Page 162 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
“Hey, you.” He steps in and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me in close. “Christ, you smell amazing,” he says right before he kisses me.
I smile into his kiss and loop my arms around his neck, so happy that he’s here.
When he pulls away, he gives me a quick once-over. “You look fucking good, Betty.”
“Thank you,” I say, my cheeks burning from the compliment.
“I like this sweater thing you have on.” He tugs on the fabric. “Easy access.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and it makes me chuckle. “Now, close your eyes. I couldn’t wrap what I got you, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“Okay.” I close my eyes and hear him step back out onto the porch.
“Open them.”
I open my eyes and catch him standing on the porch, holding a mini-Christmas tree and a box of Queen Anne chocolate-covered cherries. “Merry Christmas,” he says sweetly. “I noticed you didn’t have a Christmas tree, and that tends to be my specialty, so I thought I’d bring you one.”
“Oh my God, that’s . . . that’s really sweet.”
“And the chocolate-covered cherries are because they’re your fave, but there is a stipulation: You must eat them with me.”
“I think I can handle that.” I loop my arm around his neck while standing on my toes. “Thank you,” I say softly before kissing him.
“You’re welcome,” he replies in the same tone before resting his forehead against mine. “I thought about these lips all fucking day.”
“I thought about you too,” I say, bringing him into the cottage because I’m starting to get a chill. “Maybe a little too much.”
“There’s no such thing.” He sets the cherries down on the counter and then says, “Holy shit, Betty, it smells amazing in here.”
“Thank you. I hope you like cheddar broccoli soup.”
“Love it.” He holds up the tree. “Do you mind if I find a place for this?”
“Not at all.”
“I was thinking over here in the corner. It’s not next to the heat, which won’t dry it out, but it’s still in a prominent place.”
“I love it,” I say as I lean against the counter, watching him set up my tree. It very well might be the cutest present I’ve ever gotten, especially given that it’s coming from him, the guy who spends his life helping people find the perfect tree to create memories around.
He turns toward me, smiling, clearly proud of himself, and then walks up to me, placing his hands on my hips. “I didn’t get you ornaments... yet. Wanted to make sure you liked the tree first. Next step would be decorating it together.”
I smooth my hand up his chest. “I’d love that. Maybe we can make some.”
“We have some popcorn garland kits at the farm that I can grab. Maybe you can come over to my place and we can make some popcorn garland... naked.”
I laugh. “Obviously, it would have to be naked. I can’t imagine making popcorn garland any other way.”
“And this is why you’re perfect for me,” he says, lifting me up on the counter and moving between my legs. He glides his hands under my dress and moves his lips across my jaw to my ear, where he asks, “Is the soup okay for a few minutes?”
“Yeah, it’s on warm.”
“Good,” he says, and then takes the hem of my dress and pulls it up, shimmying around until he pulls it completely off my head.
He tosses it to the side and then takes me in. I’m wearing a matching deep green bra and thong, both see-through.
“Christ,” he says, moving his hand over his mouth. His fingers glide over the strap of my bra. “Did you wear this for me?”
“I did,” I say as his hand travels to the see-through cups, his thumb running over my nipple. “Do you like it?”
“Like it?” he asks, looking stunned. “Babe, I fucking love it.”
