The Mistletoe Promise (The Wishing Tree)

11. Amanda

ELEVEN

AMANDA

The Christmas Wishing Tree was a huge success and today we finished the last of the Christmas Wishes from the children from the Hope for the Holidays charity. I’ve never felt so fulfilled in my life and I’m so very thankful to Frankie for allowing me to be the one to organize the Christmas Wishing Tree this year. I’m hoping it’s something I’ll be able to do each year as it’s for such an amazing cause.

I slide out of my car, my entire body trembling. I’m not sure if this is the right idea, but it’s what I want. I’m not over what happened with my mom and Aaron and I’m not sure I ever will be, but I won’t allow them to dictate how my life is. I won’t put my life on hold due to their actions.

I ring the doorbell and wait. My nerves are kicking in.

The door swings open, and there he stands, his eyes widening in surprise. "Amanda? I wasn't expecting you tonight."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "I know, Frankie. I... I hope it's okay that I'm here."

His expression softens, and he steps aside, gesturing for me to come in. "Of course it is. You're always welcome here."

As I step inside, the warmth of his home envelops me, chasing away the chill of the night. I turn to face him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. "About us, about everything that's happened."

Frankie's gaze is intense, focused solely on me. He doesn't interrupt, giving me the space to continue.

"I know I said I needed time, and I still do. But I... I don't want to wait anymore. Not for this." I step closer to him, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. "I want you, Frankie. All of you."

His breath catches, and I see a flicker of desire in his eyes. "Amanda," he says, his voice low and husky. "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel pressured-"

I silence him with a finger to his lips. "I'm sure. I'm scared, and I'm still healing, but I know what I want. And it's you. You’ve been patient, you’ve waited. Is your Mistletoe Promise still there?"

His eyes darken, he knows what I’m talking about. “I told you, Kitten, I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

I pull in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

In an instant, Frankie's arms are around me, pulling me close. His lips crash against mine, passionate and hungry. I melt into him, my fingers tangling in his hair as I return the kiss. All the pent-up desire, the longing, the tension between us explodes in this moment.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, Frankie rests his forehead against mine. "Are you absolutely certain?" he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

I nod, my eyes locked with his. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

He takes my hand, leading me deeper into the house. When we reach his bedroom, he pauses at the threshold, giving me one last chance to change my mind.

Instead, I pull him into another kiss, backing us into the room. We shed our clothes, both desperate to get the other naked. I love the way he touches me, his fingers leaving a wake of fire as they move along my skin.

“Fuck, Kitten,” he growls. “This won’t take long.”

I giggle as he pushes me down onto his bed, staring up into his intense gaze. The hunger in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine.

"Then we'll just have to go for round two," I whisper, pulling him down on top of me.

Frankie's lips find mine again, his kiss deep and passionate. His hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arch into his touch, desperate for more.

"God, you're so fucking beautiful," he murmurs against my skin as he trails kisses down my neck.

I moan softly, my fingers tangling in his hair. Every touch, every kiss is electrifying. It's as if my body has been waiting for this moment, for him.

Frankie takes his time, worshiping every inch of me with his hands and mouth. By the time he finally enters me, I'm trembling with need.

"Frankie," I gasp, clinging to him as he starts to move.

"I've got you, Kitten," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "I've always got you."

His thrusts are torturous, slow and agonizing. But God, he fills me so much. He feels so thick as he thrusts into me.

I wrap my legs around him, urging him deeper. Frankie responds with a groan, his pace quickening. The room fills with the sound of our heavy breathing and the rustling of sheets.

"Fuck, Amanda," he pants, his forehead pressed against mine as he fucks me hard, his movements precise. They’re hard, fast, and make me moan. "You feel so good. So perfect."

His words send a shiver down my spine. I've never felt so wanted, so desired. My nails dig into his back as the pleasure builds, coiling tighter and tighter in my core.

"Frankie, I'm close," I whimper, my body trembling beneath him. I can feel the pleasure rising and rising throughout my body, every nerve end is on the edge, ready to shatter at any moment.

He slips a hand between us, his fingers finding my most sensitive spot. "Come for me, Kitten," he growls. "Let me feel you."

His touch is my undoing. I cry out his name as the tension snaps, waves of pleasure washing over me. Frankie follows shortly after, his body shuddering against mine as he finds his release.

For a long moment, we lie here, tangled together, catching our breath. Frankie presses soft kisses to my face, my neck, anywhere he can reach. I feel safe in his arms, cherished.

"Frankie, that was—" I trail off, unable to find the right words. It was everything I had ever dreamed it would be and so much more.

"Worth the wait," Frankie finishes for me, a smile in his voice. He rolls to his side, pulling me with him so we're face to face. His hand cups my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower. “Thank you, Kitten.”

I swallow hard. “For what?”

“For coming to me, for making my Christmas wish come true.”

I smile at him, my heart pounding, God, I’m so falling for him. I think I have been from the very beginning. “Thank you for the mistletoe promise.”

Frankie's eyes sparkle with warmth as he pulls me closer, his strong arms enveloping me. "I'd make that promise a thousand times over if it meant having you here with me like this."

I snuggle into his chest, breathing in his comforting scent. The steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear grounds me, reminding me that this is real. We're really here, together.

“Does this mean that you’ll be here for Christmas?” he asks, and I can hear the hesitancy in his voice.

“I’m here for as long as you want,” I tell him, knowing that I want to be here for the rest of my life. I feel safe, secure, and wanted. All the things that I never felt from Aaron.

His arms tighten around me, I feel his lips press against my forehead. “Kitten,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “I want you here always.”

"So," I say grinning, tracing lazy patterns on his skin. "About round two..."

Frankie's laugh rumbles through his chest. "Already? Damn, Kitten, you're insatiable."

I lift my head to meet his gaze, a mischievous glint in my eye. "Are you complaining?"

"Not at all," he growls, rolling us over so he's hovering above me once more. "I told you, I'm here for whatever you need."

Yes, I’ve never felt so wanted and beautiful as I do with Frankie. I guess my Christmas wish is coming true too.

All I want for Christmas is to be loved and wanted.