A Snowbound Christmas Affair
A Snowbound Christmas Affair : Part 1
The grand Ivory Pines Lodge loomed ahead, its exterior bathed in glittering lights that shimmered against the falling snow. Celeste Harper stood at the edge of the drive, her heels sinking into the freshly fallen powder as she adjusted the straps of her emerald gown. The dress clung to her curves, a deliberate choice to stand out amongst the sea of red and green that would no doubt flood the gala. She wasn’t here for holiday cheer—she was here for vengeance.
Damian Wolfe. The name sent a shiver down her spine, but not from the cold. He was the reason her family had crumbled, the architect of their ruin. Tonight, she would confront him, make him pay for what he had done. Her fingers clenched around the clutch in her hand, the smooth leather digging into her palm as she took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The lobby was a whirlwind of laughter and chatter, glasses clinking as servers weaved through the crowd with silver trays of champagne. Celeste scanned the room, her sharp eyes narrowing as she spotted him near the bar. Damian Wolfe. Even from this distance, his presence was commanding. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair that fell just so over his forehead, he exuded an air of dangerous charm. His tailored tuxedo fit him like a second skin, and as he turned, his gaze caught hers.
He sees me. The thought pulsed through her, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stall. Then, he smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her stomach twist.
She forced herself to move, her gait steady as she approached him. “Damian Wolfe,” she greeted, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the party.
He raised a brow, clearly amused by her tone. “And you are?”
He sees me. The thought pulsed through her, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stall. Then, he smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her stomach twist.
She forced herself to move, her gait steady as she approached him. “Damian Wolfe,” she greeted, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the party.
He raised a brow, clearly amused by her tone. “And you are?”
He sees me. The thought pulsed through her, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stall. Then, he smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her stomach twist.
She forced herself to move, her gait steady as she approached him. “Damian Wolfe,” she greeted, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the party.
He raised a brow, clearly amused by her tone. “And you are?”
He sees me. The thought pulsed through her, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stall. Then, he smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her stomach twist.
She forced herself to move, her gait steady as she approached him. “Damian Wolfe,” she greeted, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the party.
He raised a brow, clearly amused by her tone. “And you are?”
He sees me. The thought pulsed through her, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stall. Then, he smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her stomach twist.
She forced herself to move, her gait steady as she approached him. “Damian Wolfe,” she greeted, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the party.
He raised a brow, clearly amused by her tone. “And you are?”
“This isn’t over,” she said, her voice low and laced with venom.
“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” he replied, his tone equally biting. “But I’m afraid your father’s downfall wasn’t personal. Just business.”
“Business,” she scoffed, taking a step closer. “Do you have any idea what you took from us?”
He tilted his head, studying her. “Are you sure you want to do this here? Now?”
“Yes,” she snapped, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “I want you to look me in the eye and tell me it meant nothing.”
For a moment, he said nothing, his silence speaking volumes. Then, he pushed off the desk, closing the distance between them until they were mere inches apart. “You’re brave,” he murmured, his voice rough. “Brave… and reckless.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” she shot back, though her pulse quickened at his proximity.
“No?” He reached out, his thumb brushing against her cheek. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a shockwave through her, unraveling her resolve bit by bit. “You should be.”
Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, his lips hard and demanding. She gasped, her body stiffening in surprise, but then she melted into the kiss, her fingers threading through his hair as the world spun away. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him as their tongues tangled, the heat between them undeniable.
This can’t be happening, she thought desperately, even as she pressed closer, her hips grinding against his. But the anger, the pain—it was still there, simmering beneath the surface, mingling with the desire that threatened to consume her.
Damian broke the kiss, his breathing ragged as he gazed down at her. “Why are you fighting this?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
“Because it’s wrong,” she whispered, her hands sliding down his chest. “But…”
“But?” he prompted, his hands skimming over her curves.
“But I don’t care,” she admitted, her voice breaking. And then she was kissing him again, her body aligning perfectly with his as he lifted her onto the desk, his fingers deftly undoing the zipper of her gown.
