Holiday Magic

PART TWO

Addison

I had no idea what to do next. But I knew that I couldn't let him out of my sight. With all the people crowding the station, I was fairly certain that I could keep a reasonable distance from him and go unnoticed.

Walking stealthily behind him, I realized that Zed had somehow turned me into a class-A stalker. Yes, it was totally his fault. I giggled quietly as I thought about visiting the mental health clinic on Monday, but until then I'd just use my time wisely and keep his beautiful backside in my view. I had absolutely no idea where he was going. He took several turns and walked through the tunnels down the station.

Finally, he made his way up a long ramp. There weren't many people on the ramp and I worried that he might turn around and spot me behind him, but he just kept moving forward. I pulled my hair in front of my face to shield myself from his view in case he turned to look. If he saw me now, I'm pretty sure he'd figure out that I was following him. Looking at it logically, just how did two people from New Haven end up being this close together in New York City without it being intentional?

I briefly reconsidered what I was doing. Honestly, I knew that I should turn the other way, but who was I kidding? I couldn't dent this pull I had to him, so my stalking continued unabated.

As Zed entered the main terminal lobby, he stopped abruptly and tilted his head up toward the ceiling. I followed his actions and saw the twinkling display overhead. It was beautiful how all the lights moved together so perfectly, but I was afraid to stare too long and have him walk away. The crowds were starting to get thick around us, so I decided to move a little closer to him.

He entered the 42nd Street-level access tunnel. I was relieved that we weren't going to take the subway somewhere else. It would be so much harder to hide from him. They were way too open and full of windows. Now I just hoped he wouldn't be getting into a cab. That would bring my stalker capabilities to a definite halt. I held my breath as we moved to street level, but he put his head down and walked with a purpose toward Fifth Avenue. The sidewalks started to get crowded as we made our way to Fifth and turned left. The Thanksgiving parade tourists were still lingering throughout the city, so we were literally packed in shoulder to shoulder.

Block after block passed by as we hustled south. He slowed for a bit as we approached one of the department stores. I thought he might cross the street and stop to peer into their windows, but instead, he pulled his collar up and continued on, picking up his speed.

My toes were starting to feel numb as we walked across 34th Street and turned right onto it. I suddenly realized where we may be heading.

34th Street. Where Christmas miracles happen.

Macy's!

We strolled down a long block, but as we approached the next street, I could see the trees lit up in Herald Square. I took a moment to look around and saw the tree designed of Christmas lights on the front of Macy's stone facade. The whole area looked just as I imagined it would, cheery, bright, and filled with people.

I brought my eyes back down to street level and scanned around for Zed but didn't see him. There wasn't a head of green anywhere in sight. Picking up the pace, I started looking around frantically for him as I worked my way to the Christmas windows. The crowds were packed tightly around them. I decided to get in line and view them then I'd head into Macy's and warm up for a bit. The day wouldn't be a total bust. It had been exciting and more than an adventure being so close to Zed, sneaking peeks and playing like a spy. The last few hours sure beat hanging out in the quiet halls back at school, that was for damn sure.

As I inched my way closer to the windows, I glanced around just in case Zed walked by. But, alas, nothing… Not a damn thing.

I continued walking with the line toward the display windows. Finally, the first window was right in front of me. I stopped and read the theme for this year's window.

They were showcasing the story of eight-year-old, Virginia O'Hanlon who wanted to know if there really was a Santa Claus. Displayed inside the window in front of me was little Virginia herself, questioning her father about the existence of Santa Claus.

I had the strangest feeling at that moment. It was almost like I was standing there by myself and the throngs of people just disappeared. Staring at the writing on the window, I felt someone brush up behind me and none too gently. But before I could turn around, I saw my reflection in the window along with the person who bumped into me.

It was HIM! Zed! He was standing right behind me and looking into the window, too, all smiles, and smirks.

Unbelieveably, right in front of me mixed in the window's reflection was Virginia, me, and the gorgeous Zed Necrodopolus. Immediately, I stiffened and was paralyzed until I felt his breath at my ear. My knees started to buckle. I think he must have foreseen my reaction because he stepped in closer behind me and placed his glove-covered hands tightly on my upper arms. My eyes were glued to his in our mirrored reflection and I saw his lips start to move.

"Addison, turn around," he whispered into my ear.

Who could disobey a seductive whisper like that? I knew I couldn't, so I quickly spun around in his arms, my face just inches away from his wool-covered chest. I'd dreamed and hoped that he'd notice me with those eyes of his. Right then I knew I was putty in his hands.

"I thought I'd sneak up on you this time. You're a hard stalker to lose, Addie."

Oh, my God. He knew that I'd been following him. I wanted to die. Now. Once again, all I could do was stand there and looked shocked.

"You look surprised that I knew that you were following me. Take some friendly advice… drop any thoughts you have about working for the CIA."

"That bad?" Hey, I finally spoke! Two whole words! Yay!

"Yes, that bad. But I did enjoy the panicked look on your face when I deliberately hid from you. Are you feeling better now, Ms. Stalker?" Zed laughed as he drew me in closer to him. Our bodies were almost touching and my head was spinning. What the hell was he doing holding me like this? It didn't make any sense. He didn't even seem disturbed by my crazy behavior. He appeared to find it amusing.

"Feeling better?" I asked confused before realizing what he was asking. "Oh, I get it. No, I'm no longer panicked. Well… that's not totally true…"

"I have an idea and it looks like you could use some warming up." He winked at me. Oh. My. God. I think he must have me confused with someone else. This couldn't be happening to me. He took my hand into his and walked me to the edge of the sidewalk. I stood slightly behind him and watched him hail a cab.

When a cab pulled up and stopped, he opened the door for me and I slid across the seat as he followed me in. He looked over at me all smiles with a sexy gleam in his beautiful eyes. Without taking his eyes from mine, he told the cabbie where to take us. "The Roosevelt Hotel. Madison and Forty-fifth."

"Yes, sir," the cabbie responded.

"I have reservations there for the night. Is it okay if I check in early and warm-up?"

I nodded my head as words failed me. Holy shit. He was taking me to a hotel. To a room with a bed. My head was spinning once again.

He took off his gloves and reached for my right hand. Slowly, he removed my glove, finger by finger. I was practically panting by the time he'd finished and laid my one lone glove on the seat.

"I want to try something, okay?" he said.

I nodded my agreement.

"There's something I've been curious about since the day we met."

I sat there lost in his words and brown eyes, not daring to move a muscle.

Very carefully, he moved his fingers toward mine and placed them lightly against my opened palm. And there it was again. That strange, warm feeling moved up my arm just like it did during our handshake back in September. But this time he didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he wrapped his long fingers around mine and pulled my hand up to his lips.

He began to gently kiss each knuckle as he gazed at me with rather hooded eyes. I tried to suppress the moan that was working to escape my lips, but I just couldn't hold it back. I had my fantasy man sitting next to me in the flesh and he was pressing his sweet lips against my shaky hand. It was almost too much to believe or bear.

"You felt that too, didn't you?" He lowered my hand to the seat but didn't release it.

"Yes, I felt it. But it wasn't the first time. I remember feeling it when we met." My words made him smile even more if that was possible.

"I felt it too, Addie. At first, I thought it was just a fluke, but there was just something about you… I can't really explain it."

What?! Maybe he WAS attracted to me?!

I remembered Bucky telling me that he broke up with the goddess, Lacey, after he found himself having feelings for someone else. He told me that Zed didn't want to be unfaithful to Lacey, and he needed to see if this other person felt the same way he did. Bucky mentioned that the other girl often avoided him, so he didn't really think he stood a chance with her. But he wanted to reach out to her anyway and give it a try.

Could it possibly be me that Bucky was speaking about?

"So there's something about me?" I had to ask him this question. I just couldn't wrap my mind around his words and declaration. I needed to hear it one more time.

He tightened his grip around my fingers and shifted right next to me in the backseat. He pressed his body into mine and looked directly into my eyes.

"I can't quit thinking about you, Addie. I know that you've noticed me staring at you during our weekly meetings. Every time you looked my way, I'd get lost in your big, blue eyes. Don't even get me started with your innocent blush."

True to form, I blushed heavily as if on cue.

He laughed and traced his fingers over my cheeks. He looked at my lips then gazed up into my eyes asking for permission. I closed my eyes and parted my lips in answer.

His lips found mine, and the spark from earlier turned hot with passion. No longer were we suppressing anything. Breathing hard, he moved my scarf away from my neck and started gently kissing me below my ear. I was aching in the most delicious way.

I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes as Zed pulled me even closer into him.

The only thing I thought of while his warm lips kissed mine was Virginia and her Christmas wish. Like her, my wish had come true, and he was sitting beside me holding me tightly in his arms.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next up, Zed's side of the story! Thank you so much SWChicca2005 for recommending the song accompanying this update announcement on my Insta story!