A Gift of Love

Blurb:

Christmas Eve. Jennifer Perkins needs the perfect gift for Sir and time is running out. Tough economic times have put a drain on her bank account, but she’s determined to give her lover something special. Short on cash, she sells a treasure, plus more than she bargained. Love—more precious than diamonds and gold.

Christmas Eve. Chris Bryant needs the perfect present for his live-in submissive, Angel, and he can’t wait until tomorrow. He may have lost his job of choice, but the New Year looks promising. Tonight is the night to make a change. The gift has to be extraordinary, and the only way is to give up his prized possession. Love—more precious than objects.

The two lovers are wrapped in a world beyond their control. Selflessness is the ultimate gift of love—one relinquishes a valued treasure, the other sells part of themselves for the special gift.

EXCERPT:

“Tonight? I don’t know, Chris. I may need to work extra hours because we need the money.” This wasn’t role-playing and calling him Sir, but real life dealing with her Chris. Money was tight and she recognized to go out to a first-rate restaurant for dinner or whatever he planned would be limited. They could barely afford to leave the zip code, let alone go out and indulge in anything fancy or extravagant.

Chris moved across the bed and snuggled close, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “We’ll be fine. I’ve been putting in extra hours, and got a lead on a new position opening over at my old firm. I sent in my resume to Human Resources, but they won’t hire until after the first of the year. I don’t want you to worry about any of this, Angel.” He kissed the top of her head as he ran his hand through her long brown tresses.

She sighed. “I trust you’ll take care of us, Sir. I’m feeling a little guilty for not helping out more, financially at least.”

“Angel, that was never our arrangement, remember?”

“Two years ago things were different. Times are tough right now. We’ve downsized everything. Your beautiful apartment to this tiny place, no going out every night, taking the subway instead of taxis, so what more can we do?”

“Trust me to take care of you, Jen. Always.”

“I do trust you.”

After a few moments of silence, lying in his embrace, she knew she had a lot to do before leaving for the restaurant. Jennifer ran her fingers along his taut chest and pushed back. “You need to finish getting ready and I have things to do.”

“Mmm, yes we do.” He glanced at his watch. “I have a little time before leaving for work.”

A sparkle came to his cappuccino-colored eyes and she knew what he meant.

Two fingers moved and lifted her chin. He wore an expression that filled her heart. Last night they played for hours before falling asleep, sated in each other’s arms. The sleep didn’t last long, as she awakened several times, and tossed and turned, the anticipation of the morning arriving kept her mind racing.

Without warning, Chris rolled to his knees and knocked back the bedcoverings, revealing her nakedness. He straddled her thighs, then grabbed her by the waist and pulled her flat on her back. He lowered his body, covering her mouth with a fierce kiss. His tongue traced the seam between her lips, and she opened for him, tasting the minty mouthwash and savored the masculine essence of Chris as he devoured her mouth. The heat of him exploded within her and encircled her body. His hands wound into her matted, long hair as he deepened the kiss until she was breathless.

As the next wave of pleasure swept over her, she moaned with delight. After the countless sleepless nights over the last couple of months, he was the only constant in the chaos of financial worries swallowing them. She was loved and returned that love. Chris fulfilled all her sexual cravings and nothing else in the world mattered when he held her in his arms.

He broke the kiss and smiled. “Tonight, at seven, will you meet me at…Rockefeller Center?”

The pounding of her heart had the adrenaline flowing. Christmas Eve at Rockefeller Center, the site of their second date. He planned something special, maybe his plans related to the pawn ticket she found a week ago?

Jennifer blinked and tingles danced across her skin. “Yes, I’ll meet you. I’ll call in sick for my night shift.” She reached to spin the diamond line bracelet on her wrist. Soon, her favorite and most sentimental piece of jewelry will be gone, but for a good reason.

With a slow, determined movement, he slid his hands over her breasts. He lowered his head and ran his tongue over one nipple, then sucked the hard, pink tip into his mouth. She never tired of his gentle touch, but sensed him debating to use a restraint on her. Normally, she yearned for the confines and the enhanced pleasure it delivered, but this morning, she didn’t care. She dug her nails into his back, and clung to him. His hardening shaft thickened against her belly and she shivered with the anticipation of his cock inside. His other hand slid over her other breast, teasing the nipple with his thumb and finger. She arched into him.