Loving Him (Ashton Irwin a.u.)

Chapter 16

With no commitments with family or friends written on the calendar today, Ashton and I sat together on blankets laid out on the floor of my lounge with a small pile of gifts between us. Having spent Christmas with both our families, we felt some gifts were in need of a more intimate exchange, and therefore planned ourselves our very own Christmas #2. I still had my small potted evergreen tree set up on the coffee table, adorned with white fairy lights and glittering baubles. January had come around, and there were only a few days left until Ashton and I were going to go back to work, but that didn't mean we couldn't make ur gift exchange any less special than if it were on Christmas Day.

Aiden was sat next to his uncle playing with his toy car, making small noises, occasionally attempting to blow raspberries as an impersonation of an engine revving. Ashton and I laughed at his cuteness and cooed, before looking back at each other and beginning our exchange.

Ashton sat opposite me on the floor, a small wrapped box in his hand. My heart raced in anticipation of what the gift could be. "Relax," he said with a weak chuckle. "It's not what you think it is."

Sighing in relief, I smiled at my boyfriend and gratefully took the gift from his outstretched hand. "What do I think it is?"

"You know," he replied with a cheeky smile. "And as much as I love you, I'm definitely not ready for that yet."

"Oh, no!" I cried in agreement. "No, me neither!"

He watched comprehensively as I tucked my finger under a fold in the wrapping paper and tugged on it until I tore a hole, through which I pulled out a black velvet-finish box. I grinned at him, and slowly opened the box. My breath hitched as I laid my eyes on a stunning set of silver earrings. They curved up and round, looking to me like a snake or a lizard, with a small diamond encrusted on the front. Overcome with gratitude, I leaned I over our pile and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek.

"These are gorgeous!" I exclaimed. "Thank you so much. I love them."

I immediately took out the studs I had been wearing and looped the new earrings in. They felt comfortable and...to be honest, they felt expensive.

Smiling fondly, Ashton said, "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"And you have great taste," I replied to cover up my blush. "Are these real diamonds?!" I asked incredulously before inserting the second earring into my other ear.

Snorting, he denied, "I wish. I'm sorry, Mais, but I can't afford that kind of thing."

I shook my head. "I don't expect you to get me earrings - especially diamond ones! These are beautiful, and I love them, just like I love you."

He grinned, leaning over the pile to peck my lips once more before excitedly unwrapping the gift I had held out for him.

"Please be sexy underwear, please be sexy underwear..." he mumbled jokingly as he opened the packaging, his excitement growing as I winked at him.

When he completed the unwrapping he was indeed greeted with the sight of some lingerie I planned on wearing some point soon - perhaps on our romantic holiday in about a month's time - along with some exciting objects (toys) we could test out too. Who was I kidding? I was probably going to use all those things that night. I mean, Ashton was right. We hadn't done anything like that together in weeks. I'm a woman! Women have needs!

He picked up the nightgown from the shoulder straps and held it in front of him. Gulping, he moved to try and cover the bugle forming in his jeans, but I didn't miss it. I laughed, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "Ash! You can't get hard with a baby in the room! That's, like...babysitting rules."