Page 26 of Christmas Vows with the Devil

Our lips meet, gently at first. But desire floods my body and we’re battling for dominance in seconds.

The kiss is aggressive, filled with long-buried emotions.

Anger. Regret. Betrayal. Lust.

“Gia.” I slide my other hand into her jacket, pulling her closer to me. She’s gripping my neck like she never wants to let go. Her breath warms the space between us. I can practically feel her heart racing.

Heaven. I forgot what heaven feels like.

A heavy pounding on the windshield shatters the moment. We fly apart like we’ve been caught doing something illegal.

I clear my throat, trying to get myself under control, and roll down the window.

“You kids need any help?”

I stare at the jolly, wrinkled face smiling down at me. The man has a long, scraggly white beard, a bright red hat, and sparkling blue eyes.

"Are we being rescued by goddamn Old Saint Nick himself?” I mutter under my under my breath.Didn’t think he’d come out to save the devil himself, I think uncharitably.

“I was driving down—saw you stuck in the bank. I thought I’d help.”

“Sure, yeah,” I stutter. “We’d appreciate that.”

I climb out of the car, following our Santa Claus-esque hero to the back of the SUV. He pulls out several pieces of cardboard, and we get to work.

By the time we dig out each tire enough to wedge some cardboard underneath, I’m sweating.

Or maybe it’s just the Gia effect.

“All right, now you get inside and slowly ease the car back,” he winks. “Let’s get your pretty wife out of this mess and get you two back home.”

I choke and force a smile.

We finally manage to slowly reverse the car out. Santa Claus gives us a friendly wave as he heads back to his truck.

“You kids be careful out there!”

We tread the snow and ice to our last location at a snail’s pace. Silence fills the car after we get back inside, suffocating me.

"I can’t do this, Dante," she whispers suddenly, her voice trembling.

I grit my teeth. "Why not?"

"Because I can’t. I don’t want to get involved with you again."

Her words hit hard, but I don’t flinch. I watch the conflict play out in her eyes.

She wants this. I know she does. But something’s holding her back.

"Is it about Matteo?" I ask, my voice quieter now. "Is that what this is about?"

Her breath hitches, and I see the flicker of panic in her eyes.

“There!” She ignores my question. “That’s the butcher’s shop. Pull over.”

I’ve barely slowed down before she leaps out, desperate to get away from me. I can see the closed sign hanging over the door, but it doesn’t stop her.

The second she steps out of the car, she slips. I barely have time to react before she’s on the ground.

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