Fever (Breathless #2)(79)

He handed her a robe so she wouldn’t be cold. He didn’t want her dressed because he planned for them to spend the day in bed right after she saw her tree and opened her presents.

Pausing only to pull on pajama bottoms, he tugged at her hand and guided her into the living room.

She came to a full stop when she saw the tree with hundreds of white lights and the presents piled underneath. Tears immediately filled her eyes and her mouth fell open.

She turned to him, her expression one of joy and surprise. “How did you do this? Oh, Jace, it’s beautiful! I love it!”

He tugged her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Merry Christmas, baby. Now go open your presents.”

She all but ran to the tree like an eager child on Christmas morning. His heart ached to think of her never having this experience, but he was damn glad he could be the one to give it to her.

“They’re so beautiful I don’t want to open them,” she said in a hushed, reverent tone.

He laughed. “The fun is ripping the paper off as fast as you can.”

Needing no further encouragement, she ripped into the packages, exclaiming in delight as she uncovered each one. Her favorite were the shoes. He’d bought her an array of sexy, high-heeled, sparkly shoes. Of all the things she’d loved when he’d first taken her shopping, the shoes had gotten her attention the most. She’d looked at several pairs wistfully and then flinched at the price tags.

Second on her favorites list was the huge basket of gourmet hot chocolate in a variety of flavors, from milk to dark chocolate.

After she’d opened all the gifts, she launched herself into his arms and they ended up on the floor, him flat on his back laughing as she peppered his entire face with kisses again.

He gazed up at her, taking in her beautiful smile and the joy burning bright in her eyes.

“Have to say, this is the best Christmas ever,” he said softly.

“Wait, that’s my line,” she protested. “And how can you say that? I didn’t get you anything!”

He shook his head solemnly. “All I wanted is right here in my arms. You smiling and looking at me like I just handed you the world. There’ll never be a better present than that, baby.”

Chapter twenty-eight

Bethany stirred as Jace slipped from underneath the sheets. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and he murmured, “Sleep, baby. I have to go into work today. You can stay here.”

She sat up, pulling the sheets to cover her br**sts. It was an absurd notion that she should try to hide herself. She’d spent most of Christmas naked. In Jace’s arms. He’d made love to her until they’d both fallen into an exhausted sleep.

But now she felt self-conscious and a little nervous. Her hand fluttered to the choker he’d given her and she traced the lines of the leather design with her fingertip.

She didn’t feel comfortable staying in Jace’s apartment all day when he wasn’t there. None of her things were here. It was Jace’s place. Definitely a bachelor pad. It looked and smelled all male. And while she didn’t have much, at least the apartment she was staying in looked feminine. She was comfortable there. It was starting to feel like something of her own.

“Actually, I thought I’d go back to my apartment if you’re going in to work,” she said quietly.

He frowned but recovered quickly. “If that’s what you want. I’ll swing by after I finish at the office. We can spend the evening there if you want.”

She nodded. Despite her having her own place, they hadn’t spent a night away from each other since they’d met. In fact, other than the time Jace spent at work, they’d been inseparable.

“If you want, I’ll drop you off on my way to work.”

“I won’t make you late?”

He smiled. “I’m the boss, remember? I can go in whenever the hell I want.”

“Okay. I’d like that.”

“Give me five minutes in the shower and then it’s all yours.”

She watched him walk naked toward the bathroom, all his masculine beauty and rough edges on display. His hair, which was tousled from their endless lovemaking, only made him look all the more delicious.

He paused at the doorway of the bathroom and glanced back, his eyes glittering with fire, almost as if he’d known the direction of her thoughts. Then he grinned, his face transforming. She caught her breath because his smile was extraordinary. He didn’t smile often. He had a darker look about him. Almost always serious. Brooding. But when he smiled, she couldn’t breathe.

She sat up when he disappeared inside the bathroom. He’d left the door open, though. An invitation? She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry.

If they showered together, they’d get done in half the time. Or maybe not. Because if she got in with him, they wouldn’t just shower.

Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

No, it would be a very, very good thing.

Throwing aside the sheets, she crawled out of bed, shivering lightly as she left the warmth. Heat that was still present from when he’d been lying in bed with her.

She hesitated a moment, eyeing the bathroom, waiting for the telltale sign of steam from the shower. After a few minutes, she heard the water turn on and she quietly made her way to the door.

His shower was huge. Easily big enough for two. Or even three. Completely glassed in with multiple showerheads, one overhead and two jets mounted on the wall. His outline was visible through the fogged glass and she could see him washing himself, his hands drifting lower and lower . . .