Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
It’s almost midnight, and I’m standing by one of the fire pods Xander and I set up in the garden yesterday.
Work was slow today, and when we got home, Sophia started baking and preparing finger food for her guests while Xander and I made sure the living room and kitchen areas were clean and decluttered for the people coming over.
Then I watched Xander light the fires in the pods in fascination.
They look like big stone bowls, each containing a burner surrounded by decorative stones and glass, creating a mesmerizing flame that dances within the bowl.
They are super pretty to look at and radiate enough heat for people to enjoy standing outside for a while.
There are way too many people in the house for my liking, but it would be rude of me to leave now and wait for Joshua in the bedroom.
He’s texted me a few times. They’re having a relatively quiet New Year’s Eve, but it will still be a while before they arrive.
I pull Joshua’s beanie further down over my ears and glance at my phone—11:57 p.m.
The new black winter jacket Xander bought me is beautiful and long enough to keep me cozy. The material is soft against my skin, a stark contrast to my old leather jacket, which couldn’t hold a candle to this one in terms of keeping me warm.
But after spending so long out in the biting cold, the chill seems to have seeped deep into my bones.
“Aren’t you cold?” Xander asks from behind me, and I see him coming out and closing the glass door behind him, joining me on the porch.
“No, your pods are great,” I reply, but my hands are freezing, so I stretch them out to warm them by the fire.
He takes one of my hands and remarks, “You’re cold. We should go inside.”
“I don’t want to. I’m not a fan of all the New Year’s festivities and the crowd,” I admit.
He grunts, a low, almost teasing sound. “Neither am I. I usually give Clay his New Year’s kiss and head to bed.”
His eyes hold a mischievous glint as he says this, and I can’t help but chuckle.
Memories of chaotic New Year’s Eve parties at the bar flash before my eyes. “The past few years, I’ve been busy keeping the bar from being destroyed by drunk patrons.”
I think about last year when a full-on bar fight was happening during the countdown, and the new year was rung in with a stool being shattered over the bar, barely missing me.
He ponders for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “So, you’ve never had a New Year’s kiss?”
“Oh, thanks for the reminder,” I reply sarcastically. “I’m hoping for at least a post-midnight kiss this year.”
“Ten, nine, eight…” We hear Sophia and her friends counting down from inside the house, the excitement building in the air. I turn to look through the windows. “One… Happy New Year!” they cheer, and at the same time, fireworks start to light up the night sky.
Xander reaches out, his touch gentle as he holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger, making me look up at him. “Happy New Year,” he murmurs, his voice soft and warm.
Leaning down, he closes the distance between us, and our lips meet. His kiss is gentle, a tender exploration that sends shivers down my spine. It’s just a brief touch of his lips against mine, but it’s enough for my heart to nearly leap out of my chest.
Pulling back slightly, he looks into my eyes, his gaze intense and searching, as if he’s trying to find an answer in them. It’s a silent question, one that lingers in the air between us. One I’m not sure how to answer.
“Happy New Year,” I whisper back, my voice barely audible over the lingering fireworks.
A smile spreads slowly over his face. And I am reminded how beautiful this man is. “Wanna go inside for a drink?” he suggests, his warm breath mingling with mine in the frigid air.
“Only if we can bring it back out here afterward.” I grin.
He smiles, taking my hand. “Let’s go warm up for a bit.”
When Josh and I arrive home, we can already hear the chatter from the people in our living room as we step up to the front door. We exchange glances and head upstairs, eager to freshen up quickly before joining everyone.
Not really feeling like dressing up for the crowd tonight, I slip into gray sweatpants and a matching hoodie after a quick shower. I’m exhausted and would rather head straight to bed, but I know I need to at least greet everyone.
Joshua comes out of his room, dressed in pants and a stylish sweater, which earns him a frown from me.
“What? I bet Carolina made an effort. The least I can do is match that,” he explains, making me regret my casual clothes.
We head downstairs, offering hellos to everyone. However, my eyes scan the room for my man and girl.
“Outside.” Josh points to the windows leading to the garden, having spotted them.
We head back to the entrance to grab our coats before we step out into the garden.
Two fire pods light up the night, providing some warmth, and Xander and Carolina stand side by side in front of one of them. They aren’t talking, but she’s holding onto his pinky finger.
It’s so fucking cute.
Joshua rushes over to Carolina, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pulling her close in a tight embrace.
“There you are,” he exclaims, causing her to turn toward him, her face lighting up. He doesn’t waste a moment and plants a kiss on her lips. “I’ve lost count of how many kisses I owe you, so let’s start every New Year’s from a thousand again.” His words are met with a soft giggle from Carolina.
He ushers her toward the other fire pod, seemingly wanting to steal a moment of privacy, but his voice carries over to us.
“Nine hundred ninety-nine…” he pecks her lips, “… nine hundred ninety-eight…” Then he leans in for a deeper kiss.
I turn to Xander, our smiles mirroring each other’s. “So, where’s my New Year’s kiss, babe? I’ve been waiting all night,” I tease, my voice filled with playful anticipation as I pull him close, my fingers lightly stroking his cold-reddened cheek.
“Would you still love me if I told you I gave your New Year’s kiss to someone else?” he asks, his eyes dancing with mischief, a sly smirk playing on his lips.
“That depends on who it was,” I reply with a lifted brow. “But if it were a black kitty cat, I’d wholeheartedly approve.”
“I thought you might.” He nods, his grin widening. “Happy New Year, light of my life.” He leans down to kiss me, and I indulge him for a moment, savoring the taste of his lips. Then, reluctantly, I pull back, needing to know more.
“You can’t just drop a bombshell like that and act like it’s nothing,” I protest.
“Giving my boy his New Year’s kiss was, and still is, more important. Now, shut up and let me kiss you properly,” he commands with a growl.
He grabs my neck, pulling me close and kissing me so passionately that I’m left breathless. I’m still catching my breath when he finally breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine.
“That was incredible,” I breathe out. “Now, spill. What happened?”
“I don’t know, we were alone, it was midnight, I stole a small kiss. It was brief. But it was… fuck. Her lips are so soft,” he muses, his voice turning husky.
I glance to where I saw her last and spot Carolina standing alone by the other fire pod, lost in thought. “Where’s Josh?” I ask Xander.
He looks inside, and I follow his gaze, seeing Sophia clinging to Josh’s arm, chatting with one of her friends.
“I’m going to…” I start, nodding toward Carolina.
“Steal your kiss back?” he teases. “Fill me in later.”
He kisses my temple and heads inside while I join Carolina.
“Happy New Year, kitten,” I whisper, stepping up behind her.
She turns her head, smiling. “Happy New Year.”
I open my parka and draw her into my chest, wrapping both of us in its warmth. “Seems like the new jacket isn’t working properly. Your nose is all red,” I murmur, resting my chin on the beanie atop her head and holding her close. She feels chilly, making me shiver in response.
She chuckles softly, the sound a melodic whisper in the dimly lit space around us, as she leans into me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. “How was your shift?”
A playful smile tugs at the corners of my lips, and I can’t resist the urge to tease her a bit. “I would’ve preferred being here with you all. I heard you got my New Year’s kiss.”
She turns to face me, the soft, crackling firelight dancing across her features, casting a glow on half of her face, accentuating her beauty. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
I gently interrupt her with a tender touch, my fingers tracing her jawline before tangling in her soft, silken hair. “Hush,” I murmur. “I was just joking.”
Drawing her closer, our bodies press together, her breath mingling with mine. “Both you and Xander deserved a midnight kiss.” I continue, my gaze locked on her lips, “I’m glad he stole the kiss from you.”
She relaxes in my embrace as a quiet sigh escapes her lips. My heart races as I lean down, our faces drawing together.
“I’ve been thinking about stealing it back from you,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.
My gaze dances between her captivating eyes and slightly parted lips. In response to my words, I feel her sharp intake of breath.
With gentle fingers, I use my hand tangled in her hair to tilt her face upward, the flickering firelight casting a mesmerizing shimmer in her eyes.
The world fades away, and it’s just the two of us in this moment.
Our lips draw closer, the promise of a kiss hanging in the air.
But just as our lips are about to meet, a voice calls out, breaking the spell.
Chiara hollers Carolina’s name, and I quickly change course, shifting to gently kiss her cheek instead.
“Go, see what little sister wants from you,” I whisper in her ear, a hint of longing lingering in my voice.
“I’d rather know what you want from me,” she whispers.
A soft smile plays on my lips as I lean in, my breath warm against her cold earlobe. “I don’t want anything from you,” I murmur, my voice filled with sincerity. “I want everything with you.”
I release her from the warmth of my parka just as Chiara approaches, interrupting our stolen moment.
“Lina, can Leo sleep over?” Chiara pleads.
“Did you ask Sophia?” Carolina asks.
“No, can you please?” Chiara gives her best puppy dog eyes, making me chuckle.
Carolina is pulled away, but not before she looks back at me with a promise in her eyes.
“Talk later?” she asks, her voice a soft plea.
“Later, kitten,” I promise.