I can’t stop the laugh that rocks my shoulders, watching her walk around the small porch area like a zombie.
Her hands land on me, her palms gliding down my torso, then slipping under the hem of my t-shirt. She fingers the ridges on my stomach, her thumbs rubbing in slow circles. I let her play, enjoying the feel of her hands on my skin. “Is this my surprise?”
My stomach gyrates with another laugh and I pull her hands from me, keeping hold of them as I guide her into the living room. Belle circles us both, her tail swishing against the low branches. “Stand still.”
Vi places her arms at her side. I flick a switch and watch the coloured lights dance on her face. She smiles, the divots in her cheeks on display. “You ready for your surprise, petal?”
Her fingers tug at the blindfold. I stand in front of her and untie the knot at the back of her head, then step aside, giving her full view of the 7ft Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights. My chest swells, taking in the sight of her like a kid on Christmas morning, and there aren’t even any gifts under there yet.
Her mouth parts, eyes mirroring the glowing orbs, flashing from one light to the other. “I thought you didn’t celebrate Christmas.”
“I didn’t say that. I’ve just not had a reason to celebrate. Until now.”
She takes a step towards me, closing the distance between us and throws herself at me, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. I hug her back and swallow all the words I want to say, but they jumble on my tongue. I want her to know that her being here has given me a reason to make an effort. Since the day she showed up, I’ve made sure my fridge is stocked, I clean up after myself, and I’ve even started making the repairs this place desperately needs.
It’s all for her.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her warm breath fanning my neck and her soft lips pressing against my skin there.
I hold her tight, not wanting to let her go just yet. Is this what love feels like? It’s been so fucking long since I really loved anyone, the last person, probably her mother. Since then, I’ve hated myself too much to let anyone in. Even now, Vi doesn’t know the real me. If she did, she wouldn’t be standing here now. I only let her know what she needs to know because I want to keep her with me for as long as possible.
I pull away, holding her at arm’s length before my dick takes control of my head and I have the sudden urge to kiss her, or worse. “Why don’t you run upstairs and get that box of ornaments from under your bed?”
She nods her head with the biggest smile on her face, then runs out of the room. I follow, walking into the kitchen to check on the pasta bake, opening the oven and giving it a stir. Vi appears, her chin resting on the brown box in her arms. I close the oven door and take the box from her, carrying it into the living room, and place it at the foot of the tree.
She sits on the floor with her legs folded, then opens up the lips of the cardboard box. All Ma’s old ornaments are here, nestled among the memories of growing up in this house.
Vi holds a snowflake made out of lollipop sticks, covered in glitter. The words ‘Kane age 6’ written on the back of one of the wooden sticks. “Another one of yours?” She cocks an eyebrow with a small grin on her face, as if teasing me. “I can’t ever imagine you being six.”
“Didn’t you make cheesy dec’s when you were a kid?” I bend down and grab a red bauble, placing it on the tree.
“If I did, nobody kept them. Mum. I mean, my foster mum only ever had the most expensive tree ornaments and you dare not touch them. I smashed one of her precious glass ornaments once and I was put on the naughty step for what seemed hours.”
The more I hear about the fuckers who should’ve cared for her, the more I want to hit something, preferably them. I clench my back teeth together, but give Vi a small smile. Those bastards were given a gift, and they didn’t take care of it properly. I’ve never been a parent, but I could do a better job than them. If they’d loved her like they were supposed to, she wouldn’t be here, getting all excited about a fucking Christmas tree.
It only makes me want to do more nice things for her. Give her a proper home and be her family. She fits in well with me and Belle. I definitely don’t want to go back to the lonely place it was before.
Belle nuzzles in the box, finding a small soft knitted Santa. “Give it here, girl.” I ruffle her fur and take the Santa from her jaw. “Ma knitted this.” I hang it on the tree in the middle.
“Did she make this one, too?” Vi hangs a handmade clay star on the tree. I turn it around to read the date and the words ‘Our first Christmas’.
“Your mother made that one.” Her eyes widen. She must notice the date was a good year before she was born, but she says nothing. I’d told her that her mother got pregnant before she met me, but I was in the army, two tours back to back put a strain on our relationship. We would have made it though, I’m sure of it. If only…
I let out a long breath.
So many ifs. One thing’s for certain: if things hadn’t played out how they did, Vi wouldn’t be here now. Looking down at her beautiful face full of hope and happiness, I don’t think I’d have it any other way.
If she keeps pushing my buttons, though, I’m not sure how long I can play the guardian role when all I want is her in my bed.
As much as I want to be a good man, I am a man first and foremost.
This young curvy girl who taunts me has no idea of the beast inside, desperate to be set free and unleash all the pent up desire I have for her.
26
VIOLET
Sleet hammers against the window, along with a howling wind that blows the flimsy curtain through the cracks in the old wooden frame. My dark bedroom lights up with the flash of lightning, followed by a rumbling from the heavens.
