“The sea bass for two is incredible,” our waiter interjected.
“Then we will have that and any sides you think may go well with it.” I appreciated the server’s attentiveness but didn’t wantto waste my precious time with Tulya, so I hoped he understood my curtness.
“Some more sparkling water?”
This time I nodded and added, “Thanks,” before eyeing the beautiful woman across from me.
He got the message and smiled, only popping by briefly when delivering the aforementioned items.
We filled our bellies on fish, a departure from Tulya’s usual holiday fare, and allowed the alcohol to calm our nerves. So by the time we walked toward the elevator, Tulya leaned into my side, fully showing some sort of affection for me.
“What’s with thehappyChristmas and not merry, by the way?” A laugh ran through her words as we waited for the elevator.
“Honestly?”
She looked at me. “Yes.”
The answer came out in a breath; it felt as if I was revealing the freaky part of my soul. “Well, in the UK, where I do increasingly more work, Happy Christmas means have a content holiday, and I really like the feeling behind that.”
She took my hand in hers and squeezed. I guess she liked it too.
Tulya
No matter how many walls, shields, or emotional boundaries I tried to stick up, I couldn’t prevent myself from falling for Donovan Malachite. He was knocking down every obstacle like a bulldozer destroying a building.
“Would you like another drink?” he asked me once we were tucked inside the common area of our suite.
I was going to miss this small cocoon we’d burrowed ourselves in. When our task was successfully checked off, we would go our separate ways. I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I’m too full…”
Truth was, I’d had enough alcohol and needed to be able to think clearly when it came to this green-eyed man. My pulse was beating a drum inside my body with uncapitulated need, and I had to get myself under control. It wasn’t even because of the earrings, only him.
Donovan’s bed was mere footsteps away from mine, and the greater amount of time I spent with the man of my dreams, themore I wanted to find myself tucked in there—in his arms, next to his strong chest and six-pack. Tangled in the sheets for hours, sweaty and spent.
Luckily, he poured two waters, handing me one before walking back toward the bar and taking his own glass of clarity.
“I hope it was a content start to Christmas.” He spoke gruffly, picking up on our discussion while waiting for the elevator.
“It was.” My voice came out breathless. “It was the best Christmas Eve ever.” My finger came to touch an earring, sending chills up and back down my spine. These hearts would always transport me back to this moment. “It wasn’t the expensive gift that made this the greatest day, but rather the thought you put into it,” I blurted out.
He smiled and nodded, not acknowledging my confession. Maybe thought was my language of love? I thought back to my research for writing several lovers in my books, and the theory came to mind. I missed writing at my desk. The quiet and solitude enveloping me, yet I felt my feet taking me toward Donovan, my hand placing my water on the end table.
“I can’t stop thinking about Blake. Mostly, I hope Cinder likes Blake. That she is kind to her, welcoming to her, or whatever everyone back in Rubia is expecting. She’s just a kid. Poor Blake has no idea what she is mixed up in.” I rambled on, searching for something to fill the silence.
“I don’t want to talk about them now,” Donovan said, pure authority dripping in his tone.
I looked up at him, our gazes crashing.
“Don’t mistake me. I care about Blake, and I know she’s only a child,” he said, “but it’s not a subject for now. Once all that shit starts, the spell will be broken. All hell will break loose.”
This man had a way with words. He was right, there was something magical happening at the moment and I knew it would be over all too soon.
“I want to kiss you,” he said, his palm coming to rest on my cheek.
I felt myself nod.
His lips hovered near mine. “If I’m honest, I want to do more, much more, Tulya.” He spoke at a level only for me, even though I was the only one in the room.
Again, my head nodded on its own.
