“Hmm. Those kids did a number on it.”
“Yes, they did.”
“See!”
“Maybe I got you the rejuvenation instead of the Infiniti.”
“Ooh. Will it make me a virgin all over again?”
“Last thing I want is a virgin, baby. I love how experienced you are with your mouth... And other things. I don’t have time to teach you all of that again.”
She laughed. “You never taught me any of that in the first place.”
“I gave pointers.”
“You did not!” she huffed but smiled. “You’re so full of it.”
“Full of love for you.” He pressed one hand over his heart and winked.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh boy.”
“Okay, so I knew you wouldn’t be satisfied with just this impressive night stick as your Christmas gift,” he said, waving a hand over his now semi-erect cock. “So, I figured I’d sweeten the deal.”
“Ooo.” Amanda got on her knees, facing him and clapped. “So, what did you get me, my sweet and loving husband, father of the fruit of my loins, my protector and expert lover who ruined me for any other man?”
“I’m glad I did that last one. I saved the male race from you. I took one for the team.”
She grinned. “I actually won’t argue that.”
“What?” His mouth hung open and he put a hand against her forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Depends on my gift. Let’s go, cough it up.”
“It’s not sexy photos of myself,” Max warned her.
“Oh good.”
“Though, I might have to steal that idea for a future anniversary gift.”
“Hurry up, or you won’t make it to our next anniversary.”
“So bossy,” he murmured.
“I learned from the best,” she exclaimed.
He reached under his pillow, pulled out a plain manila folder he’d hidden there while she showered and handed it to her.
Her excited eyes turned confused. “You brought work home?”
“Yes, that’s what you’re getting, budget spreadsheets. Open the damn thing.”
She flipped it open and gasped. Her hazel eyes flipped to his. “A family vacation?” She fingered the paperwork in the folder. “Please don’t tell me it’s to Aruba and we’re leaving the day after Christmas.”
“Not to Aruba,” he assured her. “No, I figured it was time that we take another honeymoon. Just the two of us. One other than staying at the Finger Lakes this time and getting totally sloshed on wine.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” Amanda said. “You know Teddy is my bestie, but it will be nice to take a trip without drama. Wait... you said just the two of us?” Her face lit up.
Max gave her a smile and wiggled his eyebrows. “No kids.”
“Oh, I just orgasmed.”
“Great! Now I can get mine and I don’t have to worry about you.”
Amanda whacked him in the stomach. “Yeah, right. You don’t get off that easy.”
She glanced at the itinerary. Her mouth dropped open and her head almost spun off her neck. “Fiji?” she shrieked, making him wince.
Once he could hear again, he smiled. “For two weeks.”
“What?” she shrieked again. “Two whole weeks?” Her eyelids fluttered and she shuddered. “I just came again.”
“Just wait until we’re in Fiji. You’ll get sick of all the orgasms I’m going to give you.”
“I doubt that.” She released a happy squeal, tossed the folder aside and fell onto his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his jaw. “Fun, sun, beautiful water and loads of sex. Best present ever!”
“Right? We get caught up in our lives, our careers, the kids, even Greg, and I miss out on spending time with just you.” Her dog treat business wasn’t as stressful as his job, but she worked hard to keep it in the black. Plus, she dealt with the kids and her brother, who would always require a lot of attention. “We haven’t had a lot of time just for us. Greg has always been around and always will be. Though, I knew that going into this.” He knew with Amanda came Greg and he’d never had a problem with that. He’d known Greg much longer than he knew Amanda.
“I know and I love you for that. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, honestly.” Her excitement quickly disappeared.
He brushed a lock of her auburn hair away from her face. “You were doing fine,” he lied.
“Oh, bullshit. You called me irresponsible plenty of times. In fact, you yelled at me for it, too.”
“You found your way.” Which was not a lie. It took her a bit but she went from a spoiled brat to being solidly grounded. Even though she resisted for way too long, she finally discovered the appeal of a small town.
“Your family helped,” she whispered, her fingers walking down his naked chest and beginning to wake up his cock again.
“My family loves you.” And that also was very true.
“And I love them.”
“Actually, it’s not my family, it’s ours. You are just as much a part of them as if you were born into the family.”
Amanda snorted softly. “Luckily I wasn’t because as our well-spoken, expressive daughter would say, ‘Eww!’”
Max chuckled and then mimicked Hannah, “Yeah, eww. Gross!”
She planted her hand on his lower belly. “You know how much I love you?”
He played along. “No, how much?”
She shifted until she was settled between his legs, a naughty smile directed at him. “Do you want me to tell you? Or show you?”
“Both?”
His wife was so fucking beautiful. Those boudoir pictures were special and he’d cherish them, but he preferred her in person. No makeup, no fancy hair style, no sexy lingerie needed. He only needed her.
Forever.
Part Three
Christmas Day
Chapter Nine
Max & Amanda
Max held the door open for Amanda and, as she and Chaos squeezed past him, he grabbed her ass.
“Oh, look at you, old man, last night wasn’t enough to wear you out? You better save up some of that energy for Fiji.” She had a hard time not running around the house squealing with excitement like one of the kids.
In fact, the kids didn’t know yet that they were staying with their grandparents for the next two weeks. If he had told them, her present would never have been kept a surprise from her.
Her kids were horrible at keeping secrets. That was a fact. Amanda learned the hard way when she’d say, “Don’t tell your father!” and then they’d go blab to him as soon as he got home.
Tattletales.
Plus, they probably would’ve moped around the house about not being able to go with them.
Amanda’s smile grew to epic proportions.
“You might want to turn down that blinding smile so it doesn’t tip off our children.”
“I can’t,” she whispered.