Then again, I can.

“You’re so passionate about Christmas trees.” Amelia giggles, making me smile. I think she’s had too much wine. I also think she likes it when I grumble and curse. It always seems to make her laugh.

“It’s dumb, I know. I shouldn’t care what they do. It’s not like I own the place, or the tree they’re taking home,” I say.

“I like that you care so much. That’s what makes you so good at what you do,” she admits, her voice soft, her gaze locking with mine. “And your honesty is so refreshing. You always just tell it like it is, never holding back your feelings. I like that about you.”

I glance down, feeling a little bashful and not sure what I should say next. I’ve never been one who knows how to deal with a bunch of compliments.

“You’re definitely not a game player,” she continues.

I lift my head, making a face. “No way. That shit sucks.”

She laughs. “Yes, it most certainly does. I’ve dealt enough with it in the past.”

“Well, you won’t have to anymore,” I say vehemently. “What you see is what you get.”

“I like what I see,” she admits, her voice downright sultry.

Well, well. I like the direction this is taking. “You already know I like what I see.”

“Are you finished?” She gestures toward the open pizza box and the measly two pieces left inside.

“Yeah. I was starving.” I lean back and pat my flat stomach. I’m the one who ate the majority of it, so I’m glad I paid. “Hauling trees all day wears a man out.”

“I bet,” she says amusedly. “Come on, let’s go to the couch and watch something. You want more wine?”

“No thanks. It’ll just make me fall asleep.” Not quite sure if it’s true, but it sounds good. I’m tired, and I don’t want to crash out too early. After all, I’m going to have a gorgeous woman curled up next to me on a couch.

Talk about an early Christmas present.

Once we’re cozied up on the couch with a thick, soft blanket wrapped around us, I settle my arm around her shoulders as she aims the Roku remote at her TV and scrolls through Netflix. “You want to watch a holiday movie?”

“Sure.” I don’t even care. I won’t be paying too much attention, since I’ll be too entranced by the woman next to me.

She puts on some cutesy Christmas movie and leans into me, her head on my shoulder, her hand on my chest. My entire body starts tingling the longer she lays draped across me like this, and after about ten minutes, I shift uncomfortably, trying to ignore the semi-erection I’m currently sprouting.

I’m trying to be patient. What if she thinks all I want is sex? I mean, not going to lie, that is a lot of what I want, but I also enjoy spending time with her. Talking to her. Holding her close. Laughing with her. Usually during the Christmas season I get so caught up in work, I forget how to have fun.