The Gritty Truth (The Whiskeys Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7) - Melissa Foster Page 0,99
said as he gave her the other stocking.
“You’re making this place a real home.”
“Is that okay?” she asked softly.
“It’s better than okay.”
They hung up the stockings, and she stepped back, admiring them, and said, “There.”
“Perfect.” He slipped his arm around her as they turned to take it all in and said, “One more thing, beautiful.”
“The pillows,” she said. “I almost forgot.”
She was so cute. He’d meant the star, but she was so happy, flouncing around as she placed red-and-white pillows on the couch and a white one shaped like a snowman on the orange chair. When she stepped back to admire them, he grabbed her by the waist from behind and lifted her off her feet. She squealed as he put her on his shoulders.
“Quincy!” Their laughter filled the room. She tried to lean over his head to kiss him, which only made them laugh harder. “What am I doing up here?”
“You have a star to put up.” He carried her to the kitchen, where the star lay next to the second wreath they’d made. They were going to hang that one at her place.
“How could I forget the star?” she said as he handed it to her and went to the tree. “Our artificial tree was only about three feet tall. I’ve never done this before.” She leaned forward, reaching for the top branch.
“Careful, babe.” He grabbed the trunk near the top, bending it forward so she could put the star on.
“This is so exciting. I wish we could take a picture.”
“Your wish is my command.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and took a picture of her holding the star and another as she put it on the top of the tree.
He set her down so he could connect the plug for the star, and she took pictures of him doing it. Then they stood arm in arm, admiring their tree. “Baby, that’s the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s because it’s ours.” She looked around the room and said, “I’ve always liked Christmas, but it’s never felt like this.”
“This room is full of love, babe, and that makes everything better.” His arms circled her. “You make everything better. I love everything about you, and it feels incredible to say that and not have to hold back.”
“I hope you never hold anything back from me.” A spark of something dark and sexy glimmered in her eyes. “I got you one more surprise to prove it.” She ran her fingers down the center of his chest all the way to the waist of his jeans, sending heat to his groin. “Give me a few minutes to put it together.”
“That sounds promising.”
She looked over her shoulder, cheeks pink, and said, “Stay there.”
RONI HURRIED INTO the bathroom, her nerves flaring as she washed up. Quincy was on the phone with his back to her when she slipped into the bedroom to change. She pulled out the holiday lingerie she’d bought with Angela that would turn her into a human Christmas gift. Or rather, a naked human gift-wrapped with a red satin bow. She opened the package with trembling hands, placing the two long strips of satin on the bed.
Oh Lord.
This had seemed like a much better idea when Angela was egging her on.
Inhaling deeply, which did nothing to calm her nerves, she stripped off her clothes. She picked up the shorter satin strip, trying to remember how to wear the darn thing, and looked at the packaging for directions.
There were none.
Great.
She wrapped the satin around her chest twice, crossing the strips diagonally over her breasts, and tied them in the middle. That wasn’t so hard, but the other, longer strip would be trickier. She threaded it up between her breasts, under the other ribbon, and over her shoulder. Then she reached between her legs to grab the end, but it kept swinging out of reach like a freaking leaf blowing in the wind. She threaded more satin over her shoulder and tried again to grab it.
“You okay in there?” Quincy asked through the closed bedroom door.
She froze. “Don’t come in! I’m fine.” She unthreaded the strip and laid it on the bed. Then she lowered herself onto her back on top of the satin strip. She grabbed the bottom of it and the other end, which was over her shoulder, and wiggled off the bed holding both, bent over. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and stopped cold.
Holy crap. I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.