Chapter 1 #2
Vanessa watched Emma from across the room, her gaze sweeping up the back of her wife as she took her bottom lip between her teeth.
God, they needed this week off together.
At least, Vanessa believed so. It wasn’t often she counted down the days until the end of term, but lately, it was all she thought about.
Perhaps she was just getting too comfortable at home.
Whatever the reason, Vanessa preferred to be alone with Emma at any given opportunity.
She wanted to celebrate…
But it was a celebration of more than just this evening.
It was more than celebrating the quiet joy of having time away from responsibilities and the daily grind.
Emma wanted to celebrate her and the recovery Vanessa had made, while Vanessa wanted to celebrate them and the beautiful life they’d built.
Vanessa’s hand found its way beneath her chin as she rested her elbow on the table, her eyes fixed on Emma, where she stood at the bar.
The way she made these little moments feel so precious…
it was as though Emma was forever doing something sweet, without even trying.
And yet, Vanessa hadn’t expected anything special this evening.
She had planned to come home from work, slip into her favourite worn-out yoga pants, and dive into the book she’d been reading.
Still, as she sat here watching Emma, this was exactly where she wanted to be.
Dancing with her, loving her, and savouring these small, fleeting moments together.
A whole year without them. Vanessa looked down, the faintest smile tugging at her lips as she traced the lines of her chest, the subtle curve of her body that no longer mirrored what it had once been.
The loss had been initially devastating.
But now, those thoughts didn’t linger long.
She couldn’t change the past, and she couldn’t rewind time to make different choices.
So, why hold on to regret when she had so much beauty right in front of her?
“Cocktail for the most gorgeous woman in the world.”
Emma’s voice broke through Vanessa’s thoughts as she set down two cocktails, her eyes narrowed playfully as she stared at Vanessa.
God, she was beautiful. Not in a flashy, look-at-me type of way, though.
No, Emma had a beauty far beyond anything Vanessa could comprehend.
It was a beauty that lived in the way Emma made people feel seen and the way she paid attention.
The way she made Vanessa feel loved every single day, even when Vanessa found it hard to love herself.
“Did…I just catch you checking yourself out, babe?”
Vanessa laughed softly. “God, no. You do that enough for the both of us.”
Emma slid in beside her and laid a hand gently on Vanessa’s thigh. The touch sent a jolt through Vanessa, a quiet reminder of the intimacy they shared. “Reminiscing?” Emma asked, her voice holding a small hint of concern. “I’m sorry if I brought it all back by suggesting this tonight.”
Vanessa curled a finger and urged Emma to come even closer.
The moment their lips met, Emma’s hand tightened around her thigh.
Those simple touches would always keep Vanessa anchored, even if Emma was doing it for other reasons.
Oh, she’ll never forget what gets you going.
She drew back reluctantly and cupped Emma’s cheek.
“You haven’t brought it all back. You’ve just reminded me that I should celebrate my accomplishments more often. ”
“I’d spend the rest of my life celebrating you if I could,” Emma whispered as her lips brushed against Vanessa’s. “I hope you know that.”
“Just once a year is enough, baby.” Vanessa kissed Emma’s cheek, a smile tugging at her lips when she chose to linger for a moment. “You smell so good tonight.”
Emma regarded her with a playful grin. “Excuse me, but I smell good all the time.”
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, a knowing look exchanged between them. “And why is that exactly?”
Emma sighed dramatically. “Fine. Because I keep stealing your perfume.” She shifted in the booth, sitting side-on to Vanessa, her arm draping casually along the back.
She brought her fingers to the nape of Vanessa’s neck, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine as Emma’s nails grazed the skin beneath her hairline.
“But what’s yours is mine and all that.”
“What’s mine will always be yours, Emma.” Vanessa meant that more now than ever.
Emma tilted her head slightly, her smile soft, but those eyes as enticing as ever. It had the hairs on Vanessa’s arms standing to attention. “I don’t think you realise how much you still take my breath away.”
Vanessa looked away, her cheeks heating. “You’re laying it on thick tonight.”
“It’s the cocktails,” Emma said, grinning as she nudged one of the glasses closer. “They make me sentimental.”
Vanessa reached for hers, the rim cool against her lips as she took a slow sip. It was sweet and tart, with a hint of something citrusy that tanged on her tongue. “We should drink sentimental more often.”
“We used to. We just never realised what was coming back then. You were still with…him. I was still secretly in love with you…” Emma laced their fingers together. “But regardless of our relationship status back then, you still look at me like you might eat me alive.”
Vanessa arched a brow. “That’s because I still might.”
Emma laughed a low, throaty sound that made Vanessa’s stomach flutter. It was that dirty laugh Vanessa adored. “Careful. I’ve had just enough to take that seriously.”
Vanessa leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper against Emma’s ear. “Good.”
Emma turned her head, their noses brushing as she smiled into a kiss. When she drew back, Vanessa noted the look immediately. “I think you forget that I know what you’re capable of, babe. Eating me alive sounds just perfect to end this night.”
“I…think we should dance now. Before I start doing things in this booth that will get us kicked out.”
Emma squeezed Vanessa’s thigh and created a slight space between them. “No, wait. I’m not ready to dance yet. I wanted to speak to you about something.”
Vanessa watched Emma expectantly. “Okay…”
Emma lifted her cocktail, her eyes sparkling as she studied Vanessa. “Christmas.” Her voice shifted from that teasing tone Vanessa loved, now carrying a sense of urgency and excitement instead. “What plans do we have?”
Vanessa blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation.
“Well, since it’s only October…none.” Her mind started to race, but she was struggling to connect the dots.
Why was Emma asking about Christmas now, of all times?
It felt like Vanessa had just had a conversation with Lauren about Daisy’s Halloween costume. “Why?”
“I want to be ahead of the game. I want to get plans in place as soon as we can so I can start to build that excitement. No time like the present, and let’s be honest, it’ll be here before we realise it.”
Vanessa understood immediately. She knew the joy Emma found in these things—the planning and the anticipation.
The last few Christmases had been nothing short of magical, and Vanessa had to admit that it was all thanks to Emma’s perfect sense of timing and organisation.
Schedules, playlists, hand-painted ornaments.
God love her, she’d even organised matching pyjamas.
“You’re not playing Santa again, are you?
It took me a week to get the red glitter out of the living room carpet last time.
” Vanessa laughed at the thought. And then her palms tingled when she reminded herself of how that night had ended.
By the time bedtime came around, Emma had slipped into a far sexier Santa outfit… in the bedroom.
Emma grinned. She knew exactly where Vanessa’s mind had wandered to just then. “I haven’t decided what or who I’m dressing as yet.”
Vanessa shook her head, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. This was too much. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to fall in love and marry Emma all over again. “Right, enough of this. Get up, get on the dance floor, and show me what you’ve got.”
“Oh, come on, babe. You know I love Christmas.” Emma’s bottom lip jutted out in a pout.
“And I’ve realised lately that it’s because Christmas with my parents was always crap.
Then you lot came along, and it got better.
Now that I have a wife and a home with that beautiful wife, I get to make it as fun and exciting as I want to. ”
Vanessa rose to her feet and urged Emma up with her. As she pulled Emma close, their bodies pressed together, she gazed into her wife’s eyes…eyes that had seen her through everything. “You deserve any kind of Christmas you want, Emma.”
“Thanks, babe.” Emma kissed her slowly. “I just want it to always be as perfect as it can be.” Vanessa’s breath caught as Emma nipped at her bottom lip. “Since you and I got together, Christmas feels really special to me.”
“Me too. Even if I don’t show as much enthusiasm as you do.” Vanessa brushed her fingers gently against Emma’s cheek and secured an arm around her waist. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Emma whispered, peeling Vanessa’s hand from her back to intertwine their fingers.
She led them both towards the dance floor, her grip never loosening.
She was determined to let the world know that they were taken and always would be.
“You know,” Emma said, her voice low as she dipped her head towards Vanessa’s ear.
“Since last year and everything that happened, you just get sexier every day.”
If Emma was trying to ensure this night ended with a bang—literally—she was far too late. Vanessa already had a dozen filthy plans lined up for the moment they stepped through the front door. But hearing Emma say the things that always reassured her, her pulse stuttered the way it always would.
She pressed her body closer, her hips swaying with Emma’s, and murmured against her lips, “Keep talking like that, and I’ll have you bent over my knee before your heels even hit the floor.”