Page 96 of Eight Days of Christmas
She chewed her bottom lip, her stomach tight with desperation. “I was kinda hoping you were going to stay over?”
He wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her in close. “That’s risky. Aren’t your grandparents coming early in the morning?”
“We could go to your house?”
He cocked a brow. “I like the sound of that.”
Leo gazed into her eyes, reminding her exactly what it felt like to be desired. To be wanted and loved. Goosebumps raced down her arms, and she stood on her tippy toes, leaning further into him and pressing a sensual kiss to his irresistible lips. He caressed her back before his hands traveled to her neck and into her hair.
She pulled away, sucked in a breath, and smiled up at him. Now was her chance.
Isabella took Leo’s hands and guided him back into the living room. “I want to give you something first.”
He smiled, his grin lopsided and goofy, as he toed his boots off. “Oh yeah?”
“Not that,” she snorted.
“Damn.”
“Not yet,” she teased.
Isabella searched underneath the tree for the box she’d tucked in the back. It took both hands to retrieve it and present it to him.
Leo scrunched his forehead. “But it’s not Christmas yet.”
“You gave me my gift already.” She held out the box. “And this can’t wait until Christmas.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because…it’s a Christmas Eve box.”
His eyes widened. “You’re giving me a Christmas Eve box?”
“Yeah. You know, like I used to.”
He nodded, slowly, methodically. “I’m just surprised. It’s been years since I’ve gotten a Christmas Eve box.” Tucking it under one arm, he swooped her into his side and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Warmth flitted across her cheeks as she gazed up at him, smiling. “You’re welcome.”
“You sure I can’t open this tomorrow? Because I can think of a better way we could be spending our alone time.”
He smiled a wicked grin, and she nearly caved. Getting her antsy hands on that grown-up bare chest of his again hadn’t been too far from her mind all day.
“No.” She gave him a gentle shove. “If you waited until tomorrow it would totally defeat the purpose. Now, c’mon.” She tugged him toward the couch.
They sat—him a bit more reluctantly than her—and he ripped through the wrapping paper and box, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. Resting right on top was the movie,National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
“No way.” He glanced at the back cover. “I haven’t watched this in years. This is great, seriously. Thank you.” He set his hand on her thigh and gave it a squeeze.
“There’s more. Keep going.”
He reached in the box and pulled out the Christmas mug with a snowy mountain landscape and a wooden sled resting against a tree. Inside the mug was two packets of his favorite peppermint hot chocolate. The last item was the pajamas. He pulled the pink bunny onesie fromA Christmas Storyout of the box and his facial expression pinched. One arched brow darted toward the ceiling as he looked at her.
“Seriously?”
“Oh c’mon, they’re so you.” She snorted a laugh.
“Since when?”
