Bella did appreciate romance. She just didn’t like admitting it.
With big eyes, she gave the box a shake. Then she tore into the paper. Throwing her head back, she laughed out loud. “Hockey skates? God, I’m going to break a limb. Maybe two.”
“No you won’t.”
“I don’t skate.”
“Sure you do. It’s just like walking, but slidier. Just hold on to me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll try it. You have to promise not to laugh too hard.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“And this is awesome, because it means I get to choose a present for you that’s outside your comfort zone.”
“What?” It was possible I hadn’t thought this all the way through.
Bella gave me an evil laugh. “Handcuffs. No. Restraints.”
“I think I need to renegotiate.”
“Too late!” Giggling, Bella grabbed my hands and lifted them up to the headboard. “Yeah. This is going to be awesome. And a blindfold. But I’ll take it easy on you, and we’ll save the nipple clamps for another holiday season.”
“Jesucristo.”
“I can make you scream that word.” Then? She tickled me.
“I am in so much trouble,” I said, dodging her questing fingertips.
“Yes you are!”
“Then so are you.” In a lightning-fast move, I grabbed both her hands and rolled, trapping her under my weight.
And her shriek was not unlike a howler monkey’s.
THE END