Page 122 of The Christmas Trap

Unable to stop myself, I reach over and squeeze her fleshy butt cheeks.

“Hey!” She stares over my shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Shaping the dough.”

She giggles. “I meant, this one.” She slides the flattened circle of dough over to me then pats out another. “Now we roll it out.” She nods to the space next to her and offers me a wine bottle.

With a sigh, I release her hips and move up next to her to accept it.

She uses a rolling pin. Starting from the center, she rolls it outward in every direction, turning the dough a quarter-turn after every few rolls.

I copy her actions, and to my surprise, end up with a wider circle.

“That’s good.”

“I’m a natural.” I smirk.

She dips the cookie cutters in flour, offers me one then uses the other to cut out the shape from the dough.

Within minutes we have a dozen Christmas trees, stars and heart-shaped cookies.

“Ooh, these are adorable.” She transfers them to a baking tray, walks over to slide them in the oven.

“That needs to be in for twenty-minutes.” She sets the timer.

Then she transfers the spiced gingerbread onto a cooling rack.

She turns and gasps for I’m standing right in front of her. “I know the way to pass the time.”

“Ooh.” She tips up her chin. “I wonder what you have in mind.”

I drop a quick kiss on her nose. “That too, but first I have a present for you."

"You already gave me a Christmas present." I glance at the now smooth skin on her wrist where the marks from the ties have faded.

"Is there a rule that I can give you only one?"

I hold out my hand. When she places her palm in mine, I bring her fingers to my mouth and kiss the tips.

Her breath hitches.

She’s so damn responsive. It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

With a small smile, I lead her out of the kitchen and to the living room where the firelight casts a golden glow on the space. The late afternoon sun streams in through the window.

"Sit." I push her onto the sofa, then sit down next to her.

I pick up a slim, bow-wrapped package from the coffee table and hold it out to her.

She eyes it cautiously. "If you’d told me that you planned to give me Christmas gifts, I’d have come prepared."

"I told you, you’re my Christmas gift." I curve my lips.

“Aww.” She flushes. “You’re so sweet.”

A warm sensation fills my chest. I feel rather pleased with myself, so I allow myself a small smirk. “I think you’re going to find me even sweeter when you open your gift.” I wave the package under her nose.

Her expression turns curious. "What is it?"