Gift for the Boss (Managing the Bosses 3.50)

"Fine.” He grinned wickedly. “We'll just stay in this until dinner’s over. Then I'm going to take my time and make love to you the way you deserve to be made love to." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers softly at first, and then with more passion as the kiss warmed them up.

Jamie pulled back as her stomach let out another painful growl. "Food, then love-making."

"Alright, but don't eat too much. I want to be the only thing stuffing you tonight." He lifted his eyebrow.

"No. That was just horrible," she snorted, and laughed before turning to her task of putting their dinner on plates. She used to be so conscious about her weight, and now she could laugh and make fun of herself? She’d come a long way since last Christmas.

"Really? I thought it was quite creative," he chuckled and moved to her side, working on opening a bottle of red wine.

"You thought wrong."

He laughed. "First time for everything, I guess."

She rolled her eyes. "Dress you up like Santa, and you get all heady over it."

"No, I'm heady over the fact that the best-looking woman in the world wants to spend the night with me." He reached for her playfully, but she pulled away from him and instead picked up their plates and hurried into the living room.

"Not just the night. Forever." She turned before she could get a read on his reaction. They hadn't really talked about marriage, and she wanted to discuss it so damn bad, but some part of her felt like it was still too soon. It hadn’t even been a year since they'd met, and even less since they’d started dating, but she wanted him forever. At one point she was sure he would ask, but it had been a box with a key to his mansion. She’d just have to wait till he broached the subject. She smiled to herself; she wasn’t going anywhere in the meantime.

After setting up their place settings and rearranging the coffee table, she slipped off her elf booties and got down on the floor. Tucking her legs under her, she turned in time to watch him walk from the kitchen. The swell of his erection was far worse than it had been earlier, his cock having hardened and taken its place down the inside of his thigh. Seeing him like that left her a bit overwhelmed. He was a large guy, but something about the tight Santa suit made it even bigger.

"Hey... eyes up here, woman." He set the wine down and dragged his fingers from his erection to his eyes, teasing her.

She laughed and took her glass. "Just admiring your assets."

"Good. I'll give you an up-close visit here shortly." He moved to sit down beside her and reached over, pulling her into a quick kiss. "I love you. Thank you for your help today. You were brilliant. Best thing to ever happen to me."

Her chest constricted with the warmth of emotion that rolled over her. "I love you too."

They ate for a few minutes and laughed over the various things that had happened during the day, just enjoying their time together. When they were done, Alex wiped his mouth on a napkin and leaned back against the couch.

"My brother is coming in tomorrow?" He reached over and took Jamie's hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing her fingers softly as he watched her.

A shiver raced through her, and she moved closer, leaving the rest of her dinner untouched.

"Yeah. He should be here around ten, I think. I figured we could have breakfast ready, and then head over to see my parents. I assume you and Mark are coming with me?" She was hopeful, and had already planned to have them beside her, though she really hadn't asked.

"You want us there?" Alex scooted even closer and wrapped his arms around her.

"Yes, I do." She leaned in and touched the side of his face. "I think it’ll make things a lot easier."

"Then we'll be there." He kissed her softly. "It's cold in here. Right?"

"Yeah, a little chilly. Start us a fire, and I'll take this stuff to the kitchen."

"Perfect." He kissed her again before moving back and crawling toward the fire on his hands and knees. He sat back on his heels, and damn if he didn't look like a little boy trying to look grown up. How a man could be so damn cute and sexy at the same time was beyond Jamie.

She shook her head, gathered up their dishes, and walked into the kitchen, a little overwhelmed with gratefulness again. The Christmas before had been a disaster of epic proportions. Not only had Steven left her for Christine, but her car had broken down for the last time, and she’d had to move into her parents’ basement. She’d been broke, and miserable, and so alone.

"Wow. Things can change so drastically in the blink of an eye." She put the dishes in the sink and tugged off her little elf hat as she walked back to join Alex.

"You say something, baby?" he asked, looking over his shoulder and scooting over to make room for her in front of the fireplace.

"Just thinking out loud about how much my life has changed. Last Christmas was horrible, but this one is already the best I've ever had." She took the hand he offered, and sat beside him.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek before getting back to starting the fire. "Same here. I honestly figured one day I'd end up marrying some rich bitch who wanted my money and very little of my time. I thought that's how it worked for guys like me, but coming from poor beginnings, I knew it was a damn lie I kept feeding myself."

“I might be that bitch who’s just after your money and soon won’t want any of your time, except for sex. I’ll use you and abuse you.”