“Let’s hang this just for us,” he said, smirking, his voice smooth like honey. “That way we can sneak off during the party, and everyone will have to let us. Because… mistletoe.”
A draft curled around my shoulders, carrying the scent of the fresh pine garlands we’d strung. I shivered. The fire cracked behind us, throwingflickering shadows across Hunter’s sharp features, making that smile seem impossibly charming.
“Fine,” I muttered, swiping at the sticky sap clinging to my fingers. “But only for us.”
He leaned closer, just enough that I could feel his warmth through the chill in the air. My gaze flicked to his, catching the faint glint of amusement there.
The manor seemed to sigh around us, settling into the corners, listening, making me undeniably aware that it was just the two of us.
“Now for the fun part,” Hunter said, kissing me tenderly before crouching beside the stack of storage boxes by the hearth. “Our wee winter fairyland.”
I rolled my eyes but still smiled.
Hunter was intense, and I’d never know if it was because of the spell or if he was just made that way.
I lifted the lid on the first box. Inside, newspaper wrapped around the delicate ice faeries I’d saved my bakery tips for—shimmering, frozen mid-dance. Their tiny glass wings caught the firelight as I pulled them free. I set them carefully on the mantel, feeling the subtle energy of the manor ripple through my fingers.
Hunter picked up a faerie, tilting it in the light. “See? They love it here. Almost as much as I do,” he murmured, eyes lingering on me.
I laughed nervously, feeling the pull of his attention, the way he made me, the decorations, even the manor itself—feel like it existed for just him.
He set the last faerie carefully on the mantel, their tiny wings twinkling in the light. I stepped back, admiring the display, and he stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“You know,” he said, voice low. “I could get used to this—us, the manor… all of it.”
Before I could answer, he leaned in. Soft lips against mine, warm and deliberate, the kind of kiss that felt like he was claiming a corner of me just for him. I stayed still, grounding myself in the moment, my pulse rushing despite the small, nagging voice reminding me he was only here because of the spell.
But the firelight danced on his features, and even the ice faeries seemed to glow brighter while he kissed me.
I melted into his arms.
Then—knock, knock, knock.
I pulled away, caught between the warmth of the kiss and the sudden intrusion.
“I’ll get it. You check in the next box.” I opened the door, and my heart lurched back to life.
It was Graham.
His wide shoulders silhouetted against the light snow falling behind him. His jaw was set, his eyes locked on mine.
God, he looked good.
Those smoldering eyes, that moth tattoo at his throat—practically took me out at the knees.
I wanted to dive into his arms and let him take me right there, but I also wanted to punch him in the balls for how he left things.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, holding my arm like it would somehow stop the excitement from ripping right through me.
“Max, I’m sorry I left you the way I did. I was stupid and confused… and scared.”
I stepped onto the front porch and closed the door behind me.
“I get it,” I said, casually sliding my sweater’s sleeve down to cover the silicone bandage on my wrist.
“No, Max. I fucked up… It wasn’t okay. Let me fix it.” He pulled me close, nuzzling into my neck, his hand wrapping around my back like we could just pick up where we left off. “Mmm, I’ve missed your scent, pretty girl.”
I wanted so much just to fall into him—to let him apologize in any way he wanted to… but I couldn’t. Part of me ached too deep to know if forgiveness was even possible. And the other part... Well, that one demanded I grab his shirt and send the buttons flying so I could run my fingers through his rugged chest hair before he showed me just what I’d been missing.
