Page 31 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

Maya chuckled and watched Rhonda disappear around the corner.

“Does this meet with your approval, Mrs. Jeffries?”

She spun around at the sound of Ian’s voice and smiled. “It more than meets my approval, Mr. Jeffries. It’s incredible,” she said, spreading her arms and gesturing around the shop. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Ian closed the distance between them and pulled her into his embrace. He placed a tender kiss on her lips. “I know the perfect way to thank me.”

She looped her arms around his neck and gave him a sultry smile. “Is that right?”

He nodded and a wolfish gleam lit his eyes. Bending close to her ear, he whispered, “Bring home two cups of the black-and-white parfait and I’ll show you.”

She remembered every vivid detail of their first night together, and just like then, heat thrummed through her. “That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”

“I love you, Maya Jeffries. You were and still are the best Christmas gift I ever received. I can’t wait to have you under my tree again.”

“Neither can I.” She pulled his head down and kissed him with all the love she felt flowing through her heart. Of all the gifts he had given her, his love was the sweetest one.