Part 22 (1/2)
”I'm starting a new tradition.”
”And just what tradition would that be?” He s.h.i.+fted the sprig a little lower and she felt his nimble fingers find the top b.u.t.ton on her s.h.i.+rt, popping it open and placing a kiss there before moving to the next.
”I thought it would only be fitting that we kiss everywhere under the mistletoe. That is what you're supposed to do under it, right?” He glanced up at her and she could see nothing but glee bouncing around in his eyes.
She chuckled and licked her lips, watching him finish his task of moving the mistletoe down her chest, unb.u.t.toning her s.h.i.+rt and kissing every exposed piece of skin under the sprig in his hand. ”That's no fair. You are the only one with mistletoe.”
”Au contraire. You've been good I think. So here is yours.” He winked and sat up and pulled the sprig he held in his hand into two pieces. He handed her one half and went back to the task of removing her s.h.i.+rt, letting it slide to the floor.
”Gates, what will Santa think?” She playfully chastised him and then closed her eyes when he sucked at the sensitive skin at her waistline.
”Well, he'll definitely know if we've been naughty or nice.”
”Oh, you are a bad boy. You'll get nothing but coal in your stocking.”
”It's worth it.” The devious curl of his lip was the s.e.xiest thing she'd ever seen as he unb.u.t.toned her jeans and she lifted her hips to help him release her from the denim. Once he'd liberated her from her jeans, he stood and pulled his fitted t-s.h.i.+rt over his head along with the rest of his clothes.
”I can't believe you.” She giggled as he unfastened her bra and removed her underwear before lowering himself back to her on the sofa.
”What? We have to take advantage of any time we can get like this. Brayden's asleep and it's just you, me, and mistletoe,” He added, holding the sprig above her head. ”We should make the most of it.”
Over an hour later, both lay wrapped in each other's arms in his bed. What had started on the sofa had ended with them retiring to a much more comfortable spot in the bedroom.
Leaning up on her elbow, Sloane traced a line down Gates' bare chest with her mistletoe stem. She carefully placed kisses in the same trail and looked up at him. ”You know, I think you may have started a great tradition.”
”I thought you might like it.” He reached up and pushed her dark hair behind her ear and kissed her gently. ”Thank you.”
”For?”
”You could have easily said you didn't want to do this. I mean, try again. But you're giving me, and us, a chance.”
”I meant what I said. I love you and this is the only place I want to be.”
”I love you, too.” Pulling her to him, he kissed her lips softly as she threw the mistletoe to the floor and lost herself in his embrace.
Once Christmas morning came, Sloane was sure there was nothing more Gates could do to surprise or spoil her, but she was wrong. She awoke to the sun streaming in the room and Gates bringing her breakfast in bed trailed by Brayden, who was grinning from ear to ear. They both wore elf hats and she laughed at the sight of the two.
”Mama.”
”Merry Christmas,” Gates said, placing the tray on the bed as she sat up and pulled Brayden onto her lap.
”Wow, Merry Christmas to you both. What a way to start Christmas? Is this my present?” She hugged Brayden with one arm while reaching for a bagel.
”We thought this would be a great way to start off the day.” Gates leaned over to kiss her, sat on the bed and pulled Brayden from her arms so she could eat.
”Mmm, thank you so much, Santa's little helpers. This is a great Christmas present.”
”It gets even better from here, doesn't it buddy?” Gates stood from his place on the bed and held Brayden in his arms. ”Let's go get dressed so mommy can finish her breakfast.”
”You're not joining me?”
”We've already eaten. Thought we'd give you a little time to sleep in this morning. We have a big day ahead and you need all of the rest you can get.” Gates winked before the two headed towards the door.
”Gates, what's going on?”
”You'll see. In the meantime, eat and then get dressed.” He called out behind him as he and Brayden disappeared out of the room.
After finis.h.i.+ng her breakfast, Sloane took a shower, got dressed and walked into the living room to join Gates and Brayden.
”You finally decided to join us, huh?” Gates looked up from where he sat on the sofa rolling a ball back and forth with Brayden, sans the elf hats. ”This little one is itching to get to those presents.”
”I'm sure he is. I guess we should let him.” She watched Gates put him down on the floor and the little boy looked up at them both. His sheepish expression was priceless and they had to convince him it was okay to head to the pile of presents below the tree. ”It's okay; you can go and get them.” He was a little wary since they'd been telling him no for the past few days.
Finally, sensing no one would stop him he ran to the pile and sat down in front of a big box. He looked up as Sloane and Gates walked over and sat on either side of him. Sloane helped him out by pulling at a piece of the decorative wrapping to get him started. He pulled the paper until it tore loose from the box. He continued tearing at the paper and both Gates and Sloane commented on how it probably would have been enough just to give him the boxes to unwrap instead of the toys inside them. Brayden was having such a good time that he didn't even look up when Sloane got up to clean some of the mess he had strewn across the floor.
When then the doorbell rang, Gates looked up.
”I'll get it since I'm already up.”
”It's probably your present anyway.” Gates stood and picked Brayden up, who held a wad of the multicolored wrap in his hands.
”My present? What did you do?” She asked, turning to open the door.
”Surprise! Merry Christmas.”
”What are you doing here?” Sloane stood motionless as Avery entered the penthouse to hug her. ”I thought you were on a cruise.”
”Oh, I was. By the way, thanks for the early gift, Gates.” Avery winked as she walked across the room to hug him and grab Brayden.
”Abee,” The little boy shrieked, showing her the wrapping paper he'd been so enthralled with.
”What?” Sloane stood in shock watching her aunt reach out and take Brayden into her arms. ”So you orchestrated this whole thing?”
”Uh, kinda yeah.” Gates grinned proudly and Sloane could do nothing more than shake her head at his sneaky manipulations.
”I can't believe this.”
”Did you really think I would let you spend a Christmas without Avery?”
”Thank you. This has to be one of the best presents ever.” She walked over to hug and kiss him then turned to smile at Avery, playing with Brayden.
”You're welcome.”
They finished opening presents, laughing and talking as they watched Brayden play with one new toy after the next before wearing himself out by mid-afternoon. They ate lunch and by the time they were done, Brayden was so grumpy, Sloane put him down for his much needed afternoon nap and Avery went to unpack.
”What're you thinking about?” Gates whispered in Sloane's ear, moving behind her as she stood looking out of the bay of windows in the living room.