To my beloved readers, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you this Christmas. Your unwavering support, kindness, and loyalty are gifts I treasure more than words can express. You’ve not only read my words, but also carried them in your hearts, and that means the world to me. Thank you for being part of this journey... for every comment, every shared thought, and every moment you’ve spent with my work! You are the reason I pour my soul into every word, and I am endlessly thankful for the connection we share. May your holiday season be filled with love, warmth, and moments that bring you joy. Merry Christmas to each of you, from the bottom of my heart.
"What's going on there?" Emmeline asked, furrowing her brows."Your husband seems to have fallen. Why don't you go check on him?" Zavian answered sarcastically.Emmeline shot him an annoyed look. "You of all people know how much I despise Richard. Don't speak to me with such dismissive sarcasm."Zavian’s expression darkened. "Maybe because I’ve never met a woman who kissed the man she hated."Emmeline exhaled shakily, indicating the extent of her excitement and frustration. "Mr. Blackthorn, please...""Emmeline, come here! Richard fell and he's not looking good." Minnie's voice echoed in the distance, forcing them to postpone their argument.Emmeline slowly skated toward the couple with Zavian following closely behind.They gathered around Richard, who was still on the floor with Taehyung beside him."What happened?" Emmeline asked with feigned concern.Minnie crossed her arms and tilted her head, a small, mocking sneer tugging at her lips. "Oh, nothing much. He managed to skate on fla
Emmeline returned to their previous meeting spot and found Minnie was the only one waiting there, brushing some fresh powder off her coat with a polite smile. "How's he doing?" she asked casually, her tone laced more with curiosity than genuine concern.Emmeline's lips twitched into a sly smirk. "His tongue works just fine, so I'd say he's doing great," she replied with dripping sarcasm.Her eyes scanned the snowy landscape, searching for that tall, brooding figure that made her heart flutter even when he was infuriatingly cruel. Not spotting Zavian anywhere, she turned back to Minnie with a slight frown. "Where did your husband and Mr. Blackthorn go? I told him I still needed his help with the skating!"Minnie chuckled lightly, nodding toward the slope where Zavian and Taehyung were tearing down a slick, winding track on roaring snowmobiles in what looked like an all-out race."My husband challenged Mr. Blackthorn to a little snowmobile competition," she explained with an indulgent ro
Emmeline's heart pounded wildly in her chest, her breath coming in shallow, panicked bursts.She tried to meet the blazing intensity of his gaze head-on, but the sheer force of his expression made her feel impossibly small and powerless. "I told you why I smiled," she managed, her voice cracking with the effort of holding his stare. "If I refused to listen to his commands, he would've hurt me again. Zavian, you have to believe me."But Zavian ignored her pleading words entirely, moving to grip her shoulders in a firm, punishing hold and pushed her back against the tree with the solid weight of his body. "What would you do if you were me, Emmeline?" he demanded in a voice raw with fury. "How would you put out the fire of your jealousy if Yuna kissed me in front of you... and I smiled at her afterward?"The weight of his accusation crushed Emmeline. The mere thought of Zavian with someone else - smiling at someone else was utterly unbearable.Hot tears blurred her vision as she whispered
Zavian finally pulled back just far enough to stare down at her, his expression hardening into something stern and unyielding. "You are my woman," he stated gravelly, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity. "And you belong to me alone!"Emmeline felt something inside her emotions at the weight of his claim. The vulnerability and longing she'd been fighting for so long crashed over her in an unstoppable wave. Without a moment's hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck, forcing him to bend down closer,"I know jealousy can make a person blind. It silences reason and makes you listen only to your fear of losing someone. I've felt that before too, Mr. Blackthorn." She whispered.Zavian’s forehead came to rest against hers, their mingled breaths gusting over swollen, ravished lips as he stared at her like she was the only thing anchoring him to the world.Emmeline swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "He told me to pretend. To act like we were some wild, passionate c
Zavian's grip loosened at her words. His shoulders relaxed, the hard line of his body softening as a hint of a smirk tugged his mouth."Is that what you've been waiting to hear?" Emmeline couldn't resist teasing, unable to smother her smile at the tension bleeding from his expression.Zavian looked away, burying hands in his jacket pockets. "I've been waiting to hear it," he admitted flatly.Emmeline chuckled, reaching to trail fingers over his stubbled jaw in a teasing caress. "That's how you know how patient I am," she murmured, her tone playful and seductive.Zavian’s brows furrowed briefly in irritation but before he could respond, she rose on tiptoes and pressed a quick, impulsive kiss to his lips.The sound lingered sweetly intimate in the chilly air between them."Let's head back before they ask questions," Emmeline suggested, pulling back to gaze through her lashes. "What excuse did you use to get us alone this long?""Minnie dropped her phone, so I pretended I lost my wallet a
Emmeline quickly tried to fix herself up, smoothing down her tousled hair and straightening her clothes, doing her best to hide any obvious traces of the sinful acts she and Zavian had just engaged in.Her swollen, reddened lips, however, were a different story – one that Zavian seemed immensely proud of, if the smug, satisfied smirk curving his sensual mouth was any indication."Don't even think about it," she muttered under her breath, shooting him a halfhearted glare. "If anyone asks, I'm just going to blame it on the cold air."Zavian’s grin widened. "Whatever you say, darling," he purred.Together, they headed toward the restaurant where the rest of their group was waiting, carefully maintaining the illusion that they'd just happened to run into each other outside by chance.No one appeared to suspect anything out of the ordinary as they rejoined the others, and Emmeline wondered – not for the first time – how it was possible their secret affair had managed to stay hidden for so l
The hot water lapped against Emmeline’s shoulders, its warmth seeping into her stiff muscles and coaxing her into a state of blissful relaxation. She leaned back, her eyelids fluttering shut as a lethargic haze settled over her.“I’m so sleepy,” she murmured dreamily. “Is it okay if I take a little nap here?”“The place is not for sleeping, Mrs. Maine.” Her moment of peace was interrupted by a deep, unmistakably annoyed voice.Emmeline’s eyes snapped open to find Zavian staring at her, his sharp features betraying his irritation.The intensity of his gaze made her sit up a little straighter, her drowsiness forgotten.“Did you bring appropriate clothes for New Year’s Eve?” Minnie's lively voice broke the ice before it could become too long.Yuna offered a faint smile. “I picked out one of my dresses. My husband’s all ready for the evening, too.”She turned her attention to Emmeline, curiosity lighting up her face. “What about you?”Emmeline forced a smile, trying to match Yuna’s enthusi
An involuntary moan escaped Emmeline's lips the second they united with Zavian's in a passionate kiss. It was low, but surely everyone heard the telltale sound, perhaps dismissing it as just a normal sniffle not worth complaining about.Zavian caught her lower lip between his and sucked it once with a sigh of exertion, quickly returning to capture her upper lip as if he wanted to sip her mouth mouthful by delicious mouthful before deepening the kiss further.Emmeline was confused about where to put her hands, needing to grab onto something. In the end, she folded her arms around his shoulders and tilted her head, her lips moving in harmony with his.Zavian was the one in control. Under the water, his hands openly danced up and down her waist while his hot breath scorched her flesh.A stillness had fallen over the place, broken only by the sounds of their muffled groaning.Zavian’s hands crept down to grip her ass cheeks firmly… without a care for the onlookers, giving them a squeeze th
Minnie's jaw dropped. Her wide eyes darted between Zavian and Emmeline, disbelief etched across her delicate features."Did you hear what your lover just said?" she exclaimed, turning to Emmeline. "Inevitable collateral damage? What kind of dinner conversation is this?"Emmeline squeezed Minnie's arm gently with a reassuring smile softening her features."Don't mind him," she explained. "He sometimes forgets he's not in a boardroom."Taehyung took advantage of the momentary silence to tease Emmeline.His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Look at you defending him so naturally now. That's serious progress!""I think Emmeline is very comfortable with us," Minnie observed, satisfaction filling her voice. "Our ice queen has finally thawed."Emmeline gestured toward the elegant table setting, her confidence momentarily faltering under the weight of hosting such an intimate gathering."Please, sit down," she invited.Taehyung handed her the bottle of expensive wine he had been carrying.
True to his word, Zavian let her finish decorating in peace, though his eyes never left her as she completed the message on the cake.When Emmeline was done, she carefully covered the masterpiece to protect it until dessert.Together they loaded the prepared dishes on serving trays: stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil, elegant canapés topped with smoked salmon and carried them out to the dining area.They arranged everything on the table with efficiency, working from opposite sides of the elaborate spread as if they'd been hosting dinner parties together for years.Crystal glasses caught the light, sending prisms dancing across the pristine tablecloth. Silver cutlery gleamed beside fine china plates… everything was positioned with meticulous attention to detail."So, are we still on for Valentine's Day?" Emmeline asked, excitement bubbling in her voice as she placed the final dish which was a platter of colorful roasted vegetables arranged in a spiral pattern.T
The crude imagery made Emmeline’s cheeks flush. She took a deep breath and then gave him a pointed look. "Zavian," she admonished, trying to calm her racing heart.She'd spent the last hour perfecting the dessert for their dinner party, and now only the decorating remained. It would have been a peaceful task if not for the man beside her."I need to finish this cake before everyone arrives." Her fingers tightened around the piping bag as she tried to focus on creating the delicate rosettes along the edge, but his intense gaze made concentration nearly impossible.Zavian untied his apron with intent slowness, the simple action somehow becoming sensual under his touch.The fabric slid from his broad shoulders, revealing the crisp white shirt beneath that hugged his athletic frame in all the right places. "I've done my part. The appetizers are prepared, the wine is chilled, and now I think I'll watch you work. It's quite... entertaining."Emmeline searched desperately for a distraction be
Emmeline found herself out of breath so quickly. His proximity was overwhelming her senses.The solid wall of his chest against hers, his scent, the heat radiating from his body… it was all too much and not enough simultaneously. "Stop what you're doing," she pleaded weakly. "You're turning me on."A dangerous gleam transformed Zavian’s face into something almost predatory.She should have been alarmed by the sight, yet it made her more aroused. There was something primal about the way he looked at her, something that spoke to the most basic part of her."I deserve to see you aroused after my absence," he murmured. "To hear you beg for the ecstasy only I can give. Every word you speak while under my spell is drenched in love and laced with desire… mine and yours, tangled together."The poetry of his voice clashed deliciously with the vulgarity of his touch and his hand unapologetically exploring the most sacred parts of her.He tasted her cream with unashamed delight before letting go
Zavian brought his finger to his mouth and sucked it clean all the while his eyes never left hers.The gesture was possessive and sent a fresh wave of heat through Emmeline’s body."Your taste is just for me. No one else gets even an accidental sample."Laughter bubbled from Emmeline's throat.She turned back toward the table, attempting to regain some semblance of normalcy. "If anyone knew what we were doing while making their cake, they'd be horrified.”Zavian moved to the sink embedded in the kitchen island and turned on the tap. "That's why I prefer home cooking," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. "You never know what happens in restaurant kitchens."He shut off the water, drying his hands on a nearby towel with methodical care. "Professional chefs can't be trusted," he added dryly. "They're a passionate bunch, prone to impulse.""Hey, I'm a chef too," Emmeline protested with mock indignation, placing her hands on her hips.The stance emphasized her curves,
Zavian ignored her half-hearted objections, clearly enjoying how she melted under his attention. His eyes remained locked on hers, dark with an intensity that made her knees weak.The warm pressure of his tongue sent heat spiraling through Emmeline’s body, awakening nerve endings she'd never known existed. Every stroke of his tongue on her skin seemed to connect directly to more intimate places."Ahh, Zavian…” A low, sultry moan escaped her lips. “P-Please stop," she whispered in a voice betraying her arousal.The plea lacked conviction, undermined by the way she swayed toward him rather than away. "You're giving me thoughts I can't handle right now. Making me want things we don't have time for."Her free hand moved to his shoulder, ostensibly to push him away but instead curled into the fabric of his shirt.Zavian withdrew her finger from her mouth with reluctance, the cool air a shock after the heat of his tongue.A thin strand of saliva connected them briefly before breaking."What
Emmeline turned away with embarrassment and desire coloring her cheeks as she faced the cake again. "Hand me that knife," she requested, extending her hand without looking at him.Zavian placed the decorating tool in her palm and his fingers lingered on hers longer than necessary.The brief contact sent awareness tingling through Emmeline.She quickly pointed to a bowl of cream on the counter. "Fill that piping bag so it's ready when I need it."Zavian picked up a spoon with his left hand and the bag with his right, concentrating on the task.His movements were precise despite his unfamiliarity with kitchen tools. "That looks easy," he commented, focused on not making a mess.Emmeline watched him for a moment with surprise crossing her features. "I always forget you're left-handed."Zavian continued working, his attention on the bag he was filling. "We're special that way."Emmeline laughed. "And modest too."With that, she returned to smoothing the cake's frosting."So about today's c
Zavian kissed her like a man starved.Emmeline tried to match his intensity, her inexperience showing but only making him want her more.He took turns with her upper and lower lip, occasionally letting his hot breath slip into her mouth.The counter dug into her back as his body caged her in. When his tongue finally slipped past her lips, pleasure escaped her throat in a moan she couldn't hold back.Zavian’s hand moved from her chin to grip her waist tighter. He explored her mouth thoroughly. Their lips moved in perfect rhythm while their tongues danced together. Every so often, he pressed his hips forward, letting her feel how much he wanted her. Each contact pushed her excitement higher.Eventually, they had to break apart for air.Their eyes reconnected, glowing with obvious love."Damn everyone who kept us apart this week!”Their lips stayed inches apart while they caught their breath.The look between them was almost physical in its intensity."I've always gotten what I want witho
The group split up at the parking lot.Emmeline slid into her brother's car passenger seat while Minnie moved toward their own car.She caught Emmeline’s eye from across the lot, offering a small supportive smile before climbing into her husband's car.On the other hand, Brody's convertible roared to life with unnecessary force before peeling out of the parking space and disappearing down the street.The drive home stretched into an exercise in silence.Emile gripped the steering wheel with his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.Tension filled the car.Emmeline turned toward the window, watching the familiar streets of Riverwalk blur past. The town that had always been her home now felt like a place she was preparing to escape."Mother called while we were in court," Emile finally said.Emmeline traced a pattern on the condensation forming on the window. "What did you tell her?""What needs to be said.”Emmeline turned to face him, already knowing what he meant. "You shouldn't make p