*****
There’s an ear-shattering crack as my door swings open, splintered wood comes flying towards us. Liv immediately jumps behind Trey, and I hold Robert’s pillow up in front of me. Marcus is hunkered down on the floor using the bed to shelter him.
“Everyone out! Now!” Olivia, Trey and Marcus all jump to their feet. Robert’s eyes are dark and steady. They’re fixed permanently on me, but I’m unable to hold his gaze. “We’ll see you after Christmas,” he grits out.
The three of them nod their goodbyes and Liv motions behind Robert’s back; she’ll call me later. She wants details, gives a naughty smile and waggles her eyebrows.
I have never been as turned on as I am right now. His authoritative and assertive demeanor holds me captive as he stares intently at me. My body yearns to be near him, to convey to him my sincerest apology for jumping to conclusions. I move to the edge of the bed and stand up.
“You,” his eyes never leave mine. “Sit.”
I do as I’m told, my body shaking out of fear and excitement.
“You are going to listen to everything I have to say. Do you understand me?”
I nod my head and keep my eyes cast downward.
“Use your words, Presley.”
I look up at him as he waits. “Yes.”
He moves to close the door, but it won't stay shut. A small giggle escapes my lips while his neck snaps back at me in frustration.
“Yea, I don’t think it’s gonna stay closed.”
He growls at me, “Did I say speak?”
I cast my eyes downward, and now I’m the one feeling as though I’m in trouble. “I’m sorry,” I mumble out.
“Presley, nothing happened. I went to pick up your Christmas present and Heather came on to me. I tried to push her off, but by the time I got her off me she had already…” he jesters towards his neck. “And as far as the panties go, she must have put them in the truck when she sprayed her god-awful perfume.” He kneels down in front of me, taking my hands in his, “I love you too much to jeopardize losing you, Presley.” His tone is honest and gentle, sincere in every possible way. “And it hurts knowing you don’t trust me.”
My eyes fly to his. I never thought about how he interpreted my actions. “I do trust you, Robert. I trust you with my life, with my heart, it’s why I was so angry. I thought you didn’t care about me the way I cared about you.” I fight through the sobs, “I don’t ever want to be afraid of losing you.”
“Presley, I’ve told you, I’m right here. You have my heart forever.” The pads of his thumbs dry my tears as he cups my neck and holds me gently, my hands resting on his wrist to keep him tethered to me. His lips are soft and gentle as I lose myself under his touch and I can once again breathe easy. “But the next time there are other guys in your bedroom, you’re gonna pay for that mistake.”
His stern and seductive voice send shivers down my spine. I give him a sultry smile as he moves his body against mine, pushing me up and back against the bed. His lips graze my neck and jawline, a bite there, a nibble here, the perfect combination of pleasure and pain. My breathing becomes labored as his fingertips dig deep into my waist and before I know it, he has me curled up in a ball to ward off his cleverly thought out tickles.
“Stop. Robert.” Screams of laughter fill the bedroom as I attempt to wiggle free from his touch.
“What’s the magic word, Pres?”
I’m laughing too hard to breathe as I make a failed attempt to say, “I love you.”
“Close, but not it.”
“Robert is the boss.”
“Nice, but nope.”
Our laughter has gotten louder, and we’ve gathered an audience. Gram and Gramps stand at the door with broad smiles on their faces.
“Gramps!”
“You’re on your own, peanut. I think he deserves this one.” They turn and leave us alone. Such traitors.
“Oh my gosh! Robert. If. You. Don’t. Stop. I’m. Going. To. Pee!”
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!” He stops tickling me, and we lay there on the bed, trying to regain our breaths. His arms are tightly wrapped around me as I snuggle into his chest, drinking him in as his fingers run up and down my spine. His touch is hypnotic, and I feel my eyelids getting heavy.
“Too bad, your door is broken.”
“Yea, some Neanderthal kicked it in.” He digs his fingers into my waist, my body tensing beneath his touch.
“What were y’all talking about in here anyway?”
I smile up at him as he places a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Not much. Trey asked Liv out, and Heather is out of our group.”
He chuckles and pulls me in tighter and I know we’re gonna be okay.
Chapter Sixteen
Christmas morning comes, and this year we have decided to keep it low key, spending time with each other before I go off to college in the fall. Gram and Gramps don’t need much, and Mom only wishes for Dad to be home. There are a few gifts under the tree, a new sweater for me, a pair of boots for Gramps, and jewelry for Mom and Gram. There’s a knock on the door, and Mom calls out that it’s open and to come on in.
Diane and Robert come inside, wishing Merry Christmases. My heart leaps as my eyes land on him, completely forgetting I’m still in my red and black checkered pajama shorts with a red vintage Santa T-shirt which reads, “Don’t Stop Believin” across the top. I run over to him as he wraps his arms around my waist, easily lifting me off the floor as my arms encircle his neck while my legs wrap tightly around him, baby sloth style.
Nestling his face in my neck, his two-day scruff tickles as it brushes against my skin, and I squirm away from him. I can forget the presents under the tree as long as I have him. Our fight a couple of days ago has only strengthened our bond. The moment we’re separated from each other, there is a Robert shaped hole in my heart, and I can't wait to see him again. I’m sure there are people out there who would claim it isn’t healthy to be so dependent on another individual, but they have their own vices to deal with. Robert is my weakness.
“Sorry we’re a little late,” Diane says while making her way into the living room.
“Oh, nonsense. I just put the cinnamon rolls in the oven. There’s coffee and hot chocolate on the stove. Presley, be a dear and get them something to drink,” Mom calls from the kitchen.
The thought of pulling away from Robert right now is unbearable, but I do as I’m told.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. D. Gramps. Gram.” His fingers hold tightly onto me as I attempt to break away from him. It’s as if we are each other’s oxygen. Holding me tighter, he places a gentle kiss on my cheek before I slide down him, his eyes roaming over my body. “Cute pajamas.” He gives me a playful smirk as a single finger finds its way underneath the elastic on my waistband, brushing slow, languid strokes against my skin. “I could get used to seeing you like this,” he whispers against me as I cast my eyes downward, my rosy cheeks tell him all he needs to know.
Diane and Robert make their way into the living room with the rest of the family while I go to grab their drinks. Diane sits in a chair by Mom, while Robert chooses a spot on the ground by the fireplace. I hand Diane her drink and then give Robert his. He takes it with one hand while using his other to hold tightly onto my wrist, pulling me down to sit in between his legs. My back against his chest and arms wrapped protectively around my shoulders, he nibbles and pecks his way around my neck.