:: Emma's POV ::

It had been a week since Thanksgiving had come and gone and Christmas was quickly approaching. I was definitely excited, I loved the holidays. However, Christmas equaled chaos in the world of business ownership and trying to create Christmas magic for a little one. I lived for creating Christmas magic for Noah, it meant the world to me to see the happiness and genuine excitement he felt around this time of the year. We were more than excited to be able to bring JJ into our little traditions we had created and hopefully we're able to create more traditions for future Christmases.

I was running around the house like a mad woman trying to get my suitcases packed and making sure I had everything in line for Tonya. JJ had a bye week this coming weekend and he had planned a little get away for just the two of us. We were heading to Dallas to do some Christmas shopping for Noah and enjoy a little bit of a romantic weekend together and Tonya agreed to stay with Noah until we returned on Sunday. I was beyond grateful; especially considering our plans had come about so last minute. Between the drama with my ex and the rush of Christmas shopping beginning at the boutique, JJ felt I needed a mini getaway and had devised a plan. I was honestly really looking forward to it.

"Okay, I think I have everything lined up for you." I set my bags in the foyer before joining Tonya in the living room.

"I'm sure everything is fine Em. This is supposed to be about you relaxing!" She had put extra emphasis on her use of relaxing and I had to laugh, she was right, "The only thing you need to be worried about is enjoying a quiet weekend with your man."

"I know, I know and I will. I just keep feeling like I'm forgetting something." I ran my fingers through my long hair before taking a seat on the edge of the couch. The more I thought about it, the more I knew I wouldn't remember it.

"Did you pack that hot little number you bought for J?" Tonya's voice sounded mischievous as she gave me a look out of the corner of her eyes, "You better put it to use."

"There are no problems with our sex life. Thank you very much." We both laughed at her comment, "But if you must know... it's the first thing I packed."

I had been complaining to her so much lately about just wishing I could have a quiet moment with JJ and she was always more than willing to baby sit Noah, but that wasn't it. Our schedules had just been so hectic lately and it seemed like by the time our days had both come to an end we were just climbing into bed. I can't say our sex life was necessarily suffering but some nights felt so rushed and that's not the way either one of us really liked to do things.

"So, tell me.... Is his size proportionate to the rest of him?" Tonya's voice was full of curiosity and jest all at the same time.

My mouth dropped at her question and I had to laugh. I mean we are girls, kissing and telling is what we do. I don't know why I was so surprised by her question, it's not like it's a topic we've never discussed and it was very much something I expected to be asked by Tonya. That was just her.

I nodded at her confirming her inquiries.

"Damn girl!" Tonya's reaction instantly made my cheeks grow flushed and we both erupted in laughter.

We heard the front door open and seconds later JJ appeared before us in the living room. All I could think was how handsome he looked, I hadn't seen him in real clothes since Thanksgiving and it was always such a pleasant surprise. A white t-shirt covered by his gray North Face, a pair of distressed medium washed jeans, Nikes on his feet and but of course, a hat on his head. Except this time he was paying homage to his alma mater. He was handsome enough in his sweats but when he cleaned up, that was another story. What I loved most was the stubble that grew on his face from two days without shaving. Be still my beating heart. I knew it wasn't going to be around long, he never went more than three days tops without shaving. I was perfectly okay with that, I wasn't one for a bearded man but the scruffy look was so sexy on him.

"Sorry I'm late. That meeting went longer than I expected." He stood in front of Tonya and me apologizing for a delay that I hadn't really noticed.

"I didn't even notice." I shrugged as I got up and made my way over to him.

"Yeah, she was too busy running around and freaking out about forgetting stuff." Tonya teased.

"As usual." JJ laughed with her as he looked at me.

I looked between the two of them, not really entertained by their teasing at the moment. I couldn't help the way I was as much as I wanted to and I was slightly insecure about it at times. I walked past the two of them to go find Noah when JJ grabbed my waist.

Noah!" I called out as I pulled JJ's arm off of me not wanting to entertain the situation at this time, "Come give me a hug!"

Moments later Noah appeared at the top of the stairs and began his decent down them. He always seemed to have a permanent smile on his face and it never ceased to put a smile on mine. You can call me biased but I think I have the cutest little boy in the world; his beautiful blue eyes, his endless eyelashes, his messy brown hair and a smile that would light up anyone's darkest days.

He reached the bottom stair and leapt into my arms with a giggle that I definitely needed to hear at that very moment and I cheerfully embraced him. Noah held his arm out and looked at JJ who had just come back inside from carrying out my luggage. It wasn't seconds before JJ's arms engulfed us against him. I may be a little bit mad at him right now but there was no denying that there were very few things in this world better than our group hugs.

"I love you. Give me a smooch." I instructed and Noah's little lips landed on my cheek in a wet kiss, "Be good for Tonya."

"I will momma." Noah wiggled out of my grip and ran to Tonya's side, "Are you gonna tell Santa I was a good boy?"

A smile spread across my lips and I knelt down to his level, "I'm going to tell him you've been the very best boy in the world."

Noah smiled proudly and I heard a laugh escape from JJ that stood behind us. Tonya wrapped her arm around Noah as I kissed his forehead and returned to my upright position. I always feel guilty leaving him, almost like I'm shaking off my responsibilities. Everyone insists that I'm crazy for feeling that way but when you don't have kids it's hard to understand the feeling. I just hate being away from him but I was really looking forward to some alone time with JJ.

"Love you buddy." JJ bent down and kissed the top of Noah's head as I grabbed my purse off the entryway table, "We'll see you Sunday. I'll be back to watch football."

Noah was beaming. He and JJ had been talking about being able to watch football together during the BYE for weeks. I know Noah was just excited to be able to watch football beside him for a change and I know JJ was looking forward to the bonding time that came with it. Tonya and I talked about going to the spa for a mani-pedi and letting them have boy time together.

I walked out the front door and JJ followed. I had barely made it down the steps before I felt his arms wrap around me from behind, his feet briefly matching mine step for step as I walked. I stopped and turned myself around in his arms, bringing me face to face with him.

"Don't be upset with me." He pleaded with me as his hands slid from my waist to the snug denim that covered my bottom, "I love everything about you. You know that, right?"

I nodded as my eyes wandered over his face, landing on his lips. I wrapped my right arm around his neck and rested my left hand on his waist. I knew he loved me, I could see it in his eyes. For so long everyone else had seen it in his eyes and I only ever got to hear about it and I never really knew what they meant by it. Until recently. It sent a sensation over my body like I had never known before and I had never been so sure of anything in my life.

He bent his head down to meet mine and I slightly lifted the brim of his hat back granting him access to my lips. Nothing in this universe could possibly taste better than his kiss, I was certain of that.

"I love you too." My lips have barely parted from his as the words fell off my tongue.

"I think we should head back inside for a minute." The warmth of his breath danced across my lips, a playful smile spreading across his face and I giggled.

"Patience." I punctuated it with a kiss before we parted, "We should get going."

We hopped in the car and before I knew it, we were off. Three and a half short hours and we'd be in Dallas. I settled into the front seat making myself comfortable, I get antsy on longer car rides, unless I'm driving. JJ would soon find out we wouldn't be able to make it 3 hours without me stopping to get a snack somewhere along the way. I only hoped he was as bad with road trips as I am. Although I feared that was unlikely, he's in the business of mastering trips thanks to football.

A comfortable silence fell over the car as JJ focused on driving and typing the address into his navigation at every red light we stopped at on our way to the thruway. I looked out the window watching the scenery buzzing by as it turned from populated city streets to miles of expressway and signs, green grass and trees passing by. It wasn't long before my eyes had fluttered closed.

I woke a short time later never really realizing I fell asleep, I didn't know I was so tired. I looked at the clock on the dash; I had slept about an hour and a half. I straightened myself out and turned to look out the window before looking over at him. He looked so concentrated on the road, his right elbow resting on the middle console, his left hand on the steering wheel, his baseball hat shading his face. ESPN radio played softly and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face knowing he kept it so quiet to avoid waking me from my mini road trip slumber. My heart skips a beat without fail every time I look at him.

I reached out rubbing his arm that rested beside me, my hand gliding over the smooth fabric feeling every hard curve of his muscles. I slipped my left arm between the small space his arm on the console and his body had created, finding his hand I laced my fingers through his. He gladly accepted, his thumb caressing the top of my hand.

"You okay?" My voice came out softly, breaking the silence.

"I'm fine baby." He looked over at me as he pulled off an exit, giving my hand a gentle squeeze, "I've just got to get gas. I should've filled before we left Houston but I forgot."

"Okay."

I gave him a small smile as I watched the path he was taking us on. After a couple turns we were pulling into a Texaco station. I was silently praising this gas station for having a pretty large convenient store. It was definitely time for a snack. JJ pulled up to a pump and was forced to break our hands apart in order to put the car in park and pump gas. I watched him climb out of the front seat biting my lower lip as I checked out his back side. The elastic waistband of his boxer briefs that peaked out of the top of his jeans due to his shirt bunching up in the back was enough to send my imagination into over drive.

I had to escape this car before I lost my mind. I grabbed my purse and jumped out. I walked around the other side of the car to wear JJ was pumping gas.

"I'm going to run in and grab a drink and stuff babe, do you want anything?" I slid my unneeded sunglasses up on top of my head, pushing my brown hair away from my face.

"You." He placed his hand on my hip and pulled me into him, with me standing up on the cement island the gas pump rested on it actually helped to minimize the height gap between us.

"Oh yeah?" I felt the blood rush to my cheeks.

"Yeah." His voice was lower and quieter than usual, his lips grazing mine as he spoke the contact sending a chill down my spine. It didn't take him long to capture my lips completely.

"Mmm." A moan escaped me as we parted from our kiss. It was a natural reaction to the way he was making me feel at the moment. He was starting trouble he wasn't going to be able to finish right now.

"Save that for later." Judging by the tone in his voice, it was obvious he was turned on and struggling as much as I was. I buried my face in his neck to hide my giggle from on lookers.

I shook my head, the smile on my face not budging as I slipped out of his grasp. I had to go inside before I decided I need to jump his bones right here right now. I turned back to look at him and still had a hard time processing how lucky I was to have landed such an amazing man. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined we'd be where we are right now. He's everything.