Page 102 of All the Beautiful Things
She shrugged, shoulder bumping into my chest and ribs. “I feel like a complete bitch. And guilty.”
“Lilly…”
“And yet, I also feel better.” She twisted, tilted her face so she could look directly at me. “Is that bad? That being so completely horrible to my parents makes me feel good?”
Oh Lilly. This poor, broken, and wounded woman who’d only ever wanted to be loved and now that she had it, had no idea how to handle it. No wonder why she kept running from me.
I scared the hell out of her.
“I’m so damn proud of you. I think you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met, probably braver than most men. You haven’t just survived your parents’ abuse over the years. You’re making your own life without any help. You’re kind. You’re funny as hell and sassy. You never let them beat you, even when they beat you down.”
“Hudson.” Her smile wobbled and then grew strengthened. I loved the way I made her smile. I loved seeing her show her strength. Mostly, I just loved her.
“You’re incredible, Lilly. I’m honored to know you, honored you’d give me your trust in ways I know you haven’t gifted to others, and make no mistake, earning your trust is a gift.” My hand cupped the back of her neck. Tilting her head back farther, I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers, whispering as I finished with, “And I treasure it. I will forever.”
She kissed me back, lips shaking beneath my soft ministrations until she leaned forward, and put more weight behind her kiss. She pressed her lips firmly to mine, her tongue coming out and licking my bottom lip, nipping it playfully.
When I tried to take it deeper, she pulled back, a playful gleam in her eyes. She crawled off my lap, throwing one leg over mine and then the other while my hands fell from her hips and as she scrambled for the tree.
And to her present for me beneath it.
She cradled it in her arms and didn’t even look at the presents I’d stacked next to it.
When she reached the couch again, she did the same move in reverse, crawling over me, settling on my thighs before rolling off and dropping her present in my lap. I bit back my groan and fingered the perfectly done bow on top of the box.
For a woman who was inexperienced with men and seduction, she’d learned a lot pretty damn quick.
“Do you want yours?”
She kissed my shoulder. “I already have everything I need.”
“Me too. The moment you agreed to cupcakes with me I knew that.”
That wasn’t fully true. There something I was missing, but I knew that’d come with time. With her saying goodbye to her parents and letting them go, I suspected I’d have the last thing I desired sooner rather than later.
“Open it.” She tapped the box, chewing on the corner of her bottom lip.
“That look you’re giving me. Now I’m curious.”
“Well, I didn’t know what you could possibly want for Christmas when you have everything you need, and I didn’t want to give you something lame like golf balls or towels or anything.”
I nudged her shoulder with mine. “A guy can always use more golf balls.”
“Quit stalling and open it before I lose my nerve.”
Her nerve? Color me intrigued. With quick work, I tore off the bow and ripped off the paper. I wasn’t one of those people who took their time removing the wrapper like it was spun with gold.
The black and white box with hot pink lettering made my brows jump. “Oh, I am going to like this,” I muttered, smirking at her.
Anything from Victoria’s Secret was a gift I would absolutely love.
“Maybe it’s just the box.”
“Tease.”
In one more second, I had the top of the box tossed to the floor, the hot pink tissue paper inside unfolded and the stupid scent of vanilla they must have sprayed on the paper wafted into the air, making my nose crinkle up.
“Holy shit.” I danced my fingertips over the red satin get-up with a puff of white faux fur across the top. Once I found the thin, red satin straps, I slid my fingers beneath them and lifted the ensemble out of the box. Or… at least half of it, because beneath the white fur and red satin bra cups was sheer red fabric. It was barely long enough to cover her ass and left inside the box was a set of a matching red thong, white fur garter belt, and fishnet stockings.
