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“I guess this is what I’m sleeping in tonight?” I wonder out loud.
“Um, it’s what you’re going to bed in, but I doubt you’ll be sleeping in it.” Lev has that growly edge to his voice, and I’m now sporting a halfy.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him, putting it aside and lowering myself to the floor. I slide across his lap, straddling him, and lean in to kiss him. “Thank you. For everything. This is too much and so special and just—thank you.”
He grips my ass and pulls me closer to his middle. “You deserve all this and more. Thank you, and know that I love you so fucking much.”
Chapter 58
Levon
The work that Dare did on the art and his reaction to the wrist cuff I bought him made my day. Dare was so happy, and so am I.
After we clean up the wrapping paper and put everything away where it belongs, we get dressed. When Dare comes out of the bathroom and walks toward me, swaying his hips, my mouth goes dry.
“You look great,” I say, reaching out and settling my hand on his hip.
“I look great? My god. You look like a model,” he counters.
I’m wearing fitted navy-blue dress pants that look like they’re tailored just for me and a white button-down that’s partly covered by a deep red sweater.
“You look like you just came from a GQ shoot,” he argues.
I shake my head but smile and kiss him again, and one of my fingers slips under the gray suspenders he’s wearing over a black button-down. “Mmm, these suspenders, though,” I murmur, and he pushes me away with a laugh. I made sure he brought an outfit over the night he brought the gifts over. It was all in my plan.
We arrive at my parents’ house a little while later, and it’s warm and welcoming and smells delicious, as always. The turkey is in the oven, Christmas music is playing in the background, and appetizers are out on the table. My parents, Lindsey, Julian, Uncle John, and Aunt Tracy are all here, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. It’s fun and festive, and Dare is fitting right in, throwing jabs at Lindsey, playing around with Julian and me, and laughing when we throw them back.
“Time for presents!” my dad announces.
Dare and I already exchanged privately, but we have a few things here for my family, and they have a few things for us. My parents give us some gifts out of necessity and fun, and yes, we get our stockings. My mom even did ones for Dare and Julian this year, which I love.
I give Lindsey a few things that she wanted for her trip to Europe, and she got me a bunch of the coffee I enjoy but never buy for myself because it’s expensive. Dare got her a journal and pen, so she can keep track of everything that she does when she’s in Europe.
I got Julian a bottle of the red wine that Lindsey said he likes, and he got Dare a box of business cards with Dare’s logo and the new company logo on them. I see a huge smile spread across Dare’s face, and he excitedly thanks Julian.
Julian got me a gift card to The Copper Exchange and my parents a gift card to the restaurant where he and Lindsey met.
My parents also give Dare a few nice gifts. One a mug that says Welcome to the family—we’re all a little weird here. That elicits a laugh from everyone.
“And now,” Lindsey announces, “the Christmas pajamas!”
She hands out bags to everyone, each labeled with our names. As ridiculous as it is, it’s a tradition that my mom and dad started when Lindsey and I were just babies. This year, there were several more sets to buy, but my mom is a master shopper (and maybe Lindsey is, too), and they were able to get pajamas in everyone’s sizes.
We all change in different areas of the house, Dare and I groping and kissing a bit since we’re finally alone, and then we come out in our matching pajamas. There’s laughter and pointing, and it’s just stupid silly. This year, my mom got us all elf-style pajamas with striped pants and tops that have buttons and fur running down the front. Each one comes with an elf hat that we are required to wear. It’s terrible, but we laugh and secretly love it all the same.
When everything is done, we take our seats at the dining room table to have our dinner. Mom went all out this year, and each of us eats our fair share. We play some card games after dinner and dessert. It’s always fun, and we laugh a lot.
Dare is still laughing and having fun, but he seems a little more subdued than he had earlier today, and I wonder if maybe he’s a bit in his head or all the family stuff is starting to get overwhelming. Maybe it’s time to get going.
I stand, and he watches me as I walk behind his chair and set my hands on his shoulders. He leans his head back and sighs, looking up at me. His face is calm, but his eyes are troubled. I lean down and give him an upside down kiss before pulling away and announcing our departure.
“So, we’re going to get going,” I say.
“I bet you are—hubba hubba,” Lindsey teases.
“Gross!” I say at the same time that our mom scolds her with a “Lindsey Renee Richardson!”
We gather our things, and my mom might shed a tear or two as she pulls me into a huge hug at the door, whispering how happy she is for us and how much she adores Dare. I hug her back tightly, because it makes my heart soar.
