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My heart dropped. “Oh.”
His eyes shot back up. “I mean, I wanted to tell you in private, preferably a few months from now so it wouldn’t freak you out.”
“Oh.” I chuckled. Phew.
“I’ll yell it from the rooftops, if you prefer?” With sparkling eyes, he slid his arms around my lower back and pulled me towards him, pressing his forehead to mine. “I love you, Josie. Please don’t go. I want to wake up to you on Christmas morning.”
I twisted my head towards the window, watching the falling snow. “I think I’m snowed in anyways.”
His mouth curved into a smile and he hung his head heavenward. “Thank you, Father Christmas.”
Peering up into his now green eyes, I experienced something I’d never felt before. Something that frightened me as much as it excited me, but the words caught in my throat. As my walls crumbled, his lips crashed down onto mine.
Not another word was uttered as we tore off each layer of clothing and edged closer to the four-poster bed. Our lips only parted for Grayson to pull a condom from his wallet on the nightstand, and within seconds, they were back on mine, breathing me in as though I was his source of oxygen.
His tongue explored every inch of my body, visiting all my favourite places along the way. Moaning as my need for him grew more and more intense, he locked onto my hungry gaze and filled me with his length. I pressed my lips together, muffling my screams as he pushed deeper and harder than ever before. Perspiration slid down my face as I let out a cry of pleasure, before Grayson collapsed beside me.
After we caught our breath, I threw on my Creedence t-shirt and curled up in Grayson’s arms, falling straight to sleep.
* * *
A gentle nudge stirred me awake and I discovered a tiny gift box resting on the pillow beside my head. Rubbing my eyes, I peered across at Grayson who lay completely still, watching me.
“Merry Christmas, beautiful,” he said with a lazy smile. He rolled over and switched on the bedside lamp.
I glanced at the time and chuckled. 12:01am. He really does love Christmas. Climbing over my gift and onto him, I kissed him softly and smiled. “Merry Christmas. But your gift is under the tree, so you’ll have to wait until morning.”
“That’s okay, I wanted you to open this in private.”
Still straddling Grayson’s lap, I peeked at him as I picked up the box. He sat up to meet my eye level and slid his hands over my butt. I untied the ribbon and lifted off the lid to reveal a delicate chain with an exquisite rainbow speckled opal glittering at the bottom. I gasped at its beauty.
“It reminded me of you,” he said, sweeping forward a few strands of my coloured hair and giving them a gentle tug. “It’s an Australian Opal.”
I blinked away tears and smiled down at the precious stone. “Thank you. It’s so beautiful.”
Grayson took out the necklace and placed it around my neck, kissing me as he finished clasping it.
Warmth spread through my body as I touched the pendant. “I love it. I love you.” I gasped as the words flew out unexpectantly.
The corner of Grayson mouth twitched and his chest swelled, but he didn’t call me out on it.
“Although…” he said, grazing his lips over mine. “I think it would look much better without this.” He tugged on my t-shirt and proceeded to pull it over my head.
I giggled. “Better?”
“Much.” He threw me onto the bed and grinned down at me mischievously. “Now for your next present.”
Early Christmas morning, I crept downstairs to check on Luci, hoping to hide any evidence of his destructive behaviour before anyone else woke.
I froze in the hallway when the parlour doors opened and Grandpa poked his head out. “Josie,” he whispered, motioning me over with his hand.
“Grandpa? Why are you up so early?” I asked, following him into the room.
He smiled and ushered me over to the window. “I’ll show you.”
I gazed outside, but all I could see was white. Blinking a few times to refocus, I soon realised it wasn’t going to help. Snow blanketed every surface of the garden, glowing as the sun rose. All I wanted to do was capture its beauty, but I knew by the time I raced upstairs to get my camera, the moment would’ve passed.
“Betty used to paint in here, right by this window.”
