No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I close my eyes, unable to stop the fit of laughter. "Oh my god."

He grins, his cheeks beautifully flushed. "Good surprise?"

I nod. "Um, I don't know how we're going to fit it through my door. How are you even carrying that thing? It's huge!"

He chuckles, leaning in to kiss me. "I've got it."

***

"Fucking hell, I really don't like snow," Giovanni mutters, shivering as I shut the door, observing the bristles of pine along the entranceway, leading to the tree Giovanni placed beside the window in my living room. I don't even mind the mess. I look at him, unable to stop smiling.

He removes his coat, his hat, his gloves and I'm still standing, staring.

Move, Scarlett.

Blinking fast, I set down the bag of ornaments as he walks over towards me, looking back at the tree. "It's a good size, right?"

I look at him. "It's perfect."

When his head tilts my way, I quickly divert my steady gaze, removing my own coat. He shivers, reaching out for me. I gasp when I feel his hands upon the back of my shirt. I let myself lean into his hard body as I take his hands in mine. I don't know what possesses me to breathe warm air upon them, but it's suddenly happening.

I'm full of blissful contentedness when I dare a glance up to him, finding him completely enticed in this moment. I'm blushing under his scrutiny, I know it.

I pull back, glancing around. "Um, are you hungry?"

"I am. I brought some leftovers. Maybe you start on the tree. I'll heat them up?"

"Okay."

I start taking out the ornaments one-by-one, observing the colors and designs with a hidden joy. It's been so long since I've felt anything remotely like this. When I hear Christmas music begin to play softly from the radio—Giovanni's doing—I don't feel annoyance. He's attempting to bring some happiness into this place and when I'd usually turn it away, I find myself craving more and more.

"I think there is a star in there too," he says from the kitchen. "To put on the top."

I smile. "I have put up a tree before."

"Just making sure," he replies pleasantly. I place the red and green ornaments spaciously, moving back every two or so to make sure it looks evenly set.

"Alright, the food is heating up." I hear Giovanni's boots against the wood.

"It looks pretty good, even without the lights, huh?"

"Damn, I forgot about those."

I look at him, shaking my head. "That's okay. It looks great like this."

His lips twist, his eyes distant in thought. Suddenly, they're alight. "Give me a second. I'll be right back."

"Giovanni!" I laugh as he opens the door, leaving it ajar. What the hell is he doing now? It's minutes later when the door opens again. My gaze slants in suspicion when he walks in with a rope of lights.

I gape. "Giovanni, did you steal those?"

He grins. "Borrowed. You'll need to return these back to the front desk tomorrow. The kid said no one would notice."

I shake my head. "You're insane."

He hands me the lights. "Plug it in. I'll wrap them around."

I do as told, straightening, my gaze wandering to him cautiously, watching him work.