Harvey squeezed my hand. “Your feet will freeze. Let me carry you, princess.”
My insides fluttered with the dazzle of a burst of snow. He knew who I was—and who I could be—and he still cared about me. My prince, my person, my grinch: it was all Harvey.
I looped my arm around his neck as he scooped me into his arms.
“You must be so tired,” I whispered, nuzzling his shoulder.
“I think I can make it across the street.” He smirked, his lip ring glinting in the moonlight.
We trekked past the little snow-family, down the driveway, and into my house, where he set me down on the hardwood floors. This place didn’t feel so empty with Harvey. I led him to my room and rustled around in the drawer for his present.
He massaged my hips, walking closer until he was flush against me. “Ireallylike your outfit.”
“Do you have an elf kink?” I grinned, rubbing my butt against him.
“No,” he chuckled, “But I really like seeing you happy.”
“Aww, Harvey. Let’s see if I can make you happy.” Stocking firmly gripped in one hand, I wrapped my arms around him and leaned up for a kiss.
“You do,” he breathed between kisses, “You know you do.”
We went to the bed, holding one another, hands wandering, tongues brushing. He nibbled on my lower lip.
I rocked against him and let out a breathless moan. “This wasn’t what I meant by ‘give you a gift.’”
“Are you telling me there’s not a condom in that stocking?”
I pulled back and laughed. “No. It’s a real gift. A little one.”
His dark gaze tried to focus on me, but I could tell by the furrow of his brow he wasn’t registering anything beyond our body heat.
Pushing my hair behind my ear, I sat up and gave the present to him. “See for yourself.”
He peered into the stocking I’d gotten at the winter festival. “Pens?”
“Art pens.” I shook some out onto the bed. “I talked to some teachers to find out which would be the best for my budget.”
He sat up and furrowed his brow. “Teachers? Where?”
“Well, um, you know how Mom kept pushing me to take more classes?” I sucked in a breath and waited for his nod to go on. “I was exploring the option of you and I taking a class together or at the same time, so we could carpool or run into each other. I’mall in on my business, but, you know, one course to keep me busy and socialized might not be such a bad idea.”
He rolled one of the pens between his fingers. “You want me to take an art class?”
“I want you to have an outlet to keep doing what you love. If The Bern is going to pay for some classes, why not? I’m not saying you have to become a professional graphic designer or aim for an A+, but at least you could do what you love with some kind of feedback loop and fellow enthusiasts.”
His lip ticked up as he arched an eyebrow. “Are you enthusiastic about art?”
“I’m enthusiastic about you. Or is that not obvious?” I climbed onto his lap and wrapped my arms around him.
Sighing contentedly, he rubbed my thighs. “You want to nurture me?”
“Yes.”
He scratched the back of my knee. “Yes, what?”
I bit my lip. “Yes, sir?”
His eyes shone in the low light.
