Page 168 of Celestial Combat

“Never,” I laughed.

“I’m honored to be your first,” she teased, tugging me toward the couch.

The living room was warm and smelled like cookies and evergreen. Outside, it was already dark, the city glowing with holiday lights. Inside, we had blankets piled up and a plate of cookies within reach. Kali grabbed the remote, ready to queue up our Christmas movie marathon, and I pulled her closer to me.

Every moment with her felt so warm, and easy, and perfectly right – like this was exactly where I was meant to be all along.

Late Christmas Eve, the apartment was hushed except for the faint crackle of the fireplace and the gentle clinking of glasses we’d left on the coffee table. Outside, snow had been falling for hours, coating the Brooklyn streets in white, the glow from streetlamps catching every lazy flake. It felt like the city was asleep, and we were the only two people in it.

I was glad we got to spend Christmas alone. We’d already done our obligations to her family and our friends, and now we could finally relax and ne together.

Just the two of us.

Kali sat on the fluffy white rug in front of the couch, wrapped up in one of my big wool sweaters, eyes bright as she pulled the last ribbon from my gift. The blue diamond necklace sparkled like a tiny drop of the ocean in her hands, the facets catching every bit of light in the room.

I remembered seeing that page circled in her magazine weeks ago, edges bent as if she’d been going back to look at it over and over again. I paid five million to have it here tonight, nestled in its velvet box – and it was worth it the second her eyes lit up before locking on mine with appreciation.

“Zane,” she breathed, “It’s perfect.”

I smiled, reaching forward to fasten the clasp at the back of her neck, hands lingering at her shoulders for a moment before pulling away. The deep blue gleamed against her skin like a secret only we knew.

When it was my turn, Kali handed me a long, narrow package that felt far too heavy for its size. The crisp sound of tearing paper filled the air as I uncovered a katana so beautiful it took my breath away. The lacquered sheath was engraved with delicate waves and cherry blossoms, and the blade gleamed like morning light. The craftsmanship was exquisite, every inch of it telling a story of its own.

“Kali…” I ran my thumb along the hilt, heart thudding in my chest.

The katana was made by an infamous swordsman in Japan that not many could reach, let alone get a personal blade from.

“I had it made in Japan,” she said with a small, proud smile. “Pulled every string I had.”

That was an understatement. Knowing her connections, this blade was one-of-a-kind – something most people could only dream of.

“Thank you. This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”

She blushed, leaning in for a kiss, but when my hand wrapped around her delicate neck, pulling her in – we were already taking our clothes off.

After showing our appreciation and love to each other by making love for the next hour, we settled by the big windows afterwards – close together under a blanket as the snow kept on swirling outside. The city looked like a snow globe, glassy and perfect.

Kali rested her head against my chest, her fingers lightly tangled with mine, and I watched the world slowly turn white, feeling the softness of her breath, the quiet of the apartment, and a kind of contentment I’d never thought I’d feel.

There, in the hush of Christmas night, with her tucked against me and the city lights glowing golden through the glass,I felt something settle deep inside me – like this was the only place I ever needed to be.

Chapter 43

Present

Brooklyn, New York City

MY EYES ROLLED BACK, NAILS digging into Zane’s shoulder, as he rolled his hips, filling me up to my limit. I squeezed around him as he pumped in and out, his pace faster as we both got closer and closer to finishing. Slipping one hand lower to feel his defined abs, I tightened my thighs around his hips.

I screamed in ecstasy when he lowered his full weight on me – one hand on my throat, the other pulling my hair, and his mouth groaning in my ear – and began thrusting as hard and deep as he could. My orgasm exploded through me, stars shooting behind my eyes, as Zane’s thrusts eventually slowed in intensity before stilling completely at my limit, and filling me with his cum.

I shuddered, feeling him so deep inside me, I knew I’d never get him out now.

His lips found mine, and we got lost into each other again, kissing like we never kissed before.

My lips were still tingling when I finally pulled back, breathless, my hands threaded in Zane’s hair as we sprawled across the bed. Late-night city lights slanted through the big windows, turning the white sheets into a glowing ocean around us.

“We’re going to be late, you know,” I teased, leaning in to steal one more kiss before reluctantly sitting up.