Page 18 of Wrapped Up

Anna's face falls, her usual optimism dimming for a moment. “Okay, so you have a little glitch when it comes to falling for the wrong men. But Jenn, not every guy is like that. I truly believe you'll find your match.”

“Sure,” I mutter, taking another gulp of my drink. The alcohol buzzes through my system, loosening my tongue. “The only prince I'll ever find is the one I imagine when I'm alone with my vibrator.”

Anna's eyes widen, a mix of shock and sympathy flickering across her face. “Oh, Jenn...”

But before she can launch into another pep talk, the doorbell chimes. My stomach drops as Anna's face lights up like the Christmas tree behind her.

“He's here!” she squeals.

I drain the last of my cocktail, steeling myself for whatever fresh hell Anna's matchmaking has conjured up this time.

As she rushes to the door, I can't help walking back to the table for another cocktail; I'm sure I’ll need another one tonight.

The door swings open, and I hold my breath, bracing for the reveal of Anna's latest “perfect match.” But as the newcomer steps into view, my world tilts on its axis.

There, framed in the doorway like some cruel joke of fate, stands the very man I’ve been trying to forget for the past month: The Christmas Prince himself.

Chapter7

Jennifer

My heart lurches, then starts racing at an alarming pace against my ribs.

Anna's voice breaks through the fog in my mind, high-pitched and excited. “Jack! Welcome! Please come in!”

He steps inside, and I can't resist drinking in every detail of him. He looks infuriatingly perfect—his dark hair slightly messy, his bright eyes sparkling with life. The blue sweater he's wearing fits snugly over his muscular form, causing my throat to go dry.

Out of the blue, a memory flashes through my mind:

Felix, standing in our bedroom doorway, his face a mask of feigned remorse. “It didn’t mean anything, Jenn. You have to believe me.”

The echo of my own broken sobs rings in my ears, and I have to shake my head to dispel the image.

As Jack takes in all the Christmas decorations around him, his eyes widen in awe for a moment. He almost looks like a boy, and I hate how my heart responds to that image. No. I won't let myself be fooled again.

“Wow. This is... amazing. You've really outdone yourself.”

His rich, warm voice, reminiscent of aged whiskey, stirs a storm inside me. Anger, pain, and frustration swirl together into a toxic mixture that has been brewing for weeks. Underneath it all, there’s a traitorous spark of desire I can’t seem to extinguish.

Unwelcome memories flood my mind once again. Only this time, my mind brings back his touch on my skin, his lips on my body, the way he made me feel... I clench my fists so hard that my nails dig into my palms as I try to push those images away.

In an instant, Jack's eyes flick over to me as if sensing my gaze. They widen in recognition and then darken with an intensity that steals my breath and freezes me in place.

Anna says something to him, but he doesn't seem to hear her. His focus is entirely on me as he crosses the room, each step sending jolts of electricity through me.

He stops right in front of me, close enough that I can smell his cologne—that irresistible combination of spice and pine that has been haunting my dreams.

”Princess,” he breathes, the nickname sliding off his tongue like a delicate touch.

That one word shatters my paralysis. Rage takes over, burning hot and fierce. How dare he? How dare he use that name, implying that there was ever any intimacy between us when it was all a lie?

Without thinking, I grab a nearby cocktail and fling it at him. The crimson liquid splatters across his perfectly chiseled features, dripping down his chin and staining his blue sweater. “Don't you dare 'Princess' me,” I seethe. “You lying, cheating bastard.”

Jack blinks, droplets clinging to his long lashes, his expression a mix of shock and... something else I can't quite decipher.

Anna gasps, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

Meanwhile, I stand there with an empty glass still clutched in my trembling hand, my chest heaving with emotions towards the man who shattered my heart.

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