Nova may be against the holidays—something to do with her brother and parents is all I have gotten out of her—but I want her there. It is an important part of my year where everyone I care about gathers. I care about her. It will feel so incomplete ifshe is not there with me.
“Ava and Evan seem to approve,” she tells me with a nod at the two as they sit by the fireplace with hot chocolate.
My cabin is ready to go for tomorrow’s big night. I considered trying to convince Nova to stay over at my place tonight, but I fear it might seem like I am pressuring her to attend the party. I want her towantto be there with me to celebrate, not be forced to do something that she is against.
My sister and the kids live a few miles from me, all of us settled in at the base of the mountains. Tonight, we will do up the tree here for Sutton and the kids, with their favorite candy-colored ornaments. But at my cabin, a huge tree waits to be done up tomorrow. Sutton will come over tomorrow for us to cook and bake, and before the sun sets guests will start flooding my place. We drink egg nogg, aged whiskey, exchange small presents, and spend time with our friends and families before everyone has their own Christmases.
“Tomorrow,” I start with a sigh, glancing out at the light snow falling. “Can we not put too much of a Christmas spin on the party?”
Sutton blinks at me, tearing her gaze from the kids. “It is aChristmasparty, Niko, is it not? Why would we act otherwise?”
“I told you, she…Nova does not celebrate the holidays. Not because it is against her religion or anything so simple. I have not had a chance to find out what it is. I think it is…it has something to do with her losing her parents.”
“And her brother,” Sutton stuns me as she adds this.
“Her brother is gone too?”
“Well, no, he is alive but…I was friends with Oaklin too…her brother's girlfriend but…I mean, it is not my place to tell their story. I understand why she would hate the holidays though. Poor thing. We will teach her to love it again, Niko. If anyonecan, you sure as heck can.”
For the rest of the night, all I can think about is Nova. How alone she must be tonight. How hard the holidays must be for her without her parents, without her brother. What kind of brother abandons his sister on a holiday?
Who would leave such a sweet soul all alone?
I am still thinking about this the following morning as I add the finishing touches for the party. Nova agreed to come after I pled my case that I want her to know the people in my life. She is an important person in my life now, so she should be here. I promised not to go Who-Ville holidays on her.
Still, as I look at the cabin, I fear it will be too much for her. Twinkling lights and glittering snowflakes hang from the ceilings, a huge tree takes up the corner by the fireplace, with bright blue and silver ornaments just waiting to be hung. Along a far wall, a table is full of sweets and savory snacks and dozens of little presents in lovely silver and blue wrapping.
“Jesus, did I still go too far?” I whisper as I take it all in.
Before I can reconsider any of it, there is a knock at the door. I know without having to look who it is. I can feel her now. I hate being away from her, and it’s been just weeks since we started seeing each other. Nothing else matters to me now that she is here. I rush to the door, throwing it open. I am right, she is here, and she looks more stunning than I expected.
Beneath her gray peacoat is the prettiest dress I have ever seen. I think it is so pretty because it is on her, fitting to all her curves and the nip of her waist as if made just for her. With a frilly bottom and lace top that shows off her creamy skin, she looks like a winter fairy with her lilac hair.
“Holy heavens,” I breathe, reaching out to her. “You look...stunning. You’resobeautiful.”
Nova flushes, ducking her hair as she tucks some wavy strands of lilac hair behind her ear. Her eyes come up to mineand the air is punched from my lungs at the brightness, the sparkle in them. That sparkle that I told her I wanted to bring back shines up at me now.
Overtaken, I gently cup the back of her neck, dragging her close. Dipping my head, I brush my mouth over hers softly. Nova lets out a little sound and I lose it. My tongue lashes at her sweet lips before pushing inside her mouth, eating her next sound. I gather her close, almost lifting her off her feet as the kiss goes on, growing hotter, hungrier, as if a dam has broken.
“Nova,” I moan against her mouth as I break the kiss. “You’re sobeautiful, nothing else even comes close. I can’t believe you’re here for me.”
“Well, here I am. All for you,” she whispers back, gazing up at me from beneath thick, dark lashes.
“Good. Plan on keeping it that way. Come on in, honey,” I mutter before I brush my mouth over hers again. We sigh together and I can feel her smile before my own lips turn up in one of their own.
Taking her hand, I lead her inside, gently pulling her coat off her slim shoulders. I hang it up with mine next to the door before I find her hand again. I watch her as she takes the cabin in. It is not the first time she has been here, of course, but it looks different than before.
Besides the tree and the fire roaring in the fireplace, all the presents, the lights, the spread of food, it could be too much for her. I hold my breath as she takes it all in, smiling softly as she sees the tree waiting to be decorated.
“I swear I won’t...you do not have to do anything you do not want to. I won’t make you sing carols or drink egg nogg. I just want you here, honey.”
Rounding to face me, her eyes are sparkling still as she leans against me. I stare down at her as my heart sputters to a stall in my chest. Jesus, I am crazy about her. I can’t think of anythingelse anymore. If she did not want to be here tonight, I might have cancelled the party just to be with her instead.
Nova smiles up at me, bouncing a shoulder. “Christmas is all over town. I still survive. I can just...not partake if I choose not to. You do not have to rein it in for me, honey. I am here. I want to be here, with you,” she hums.
The night could end right here, and it would be the best night ever. Brushing my knuckles over her cheek, I smile so big my face splits in half. Lowering my head, I brush my nose against hers before I take her mouth again. I have half a mind to cancel the party anyway. I rather us be alone.
“They’re coming,” she whispers, pulling back as I stand there dazed. Nodding her head, she indicates the noise outside the front door.
