Page 43 of Christmas With My Ex

"I couldn't agree more, Nicholas. Thanks for not giving up on me and pushing me. I needed it and I'm so glad you did."

I nod, agreeing silently as I take another sip of my wine. The warmth from the fire downstairs still lingers, but up here, withjust the two of us and the snow falling quietly outside, it feels even cozier.

It's even more like Christmas.

I set my wine glass down on the table beside me, the liquid swirling with the remnants of the night.

My gaze locks onto Rives, her eyes reflecting the embers of desire that I've fought so hard to suppress.

But here, in the quiet of my suite, with the world outside muffled by snow, there's no reason to hold back any longer.

I move closer to her, the space between us charged with a heat that belies the winter chill. My hands find her face, cradling her cheeks gently. Her skin is soft, warm, and I feel a tremor run through me at the contact. I lean in, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that's both a homecoming and a new discovery. It's sensual, slow, and full of the longing that's been building since we first locked eyes again.

Kissing her is like coming up for air after being submerged for too long. It's relief, it's passion, it's the sweet ache of a need so deep it scares me. Her lips part, inviting me in, and I lose myself in the taste of her, the softness of her mouth against mine.

My fingers trail down her back, finding the zipper of her dress. I pull it down slowly, savoring the moment. The fabric parts for me, and I slide the dress off her shoulders, baring her to me. She shivers under my touch, and I pause, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation. But all I see is the same fierce desire mirrored in my own gaze.

She reaches for the buttons of my shirt, her fingers deftly undoing each one. I watch her, the anticipation building witheach inch of skin she reveals. When she's done, I shrug the shirt off, letting it fall to the floor. I stand, removing my pants, and her gaze travels the length of me, hungry and unashamed.

She leans forward, her hand wrapping around me, and I can't suppress the groan that escapes my lips. Her touch is a jolt of electricity igniting a fire within me. I'm acutely aware of every stroke, every caress, and I'm lost in the sensation of her hands on me.

With a swift motion, she slips out of her dress, leaving her in just her strapless bra and a thong. She lies back on the sofa, her eyes locked on mine, and I take a moment to drink in the sight of her—beautiful, strong, and so incredibly desirable.

"I want you, Nicholas," she whispers, her voice throaty and laced with mischief. "I've been a very naughty girl this year, so I hope I still get what I’m asking for.”

“I’ll give you what you’re asking for all right, I say, chuckling at her playfulness, even as my body throbs with need. I pull her thong to the side and position myself at her opening, the connection between us so intense it's almost palpable.

I enter her slowly, savoring the sensation of being enveloped by her warmth. It's sensual, meaningful, and as we move together, the world beyond this room fades away.

We're lost in each other, in the rhythm of our bodies, and the silent promises spoken through our touch. This isn't just sex; it's a reaffirmation of a connection that was never truly severed. It's a merging of two souls that, despite the odds, found their way back to each other.

10:01pm

The room is quiet now,the only sound the soft hum of the heater running. We’re tangled on the sofa, the low light from the corner lamp casting a soft glow over the space. Rives is curled against me, her head resting on my chest, her fingers lazily tracing patterns on my skin.

I’m not sure when the line between us blurred so completely, but I feel it now—this undeniable connection, deeper than it ever was been before.

I glance down at her and she looks up at me. I brush a strand of hair from her face and marvel at her natural radiance.

She closes her eyes, a content smile remaining on her lips. The tension we used to carry around us, that weight of all the things unsaid and unresolved, only a few hours ago feels lighter now. Like we’ve finally managed to break through and we're on the other side.

“Hey,” I murmur, my voice soft.

She opens her eyes slowly, looking up at me, her expression calm, almost peaceful. “Hey.”

I run my hand down her back, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips. “You okay with all of this?”

She nods, her smile growing. “Yeah. Better than okay. This is magical.”

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding, feeling the same. Better than okay doesn’t even begin to describe it.

“The best Christmas surprise,” I admit quietly. “I never saw this coming, and I had no idea how much I needed it, how much I needed you.”

She shifts a little, turning her body so she’s more on top of me with her top half, resting her arms on my chest. She looks at me with those bright blue eyes that still have the power to pull me in. What she says shocks me.

"Nicholas, no one is more surprised than me. I tried to erase you from my memory, and now I want to pencil you in everywhere I can. This all happened so fast, but I'm in deep."

Her words hit me in a way I didn’t expect, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at her, wondering how we ever let things fall apart in the first place. The years between us suddenly feel insignificant, like a brief pause that somehow helped bring us to this moment.

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