Warning: Sappy!

7

"Babe, it's three-thirty," Ranger said, standing just outside my bathroom door as I finished up my hair and makeup.

I was rushing to get ready to go over to my parents' house for presents and then dinner. We were at my apartment so that I could change and pick up the gifts. I knew we had to be there by four at the latest, or my mom would cut me off from dessert for life.

I hobbled from the bathroom to the bedroom, trying not to put too much weight on my bandaged ankle. Dropping my robe on the floor, I stood there, clad in a tiny blue thong and a matching pushup bra. Even with my back to the door I felt that tingle shooting up my spine to the back of my neck telling me he was there, watching.

Without turning, I slipped into a royal blue dress, stepped into a pair of flat shoes in deference to my sprained ankle, and said, "Zip me up, please?"

I held my hair up off my shoulders, and the feeling of Ranger's fingers on my bare back increased the tingle to an outright shiver. God, he could turn me on with just a touch.

He finished zipping me up and kissed the spot where my neck met my shoulder. The contact sent a bolt of lightning through my nipples, hardening them and making them tingle, and on down through my belly to my center. Suddenly my thong was feeling uncomfortably damp.

"Take it off, Babe," Ranger suggested, low and hoarse.

His fingers stroked down each side of my hips and raised the hem of my dress, teasing my thighs as they meandered upward toward where I desperately wanted them to be.

Moaning, I exerted the tremendous effort necessary to pull myself back together and stepped away. "Not now, Batman." Much as I wanted him I just couldn't let myself give in or we'd be late. "Later, after dinner."

"That's a promise, Babe."

"I'm ready. Let's go," I told him.

He looked me up and down, his eyes dark with desire. Then he made his own visible effort to gather himself.

Reaching into his pocket he said, "I was going to save this for later, but you look so incredible that I want you to have it now, to wear with that dress. Merry Christmas, Babe."

He handed me an aqua Tiffany box tied with a silver ribbon. It was oblong, as if it contained a bracelet or necklace.

I felt torn. On the one hand I was thrilled that he got me a Christmas gift. On the other hand, Tiffany's… Expensive. I had a gift for him, the limited edition 1960s Batmobile with wings. It was pretty cool, and I thought he needed some more personal things in his apartment, but there's no way it compared to something from Tiffany's.

"Aren't you going to open it, Babe?" he asked, looking into my mind, knowing exactly what I was thinking as always. "As soon as I saw it I knew it was just perfect for you."

Awww… Feeling all squishy inside, I took the box and pulled off the ribbon. Opening it I gasped. It was a bracelet of sapphires connected by platinum links. It was amazing, and I knew it must have cost thousands of dollars.

"Omigod, it's gorgeous," I told him, "but it's too much."

"On the contrary, it's nowhere near enough. Its beauty doesn't hold a candle to yours." He took it out of the box and before I knew it he had fastened it onto my unbruised wrist.

I held my arm out, turning it this way and that, enthralled by the sparkling blue stones reflecting the light.

"You were still with Morelli when I bought this, but it didn't matter. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was meant for you. You're mine now, and as soon as you're comfortable letting everyone know about us I'll be putting a ring on your finger. If you'll have me, that is."

I threw myself into his arms. "Oh, Ranger, of course I'll have you! You've given me the best gift I've ever gotten. You've made this the best Christmas ever." I smashed my mouth against his, trying to put everything I was feeling into my kiss.

After a long time we pulled apart and headed out the door into our life together.

The end.