‘Cruel woman!’ he whimpered, rolling in the snow as he pretended to be mortally wounded.
'Grow up, ’ I said, throwing another snowball right at his head.
He waited until I came close, before darting a hand out and pulling me down into the snow beside him. I went down in a tangle of arms and snow, laughing as he rolled us over. He hovered over me for a moment, his breath fogging the air and his eyes giving far too much warmth to be socially acceptable.
‘Having fun?’
‘Shut up,‘ I said, but I couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off my face.
Finally, frozen and soaked, we headed inside. Hot chocolate appeared from the kitchen, loaded with marshmallows, cream and a knowing look from Pru. The kids cuddled under tartanblankets, while I went to stand as close to the fire as possible. Turning like a rotisserie chicken to warm both sides.
Rita appeared right as the kids were finishing their drinks, and our toes and noses began to thaw.
‘You look happy today,’ she said.
‘I think I might be.’
She glanced toward Henry, who helped a young child untangle himself from three colourful scarves.
‘He reminds me a bit of my husband when he was young. Steady. Kind. Mischief behind those blue eyes.’ Her eyes crinkled. ‘Don’t let that one go.’
I almost spilt my hot chocolate.
‘Oh, we’re not?—’
‘That’s what people always say when they don’t want to admit a thing is already happening.’
Henry looked over at me across the room, all rolled up sleeves and muscled thighs. For once, I realised that maybe I wasn’t trying to survive Christmas, but actually enjoying it.
twenty-two
HENRY
The Petersens left justafter breakfast on the twenty-seventh, which was a mercy for everyone's sanity. They operated on a strange kind of frantic joy that left the rest of us hollowed out like pumpkins.
They hugged both Amanda and me. The children with slightly sticky hands from the candy canes we’d loaded them up with, the adults swearing they'd be back next year if the Leadbetters would have them. Rita had teary eyes, thanking us for giving her family a taste of the Christmasses she’d remembered, and not another stuffy holiday without soul.
Amanda actually looked touched, her strict composure crumbling further.
It hit me a lot harder than I thought it would, seeing her knocking down those walls she’d surrounded herself in.
As the elaborate gates shut behind their cars, it felt like the whole estate breathed a sigh of relief. Amanda rubbed her forehead before leaning against me.
‘I could sleep for a week. ’
‘You gave them an experience they’ll never forget,’ I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and squeezing her. ‘You didn’t snap once today.’
‘I snapped, multiple times. I’m just getting better at not doing so externally.’
She was frayed around the edges, from stress and pressure, but from the fact that we still hadn’t slept together. Delaying the moment only made her crave it all the more, and I relished in the long looks and tremble of her fingers as she touched me.
Which made what I did next all the more evil.
I ran my nose along her jaw, murmuring against her throat.
‘If you’re good at my parents’ house, we’ll come back afterwards, and I’ll fuck the holiday spirit right into you.’
Her lips parted into a tiny, startled gasp that went straight to my spine as I sank my teeth into tender flesh.
