Once again, it’s Christmas. Another year of sickly-sweet peppermint mochas, well-wishers, and saccharine music. I hate it all, but you couldn’t tell by the way my house is decorated.

Garlands of pine wrap the railings. Pretty lights dance on the tree in the family room. Ronan chose the tree. I decorated. Unfortunately, I had to keep the cock lights in the XXXMAS box, but I saved a couple of ornaments and hung them in the back. My dish towels are holiday-themed, and scented pine cones sit in a green ceramic bowl.

The lights and decorations have grown on me. One can only spend so many hours helping out in various Christmas-related events before it seeps into your soul. This year, Christmas doesn’t feel unbearable. Probably because Ronan and I are together.

Peppermint tea steeps as I slip my hands around the hot mug. After hours of volunteering at an adoptions event for cats in my Mrs. Claus costume, I’m beat. I didn’t have the energy to change.

A key scrapes the front door’s lock. Ronan’s deep groan fills the house as he stamps his boots. "God, you wouldn’t believe the crowds today."

"Uh oh. Did you get recognized?"

Wearing the Santa suit, Ronan walks into the kitchen and rips the beard and hat off. I lift the tea bag and slide the mug to him.

"Thanks, babe." Ronan wraps his hands around it, sighing. "Some parents need to teach their kids boundaries, but I guess we might not be together if I’d have had manners when I was a boy."

I bounce on my toes to plant a kiss on his stubbled cheek. Ronan beams when I pull away.

"What?"

He seizes a wayward strand and tucks it behind my ear. "You look pretty."

Ronan’s grin sends a rush of warmth to my skin. "You’re the one with a modeling contract."

"I’m not a model! I’m an Instagram influencer."

"You’re a hot football player who gets paid to endorse products with photos I take of you. That’s modeling, my dear."

Ronan shakes his head as though embarrassed by the whole thing. After a successful year with the Flames, Ronan was approached by all kinds of sporting brands and offered endorsement deals. I’m grateful because it pays the rent, and if Ronan isn’t drafted into a league, we’ll be comfortable.

"I don’t know why you downplay how successful you are." I help him out of his bright-red jacket and throw it over a bar stool. "You should be proud of yourself. I am."

He lowers the mug onto the counter and sweeps me into his arms. Ronan carries me as effortlessly as a doll, my hands clasped around his neck. My heart pounds at his closeness. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been together, seeing him walk through that door is always the best part of my day. He takes me upstairs, toward the bedroom.

Okay, perhaps it’s the second best part of my day.

"You know, it’s been a year…and we’ve never banged in our Santa outfits."

I burst with laughter. "Yeah, and that’s a good thing. I can’t take you seriously with the fat suit."

"Your costume is sexier than mine." His hand slips under my dress to grab my ass. "Come on, Gigi. Indulge my fantasy."

It’s impossible to say no to Ronan. All year I’ve said yes. Three months after we started dating, he asked me to move in. It’s been pure bliss since then—a whirlwind romance where we finish each other’s sentences and blow off friends to be together.

I’m in love.

And for the first time in my life, I know what it means to be loved. When Ronan holds me, it’s so different. None of them could’ve ever measured up to his glowing warmth. I feel the safest in his arms.

Ronan gently drops me onto the bed, forehead pressed against mine. He squeezes my ass, dragging the stockings and thong off my feet. With my hands locked around his neck, I raise my head to kiss him. He gives me what I want, breaking from my lips with a sigh.

My breath catches as he peels the shirt from his body, which I never get tired of seeing no matter how often he’s shirtless. How could I? Every inch of him is hard, blazing hot, and eager for me.

Ronan moves my legs apart, grinning. The smile twitches as he lowers himself. Pressure builds between my thighs, and then it shoves inside me. He's hard. Torturously slow. I cling to his shoulders as we join our bodies. He rolls the dress over my stomach. I gasp, the air knocked out from his deep thrusts. I close my eyes, listening to the sound of Ronan's love.

Before long, it's over, and we dissolve into a sublime state. My cheek touches his chest, and my toes curl. I could fall asleep like this, entangled in his embrace, listening to his comforting heartbeat.

"I love you, Ronan."

I don’t say it often enough, even though it makes me giddy to see Ronan smile and respond, "I love you, too." This time, his arms tighten around me. He buries his face into my hair and kisses me.

"I got you a present while I was out. Want to open it?"

"Before Christmas?" I stare at him. "Isn’t that against the rules?"

"It’s just one gift, Gigi. Come."

I groan, reluctant to leave the bed’s warmth. Ronan quickly takes the choice away from me, picking me up with the bed sheets. I squeal as we walk past windows without the curtains drawn.

"Ronan, the neighbors can see everything!"

"My house. I can do what I wish."

"Yeah, but—"

Ronan silences me with a kiss. "I want them to know how sexy my girlfriend is."

What’s so important about this gift?

Ronan brings me into the family room and drops me onto the couch, yanking the drapes shut so that the only light shines from the Christmas tree. Naked, he bends over. I admire the sight of my boyfriend as he fishes a small box from the pile, and presses it into my hands.

A pulse begins in my throat. Is this—?

I tear the packaging, finding a golden star tree-topper. Puzzled, I glance at Ronan.

He shrugs. "I saw it and thought you’d like it."

"Yeah, it’s—it’s nice." I lean into his lap, kissing him. "Thanks."

"Hang it on the tree," he says with a smirk.

"Why?"

"Because, your tits look amazing when you’re reaching for something."

I snort as I grab the ornament. Ronan slides the stepping stool in front of the tree. My face burns as he watches me, his grin stretching ear to ear. I was sure it was a ring box.

Oh well.

I climb the steps, lifting the star onto the highest branch. "Hope the view is good."

"Oh, it is. Need help?"

"No, I got it." The star slides down, my hands trailing pine needles. "Wait—there’s something attached."

"Hmm. I wonder what it is."

Heart pounding at his tone, I grab the string looped around the branch. I twirl it around, finding a golden ring set with a princess-cut diamond.

"Oh my God."

Ronan is kneeling by the time I turn around. Still naked. I could laugh if I weren’t choked with emotion.

"Since we started dating, I’ve felt that we were made for each other. This whole year has been something out of a dream."

"Holy shit. This is happening." Clutching the ring, I descend the steps. "Sorry, keep going."

"Will you marry me, and make me the happiest man in the world?"

"Yes!" I throw my arms around him, dissolving into happy tears. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Ronan breathes a sigh of relief, kissing my hands. He slides the ring onto my finger. I tremble as he pulls me into his embrace, and his lips crash into mine.

He is where I belong. As long as I’m in his arms, I’m home.

# # #

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