“Maybe every so often. You know how I love variety.”
He grinned, clearly taking my words as a challenge. “Are you getting bored,ma tigresse?”
“No, actually. I’m not.” In fact, I was genuinely surprised by how long he’d been able to hold my interest.
Typically, I tired of a man—or he caught feelings—after a month. Two, max. Though there had been a few exceptions, this was the longest I’d been with any man since college. Since before my dad had destroyed my world and ruined my trust in men.
“If you are,” he said, absently trailing a hand up my thigh. Goose bumps erupted on my skin, his touch igniting me in a way no one else’s ever had. “If you are, I want to know.”
I nodded, his eyes holding mine, arresting my every thought and trapping the air in my lungs. I was pretty sure I’d never be bored with Hunter, but I wasn’t going to admit that to him. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to give him an even bigger ego than he already had, but I knew that wasn’t the truth. The truth was, I was still afraid playing house with Hunter would end with one of us getting hurt.
I curled my toes, digging them into the soft, patterned rug. The rug I’d selected. Hunter’s house was beginning to feel as much my home as his, and I had the irrational urge to rip the paper from his gift and spoil the surprise for him.
“Are you going to open your present already?” I huffed.
“Somebody’s impatient,” he teased, moving even slower, if that were possible.
Finally,finally, he discarded the paper from the frame, along with the tissue paper surrounding it. He glanced from the gift to me, his gorgeous grin nearly splitting his face.
His eyes scanned mine. “How did you… Where did you find this?”
I beamed, knowing how much he loved the gift. I’d spent weeks hunting down an original film poster forAll About Eve, his all-time favorite movie. I didn’t know how many times he’d made me watch it, but I couldn’t fault him for it. It was a good film.
“Harper actually helped me. She knew I was looking for it. And through her connections in the film industry, she’d heard it was listed at an estate sale.”
“I can’t even imagine what this cost you.” His eyes were warm as he studied the framed poster.
It had been worth every penny. Not that I was going to tell him the actual price. I knew he’d ruin it by trying to pay me back.
He stared at the poster, seeming to consider something before setting it back on the table. “Thank you, Lauren. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”
I stared at him a moment, thinking surely, he must be joking. Considering the amount of money I knew his family had, the world of privilege he’d grown up in, there was no way. But his gray-blue eyes reflected nothing but sincerity.
I cleared my throat, trying to free it of the emotion clogged there. “You’re welcome.”
“Now, it’s your turn.” He pushed off his thighs, and I followed him over to the tree.
“It looks big.” I lowered myself to the floor.
“That’s what she said.”
I laughed. I loved that we could have serious moments and lighthearted ones. I loved that we knew each other well enough to understand the other’s wants and needs. And I loved…
No. I shook my head. What I was feeling wasn’t love. It was lust and friendship. And an overabundance of nostalgia on Christmas.
Unlike Hunter, I didn’t unwrap the gift with painstaking slowness. I tore into the paper, attacking it like a kid on Christmas morning. I didn’t get many presents, and I was way too excited to wait much longer.
Several smaller, wrapped boxes were nestled in the larger one. “Cheater,” I teased, referring to our one-present limit. Though, secretly, I was delighted.
I opened the first to reveal a gorgeous lingerie set from my favorite atelier. I held up the delicate design, the sunlight piercing the lace. The color was fabulous, and I couldn’t wait to try it on.
The second box contained a chic handbag I’d long coveted. It had a waiting list a mile long, and it wasn’t cheap. First, the expensive lingerie, now this? I knew it was from his family’s brand, but still.
The third box contained a striking pair of turquoise heels. I was feeling a bit light-headed, surrounded by so many expensive, beautiful items at once. Yes, I bought designer bags and shoes, but they weren’t usually quite this extravagant or so many in such quick succession.
The presents were beautiful, and things I would love, but…I don’t know, somehow disappointing. Not to seem ungrateful, but it felt like what was expected. It felt like something he could have an assistant shop for. And compared to the effort and care I’d put into finding his gift, it felt like maybe I’d made a mistake, despite how much he loved it. Because what I’d given him had felt more personal.
I might not be able to tell him in words how I felt, but I hoped my decorations and the gift were enough.
