Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
A soft knock had me sitting up, but before I could call out for whoever it was to wait, the door inched open and Allegra’s sweet face popped inside. Her eyes swept hungrily down my bare chest and paused on my morning wood tenting the sheet. It had hardened even more the moment I’d felt her eyes on me, and I fisted the sheet on either side of me to keep from racing across the room and dragging her back to bed.
“Don’t look at me like that until you’re going to do something about it, baby,” I growled. Her eyes bounced back up to my face, and she grinned sheepishly.
“Sorry.” Then she beamed at me and did an excited little jump. “It’s Christmas, sleepyhead. Get your sexy butt out here so I can open my presents!”
I laughed because she was just so fucking adorable. “Give me a minute to get some clothes on, sweetheart. I’ll be right there.”
Her eyes narrowed, and her gaze swept over me once more, this time without the heat. “Are you sleeping naked in my parents’ house?” she whisper-yelled with a cute glare. I loved how jealous she got and how possessive she was over me. It was sexy as fuck, and it kept me from any worries I might have had about my caveman instincts when it came to her.
I shook my head as I rose from the bed. “I wouldn’t do that.”
She looked slightly mollified but still a little put out. “Wear some pajamas, would you?”
I grinned and winked at her. “You’re hot as hell when you get territorial, you know that?” Her cheeks bloomed with pink, and she shrugged.
“I don’t like the idea of another woman seeing you in just your boxers, not even my mom.”
I closed the distance between us and pulled her into my arms as I kicked the door shut. “You’re the only woman I want seeing me naked, baby. The only woman I’m interested in looking at me at all.” Allegra’s frown curved up into a sweet smile. “Besides that, you know I’ll always do whatever it takes to make you happy,” I reminded her. She nodded and leaned up for a kiss. Before I had a chance to enjoy it, or take it any further, she slapped me on the ass and broke out of my embrace. The next thing I knew, the door was once again shut, and I was all alone. Laughing, I padded over to my suitcase and hurried to throw on a T-shirt and pair of sweats before joining the family in the living room.
I saved the best gift for last, and the wait had nearly driven me out of my mind. Especially with my impatient wolf growling and practically pacing inside me.
Allegra gasped at a beautiful scarf silk scarf she’d just received from her parents. While she ran over to give them each a hug, I slipped her last present from my pocket and placed it in her spot next to me. “You missed one,” I announced, attempting to sound surprised.
“I did?” she asked excitedly as she spun around and came racing back to me. All morning, I’d watched her light up with every single gift she opened. Her mom had mentioned to me that Allegra still loved the holidays every bit as much as she had as a kid. It was adorable, and Allegra’s enthusiasm was contagious. But what truly got to me was this glimpse of what our daughters would look like at Christmas someday. Which brought me back to the matter at hand.
Allegra stopped when she reached the couch and stared at the small box wrapped in silver paper and red ribbon. Her eyes darted from the gift to me and back, then she snatched it and gave me a bright, hopeful smile. “From you?” she asked excitedly.
I winked and grinned as I shook my head. “Santa,” I joked.
She laughed and plopped down into her seat before ripping the wrapping off the present. Her breathing halted as she stared at the black velvet box, then it whooshed out as I dropped to one knee in front of her.
“Allegra, sweetheart. I knew from the moment we met that you were destined to be mine. Even if my mind hadn’t known you weren’t my fated m”—I paused when I realized what I’d been about to say and quickly adjusted—“soul mate, my heart would have made it clear. I belong to you, and you belong to me. Forever.” My eyes drifted to the spot on her neck that sported a barely noticeable reminder that I’d marked her. “And I want the rest of the world to know that we’ve mat—committed ourselves to each other.” I popped up the lid to the box and removed the diamond solitaire from its velvet bedding. “Will you marry me and wear this ring that”—I gave her a sly grin—“marks you as mine?” I didn’t wait for her answer as I slipped the ring onto her finger.