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“I just hope Ethan and Noah can pull it off to the end of the night without spilling food or worse, their vomit into the suits,” said Annabeth wrinkling her nose, then they both broke into laughs. They spend most of the day getting all the shopping done and let the kids play at the indoor park for a bit while they grabbed some food. The kids absolutely loved their new aunt Jessica by now, especially Andrea, because Jessica always vouched for whatever the little girl wanted, and Annabeth eventually had to give in. Ethan and Noah were too young to get these, but nevertheless, they recognized Jessica now and liked being with her.
Everyone around the house also put a great deal of effort into preparing for the Christmas party. It had started snowing, and the whole estate quickly turned into a white winter wonderland. Jessica had thought the mansion being so big and all would feel too cold, but among the flurry of activity happening for days at a stretch, it warmed up the place. Annalyse was always running on her toes, looking after the preparations. There was always something that needed her attention—be it grocery for the menu, cleaning every spot of the mansion until it was spotless, or making the seating arrangements for the guests. Jessica made sure she helped Annalyse as much as she could, but there were some things about a house only the mistress of it living there for many years could know, and Jessica respected that. Still, she stayed available nearby in case she could assist Annalyse with anything.
The lands of the estate were a beautiful white. The small pond had frozen to ice while the benches and the vineyards were all covered with snow, giving it a look of fantasy, like something out of a fairytale. Floral decorations had been made to adorn the benches and the low hanging trees. There were many kinds of fairy lights strewn across the branches and the benches. Food tables had been set up at various spots around the gardens for guests to have refreshments at the ready. A little stage had been set up, where Matt would toast to the party.
Matt had been extremely busy with office work for the past couple of days. Jessica was also occupied with helping Annalyse prepare for the party, but she also missed him. He had to go to the office early in the morning and came back late, tired, by which time usually Jessica was also spent from the day’s excursions.
On the day of Christmas, they all gathered together at the table for breakfast. Jessica had gotten gifts for everyone. She had also made sure to get Andrea, Ethan, and Noah things that they would love and packed them into boxes. After they had gone to bed, she and Matt had snuck out and laid them under the Christmas tree with a lot of candy. Jessica waited for the kids to wake up and find the gifts. Ethan and Noah were too young to get out of bed and find the gifts themselves, but Andrea would be over the moon when she found out what Jessica had gotten her.
A little after 9, a high pitched “Yaaaayyyy” came from the Christmas tree, which told Jessica that Andrea had found her master doll house. Jessica smiled into her coffee. She had taken great care to pick out gifts for her and had paid attention to the little girl’s every demand and wish to know what she could get her. Andrea came running out to the balcony where the adults were having breakfast, followed by her nanny.
“Mommy, look! Santa answered my wish! He gave me a big doll house! Now, I can put all my dolls in here!” Andrea pumped her little fists into the air and jumped around. Her face was one of pure joy, and just seeing her made Jessica feel warmed to the soul. She smiled and saw that Matt was watching her with a look of contentment in his eyes. She grinned at him and said, “That’s amazing, Andrea!”
“Do you know what that means darling?” Annabeth asked.
“What, Mommy?”
“It means that you have been a good girl last year. Will you promise to be a good girl this year too? If you do, then Santa will listen to more of your wishes next Christmas.”
“Yes, Mommy! Yes!” Looking up at the sky, she yelled, “I promise to be a good girl this year also, Santa!”
That earned her a laugh from everyone at the table. The whole Miller family adored little Andrea.
All the necessary things they had ordered for the party arrived within lunch time so that they could get ready right away. Annabeth had ordered fresh flower corsages to arrive just before the event.
Jessica was pleased with her dress. She wanted a Victorian-style one, with elaborate lace designs. The dress was exactly how she wanted it to be, in the most delicate of aquamarine colors. She got ready and got help from a maid to do her hair. When she put on the gloves, she looked like someone who’d stepped out of a period piece. She even felt that way as she looked at herself in the mirror.
A knock sounded at the door, and Matt’s voice came from the outside, “Jessica, may I come in?”
Jessica knew this politeness was more for the maids than for her because Matt knew she wouldn’t mind even if he barged in on her naked.
I mean, there’s nothing he hadn’t seen.
Jessica blushed at the thought and thanked the maids before answering Matt, “Come in.”
The door gently opened, and Matt’s form appeared at the entrance of the room. If it was possible to fall to the floor and weep, Jessica would do so because that was what she felt when she saw him. His hair was brushed in a sideways, wind-swept style that left one side of his hair so sleek. He was wearing a black tailcoat with a white ruffled shirt underneath. On his neck, he had on a cravat that completed his elegant, Victorian era look. Just the sight of him tugged at her heartstrings so strongly that she felt weak in the knees. Matt seemed to be equally starstruck at the sight of her. His eyes roamed all over body, taking in her elegant hair, the dress, the gloves, and all. He looked to be dumbfounded for a second, just like Jessica was sure she looked staring at him. For a moment, they stood there together until Matt broke the silence.
“You uhh… erm,” he cleared his throat, which had suddenly gone dry, “You look beautiful.”
“As do you. You are beautiful,” she said in a little gasp. Matt slowly walked towards her, and as he did, she could start to smell his cologne, and it made her mind go crazy. Matt had his lips slightly parted as if his breath had quickened a bit as he moved in closer.
Their faces were inches apart now, and she could feel his warm breath on her hair, and it sent shivers of desire down her body. She couldn’t describe how the slightest, even the barest contact with this man could have such magnitudinous effects on her. She found her breath quickening as he came closer.
“Jessica-” Matt began, his hand hovering just beside her face. Almost touching but not quite. Jessica felt tormented, teased, and tortured. She couldn’t help but lean into his touch, and the point of contact felt so charged that she almost felt a stinging sensation.
“Matt,” she breathed.
Matt traced his palm from her cheek slightly down at her neck. She instinctively tilted her head sideways to allow better access. He brought his face down on to her neck and took a long sniff and sighed, then he licked the spot, sending literal shivers down her spine.
“You are intoxicating. I can’t stop myself,” he said in a low voice.
“Then don’t stop,” she said, eyes closed and feeling his lips on her neck.
Matt closed his mouth over hers, but the kiss wasn’t demanding or full of wild hunger. Rather, it was deliberate and sensual. It was the elongated foreplay that came before. It was the build-up to a slow burn tale of passion.
“I want you,” he spoke.
“Then take me.”
