Dana Bell - The Ornament - Max and Emma

She wasn’t here. Her car wasn’t in the garage and her purse wasn’t on the kitchen counter. Her scent wasn’t in the bedroom. “Fuck. Maybe I went too far.”

She wouldn’t really break out the grapefruit spoon. Would she?

His ears caught the sound of the garage door opening. He took a deep breath, pouring his mate a glass of wine. He stared at the tastefully decorated Christmas tree and sighed. He just hoped it would mellow her mood. If not, he was one dead kitty.

Emma stepped into the kitchen, a white bag in her hand. The scent of fresh burger and fries wafted from the bag, causing his stomach to rumble. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“Max.”

Oh, not good. That careful tone of voice could only mean trouble. “Wine?” He held out the glass, watching as she stepped closer to take it. “Am I in trouble?”

She sipped, putting the white bag in his hands. “I’m not going to lie to you. I thought about it.” She headed to the kitchen table and sat, pushing out a seat for him.

“But, no.” She smiled wearily. “I know how much trouble you went through to do this for me. For us.” She laid her hand over his, and his heart stuttered. “But next year you’re waiting for us to do it together or there will be consequences.”

He laughed at her narrow-eyed glare, digging into the bag with gusto. “Yes, dear.”

She smiled, sipping her wine as he ate. They discussed their days, hers hectic, his less so. When it came time to relax, he pulled her into the great room.

“Oh, my.”

He grinned with satisfaction as she approached the tree he’d set up near the fireplace. The way the house was set up she hadn’t been able to see it from the kitchen.

He’d decorated it in white and gold, the white lights twinkling softy next to the crackling fire. Two white and gold traditional stockings graced the fireplace, his name embroidered on one, hers on the other. “Oh, Lion-O. It’s perfect.” She turned on him, suspicion highlighting those pretty brown eyes of hers. “If you can do this, why did you do that?” She pointed out the front window.

“Surprise?”

Her head tilted, obviously confused. But like the cat she was, she was curious now. He settled in on the floor in front of the fire and patted the rug next to him.

“You are up to something.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because I know you, Lion-O. You’ve got that smug male ‘I know something you don’t know’ look on your face.”

That was the joy of having his mate by his side. Even though they’d only been together two months she really did know him, better than anyone alive. He shrugged, trying to look innocent as he sipped at his wine.

“Max.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders, delighted when she snuggled in to him.

No matter how upset she was she always snuggled into him. “What?”

“Is this somehow part of my Christmas Eve surprise?”

He kissed her pert nose. “Why wait for Christmas?” Her eyes went wide as he nodded towards the tree. “There’s something special in the tree for us. See if you can find it.” He smiled indulgently as she practically ran him over, scrambling for the tree and examining it inch by inch.

“Ah-hah!” She gently pulled a golden glass ornament off the tree. Etched across the front was Max and Emma 2009 . “Huh?”

“Look closer.”

She turned it over in her hands, her fingers stroking the hinges. “Max?”

“Open it.”

She worked the latch with shaking fingers. Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, was a round diamond solitaire.

“Marry me.”

She looked up, her eyes dazed, tears pooling. “You already asked me, remember?”

He shook his head. “Not like this.” He got up on his haunches, sitting back on his heels. He took the ring out of the ornament, holding it up. “No fire, no wine, no twinkling lights.”

“Oh, Max.” One crystal tear slipped down her cheek.

He reached over and brushed it away. “An argument in my Durango is not the way I wanted to ask my mate to marry me.” He waved his hand, taking everything in that he’d done that day. “There will be times when I annoy you. Times when I aggravate you beyond belief. Times when I go overboard and you want to kill me.”

“And times when you touch my soul.”

He nodded. “I love you, Emma.” He slipped the ring on her finger. “Say yes.”

“Oh, Lion-O. You are so getting laid tonight.”

He threw his head back and laughed as she threw herself into his arms. “That is not a yes.”

“You want a yes?” Her eyes turned gold as she stared up at him through her lashes.

His sunshine-blue eyes turned gold. He licked his lips, the smile still turning up the corners. “Say it, Emma.”

She purred, rubbing her breasts against his chest. The diamond ring twinkled in the firelight. “Make me.”

“My pleasure.”

Emma gasped as Max licked a line up her neck, ending at her earlobe. She clamped her teeth together, determined to play the game to the final, gasping end.

She was going to enjoy having him wring a “yes” from her.

Making love to this woman just keeps getting better and better. They’d shed their clothes slowly, his Curana teasing him as the firelight played over her chest. Max nipped at Emma’s breast, chuckling softly when she whispered, “Oh, boy.” He sipped around her nipple, tasting her, teasing her, but leaving the best part for last.

God, he loved her breasts. He could spend eternity with his face buried between them.

“Are you a dog or a cat?”

He glared up at her, his nose buried in her cleavage.

“You’re snuffling.”

His head popped up. “I am not!”

“Are so!”

“Am not.” He took a deep breath. “I’m enjoying my mate’s endowments.”

“You’re drooling is what you mean.”

“I do not drool.”

She shrugged, her delectable breasts bouncing. “If you say so, Lion-O.” She gave a delicate yawn. “Let me know when you’re done admiring my assets.” Her eyes closed, but her mouth was curling at the edges.

Oh, no you don’t. Max tickled Emma, loving the way she squealed and squirmed under him. Love and laughter lit those dark eyes of hers, a sight he never grew tired of.

“Still feel like sleeping?”

Before she could answer he licked roughly at one pouty nipple. “Uh…”

“Take your time.” He sucked the bud into his mouth, strumming it with his tongue.

“No. No, I’m awake.”

She sounded breathless. Good. “Glad to hear it.” He switched to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment.

And then she did that thing that always managed to drive him wild. Her head tilted back and to the side, baring her throat, her arms over her head. The vulnerable submission in the gesture always managed to bring the beast out in him.

He watched as her chest bowed, offering her breasts to his mouth. He took advantage, feeding from them, his fingers delving into the wet heat of her pussy. Her hips arched, accepting his invitation as he fucked her with three fingers.

She was moaning, biting her lip, on the edge of orgasm.

He stopped, pulling his fingers from her wet core and his mouth from her breast.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Her golden eyes narrowed. “Fuck me.”

He chuckled, delighted at the demand in her tone. “Not quite, my Curana.” His fingers stroked her clit and she groaned. “Well?”

“Fuck you?”

“Soon.” He lined his cock up with her opening. Taking himself in hand he stroked the head up and down her slit, hissing at the sensation racing down his spine.

“Well?”

“Fuck us sounds schizophrenic. Either that or ménage a trois-ish.”