SEBASTIAN.


    It’s the following evening and for the first time as far back as I remember, I am enjoying Christmas time.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    The blizzard has gotten worse, and that just sealed the fact that we are indeed spending Christmas


    here. I am not going toin, spending night and day with Zaia and not once being told to get a


    hotel is the best gift I could ever be given.


    The kids have gone to bed, with Zion offering to tuck Xander in for Zaia. He’s a good kid and acts far


    more mature for his age than he is. I’m proud of him, and I can tell he takes good care of Zaia.


    Although he’s clearly trying to y Cupid. Since I arrived, he and Sia would find reasons to leave the


    room, but I’m notining. If he wants to help, give me some alone time with Zaia, I’m all for it.


    There’s something different about her now. She isn’t avoiding me as she was eighteen months ago.


    She’s more open and I like it…


    I promised to hold back, but now… unless I’m reading the signs wrong, she doesn’t seem to mind my


    flirting or subtle hints… but do I push her to test those. limits? Or do I hold back the raging tornado of


    emotions that courses through me like havoc?


    We’re currently in the lounge as we begin wrapping the presents I had grabbed. The ones she had


    gotten for them had been taken out of the luggage and ced under the tree. She’s left to get us some


    drinks, but her tempting, seductive scent


    remains.


    The fire is aze in the hearth, warming the room. The lights from the Christmas tree in the corner and


    surrounding the window ledge glow cosily. The snow is falling rapidly, and the wind is still roaring, but


    inside it’s nothing more than blissful peace.


    The sound of her footsteps approaching makes me look down at the box I am currently wrapping. I’ve


    done alright, but it’s nowhere near as neat as the one she had done. Folded several times to create a


    design to the packaging and finished off with a satin ribbon. When did she even find the time to learn


    things like this?


    “How are you getting on?” she asks, and I look up, trying not to check her out as


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    O +15 BóNUS she puts down a tray containing two sses of wine and a te of profiteroles.


    She takes a seat beside me on the couch and crosses her legs. I’m very aware of how close she is,


    despite the small gap she’s left between us….


    My gaze flicks to the wine as she tilts her head.


    “You wrapped it.”


    “Not too badly, right?” I say confidently, despite the simple wrapped box. She leans over, picks up the


    box and she examines the wrapping.


    “It’s perfect.” Shepliments, looking up at me.


    “Sure it is,” I reply not believing her, I know it’s not that good. “Maybe you should just do the rest. I’ll


    help, but I don’t think the kids would appreciate mine.”


    “They will. The way it’s wrapped isn’t going to bother them. Besides, it’s going to be torn, anyway. Do


    you want me to teach you how to do the folds?” she asks as she picks up the red tartan print wrapping


    paper and motions for me to grab Xander’s racing car.


    “I think I’m okay with just watching you work,” I say, sitting back and spreading my arm across the back


    of the sofa as she begins wrapping the box.


    “Ok.” She chuckles.


    “So, have you met your dad’s girlfriend?” I ask after a few moments of


    She shakes her head. “No, he wanted to introduce us on Christmas, but I couldn’t make it. Although


    with how bad the weather is, the inte is rocky, I don’t even know if there’ll be enough of a


    connection to even wish the rest a Merry


    Christmas.” She sighs, brushing her hair back as she reaches for one of Sia’s jewellery boxes. Her top


    rides up and I can’t help but nce at the smooth skin on her back.


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