By the time he returned, I’d eaten as much as I could and sucked down every last drop of my coffee.
“All done with this?” he asked.
“I’m stuffed. It was delicious.”
He was dressed in a white v-neck t-shirt with black snow pants covering his lower half, and when he turned around—I noticed I couldn’t see his tail.
“Where’s your tail?”
He twisted to look at his butt before grinning at me. “I tucked it into my pants. It gets cold out on the trails.”
Fuck, he was adorable.
And it made total sense. His tail wasn’t fluffy like Atlas’.
He started for the door and I stopped him before he could turn the corner.
“Wait, your gift.”
I threw off the covers and removed a bundle wrapped in maroon wrapping paper from my suitcase. Somehow it made it through the airport unscathed.
Alistair set the tray on the nightstand and took the package from me. He carefully peeled back the paper, grinning wide when he saw what was inside.
“Pam. No way.” He held up the chunky knit cardigan I’d made him out of rust-colored yarn. It matched one of mine and Remi’s—my favorite one.
“I had to race to finish it in time. Do you know how hard it was not to spoil the surprise the other day?”
He ran his fingers over the cables I’d knit down the front. “It matches yours and Remi’s.”
“It does.” I beamed up at him. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it. Thank you.” Before he even got the last word out, he’d slid his arms into the cardigan. “How do I look?” He gripped the lapels and puffed out his chest.
“As handsome as ever.”
“Can we take a picture together? The three of us in matching sweaters?” His words were rushed, his excitement one of the cutest things I had ever seen.
“Of course.”
He stepped into my space and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him. “Thank you.”
Leaning in, he kissed me soft and sweet, completely unbothered by my morning breath mixed with the aftertaste of coffee. His fingers traveled up to the column of my neck, wrapping around the nape while he deepened the kiss. I felt myself getting wet, the heat starting between my legs and spreading throughout my body.
I was tempted to beg him to cancel whatever plans he had made and confine him to the bedroom instead.
He pulled away with a laugh, and I groaned.
“There’s plenty of time for that later, sweetheart.” He nuzzled my temple and whispered in my ear, “Do you really think I’d celebrate Valentine’s Day without worshiping your pretty little cunt?”
Holy fuck.
Without another word, he grabbed the tray from the nightstand and headed downstairs, leaving me standing there panting.
It was just plain cruel.
I brushed my teeth and dressed as quickly as possible, layering moisture-wicking long-johns under my snow pants and sweater. The snow boots I’d brought felt clunky on my feet as I clopped down the stairs, but at least they’d be warm.
Alistair stood in the living room with Remi cradled in his arms. He’d already dressed the little man in his sweater.
