Page 9 of Silent Night with Massimo

Stop falling for it again.

"Massimo." She whispers, barely audible. Her cheeks are bright red.

Her skin smells like orange blossoms. Sweet and divine.

I lean closer to her, not knowing what I'm doing. So close that our lips are almost touching.

Her breath catches in her throat as I loosen my grip, ever so slightly. Then I pull her forward, crashing her lips against mine.

The kiss hits me like a tidal wave, memories surging through my body.

Memories of how she feels against me, beneath me, wrapped up and tangled in me.

An image flashed through my mind of her and me in front of the fireplace, before anyone else had arrived at Bellini Lodge. We had the entire place to ourselves, making love for hours by the fire, lying on layers of blankets, completely lost in each other.

The memory is painful.

I step back and push Vera away from me.

How could I let this happen?

How could I lose control like that?

"Massimo." She calls my name when I turn my back on her. "I think Elio is up to something. You can't trust him. Please don't walk away."

But I can't trust her. Her words are poison-- a drug that infects me and turns me into someone else.

I have to get out of here before I fall for those eyes again.

I lock the door and hurry up the cellar steps.

"Dada." Bella's voice makes me jump.

"My angel, what are you doing here?"

"I's look for you." Her sweet little voice replies.

I scoop her up into my arms, quickly closing the cellar door.

"What there?" She asks, pointing towards it.

"You must stay away from there, my angel. There are big steps and it's not a safe place for you, ok?"

She scrunches her nose, curious about everything. I need to distract her.

"Do you want to check your Christmas calendar? We can see what is behind the next window."

"Oh, yes." She squeals in delight.

Thank goodness.

We walk into the living room, soft morning light is just starting to creep in, but the Christmas lights still make the entire place look warm and cozy.

I put Bella on the ground, and she bolts towards the calendar on the wall. Each date is a tiny box and behind each little door to each little box, I have hidden a small gift.

"This one?" she points at the window next to the one we opened yesterday.

"That's the one, Bella. Go ahead."

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