Page 10 of His Christmas Promise

Chapter Five

Zoe

“Idon’t know what to say, Alex.”

“Say you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m the right man to own your heart.”

“Okay,” I say, wrapping my hand around his neck and pulling him back to me for another kiss.

A couple of minutes later, just as things are starting to get heat up and hands are moving to just the right spot, there’s a knock at the door. Alex pulls away and then curses, then closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“What’s wrong?”

“I ordered dinner,” He growls.

I can’t help but laugh. “Good, I’m starving. What did you order?”

“Chinese,” He grins.

“Yum, my favorite.”

“I know,” he winks, then gets to his feet.

“You get the food. I’m going to grab a quick shower before we eat.”

Alex pulls me to my feet and kisses my forehead. “Take as long as you need, sweetheart. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Okay.” I walk to the master bedroom and close the door behind me. Leaning against the door, my head falls back, and I close my eyes for a minute, needing a moment to get my head together. This day has been more than crazy, but I can’t say I hate how it’s turned out thus far.

Alex is the man I’ve compared every other guy to. He’s the one I’ve unknowingly saved myself for, even though I never thought I’d see him again. I knew in my heart Alex was the only man I could trust my heart to. We only knew each other a few months before he left, but the bond we shared during that time is something indescribable. I’ve never met anyone since that I’ve felt as close to as quickly as Alex. There’s something about him, something difficult to name, that makes my heart race and makes everything else in the world seem okay as long as he’s at my side. Even now, being in his presence for less than an hour, the feeling is just as strong. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s as if our hearts beat as one, and our souls fill the holes put there by life’s cruel circumstances.

Walking to the dresser, I pull out some panties, a tank top, and some leggings, then go into the bathroom and put them on the counter. I turn the shower on as hot as it will go, then stare at the huge bathtub longingly. I’ll need to test that out, and soon. I love bubble baths. I try taking a quick shower, but once I’m under the powerful shower head, I let it beat against my sore muscles.

I check my phone when I get out and see that I’ve been in here for twenty minutes already. Shoot, I dry off and pull my clothes on, making sure to dry my hair as best as possible before brushing it and pulling it into a bun at the top of my head.

Ten minutes later, I walk out and find Alex sitting up, sleeping with his head leaned against the back of the couch. Poor guy. He looks as tired as I feel. I don’t want to wake him, so I walk as quietly as I can to the kitchen. I may be tired, but my stomach is rumbling since I skipped lunch this afternoon. When I walk into the kitchen, Alex has all of the food laid out on the counter, ready to make our plates. He also has two plates, two forks, and some napkins sitting next to the food. How sweet is he? I begin making my plate but stop, wondering if I should make Alex a plate as well.

Seconds later, I feel him wrap his strong arms around me from the back as he kisses the nape of my neck. “Why do you always smell so fucking good?” He murmurs, making goosebumps pop up all over my skin. “Hmm, Zoe, girl?”

“I… I… I don’t know.”

He laughs, and it sends a shiver down my spine and butterflies through my belly.

“Can I make you a plate?”

Alex kisses the back of my neck. “No, sweetheart, I got it,” He says in a sexy voice, grabbing the other plate.

Once I’ve filled my plate with fried rice, lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and an egg roll, I go out to the living room and sit on the carpet with my plate on the coffee table.

Alex comes out a few minutes later with his plate and two bottles of water. He hands me one before sitting down beside me.

“Thank you for ordering dinner. It’s delicious.”

“I was happy to,” He says, giving me a meaningful look before digging into his food.

For the next two hours, we eat and catch up, telling stories about what we’ve been doing the last ten years. Needing to use the bathroom, I grab our plates and take them to the kitchen sink before going to the bathroom. Heading back out to the living room, I find all the lights are off except for the Christmas tree and the fireplace’s glow. Alex is standing in front of the fire, so I take a moment to stop and stare at him.

Alex is no longer the boy I remember, angry at the world for taking his parents. He’s grown up. He’s dealt with his demons. Then there are things that are true to him that I doubt will ever change. There’s a seriousness about him that is comforting in a way some may never understand. When you’ve lost your parents, lost the only home you’ve ever known, it creates something inside you that isn’t easily filled. For me, I crave stability and a partner I know won’t disappear when things get hard. I need someone strong enough to fight their demons and not let them win.

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