"Can we do that?" A trip like this seemed like something that would require more planning. Can people really just hop on a plane with less than twenty-four hours' notice?
"We can do anything we want to do. You're on winter break and I'm the boss, so..."
"It's a tropical island?" She'd only seen pictures in magazines and scenes in movies. "Sun, sand, swimming?" She couldn't remember the last time she'd been to the beach. Her dad used to take her to the ocean at Cape Cod when she was a kid but they hadn't been there in years.
"All of that." He laughed. "A private beach, a waterfall, a heated pool and a hot tub right in the backyard. It's quaint and secluded. No one will bother us for days."
Four days alone with him on a private island sounded like a dream. "Wait." She realized how quick this was all happening. "You said tomorrow? I don't even have a bathing suit." How could he expect her to go away on a moment's notice?
"Not that you'll need one." He grinned all smug-like and entirely too sexy. "I contacted your personal shopper and she's taken care of everything you'll need. Your luggage should arrive here within the hour."
"I have a feeling you've thought of everything."
"I want you to have a special Christmas."
"I have you, my dad is coming home, and you already bought the land with the cabin. I couldn't ask for anything else."
"That's the thing, Tessa, you never ask for anything." He pulled her into his lap. "That's why it's so easy to give you everything."
"My life has never been easy, but I just went with it because it was the norm for me. I've never had much, so I never really missed much. When I moved in with you I had one pair of jeans, some shorts, a few tops, and one dress. I didn't even own a coat. Most of my stuff fit in a backpack and a duffle bag."
"I remember thinking you deserved so much more. Even then I wanted to give you everything."
"I wanted you." She interlocked their fingers. "I was determined to succeed."
"I remember that too." He brought her hand to his mouth and moved his lips down to her wrist. "Now you're stuck with me."
"Being stuck with you is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"So are you ready to go on an adventure with me?"
"To the island?"
"That's just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures." He wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her to his chest. "I have so many more things for you to experience."
"As long as you're right there with me, I'll go anywhere you take me."
"First stop, the Cayman Islands. Then we'll hit Paris, Rome, London, Greece, and anyplace else you can dream of." He kissed her knuckles. "I want to see it all through your eyes."
"The only place I want to go right now is upstairs to our bed." She pressed her lips to his. "I want you to make love to me."
"I'll always honor that request." He laid her down by the tree, leaning over her. "We're not going upstairs yet though." He unbuttoned her shirt, spreading it apart and tracing his fingers over her stomach. "I want you here, under the tree. My very own Christmas present."
"Unwrap me." Her voice came out low and breathless.
"My little temptation." He lowered his lips to hers as he skimmed his hands over her flesh. "I plan to unwrap this present real slow."