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She was adamant about being left alone to get ready, and now I'm waiting while our dinner keeps warm in the oven. My anticipation is unbearable but in the best way. Like the anticipation of waiting for Christmas morning.
It's seven-thirty on the dot when her footsteps echo downstairs. I finish pouring wine for the two of us in the dining room, then turn, holding the glasses, prepared to offer her one.
A mistake, since the sight of her leaves me close to dropping both. I have to put them down, or else I'll do just that.
“Do I look alright?” The uncertainty in her voice is touching and charming. And completely unnecessary. I knew the silver dress would be perfect for her, and it is, setting off her icy beauty to perfection while displaying her perfect body like it was made solely for her. She tucks a strand of golden hair behind one ear, offering a shy grin.
I finally realize she's waiting for an answer while I've been standing here in mute admiration. “You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.”
“You're just saying that.”
“Winter, you need to know something about me. I never just say anything. You're enough to take my breath away.”
She’s never more beautiful than when she blushes. “Well, you bought the dress.”
“But it's all about the way you wear it.” And the way I cannot wait to take it off her, but that will come in due time. “Please, have a drink with me.”
“It smells amazing in the kitchen.” She accepts the wine, and her hand trembles a bit when she does.
“Are you still afraid of me?” I hold my breath, waiting for the answer.
“No. Really,” she insists at my skeptical look. “No, I'm not scared. And if I'm nervous, it's in a good way.”
“For what reason?”
“I wanted to apologize for trying to run off on you earlier. That was wrong, and I'm not just saying it. I mean it. I'll never do that again.”
The frank sincerity in the way she says it gives me hope. “You mean it?”
“I'm not going to pretend it wasn't fun getting punished.” Her eyes sparkle, and God, it does something to me. She awakens every possessive, protective instinct I have, just as she did when I first set eyes on her. When I knew she was something special.
“I only want to make you happy. I'll devote my life to it, if you'll let me.”
“I’ll let you.” Even in heels, she has to stand on tiptoe to give me a soft, sweet kiss that threatens to make me forget all about dinner in favor of taking her upstairs—or right here in the dining room. She’s smiling when she pulls away and drops down to her normal height. “I’m yours.”
My heart is so full, I hardly know what to do. Is this what I've been missing out on all this time? The give and take? Because I see now it isn't only about what I can do for her. It's about the joy of her accepting what I want so much to give. I finally get it. And that's her gift to me, one I know I'll take with me the rest of my life.
Yet there are other, just as pleasurable gifts. “I have something for you. I was going to wait until tomorrow morning, but I can't. I'm looking forward to it too much to wait any longer.”
“You already gave me so much today.”
“This is a different sort of gift.”
“I can’t imagine anything to top all of this.” Her big blue eyes take in the lavishly decorated dining room. In keeping with the rest of the house, there’s a sparkling tree in one corner that’s bright enough to nearly light the entire room without the help of the overhead chandelier.
It’s foreign to me. Warmth I eschewed before now. Before her.
I never had a reason to decorate or to commemorate the holiday.
She turns to me, wearing a sly look. “Did you put up all these decorations yourself?”
“The truth?”
“Please.”
She giggles when I shake my head. “No. I don't normally decorate the house for the holidays. It's only me, after all, and I'm usually busy with travel, anyway. This year's...”
I look up at the shining monstrosity and am unable to hold back a smile. “It seemed appropriate. I had something to celebrate, finally.”
