According to the clock on the microwave, it's 12:05. I'm so anxious waiting for Blake's answer that it registers slowly. It's Christmas.

He pulls me into the bedroom. Not the sex room/extra guest room but the bedroom where we sleep every night.

It's transformed, decked in holiday adornments that are very, very Blake. Red silk sheets. A plush striped comforter. String lights hanging from the walls.

And mistletoe right on top of the headboard.

Blake enters holding a neatly wrapped present. It's about the size of a shoe box. Shiny red paper. Soft white bow.

"But," I take a deep breath, "you hate Christmas. You can't put it in your bedroom if you hate it."

I turn and stare into his eyes. They're soft. Like he's happy.

"You were right. Running away didn't help. It only gave my father power over me." His expression softens. "It's terrifying, but I have to face those memories if I want to move on. I do want that, Kat. I want to share all my life with you. Even the parts that hurt."

"Every single part?"

He nods. "You really have no idea what you do to me."

"How could I do anything to you?"

"You've given me the world."

What? If anything, he's given me the world. I shake my head. "But you're—"

"Rich?"

I nod.

"There's more to the world than money." He runs his fingers over my cheek. "Before we met, I spent all my time in my office. I was so desperate to stay in control that I wasn't open to anything that wasn't my way. But you…you've showed me how beautiful the world can be. You've forced me to open myself to that."

I swallow hard.

"Do you remember when we went to Paris?"

"Of course. We spent more time in the hotel than out of it."

"True." He smiles. "It wasn't the first time I'd been to Paris, but it was the first time I enjoyed it."

"Because we were—"

"No, Kat, though I adored the part in the hotel room. It was because it the first time the city seemed beautiful."

"But, it's Paris. How could it not be beautiful?"

He pulls me close. "How did I get so lucky to have you?"

"But it is beautiful. How could you see it otherwise?"

He offers no explanation. He doesn't have to. I remember the Blake I met last spring. The world was something for him to control. He didn't see it as beautiful. He didn't see it at all.

Blake steps back. "I have a present for you."

"Those are supposed to wait until tomorrow."

"You won't want to open this one in front of your sister." He pulls a wrapped box out of the dresser and hands it to me.

I unwrap it slowly. It's an unmarked box. Inside is a sleek velvet pouch. I study Blake for a clue. His expression is demanding—the look he gets when it's time for him to take control.

My breath strains. My hands are totally unsteady as I open the pouch. It's a vibrator. Heavy. Silver.

Oh my God. It's actual silver. Sterling silver. I almost laugh. Blake Sterling bought me a sterling silver vibrator.

It must have cost a fortune.

His eyes find mine. "Don't worry about the price." He shifts into the arm chair across from the bed. "The show I'm about to get is worth every penny."

Tension builds between my legs. He wants to watch me. We've never done that, not like this.

"Put it on the bed," he says.

I hesitate.

"Kat, do you want to do this?"

Hell yes. I nod.

"Good. Now set the vibrator on the bed."

I do.

Blake's eyes are glued to mine. "Take off your sweater. And your jeans."

I shimmy out of my clothes. I'm wearing nothing but a tank top over the peekabo red bra and panty set.

Blake's eyes scan my body. They stop at my chest and my crotch. Seems that my present to myself is working just as well on him.

His breath hitches, but he stays planted firmly in the chair. "Take off the top."

I pull it over my head. His eyes go wide. He's looking at me like he wants to consume me, like the sight of me is enough to take him all the way to the edge.

His gaze goes to my bra. "Did you buy that today?"

"Yes."

"I like it."

"Thank you."

"Turn around, so I can get a better look."

I turn slowly. My cheeks flush. A hint of nervousness rises up in my chest. Then Blake groans and it all melts away. I'm not nervous or shy or anything but desperate to reveal myself to him.

Whatever he wants to see.

Back to my original position, my eyes meet his.

Heat passes through me, collecting between my legs.

"Touch your breasts," he says.

I go to rub my thumb over my nipples.

"Slower. Cup them first."

I cup my breasts, pressing my palms against my nipples. He's going to torture me making this take forever, but I really can't complain.

His eyes are fixed on my chest, wide with desire.

He leans back in his chair, spreading his legs to take up as much space as possible. "Play with your nipples."

Finally. My fingers waste no time. Every touch and pinch sends a shock wave to my core. I can barely keep my eyes open. It already feels so good.

My breath picks up until I'm panting. I squeeze my nipples hard, the way he does. My sex clenches, desperate for a build-up and release. Desperate for Blake.

He's watching me with rapt attention. "Keep your panties on while you touch yourself. But do it slowly."

My hand goes up my thigh reflexively. I look to Blake as if to ask permission. He nods. I almost sigh in relief.

I slide my fingers over my clit with a soft touch. It's not as good as if it was Blake, but there's a thrill to him watching me. Tension builds inside me. I'm already keyed up.

His voice gets heavy. "Sit on the bed now."

I do.

"Spread your legs."

I do.

"Wider."

I spread my legs as wide as they'll go. My breath catches in my throat. That same shyness threatens to derail this. The flush in my cheeks spreads to my chest and stomach.

I inhale slowly. It's enough to calm my nerves. There's still all this electricity buzzing through me.

"Don't you want to join me?" I ask.

"After I watch you come."

Blake's eyes find mine. The look that passes between us is enough to melt the last hint of nervous energy.

I want to give myself to him, whatever he wants.

"Turn on the vibrator," he says. "Then come for me."

I pick up the new toy. It takes a few moments of playing with the buttons to get it on. Then it's buzzing in my hands, the way my cell phone does when it's on vibrate, only harder and without ceasing when the call goes to voicemail.

I drag the toy down my stomach. The cool metal warms slowly, until it's not quite so shocking against my skin.

My heart races. Every nerve in my body wakes up as I press the vibrator to my clit.

Holy shit, that's a lot of sensation. More than I've ever felt before.

The knot inside me tightens so damn fast. I'm seconds from coming. I have to move the toy. This can't be over yet. Not until Blake is panting and groaning too.

Deep breath. I press the toy against my clit again. Pleasure shoots through me. Almost too much. I have to do something to contain it. I slide it down. The sides of my knees strain against the bed.

Blake is staring at me with such rapt attention. He wants this as much as I do, even if he has the self-control to sit all the way over there.

The silver toy nudges at my sex. I'm wet already. It slides inside me with no force at all.

Wow. Not as good as Blake inside me, but amazing all the same. I fuck myself with the toy, taking it as deep as it will go then pulling it almost all the way out. Every time, I get a little closer to the edge. The knot inside me pulls tighter, until it's so tight I can barely take it.

When I finally manage to pull my eyes open, they go straight to Blake. His mouth is hanging open. His pupils are dilated. For once, he's completely at my mercy.

I'm not about to lose this opportunity. I'm going to give him one hell of a show.

I lean back, until I'm flat against the bed. I spread my legs wider. And I fuck myself with the toy. Harder and deeper.

His breath gets heavy. He groans like he can't stand watching without touching.

It all feels good. My body is buzzing with electricity, somehow desperate for more and racing toward an orgasm all at once.

My eyes close. I can't wait anymore. I bring the toy back to my clit and slide it in slow circles until it's in exactly the right spot. Every vibration tightens the knot, sending me closer to the edge. I squeeze the sheets to maintain control, but they're too smooth.

"Blake," I groan.

He's not even touching me and he's making me come.

An orgasm rises up inside me. I need to show him how good he makes me feel. And not just now, but all the damn time. I groan and pant. When that's not enough, I groan his name again and again.

I go over the edge. All the tension inside me unravels, sending waves of pleasure to my fingers and toes. I come so hard I can barely breathe.

I try to turn off the toy, but the buttons are too confusing. I drop it on the ground instead.

Finally, Blake gets out of his chair. I can't see him, but I can hear him. He reaches down, picks up the toy, and turns it off. Then he sits on the bed next to me.

He leans close and strokes my hair. "You're beautiful."

"Thank you." My cheeks flush. "Is that what you meant about the world being beautiful?"

"Not quite." His lips curl into a smile. "Come here."

He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me into his lap. I slide my legs around him, straddling him. He looks up at me, the same way he did when we first made this Christmas deal. Only this time, there's no need to negotiate in his eyes. There's nothing to prove. There's nothing except love.

Pure, deep, true love.

I kiss him hard. It's like his feelings are pouring into me. His words are sweet, but his body says more than words ever could.

He pulls his sweater and t-shirt over his head. I run my hand over the strong muscles on his chest and stomach. Then over his jeans.

The sweetness shifts to something a lot more demanding.

I rub Blake over his jeans. He groans, pressing his lips against my neck. There's a vulnerability in his eyes. He's not used to me in control.

We shift up on the bed. I press my hands against his shoulders to push him flat. Then I kiss my way from his shoulders to his stomach. Soft skin against hard muscles. He's warm and he tastes so damn good. I unzip his jeans and tug them down his hips. Then the boxers.

I slide my tongue over his tip then take him into my mouth. It's so different than last time I was in this position. Right now, he's at my mercy.

I suck on him until he's groaning and tugging at my hair.

His nails dig into my shoulders. "Get on top of me."

An amazing idea. I shift, straddling him. My hands on his chest, I lower myself onto him.

It's like I'm home.

Blake slides his hands up my sides. They meet between my shoulder blades and he pulls my body onto his. We're pressed together, stomach to stomach, chest to chest.

The skin to skin contact is enough to push me to the brink of an orgasm. My sex clenches, desperate for another release. I dig my hands into his skin to contain myself.

He kisses me hard, sucking on my lower lip. His hands dig into my ass. He holds me in place, shifting his hips to thrust into me.

I melt into his motions. Bliss rises up inside me. How can anyone see the world as anything but beautiful? Everything is in its right place. Everything is perfect.

My eyes flutter closed. I soak in the feeling of his skin against my fingers, his lips against my lips, his cock in my sex. We fit together perfectly, here, there, everywhere.

With his next thrust, I come. My sex spams, clenching him tighter. I moan into his mouth so I don't break contact. He kisses back—hard—his tongue plunging into my mouth like he's claiming it.

In one swift motion, Blake slides his hands around my stomach and shifts us so I'm under him. I hook my legs around his waist. I wrap my arms around his chest.

The weight of his body sinks into me. On the plush foam mattresses, it's perfect.

His lips go to my neck. He bites me gently. His breath speeds up. His arms shake. He's almost there too.

I open my eyes to watch him come. It's such a beautiful thing to see. His teeth sink into his lip. His forehead relaxes. A shudder goes from his forehead all the way to his stomach and toes.

His next motion sends him over the edge. His cock pulses, filling me. I dig my fingers into his skin to hold him close. And I watch the expression of pure bliss form on his face.

He collapses next to me and pulls me close, so I'm his little spoon and he's my big spoon. My eyes close. It must be late now. I'm exhausted, ready to fall asleep in his arms.

We lie together for what feels like an hour.

He breaks the silence. "Are you hungry?"

I nod. "For something small."

Blake shifts off the bed. I take a moment to change out of my lingerie and into a pair of flannel pajamas.

He's in the kitchen, fixing two mugs of hot chocolate. When our eyes meet, he smiles.

"Kat, look." He points to the window.

It's snowing.

Those perfect white flakes from the roof fill the air. A white Christmas. It's an actual white Christmas.

He hands me a mug of cocoa and wraps a blanket around my shoulders. Then he finds a blanket for himself.

Blake leads me out to the balcony. It's freezing, but I don't mind. It's Christmas and it's snowing and I'm here with the man who is going to be my husband.

Everything in the world is right.

Blake slides his arm around me. "Merry Christmas, Kat."

"Merry Christmas, Blake."