I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday whatever and however you celebrate. I cannot believe I've finally finished this. The subzero temperatures here in Wisconsin have been helpful. It's too cold to go out much so I was able to hunker down this morning and wrap this up. This prompt was given to me by the wonderful Moo. I've always wanted to write a Season 3 Christmas and this prompt fit right in with it. I hope you all enjoy it. Wishing you all a blessed and happy New Year. xoxo

Ribbons, Lace and Bourbon

Regret wasn't an emotion Blair Waldorf felt very often in her life. She had always been able to rationalize any behavior, any decision, any action that she took. But now, for the first time, she regretted ever making Chuck visit his father's gravesite. Ever since that night he had become even more distant and brooding.

When he had returned to the limo, sans yellow roses and clutching a gold locket tightly in his gloved hand, that dark night she should've known it would come to no good. She didn't try to push him because when it came to Chuck Bass pushing never worked. So, she had tried distraction, and even though he claimed he was fine and not bothered in the least by a locket left on his father's grave by a strange woman, she knew a smokescreen when she saw one. After all she did know him better than anyone.

So, Blair did what she always did when someone she loved was in trouble; she concocted a rescue plan. The first thing she did was to call her mother and inform her that she and Chuck would not be joining them in Paris for Christmas. She knew that Chuck had only agreed to the plan to make Blair happy and to stay on Eleanor's good side. Blair also knew the best Christmas gift she could ever give him would be a quiet holiday spent alone just the two of them. Chuck had never been one for big celebrations or holidays. He always indulged her, although reluctantly. It was one of the many ways that Blair knew he loved her. There wasn't another person on this planet that Chuck would make so many concessions for and Blair wanted to let him know that she truly appreciated it and that she too could make concessions for the man she loved.

When she had informed him that they would be remaining in New York for the holiday, alone, the physical look of relief on his face broke her heart. She knew he wasn't overjoyed at the prospect of a Waldorf Christmas but she hadn't realized just how much he was dreading it.

Now it was Christmas Eve and it found herself arranging the champagne, ice and assorted small plates, personally delivered to her, from Chef Daniel Boulud. She was mentally cursing the fact that she had given Dorota the week off to spend with Vanya. It was all fine when she thought she was going to be in France through New Year's but now that they were staying put she was missing her beloved housekeeper even more.

She took one more glance around the living room. The fire was roaring in the fireplace, the tree was lit and the glow of candlelight gave everything a softness. She glanced at the clock noticing that she had about forty-five minutes to prepare herself before Chuck's arrival. She wanted to be back downstairs and waiting for him when he got off the elevator.

When the elevator door dinged Blair took a deep breath as she smoothed the lace of her sheer black, baby doll dress along the top of her bare thighs. It was newly purchased yesterday from Agent Provocateur. The saleswoman had smiled sweetly at Blair, one of her best customers, handing her the carefully wrapped dress. As Blair thanked her, the woman gave her a wink before saying, "A very merry Christmas to you and Mr. Bass."

Blair had left the shop blushing lightly. Everyone knew who she was dating and the salesladies in all the best lingerie shops in Manhattan had all seen an uptick in sales since Blair's whirlwind romance had begun. They were all thankful to Mr. Bass for keeping their commissions high.

Chuck called Blair's name as he stepped out of the elevator and crossed the marble foyer. He paused for a minute as he set his briefcase down and slipped off his cashmere overcoat which he tossed onto the hall bench. He loosened his tie, unbuttoning the top button of his dress shirt as he came to the living room threshold. The sight that greeted him left him completely breathless.

There was Blair casually sitting in front of the Christmas tree. Her legs were tucked beneath her and her long, chocolate, curls were hanging loosely down her back. The sheer, lace, babydoll dress she was wearing was held up by two silk ribbons tied at both shoulders. It was everything he could do not to rush over to her and pull those ribbons free. She looked incredible.

He stopped where he was swallowing hard as he took in this beautiful picture. Blair was the first to break the ice.

"Merry Christmas, Chuck," she whispered breathlessly.

That was all he needed to break the spell. He crossed the room stopping in front of her. She slowly came up onto her knees and his eyes ran over her face before taking in her gorgeous body. It was then that he noticed that she was wearing absolutely nothing underneath the negligee.

He reached down cupping her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Blair." He ran his hand along her cheek, down her neck and over her erect nipple standing out against the lace. He grazed his nail across it before pulling her up onto her feet. His hands cupped her face before kissing her deeply.

He tasted of cold and a strong liquor. She noted that this tasted different from his usual single malt; perhaps a cheap bourbon. It was a fleeting thought as he deepened the kiss even further and she lost herself in him. Her fingers entangled in the hair at the back of his neck as his grabbed frantically at her curls.

When he had gotten his fill of her luscious mouth he slowly separated from her. Nipping at her bottom lip lightly before staring down at her. Her eyes were still closed and her forehead wrinkled slightly in confusion. He watched as her beautiful brown eyes opened slowly meeting his in a question.

His left hand left the tangle of her curls and dropped to her shoulder where he slowly pulled at the silk ribbon lying along her right shoulder. His eyes never left hers as he untied the bow. When it was done he pulled the other one free and watched as the sheer scrap of fabric pooled at her feet which were encased in a high heeled, black, sling back with feather motif. He smirked when he realized she wasn't even wearing a thong. She was completely nude.

His eyes roved back up over her incredible body without touching a single finger to her ivory skin. He watched as the goosebumps rose to mar the perfection. He knew it had nothing to do with the temperature of the room but her desire instead. His eyes met hers and she gasped breathlessly.

His eyes searched her face; a face he knew so well and that could give him so much pleasure. Nothing pleased him more than a smile from her. He felt his heart skip a beat as it always did at the thought of her. Would there ever be a day that he did not feel this way when he looked at her? He secretly hoped not. It was one of the greatest feelings he had ever experienced in his life. She was the best high he'd ever had in his life. Nothing else ever came close to her.

Her whispered, "Chuck," broke into his thoughts and he was brought back to the moment.

His eyes met hers again as his hand reached out cupping her breast. He squeezed her hardened nipple and her intake of breath caused his dick to harden even more.

"You are truly a Christmas dream come true," he whispered huskily before devouring her lips once more as he pulled her into his embrace.

He picked her up kissing her again before slowly sinking to his knees and laying her gently back onto the plush Aubusson carpet.

He stared down at her thinking how beautiful she looked bathed in the lights from the Christmas tree. She looked almost angelic and too pure to touch. But he got over that feeling fast enough when she reached out to him and pulled him down for a kiss.

Blair laid her head back as Chuck began to explore her body with his very talented fingers and tongue. She reached out entangling her fingers into his hair as his mouth devoured her right breast. She tugged harder as he flicked his tongue over the tight peak. She gasped when he released it exposing the now damp skin to the cool air. The sensation actually caused her toes to curl. God, he was good, so, so good.

As he licked a path down to her belly button Blair released her grip on his hair and both of her arms fell back above her head. Her legs parted wide as he settled himself between them. She knew what was coming and the anticipation alone was enough to make her come.

She gasped and her back arched as his tongue licked a path from her damp center to her clit. He tongued the tight bud before leaning back slightly and blowing cool air between her parted legs. Blair bit down hard on her bottom lip.

As his tongue resumed its slow, torturous, path Blair's mouth opened and she panted softly. Her eyes stared up through the branches of the Christmas tree at the twinkling lights above her. When he pushed two fingers deep inside of her the lights blurred and her eyes closed as she saw exploding stars behind her closed eyelids.

Before she had time to regain her composure or even breathe properly he was unbuttoning his pants and burying himself deep inside her.

Chuck instantly lost himself in the feel of her. Suddenly the past week disappeared. All those feelings of inadequacy and doubt; all gone. There was only this moment, only Blair. Nothing and no one else existed. She was the only one capable of making him feel so complete, so right, so whole. He had been wrong to push her away. Without her, there was only darkness and loneliness, with her, light and warmth.

He flexed his hips pushing himself even deeper inside her. He held himself completely still surrounded by her warm, wet center. He opened his eyes staring down at her. Her head was turned to the side and her eyes were shut tight. Her hands, which were still over her head, were fisted tight. His eyes roamed over face along to the base of her throat where the ivory skin fluttered with the exertion of her breathing.

When his eyes returned their gaze to her face he was met with her brown ones. He must have been lost in the sight of her long enough that her brow wrinkled in confusion. She whispered his name and he leaned down kissing her gently.

"I love you, Blair," and with those words he began to move. Pulling nearly out before reentering her again; slowly, gently, reverently.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as she tangled her fingers into his hair. "I love you too," she whispered before pulling him down for another kiss.

Fifteen minutes later they were both completely spent and completely content. Chuck's head was resting against Blair's chest. Her eyes were closed as her fingers stroked the damp hair at his temple. Her breathing was still ragged as she tried to slow her racing pulse. She wanted to stay here with him wrapped in her arms forever. She knew the minute they allowed the outside world in this peace would all fade away.

She felt Chuck begin to pull away. She audibly groaned and tried to wrap her arms around him tighter to hold him in place.

"Blair," he whispered, placing a kiss against her collarbone.

She shook her head keeping her eyes closed tight.

He caressed her chin before stroking her cheek. "Let's go upstairs to bed."

She reluctantly opened her eyes. The moment was lost now. There was no holding the past or the problems back. She sighed as he kissed her lightly before standing up and pulling his pants back up.

He stared down at her holding out a hand. "Come on, Waldorf."

She reached out and allowed him to help her to her feet. She started to bend over for her discarded lace, negligee but he stopped her.

"You don't need that." He grabbed the bottle of chilled champagne and the two glasses. He held his arm aloft and she nestled under it as they headed into the foyer and towards the stairs. She wrapped her arm around his waist as they started to ascend the steps. Neither of them noticed the snow that had begun to fall softly outside.