Page 37 of Mafia Christmas Vows

Like, I’m pretty sure that I can see stars. Or heaven.

Or both.

I’m vaguely aware of Alexei removing his fingers, the sound kind of obscene. The loss of heat from him moving away from me makes me shiver.

Alexei moves up, his big body arching over mine, his arms on either side of my head. I’m panting, staring at him, and he stares down at me.

Oh no. Does he want me to…

Gently, he presses a kiss to my head.

“We never looked at the ornaments,” he murmurs.

I laugh.

I can’t help it. I’m lying on the couch, mostly naked, and Alexei is fully clothed. Any of the staff could walk in at any time.

And I think I might have just screamed.

“Are the ornaments really the highest priority at the moment?” I murmur into the cool air.

Alexei drapes a blanket over me. “If you want them to be, then they will be.”

I rise up, my hands coming up to hold the blanket over myself. It’s so soft, and I let my fingers dance over it.

Alexei’s eyes trace the movement.

I’m not sure what to do right now. I kind of want more. I want to know what he’s like. What having a husband is like, in every sense of the word.

But I’m also scared.

Alexei is so hot and cold. One second he’s telling me I’m beautiful, the next he’s telling me to get out. He hands me a coffee, and drags me to look at the ornaments he said he never wanted to see.

I don’t know him.

Loneliness punches through me and I pull back slightly.

Alexei’s face twists. He pulls his hand back.

Now, I feel bad.

“Alexei…”

“What did you say that your holiday tradition was? Making cookies?”

I nod.

He takes a breath. “Then, I think we should do that next.”

Alexei turns to gather my clothes, but I can’t help the question that punches out of me.

“Why?”

He looks back at me.

We have always been honest. Don’t stop now. Please.

“Because, Magdalena. I find myself curious about my new wife. I want to know what I stole you away from, and how I might make it up to you. I know this is not the holiday you wished for. I would at least like to try,” he says softly.

---