Page 35 of Daddy Christmas

“I . . .” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I looked away, out at the shifting ribbons of color above us, their reflection shimmering faintly in the crystalline walls of the igloo. “I don’t know how to do. . . this,” I admitted. “Any of it. I’ve never. . .” My pulse stuttered, and I forced myself to meet his eyes again. “I’ve never been part of something like this before.”

His expression softened, but he didn’t interrupt. He just watched me, waiting, giving me the space I needed. That alone made something loosen inside me, the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding easing just enough to let the words out.

“But I want to try,” I said, the words tumbling out faster now, like they were racing ahead of my fear. “I want to be part of this. All of it. The magic, the joy—the responsibility too.” My breath hitched, and I gripped the edge of the cushion beneath me, my knuckles white. “I want to help. To bring people happiness. Keep the magic alive.”

The silence that followed felt endless. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, loud enough to drown out everything else.Then Nicholas smiled—not his usual calm, knowing smile, but something warmer. Brighter. It lit up his face in a way that made my chest ache all over again.

“You already are,” he said softly.

Before I could process that, he leaned forward, closing the small space between us. His arms wrapped around me, careful and steady, pulling me into his warmth. For a second, I froze, the sheer unfamiliarity of it making every nerve in my body go haywire. Then I melted—like snow under sunlight, like I’d been waiting for this without even realizing it. My hands found his back, clutching the soft fabric of his coat as I buried my face against his shoulder.

Chapter 8

The Northern Lights pulsedabove me, their colors swirling like a living painting. I sat close to Nicholas in the igloo, mesmerized by the vibrant show. The greens and purples danced across the sky, casting shimmering reflections on the glistening walls around us.

“Wow,” I whispered, my breath misting in the cool air. I turned slightly and caught Nicholas’s gaze. His piercing green eyes sparkled, warmth radiating from them in a way that made my stomach flip.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, his voice low and melodic, sending a shiver through me.

“Yeah,” I said, my heart pounding. It wasn’t just the cozy space or the breathtaking lights outside—it was something deeper, electric, thrumming between us. The rhythm of my heartbeat seemed to echo in the stillness around us.

Nicholas leaned in closer, just enough for me to catch the faint scent of pine and spice clinging to him. “You know,” he murmured, a teasing softness in his tone, “the lights remind me of magic.”

I nodded, unable to pull my eyes away from him. The world beyond this little bubble faded until it was just us, the shimmering colors outside mirroring the feelings blossoming in my chest.

“Magic,” I repeated, letting the word settle in the space between us. My heart swelled. Could he see what I was seeing? Feel what I was feeling?

Nicholas reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sent sparks skittering across my skin. “You’re incredible,” he said, his voice thick with sincerity.

A smile spread across my lips, and I felt my cheeks flush. “I feel...” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “I feel safe with you.”

“Good.” His fingers lingered against my skin, and I shivered at the warmth of his touch. “That’s important.”

The air around us shifted, thick with unspoken promises. I inhaled deeply, the crisp air mixing with the intoxicating closeness of Nicholas. It felt as though the universe itself was holding its breath, waiting for us to take a step forward.

“Can we stay here forever?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart and the hum of the lights.

Nicholas turned to me, his expression earnest, his eyes reflecting the swirling greens and blues outside. “Are you ready to go deeper?” His voice was low, intimate, like he was sharing a secret meant only for me.

Warmth rushed to my cheeks, and my heart fluttered. The air buzzed with possibilities, heavy with the weight of what was to come. A shiver ran down my spine, but it wasn’t from the cold.

“Yes,” I said, steadying my voice with conviction. The word hung between us, alive and pulsing. In that moment, I realized just how much I trusted him. This was more than a fleeting connection; it was something profound.

His smile widened, his approval shining in his eyes. He reached for my hand, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. The simple gesture sent a jolt through me, stirring something deep inside—a desire to leap into the unknown, into this magical experience with him.

“Good,” he said softly, his voice wrapping around me like the lights outside. “I won’t let you down.”

I nodded, sealing an unspoken pact. The world outside the igloo melted away; it was just us, enveloped in this cocoon of color and warmth where nothing else mattered.

“Let’s explore,” I breathed, leaning toward him, drawn like a moth to flame. Our breaths mingled in the cool air, thick with anticipation.

Nicholas shifted closer, closing the small gap between us until I could feel the heat radiating from him. My heart thundered in time with the lights’ rhythm outside. This was a leap into the unknown, but it felt right—like coming home after being lost for so long.

“Together,” he murmured, his words an invitation and a promise. A spark flared in my chest, igniting my courage.

I tilted my chin up, locking eyes with him. His gaze flicked to my lips, and I held my breath. The silence around us was thick, the only sounds the hum of the lights and the erratic drumming of my heart. Time seemed to stand still.

Then his hand cupped my cheek, warm and gentle yet unyielding. He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine. The contact was feather-light at first, testing, but I was ready. Closing my eyes, I leaned in, meeting him halfway.

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