Chapter 325
It’s the following evening and for the first time as far back as I remember, I am enjoying Christmas time.
The blizzard has gotten worse, and that just sealed the fact that we are indeed spending Christmas here. I am not going to complain, spending night and day with Zaia and not once being told to get a hotel is the best gift I could ever be given.
The kids have gone to bed, with Zion offering to tuck Xander in for Zaia. He’s a good kid and acts far more mature for his age than he is. I’m proud of him, and I can tell he takes good care of Zaia.
Although he’s clearly trying to play Cupid. Since I arrived, he and Sia would find reasons to leave the room, but I’m not complaining. If he wants to help, give me some alone time with Zaia, I’m all for it.
There’s something different about her now. She isn’t avoiding me as she was eighteen months ago. She’s more open and I like it…
I promised to hold back, but now… unless I’m reading the signs wrong, she doesn’t seem to mind my flirting or subtle hints… but do I push her to test those. limits? Or do I hold back the raging tornado of emotions that courses through me like havoc?
We’re currently in the lounge as we begin wrapping the presents I had grabbed. The ones she had gotten for them had been taken out of the luggage and placed under the tree. She’s left to get us some drinks, but her tempting, seductive scent
remains.
The fire is ablaze in the hearth, warming the room. The lights from the Christmas tree in the corner and surrounding the window ledge glow cosily. The snow is falling rapidly, and the wind is still roaring, but inside it’s nothing more than blissful peace.
The sound of her footsteps approaching makes me look down at the box I am currently wrapping. I’ve done alright, but it’s nowhere near as neat as the one she had done. Folded several times to create a design to the packaging and finished off with a satin ribbon. When did she even find the time to learn things like this?
“How are you getting on?” she asks, and I look up, trying not to check her out as
O +15 BÓNUS she puts down a tray containing two glasses of wine and a plate of profiteroles.
She takes a seat beside me on the couch and crosses her legs. I’m very aware of how close she is, despite the small gap she’s left between us….
My gaze flicks to the wine as she tilts her head.
“You wrapped it.”
“Not too badly, right?” I say confidently, despite the simple wrapped box. She leans over, picks up the box and she examines the wrapping.
“It’s perfect.” She compliments, looking up at me. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
“Sure it is,” I reply not believing her, I know it’s not that good. “Maybe you should just do the rest. I’ll help, but I don’t think the kids would appreciate mine.”
“They will. The way it’s wrapped isn’t going to bother them. Besides, it’s going to be torn, anyway. Do you want me to teach you how to do the folds?” she asks as she picks up the red tartan print wrapping paper and motions for me to grab Xander’s racing car.
“I think I’m okay with just watching you work,” I say, sitting back and spreading my arm across the back of the sofa as she begins wrapping the box.
“Ok.” She chuckles.
“So, have you met your dad’s girlfriend?” I ask after a few moments of
comfortable silence, wondering if she knows who it is..
She shakes her head. “No, he wanted to introduce us on Christmas, but I couldn’t make it. Although with how bad the weather is, the internet is rocky, I don’t even know if there’ll be enough of a connection to even wish the rest a Merry
Christmas.” She sighs, brushing her hair back as she reaches for one of Sia’s jewellery boxes. Her top rides up and I can’t help but glance at the smooth skin on her back.