AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I love you too,” she panted.
18
EPILOGUE
MADDIE
“Merry Christmas!” I greeted Elizabeth and Vincenzo as we entered their foyer.
“Merry Christmasss,” she sang, giving James a hug, then gave me one.
The mansion was loud, with friends and family mingling. It was the annual party Vincenzo usually hosted, but this year, they were hosting it together. Christmas music played throughout. An enormous Christmas tree with white lights was in the corner of the foyer in front of a window.
They had sixteen Christmas trees around the home, each with a different theme. Lights, garlands, and bows wrapped around the banister in the foyer, lining the grand staircase. But tonight, with the aroma of cookies, fireplaces, and cinnamon wafting through the house, we’d stepped into a wonderland.
Vincenzo unexpectedly tugged me into his side, wrapping his arm around me. I peered up into his dark eyes, smiling awkwardly. What the hell?
He smirked, but there was something sinister in his gaze tonight. “Merry Christmas.”
I squinted. “I don’t think I’ll ever be fully comfortable with you.”
He rolled his tongue over his teeth, sucking in a breath. “I’m one of the nicest guys ever.”
“Says the crime boss,” I snickered, glancing back at the front door. “You literally have armed guards patrolling the property.”
Before he could respond, someone called his attention away from the archway leading into the living room. “See you guys in a bit.”
“It’s so weird seeing him in a red sweater with a snowman on it.” I giggled. “Albeit a snowman wearing a pinstriped suit and holding a gun.”
Elizabeth laughed. “He was about to wear a suit and I begged him for matching sweaters.” She peeked back over her shoulder, then cupped a hand around her mouth. “He loves Christmas.” She glanced down at her smartwatch. “You guys make yourselves at home, of course. I have to go check on some of the food.”
“Why didn’t you cater?” I asked.
“I did! But I made a ton of cookies.” She disappeared into the hallway.
James snaked his arm around me, kissing my cheek, then put his lips to my ear. “Leave your coat on and come with me.”
My mouth fell agape with a wide, naughty grin.
“Baby girl,” he chuckled, “I fucked you four times before we finally got in the car to come over and once around the corner from the house.” Rolling his eyes, he laced his fingers with mine, escorting me through the mansion to the back.
“I can’t help it if my man is hot as fuck,” I joked, keeping his pace.
He laughed again, pushing open the door into the cold night. Three fire pits were blazing, the pool was covered, and the walkways had been cleared of the nine inches of snow that had fallen since yesterday. It glittered under the warm glow of the Edison bulbs strung up through the trees and packed porch.
Guests gathered around the heat lamps and the two fire pits closest to the house. He led me over to the isolated one. I stretched my hands toward the warmth, letting out a foggy breath.
“I love snow so much.” I leaned into his side, hooking my hand in the crook of his arm.
His beige, wool coat and scarf were pulled tight against him, his hands nestled in his coat pockets. He was extra quiet tonight. I was starting to wonder if he was having flashbacks of last Christmas.
“I know you do,” he finally commented.
Withdrawing my hand, I pivoted to him. “Okay, you’re being weird. Are you okay? Did I do something?”
“Yes,” he mumbled, turning to me. “You did.”
I jerked my head back. “I—”
