Page 5 of Misadventures With My Billionaire Boss

I nodded as number thirteen was called, another present opened and traded. At number sixteen, Sam went over to the pile of the last three gifts to take his turn.

He took a moment to consider. Goldie's gift box, a blue and silver Menorah wrapped package that was clearly a DVD and a red gift bag with a furry Santa on the side. Pick the DVD, I shouted in my head. But that would mean either Zach, the eight-year-old, or the very, very pregnant lady would end up with a sextoy present. What could be worse? It was a no-win situation. I rubbed my forehead with my hand, dread filling me, all thoughts of lust and ignited libido gone.

As I sat there, hugging George the Gnome to me, I watched Sam pick up Goldie's gift. My gift. By looking at the box, you wouldn't know it had come from Goldie's. No labels, no signature ribbon. It was as obscure as any other box from the pile. More obscure than the still-wrapped DVD.

From my vantage point on the floor, Sam looked larger than life. Taller, bigger, oh, so much better than ever. When he walked by to take his seat carrying the small package, a waft of his scent drifted on the air, and I was immediately taken back to that elevator, the same scent circling around me, filling my senses with dark nights, wood smoke and pure, sexy male.

His large hands worked the ribbon of the box, ripped the paper and opened the lid. For a second, he just looked inside, staring.

I held my breath. What was it? What did he see? What had Goldie put in there? Should I grab George and duck out now? Move to Florida?

Sam reached into the box and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Silver, heavy duty handcuffs.

“Holy shit,” I mumbled.

Caren responded as she rubbed her lower back, “I'm sorry, what did you say?”

I couldn't look at her. My gaze was locked on Sam, one of the cuffs dangling from a finger, the Christmas lights from the tree reflected in the shiny metal. He was staring directly at me as if he knew they were my contribution to the exchange. An eyebrow went up. He knew! I licked my lips and swallowed, internally panicking.

“Cool!” Zach and Charlie said at the same time.

A couple of people chuckled around me, but that was it. No one stood up and screamed, “Sex toy!”

“What are you going to do with those?” Charlie asked Sam.

He turned and smiled at the boy and replied, his voice as casual as can be, “Cops and robbers.”

I took a deep breath just imagining what he would do with someone who wasbad.

“Cool,” the boys repeated.

And that was it. It was Caren's turn, but she couldn't get up to make her pick. A man, who I assumed was her husband, picked the Santa bag and brought it over to her. Separating the tissue, she pulled out a package of bath salts, shower gel and lotion. For someone who could barely move, this was a good gift. I wasn't surprised when she didn't trade.

Last up was Zach, who grabbed the final gift with childlike exuberance. As I'd expected, it was a DVD.Transformers. Zach and Bobby were thrilled with the gift, giving each other high fives at their score. I'd been worried the boys would have gotten the tear jerkerSteel Magnoliasand wanted to trade it for the handcuffs. Although, it would be hilarious if the gift Goldie picked out for me to give ended up with her grandson.

With the gift exchange over, I helped Caren to her feet as she complained of having to pee for the third time since she got there. She toddled off as everyone went to grab snacks from the dining room or refill their drinks. I grabbed George off the floor and headed toward the den to put the gnome with my coat so I didn't forget it. In the hall, I turned the corner and ran smack into Sam. Sam's hard chest, really.

“Oh,” I exclaimed. His body was as rock solid as I'd remembered and his scent swirled around me, making me dizzy. And my nipples got hard. Clearly they remembered him, too. I was in big trouble.

“Hi,” Sam said, his voice deep and dark.

“Hi,” I replied, smiling up at him. My breath was ragged, as if I'd run a mile. My heart rate, too. But there Sam stood, calm as can be. He leaned in close and I held my breath. The heat from his body warmed me, even with an inch of space between us. His head lowered to hover just above my right ear. “God, you smell good,” he whispered.

I gave a little moan of pleasure and felt a shiver race down my spine. It was a little unsettling the reaction I had to this man. This was way more than chemistry. This was geology too, because I could have sworn I felt the earth move.

It couldn't be helped, my hand, and how it settled all on its own in the center of Sam's chest. There, I felt his heart pound against my palm. Not so unaffected, after all.

Sam lifted his head enough to look me in the eye. His eyes were a pale blue, like ice. He had a square jaw, strong forehead and incredible lips. Most men might not classify their lips as incredible, but the way they'd kissed me?Incredible.

“I really like my white elephant gift. Especially knowing they came from you.” The last Sam said on a very teasing, flirting tone.

“The handcuffs were Goldie's idea, not mine. I didn't know what was in there.” I didn't want to ask how he knew the handcuffs had been my gift. ESP?

“Really?” he asked, definitely surprised. “Goldie, as in Goldilocks? Well, well, Miss Hardy. You have many secrets. I learned one of them that night in the elevator.”

I arched a brow.

“You like being pressed hard against the wall when kissed. You like it when your lower lip is nipped with my teeth. You make little whimpers in your throat when I cup your ass.”