“It means that I’ve never thought about it. I suppose as a child I helped decorate the family tree, but if memory serves me, I avoided those bonding moments. And as you saw at the house, decorating hasn’t been a priority.” He reached for my cheeks. “Priorities can change.”

His lips met mine.

Thinking about our hike, I added, “I’ve been cross-country and downhill skiing, but hiking through those drifts was definitely a first.” I smiled. “The thank-you I said earlier was for something else.”

Van’s hands came to my waist, his warming fingers splaying beneath my sweater. “What are you thanking me for?”

“For showing me a side of Donovan Sherman that the world doesn’t see.”

His grasp of my torso tightened. “Julia, this is a Donovan Sherman I haven’t seen in a long time—I’m not sure if I ever have. This is what you do to me; you make me want to be better and to make you happy.”

“You make me happy. You don’t need to try.”

“I do. My first instinct is to be selfish.” He reached for the hem of the sweater and pulled it over my head. Despite the fire’s warmth, my nipples beaded. Van took a deep breath. His gaze focused on my silk camisole covering my lace bra. “You’re so beautiful.”

I lifted his chin, already prickly from his morning shave. When his green gaze met mine, I smiled. “I’m happy. I’m unbelievably happy. You do the same thing to me, Van. You make me feel like a different person. When I’m with you, I feel liberated.”

Every word was true.

Under his wanton gaze, I felt a sense of sexual power and prowess I’d never before felt. His obvious desire filled me with strength to be more assertive than I’d ever been. I pushed up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his.

My hands went to his belt as I fell to my knees.

“Julia.” His voice was suddenly an octave lower than it had been moments ago.

Peering up through my eyelashes, I smiled as my fingers worked to release his belt buckle, the button and zipper of his jeans. “It’s my turn, Van. I want to give you something to show you how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

“Fuck.” The one word was drawn out.

As I freed his hardening cock from his boxer shorts, I licked my lips. Lapping the pre-come from the glistening tip, I opened my lips as my hands worked the root and gently squeezed his balls. Inch by inch, I took him, each time backing away, each time taking more.