AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know what I mean.” I playfully hit his arm, trying to ignore the spark I felt when our skin touched. “They’ll treat it like you’ve brought a girl home for the family, even if you explain.”
He shrugged. “They might believe us, or they might not. But if it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me. And they won’t be rude to you. Aunt Theresa will see to that.”
“You’re okay with your cousins and siblings giving you a hard time?” It could complicate Blaze’s Christmas celebrations, and he didn’t deserve that.
“To keep you safe,” he said, “I’d endure much more than that.”
I swallowed hard, losing myself in his captivating eyes. I had to remind myself that hooking up with Blaze again wasn’t why I would stay overnight, but I couldn’t deny wanting it.
“Besides,” he said dryly, “with every family member here, there’s never a holiday without teasing or arguing. It’s all in fun. We might have been a bit mean as kids, but we’re grown-ups now. We know better.”
His casual remarks did little to ease the tension.
“Come on,” he said, standing up. He offered his hand. “Let’s have breakfast, and I’ll introduce you to the early birds. You’ll see, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I reluctantly accepted his hand, intertwining my fingers with his.
Before I even thought about dialing my dad’s number to fill him in on my Christmas Eve stay, I figured it was only fitting to double-check with Blaze’s aunt and uncle first. I may trust Blaze’s invitation, but beyond my brief encounter with Paris, his relatives were strangers to me. He could be off-base about how they’d take the news. Or maybe there was some family drama he wasn’t clued into that could throw a wrench in the works.
Steeling myself for the unexpected, I followed Blaze’s confident stride down the stairs. The aroma of a home-cooked meal grew stronger as we entered a kitchen where a woman, her hair a striking tapestry of dark reddish-brown threaded with silver, stood attentively over the stove, stirring a pot of something that sent delightful scents wafting through the air.
“Morning,” Blaze greeted, guiding us closer before bending to kiss the woman’s cheek gently. “I have someone special to introduce to you.”
She pivoted our way, her warm brown eyes locking with mine. With a hospitable gesture, she dried her hands on a towel and extended them towards me, her grasp welcoming and firm.
“I’m Theresa Carideo.”
“Trisha Easton,” I replied, her warmth winning me over instantly. “I hope it’s not inconvenient that I’m dropping in on Christmas Eve.”
“Absolute nonsense,” Theresa dismissed with an easy smile, brushing off my concerns.
Blaze chimed in, “She was planning on heading to San Francisco today.”
Theresa’s expression shifted to concern. “Oh, dear. You must not have caught the weather updates?”
Blaze nodded. “Her dad wants her to stay put for now,” he said. “I told her we wouldn’t mind.”
“And we don’t,” Theresa quickly agreed. “Stay as long as you need, dear. More company is always better.”
Still hesitant, I asked, “Are you sure?”
Her smile was as warm and welcoming as the one Paris had given me the night before. “As long as you’re here, you’re part of the family. Now, go fill your plate before everyone else gets here, and it’s all gone.”
With a thankful smile, I released Blaze’s hand and headed to the pile of plates Theresa pointed out. “Thank you, I definitely will!”
NINE
BLAZE
The weather had certainly playedits part, turning what was usually a bustling Christmas Eve gathering at Theresa and Patrick’s into a more intimate family affair. But if there was one thing that remained unaffected by the whims of nature, it was Theresa’s boundless enthusiasm for the holiday season. Her love for Christmas infused every corner of the house, making the atmosphere as festive and lively as ever.
Dressing up was non-negotiable in the Gracen family traditions, even with the guest list cut in half. I found myself in charcoal gray dress pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, the platinum cufflinks—gifted by Theresa and Patrick two years prior—gleaming at my wrists. The initials of my late parents etched into them always served as a gentle reminder of their presence, making me wonder what they would’ve thought of our lives now. The thought of Trisha crossed my mind, igniting a mix of anticipation and curiosity about their would-be impression of her.
As I stepped out of my room, the sight of Trisha emerging from the guest room abruptly interrupted my musings. Time seemed to slow for a moment as I took her in. She was a vision in the dress borrowed from Paris, the deep red fabric complementing her fair skin, making it glow under the soft lighting of the hallway. The dress was a perfect amalgamation of elegance and allure, clinging to her in all the right places, modest yet tantalizing with its thigh-high slit.
Her heels gave her height, bringing her eyes to meet mine, sparking a connection that felt electric even from a distance. The desire to close that distance, to taste the promise that lingered in her gaze, was almost overwhelming.
“Blaze, stop drooling over your new girlfriend and get your ass downstairs. Chow time!” Xander’s voice, laced with brotherly irreverence, broke the spell. He shot us an amused glance before sauntering off towards the stairs.
