Reese adjusted the garland across the fireplace, stepping back to admire her handiwork. Her condo glowed with impending Christmas cheer—warm golden lights on the tree, the gentle crackle of the fireplace, and the soft sounds of jazz renditions of holiday classics filling the air. It was everything she loved about the season. The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted from the kitchen, where the oven timer counted down the final minutes. Reese smiled to herself.
"Perfect," she murmured, fluffing the garland one last time.
Collin's voice broke through her thoughts. "So how was the open house earlier," he said, stepping into the room with a box of ornaments. "Any offers?"
Reese glanced over her shoulder, sighing heavily, "Not exactly but that may change in a few weeks," her voice trailed, "oh great. Are those the crystal bulbs?"
"Yes," he smiled, "you know if I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to one-up Santa's workshop."
"And what if I am?" she shot back with a teasing smile. "I take Christmas seriously."
"That's an understatement," he said, setting the box down near the tree. He gestured to the room. "I mean, look at this place."
Reese rolled her eyes, her grin widening. "Don't pretend you're not impressed."
Collin chuckled, reaching for an ornament. "Alright, I'll admit it—it's impressive. Borderline magical."
She smiled softly, her fingers brushing against a delicate glass ornament shaped like a snowflake. "It's my favorite time of year," she said, her voice quieter now. "Everything feels... warmer. Like the world slows down just enough to appreciate the little things."
Collin's expression softened as he hung a silver ornament on a low branch. "You've always been good at that," he said. "Finding magic in the little things."
Reese paused, her cheeks flushing slightly under his gaze. She quickly busied herself with arranging ribbons on the tree. "So," she said, changing the subject, "do you remember our first Christmas together?"
He laughed, leaning against the arm of the couch. "How could I forget? The gift exchange of doom."
Reese groaned, laughing as she buried her face in her hands. "It was so bad! I didn't know what to get you. I mean, what do you buy for a guy who has everything ? A tie? A Rolex?"
"What was it that you got me?" Collin prompted, raising an eyebrow.
"A leather notebook," she said, cringing at the memory. "So original, right?"
"Oh that's right. It wasn't bad," he said, his tone sincere. "I actually liked it. I mean, I used it... for a little while."
Reese snorted. "Right. Until you forgot about it."
"Hey, it's the thought that counts," he defended. "Besides, my gift was worse. A bottle of wine and a generic card? I'm surprised you didn't end things right then and there."
Reese laughed, shaking her head. "It was awkward, I'll give you that. But, in a weird way, it was also... sweet. We didn't know what we were doing, but we tried. And besides at least it was an expensive bottle," she chuckled.
"Yeah," he agreed, his voice softening. "Nothing but the best for you."
For a moment, the room fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds coming from the music and the occasional crackle of the fire. Reese placed the last ornament on the tree and stepped back, surveying their work.
"It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction.
"It is," Collin agreed, though his eyes weren't on the tree.
Reese turned to find him watching her, his gaze warm and steady. Her breath hitched as the weight of the moment settled between them.
"Come here," he said softly, holding out a hand.
She hesitated for a heartbeat before stepping toward him, letting him take her hand and pull her down onto the couch. The warmth of the fire made the room feel cozy, as they snuggled into each other.
"This is nice," she said softly, her eyes drifting to the twinkling lights of the tree.
"Yeah," he agreed, his voice low. "It is."
He turned to her, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. The gesture was tender, almost reverent, and Reese felt her heart skip a beat. His fingers lingered for a moment, his touch warm against her skin.
Collin leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're amazing, you know that?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her hairline.
Her cheeks flushed, and she tilted her head to look up at him. "Collin—"
But he silenced her with another kiss, this time to her temple, then her cheek. Each one was slow, deliberate, and filled with an intimacy that made her chest tighten.
His hand moved to cradle her face, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek. Reese leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed as his lips found hers.
Collin's other hand found her waist, pulling her closer as the space between them disappeared. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the heat of his body and the steady rhythm of their breaths.
"Reese," he murmured against her lips, his voice husky, "I want you."
She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his. Without a word, she nodded, her fingers slipping to the buttons of his shirt. Collin stood, scooping her into his arms effortlessly. Reese let out a soft gasp, her arms wrapping around his neck as he carried her toward the bedroom.
He laid her gently on the bed, stepping back to unbutton his shirt. His eyes never left hers, dark with desire as he watched her squirm under his gaze. Reese's breath quickened as he climbed onto the bed, his lips finding hers again. His kisses trailed down her neck to her collarbone, and back up again his hands exploring the curves of her body as she melted beneath him.
Her fingers gripped the sheets as his mouth traveled lower, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. For a fleeting moment, an image of Christian flashed in her mind—his touch, his lips—but she pushed it away, focusing entirely on the Collin in this moment.
She arched her back slightly as his hands slid under her sweater, pulling it up and over her head in one smooth motion. The cool air of the room kissed her skin, but it was quickly replaced by the warmth of Collin's touch.
He hovered over her, his weight pressing into the mattress as his lips moved from her collarbone to her shoulder. Reese let out a soft sigh, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. Collin pulled back briefly, his eyes locking with hers. His gaze was heavy, filled with something she couldn't quite put into words—desire, certainly, but also tenderness, as though he was savoring every moment.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice low and husky.
Reese felt her cheeks flush, the sincerity in his tone sending a shiver through her. She reached up, her fingers brushing against the bare skin of his chest. Her hands lingered there, tracing the lines of his muscles.
Collin leaned down again, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was hungrier now, more urgent. As his lips trailed down her chest, Reese closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the sensation. Collin's hands moved to her waist, tugging at the drawstring of her sweats. She lifted her hips slightly, allowing him to slide them off.
Her breath hitched as his lowered his head between her legs. He gripped her hips, his thumbs brushing against her skin as he pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. Reese's fingers curled into the sheets, her body trembling with anticipation. When his lips finally found her warm center, a gasp escaped her.
He moved with precision, his tongue parting her folds teasing and exploring before plunging deep inside her. His hands held her firmly in place as she squirmed. Reese felt the tension in her body build, her breaths coming faster as waves of pleasure began to escape her. Her fingers found his hair, tangling in it as her hips moved instinctively toward him.
"Collin," she moaned.
He didn't respond with words, but his actions spoke volumes. He seemed to know exactly what she needed, his movements deliberate and unrelenting. Reese's body trembled as the pleasure reached its peak, her cries echoing softly in the room as she let go completely.
For a moment, all she could hear was the sound of her own breathing, heavy and uneven, as she lay back against the pillows. Collin moved back up to her, his lips glistening and curled with satisfaction, he lay beside her. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as her own began to slow.
They stayed like that for a while.
Collin's hand brushed through her hair, his touch gentle. "You okay?" he asked softly, his voice breaking the comfortable silence.
She nodded against his chest, a small smile playing on her lips. "Better than okay."
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. "Good."
They stayed there, wrapped in each other's warmth, as the fire crackled softly in the other room.