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It’s her idea. “If you insist on buying me clothes, then I insist on starting with things I know will make you happy, too,” she chimes. She is promising me some surprises of her own once she’s been fitted and has a dozen bags we stow in my car’s trunk.
I used to drive myself everywhere. Lately, it’s always Madison or someone else. But I feel better behind the wheel myself with Holly in the car. Knowing I’m the one keeping her safe.
When we’re walking, arm in arm, I look around us, and I can feel the world like I’ve never felt it before at this time of year.
Yeah, it’s freezing cold, and the sidewalk is slippery with dark and dirty sludge, but being with Holly makes everything brighter somehow.
Gives me a reason for everything I’ve been working on for the past two decades.
I could just be caught up in the whole Christmas thing, but I even fancy that we get a few smiles as we walk, my huge body bundling hers close to keep her warm as we do more than just window shop.
By the time the car’s full of boxes and bags, Holly looks pale when I ask if she’d like something else, like maybe some perfumes or jewelry.
“Uh… Steve,” she says, looking almost pained once we’re back in the car.
“You don’t need to do allthis,” she reminds me. “I’ve got a whole new wardrobe and so many things I never even dreamed of having…,” she stammers. The emotion in her voice was not as happy as I’d like to hear.
I’m not taking her shopping to show off or make her feel bad. I’m just getting her the things she wants and needs.
I tell her as much, realizing I might have pressed her a little too far too soon with the ‘stuff’ angle.
“We can head home if you want,” I suggest, but now she looks confused.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way, Steve. I appreciate everything. I really do…,” she starts to say, but I silence her with a kiss.
“I’d be as happy as I am right now if we had nothing but the clothes on our backs,” I tell her honestly, holding her face in my hand.
“And I don’t want you toappreciateanything. I want you to have what you deserve and a thousand times that because you’re worth it. Because I….”
The sound of a car honking behind us stops me mid-sentence.
Ruining a moment, I decide will have to wait until later.
But the thought’s there. I couldn’t deny it even if I tried now.
I’m in love with Holly Winters, and whether she appreciates it or not, I’ll shower her with gifts and anything else I can think of because that’s what my Queen deserves.
I can show her how I feel by buying her the finer things.
What she really means to me is something I’ll be showing her in private. Every chance I get.
I pull out into traffic, eager to get her home now, but she reminds me about the office thing. All the other stuff I’ve set up for today.
“Are you up to it?” I ask, taking her hand in mine as I drive.
“I didn’t mean… I mean… Ah, shit,” she murmurs, finally making me chuckle quietly.
“It’s okay, Holly,” I assure her. “We’re a team, remember? And if I’m too much or not enough of anything, just let me know,” I tell her.
“I know I can be a little…pushywhen I want what I want,” I admit, making her smile.
In this case, I’m trying to make her happy and show her how happy she makes me.
Holly squeezes my hand and leans over to peck my cheek, and we drive in silence for the rest of the way to the office.
If the rooftop apartment was a lot for her to take in, my office building as we pull into the underground car park with several spaces reserved for yours truly, has her making that face again.
“We don’t have to stay long,” I promise her. “I just need to put my signature on a couple of things,” I tell her with a little smile.
