Page 54 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

His eyes widened. “You did? You did.”

It was her turn to snicker. “A full-sized one was right there by the door,” she explained, giving up on the key for a minute because this was more important. She slid onto Alex’s lap, draping her arms around his neck. “They got a good laugh out of it, but they decided you and the other guys would show no mercy if Mack went that route.”

“He knows us too well,” Alex complained. “Still, that’s an awesome theme. Too bad we’re going to beat them.”

She met his gaze straight on. “I agree our gaudy aquarium sweaters are the best. More on the awesomeness of us later, though, Alex. Darling…”

He raised a brow, hands landing firmly on her waist as he nestled her closer. “Sweetheart?”

Inch by inch, she leaned in until their lips nearly touched. “You have a present for me.”

“I always have a present for you,” he agreed. Mischief sparkled in his eyes.

He was such a brat. “Are you really going to make me ask?”

He nodded slowly. “Definitely. That’s the perfect way to phrase it.”

Confusion slipped in as Yvette considered his words. “Ummm…” She straightened slightly. “What?”

His lips were still curled, but his smile was softer now. Gentle, as if waiting instead of preparing for her to get excited. “What, what?”

She considered. Nope. Somewhere in the middle of the conversation she’d totally lost any kind of control or focus. Straight to the point, then.

Yvette leaned back and dangled the chain between them. The small key twisted slowly on the end of the long silver cord. “This belongs to something.”

He nodded.

“Because as a person who is very experienced in dealing with keys, I know they’re not much use without being connected to something.” Yvette drifted a finger down the side of Alex’s face. “And as a proof of my extensive knowledge, I present the past three years of wonderful fun and caring that you have shown by constantly providing me with new moments of anticipation in keeping with the theme of my original Christmas present.”

Alex caught her fingers in his and brought them up to his lips. He pressed a kiss to them then kept holding on. “It has been three years, hasn’t it?”

“Three amazing years,” Yvette told him. “I’ve loved spending them with you. I love you.”

He tipped his head slowly. “I feel the same, but there is one teeny, tiny thing that would make me even happier. And considering it has been three years, I think it’s time…”

Yvette fell silent again, but this time she had more clues. She glanced down at the key draped over their linked hands.

Oh. Oh boy. He’d always said that the next step in their relationship was up to her.

Maybe this time the key wasn’t a physical object that went with a physical lock.

She swallowed hard, but warmth bloomed in her chest. Was she ready?

She was. She met his gaze straight on. “Is this the key to your heart?”

He answered instantly. “Damn straight.”

Yvette took a deep breath. “What do I need to do to open it?”

“Only if you’re ready, but it is something I’d really like.” Alex let go of her hand, lean back slightly, but when she would’ve wiggled off his lap, he held her in place. “Stay.”

When he reached for the top buttons of his shirt, she snickered. “Is this going to be another one of these strip each other naked situations?”

“Eventually, I hope so, but not this instant. Trust me, sweetheart.”

She watched with amusement as he undid a few more buttons then pulled back the sides of his flannel shirt.

Amusement rushed in. “Alex Thorne. You have a ring taped to the middle of your chest.”