“Umm, something smells really good,” she says, walking in wearing a soft blue sweatshirt and pants. Dark-blue fluffy socks cover her feet.
“A real meal instead of coffee, donuts and deli sandwiches?”
“Yes! I get so tired of fast food, but don’t have the interest to cook just for myself.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll cook. Go relax on the couch. I’ll pour you a glass of wine. You rest while I shower, and by then dinner will be done. You’ve been pushing too hard. No more work night. We’ll have a nice meal by the fire and an early evening.”
“But…”
“No buts. There are two of us now. We can get this done.”
I put on soft music, hand her the wine, and kiss the top of her head. “Rest. I’ll be right back.”
When I return, she’s ignored me completely and decorated the tree with lights. The tiny white bulbs cast a warm glow over the dimmed room.
“You couldn’t rest?”
She glances at me from where she’s curled on the couch. “The lights are my favorite. With a good fire they’re all I really need to feel the season.”
“I agree.”
When she starts to rise, I wave her off. “We’ll eat by the fire. I’ll plate everything.”
I bring her diner and top off her wine before getting my own plate and joining her. The flames are peaceful, almost hypnotic, and the silence between us feels full, comfortable, companionable. After we’ve eaten, I clear the plates and refill our glasses.
When I return, she has her laptop open.
“Aha, no more work tonight.”
“It was the candy shop. She said the extra candy is no problem and thanked me for the business. Nico, this town… thepeople are amazing. We’ve always been about locally owned. We don’t need big box stores. We need to support what we already have. Mass produced chocolate can’t touch what she makes. We just need better promotion.”
“We’ll do what we can now. Get through the town Christmas party and you keep looking for other ideas. I believe in you, Wynter. You can save this town, and I’ll help. Small steps.”
I settle into the corner of the couch and tug her gently to rest against my chest. She melts into me, and it doesn’t take long for her to fall asleep.
I sip my wine, more content than I’ve ever been. This—this is peace. Fulfillment. Happiness. When I chose to hide from my past, I never thought I’d find my future.
An hour later, I brush her shoulder. “Time for bed,Thisavre mou. Come, I’ll take you to the bathroom.”
“My turn, dishes,” she mumbles.
“Already done. Time for sleep.”
I lift off the blanket I’d tucked around her earlier when I prepared the cabin and fire for the night.
“You’re too good to me. I need to take care of myself.”
“No. We take care of each other.”
I walk my sleepy girl to the bathroom, wait for her, then settle her into bed before taking care of myself and sliding in on the other side of her.
“Cold, Niko. Warm me,” she mumbles. Lying on my side, I urge her into the cradle of my body, wrapping a leg over hers and holding her to my chest with one arm over hers.Yes, love. Always ask me for what you need and I will give it to you.
She clasps my hand, snuggling it between her breasts. We fit perfectly. My body reacts, but I tamp it down. Now is for sleep. Soon, I promise myself. Soon.
I wake on my back with a warm softness draped over me. My rod is already up and ready to play. I will myself to wait, to be patient, to give her time.
She lifts her head from my chest, meets my gaze and lowers her lips to mine. Tentative, almost shy, her kiss is both innocent and erotic. Damn, she is tempting. I try to give her control but as her tongue duels with mine, the need threatens to explode within me.
