honey. I do, I need you so bad I ache with it.”
Nova bends her head and seals her lips to mine as I throw the front door open. I do not hesitate once I get her inside the cabin. I head for the stairs, pulling at clothes, gloves, boots, so we’re skin to skin by the time we reach the bedroom. I climb on the bed with her still tangled around me, our mouths still fused, her hands woven in my hair as her tongue licks mine.
“Nova,” I groan her name as her nails score my back, sending a delicious mix of pleasure and pain up my spine. Grasping her hands, I move them above her head, pinning them with one of my hands. “I don’t.... you don’tdoChristmas. Well, I don’t do this. I’ve never...I mean, there was never anyone worth it to me. You’re worth it, Nova. Worth everything I’ve got. I am giving it all to you, if you want it, honey.”
Staring up at me, she goes still for a moment. Those bright eyes hold mine as she nods slowly. “Yes. Yes, I want it. I want you, Niko. I do. I want you, honey,” she just about purrs the words, her body bucking beneath mine.
