My sisters hold out their glasses, waiting for the first drink of the day. Bubbles on Christmas morning is one of my parents’ traditions that we won’t be dropping this year, or ever.
My heart swells at the manly form below, uncorking a bottle of the estate’s finest champagne. He’s a far cry from the boy who left all those years ago. He’s inexplicably more exquisite. A magnetising aura radiates far and wide in every direction. His star quality is undeniable. With that jet-black hair and powerful physique, even from across the room he’s impossibly striking.
If I didn’t already know the man was a rockstar, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine. He exudes a unique confidence with every breath.
My stiletto halts to an immediate, abrupt stop, hovering an inch above the bottom step as I drink him in. His coal-black hair. The way it frames the familiar contours of his face begs me to rake my fingers through it.
And that mouth.
Oh my god.
The subtle incline of his full Cupid’s bow. Plush, plump lips. The memory of what they did to me not twenty minutes earlier springs to the forefront of my mind.
It doesn’t matter what gifts are under the tree. The greatest gift I’ve ever received is his love, and the love of my family.
‘Here she is.’ Ryan’s dark eyes glitter as he crosses the room to greet me as though we’ve been apart ten years, not ten minutes.
He takes my hand and guides me towards the sixteen-foot Christmas tree where Jayden, Pierce, Archie, Frankie, Angela and her girlfriend, Jasmine, congregate.
‘Merry Christmas, everyone.’
‘It certainly is.’ Angela raises her glass in a toast. ‘Thank you so much for hosting us in your beautiful home.’
‘Thanks for being here.’ Glancing round at our guests, I’m grateful to each and every one of them for all they’ve done for us and all that they continue to do. For keeping my fiancé safe. For bringing him home to me.
My eyes land on Jayden who looks particularly well this morning in a crisp white shirt and navy jeans. ‘Merry Christmas.’ He drops a peck on my cheek and I can’t help notice Chloe staring from across the room.
Methinks the lady does protest too much.
‘Can we do the presents now?’ Victoria eyes the embarrassing pile of lavishly wrapped presents under the tree. Ryan tops up the glasses like the gracious host he is.
My questioning glance at our guests is greeted with various nods and shrugs of acceptance, grins and smirks as each wait to give out their carefully chosen gifts.
‘Sure.’ I take a sip from the glass Ryan hands to me.
Leaning into my ear, his hot breath grazes my neck. ‘I’m going to hazard a guess that one’s for me?’ His index finger points to a badly wrapped guitar resting underneath the pine needles.
‘I hope you like it.’ I rest against his chest while chaos breaks out around us.
‘I already know I’m going to love it. It has sentimental value because you picked it for me. Thank you.’
A high-pitched squeal pierces the air, momentarily halting everyone in their unwrapping.
‘Holy shit! We’re going to see Adam Draker?’ Victoria shrieks, palming her cheeks as she leaps into the air in a victorious jig.
‘Language!’ I chide, good-naturedly.
‘Not that douchebag.’ Ryan rolls his eyes and grins. ‘Angela will probably be able to get us backstage too.’
Jayden saunters towards us clutching a tiny box wrapped in shiny green foil complete with a tacky looking crimson bow.
‘A Christmas present for the happy couple.’ He smirks.
‘Oh god, do I even want to open this? If it’s a condom you’re about ten years too late.’ Ryan elbows him playfully in the ribs, producing a small gold envelope from his back pocket.
‘This is for you, from both of us.’ He hands it over, pupils glinting with amusement.
I have no idea what’s in either.
