“Shut it, doll face, and start opening.”
I did as I was told and made quick work of removing the paper and opening the box. Inside I found a plethora of art supplies. And not the kind of art supplies I was used to using. No, these were the top of the line, name brand, ones I’d only dreamed about having kind of art supplies.
With my hand covering my gaping mouth, I looked up to thank him, but he spoke before I was able to formulate words. “You have an amazing talent, doll face. You should have the tools you need to sharpen your skills.”
“Thank you,” I said softly as one tear slid down my face, which I quickly wiped away.
He handed me another gift in a much smaller box. I took it from him and carefully unwrapped it to find a black velvet box. I froze, unsure of what to do.
“It’s not what you think, sweetheart. Open it,” Phoenix said softly.
I nodded and slowly opened the box. Beautifully displayed on the black fabric was a necklace with matching earrings, and they were a perfect replication of the tiny Phoenix I drew all over anything I could draw on.
Glancing between the box in my hand and Phoenix, I asked, “How did you do this?”
He shrugged. “Gram isn’t the only one with tricks in this town. Though, if you sue me for violating your copyrights, I may be forced to reveal my sources.”
I playfully slapped his chest. “You know I’m not going to do that.”
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me against his chest. “I know,” he said and fell to his back on the bed, taking me with him. Before I could protest, his hand curved around the back of my head and held me in place while he took my lips in a heated kiss.
“Phoenix, we can’t,” I weakly protested.
“We’re not,” he breathed. “Just let me love on you for a few minutes.”
It was hard to pull myself out of Phoenix’s arms and return to my room, but out of respect for Gram and Pop, we managed to separate ourselves.
As I slid into bed and pulled the covers over me, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. It had been the best Christmas ever, and it wasn’t even technically Christmas yet.
CHAPTER SIX
Annabelle
After breakfast, we drove to Devil Springs to spend the day with Phoenix’s extended family, at a motorcycle club compound. I didn’t know much about motorcycle clubs, but the things I had heard about motorcycle gangs made me incredibly nervous. The closer we got, the antsier I became.
“You okay, doll face?”
“Yeah,” I swallowed and nodded. “I’m just a little nervous about meeting the rest of your family.”
Phoenix snorted. “You’re going to lie to me on Christmas?”
“What?” I asked, trying to sound surprised.
“You’re lying to me. What is it? Are you worried about the bikers?”
I focused on my clasped hands in my lap. “Maybe a little.”
“Doll face, do you really think Gram or Pop would knowingly take me or you anywhere that wasn’t safe?”
“I suppose not,” I mumbled.
Phoenix reached over and placed his hand on my thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ll stay by your side the whole time if you want me to.”
“Okay, Phoenix.”
He seemed satisfied with my response, but I remained a ball of nerves for the rest of the journey.
When we pulled through the gates to the compound, Gram and Pop were already out of their car and hugging or shaking hands with various leather-clad men.
