Page 109 of Second Time Around

“I think you’ll really like it, but you’ll have to come downstairs to see.”

“Does that mean I have to get dressed?”

“You can stay just like that. It’s just us here.”

She smiled at the familiar refrain. “Okay, then.”

They climbed out of bed, and then he took her hand and led her downstairs. When they entered the living room, she gasped, and he paused to let her take it all in.

Before he’d made breakfast, he’d set the scene, praying she wouldn’t hear him moving around and come downstairs to investigate. He’d turned on the Christmas tree lights and hung mistletoe from the overhead light in the center of the room. He’d also moved some of the furniture to create an empty space in the middle of the room.

He watched her glance around, and then her gaze landed on the large wrapped present underneath the tree. He’d kept it hidden in the basement until this morning, confident that she wouldn’t go looking for it, since she liked surprises. He’d been right.

“Is that for me?” she asked, pointing at the box with a look of childish delight.

“Yes.”

“It’s huge!”

“Why, thank you.”

She swatted him on the arm. “Not you, the box. On second thought, you too.”

He warmed at the compliment, but he wouldn’t let it distract him. He’d been planning this for three weeks, and he wanted everything to go perfectly.

“There’s more,” he said. He took his phone off the fireplace mantel, where he’d set it earlier, and opened his music app.

She watched every move he made. When the opening notes of the love song started playing, she brought her hands to her mouth in surprise. It was a song they’d danced to on prom night twelve years ago.

He set the phone down and then extended his hand to her. “May I have this dance?”

“Ohmigod,” she said, looking at their pajamas and giggling. Then she took his hand, and he pulled her up against his chest.

Once again, they were in front of the window, and since it was daylight, someone could have seen them. At least we have clothes on this time, he thought as they swayed to the music.

“This was so sweet of you,” she said, gazing up at him.

“I’m glad you like it.”

They kept dancing even after the song ended, reluctant to part. However, it was time to move on to the next stage of his plan.

“Maybe I should give you your present now,” he said.

“Or we can wait until later,” she suggested, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him.

In doing so, her T-shirt rose and exposed the sexy curve of her bottom. Holding her in his arms, her body warm, soft, and scantily clad, threatened to derail his plan.

“It’ll only take a few minutes,” he mumbled against her lips. “And since when do you turn down presents?”

She laughed. “You’re right. I got distracted by your candy cane boxers and the delicious candy cane inside them.”

He chuckled. “My candy cane will be happy to come out after I give you your present.”

“What is it?” she asked, plunking down on the couch.

“No questions.”

“Where’d you hide it?”