Free A Heart of Stone Christmas by K.M. Scott Page A

shirt I picked out for him that morning, he smiled at me, but I shook my head and grabbed the package from his hold.
    Hiding it behind my back, I asked, “What are you doing here? It’s only three o’clock in the afternoon. Shouldn’t you be at work or in a meeting or something?”
    His smile faded just a little. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re not happy to see me. I do know better, don’t I?”
    “Of course I’m happy to see you. I was just…busy doing something. How long have you been here?”
    “Long enough to see my gift on the floor and pick it up. I think we should exchange gifts early because I’m thinking I need a new watch right about now.”
    I hung my head in disappointment. “Oh, Tristan. How did you guess? Now my surprise is ruined.”
    He took me in his arms and hugged me close. “I’m sorry. I guessed by the shape of the box.” Kissing me on the top of the head, he whispered against my hair, “And Angelo heard from the jeweler you went to that you’d bought a man’s watch a little while back. I assumed it was for me.”
    I looked up to see him smiling. “I really wanted to surprise you, though.”
    “I’m sorry, Nina. I can always pretend to be surprised when I open it.”
    “It’s not the same,” I sulked and let my hands fall to my sides. “You might as well open it now.”
    “I’m sure it’s perfect, if that helps.”
    “A little.” I held out the gift to him. “Here. Merry Christmas.”
    “Why don’t we put it under the tree instead? You never know. I might forget in the next two days.”
    Looking up into his deep brown eyes, I saw he was trying to be cute. I didn’t want to let him charm me out of my disappointment, but it was no use. I couldn’t help it. I loved him too much to stay angry.
    “You know, it’s not fair that you have spies all over the city who report back to you about these kinds of things. I never had a chance to surprise you, did I?”
    He shook his head and grinned. “Not really spies. Just Angelo, but he’s known everywhere as my shopper, so he hears things.”
    I jabbed him gently in the ribs. “Next time I’m going to shop online.”
    “As long as you don’t know your surprise, I’m happy. How are the kids today?”
    “Down for their afternoon nap, and what do you mean my surprise? You’re not going to let me know what you got me now that you know what my gift is?”
    “No way,” he said with a sexy smile. “I love surprising you. You know that.”
    “I think turnabout is fair play here, Tristan.”
    “I think I’d rather see your face when you tear off the wrapping paper on Christmas morning.”
    He kissed me softly on the lips. “I’m going to check on the kids and get a drink. Say I meet you back here in a few minutes and we can relax for a while before they get up.”
    Just then we heard two loud cries and knew our romantic rendezvous would have to wait for another time. I placed the gift under the tree and wished for a moment that we didn’t have to postpone our quiet time together, but this was the life of new parents.
    Tristan held out his hand to take mine. “Let’s go see how those wonderful kids of ours are doing. I’ll tell you about the new hotel opening up in Bucharest on the way.”
    I held his hand and listened as he told me about the opening of the newest Richmont on the site of the home his mother had fallen in love with all those years ago. The first of the new Richmont Villa hotels Stone Worldwide planned on opening up in the next year, it was particularly close to my husband’s heart because of the history attached to it. Just listening to him talk about all the details of the decorating and how much his mother would love the hotel made me love him even more.
    “We’ll have to go there soon so you can see how it looks. What do you think of right after New Year’s?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with interest in his newest project.
    “I’d like that. Will all six of us be able to fit in