Page 18
Story: The Christmas Bet
But there’s a voice inside my head that’s starting to get louder. This is not the last do-over, and I’m a fool to think otherwise. I’ll end up getting hurt.
I’m worried that little voice is right.
Chapter 11
Allison
It’s a week before Christmas, and you can feel the season everywhere you turn. The sights of shoppers lugging their hauls around, the sounds of bells and Christmas music from every storefront I walk past. Holiday lights and decorations adorn window displays, and the snow that’s falling down around the city? It’s magical.
I’ve been spending so much time with Conner, and it’s been amazing. He’s been sweet, kind, and attentive. Also, there have been no do-overs in sight.
Tonight, Conner is surprising me by taking me somewhere special, as he put it. He asked me to dress warm and comfortable. So, I threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a black V-neck sweater, and some boots. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but I’m feeling pretty comfortable. Also, very excited. I love surprises, and Conner taking me somewhere as one has me doing mental somersaults.
As I grab my black leather jacket and throw it on. Then there’s a knock at the door. A huge smile comes over my face.He’s here. Butterflies swirl inside me. Sauntering over to the door, I open it and find Conner standing there with a wide grin.
“Hello, beautiful.” Conner leans in, and his lips meet mine. Softly and slowly, he kisses me. I melt into him, letting out a sigh as he pulls away. “You ready to head to your surprise?”
“Yeah. I just need to lock up and then we can go.” I break away from him and reach for my purse on the hook adjacent to the door. I dig through and find my keys, then step out into the hallway, turning to the door to lock up. As I slide the key in, I feel Conner press up against me. His hand slowly moves my hair to the side, and he peppers my neck and shoulder with kisses.
“If you don’t stop, we’ll never get to where we’re supposed to be going.” I reach back, my hand threading through his hair. God, I want nothing more than to take him inside and let him continue this.
I hear him growl as he pulls away, “Let’s go so I can get you back here.” I turn to see his megawatt smile as he gives me a wink. He reaches out for my hand, and I take his. His warmth spreads from my hand to every single part of me. This man does things to me that I never knew was possible.
When I told Lacy I wanted that connection, that spark, I had no idea it would be this good. I crave that inferno, that fire that rages through me. That need to touch him, be consumed by him. I wanted what I feel for Conner, the burning when his fingers graze my skin. The goosebumps when he’s anywhere near me. The blazing of his lips on mine and getting lost in his gaze. That’s what I want. And I want it with him.
We pull into a parking garage on East 50th Street and start walking. People are window shopping and checking out Radio City Music Hall. Traffic is thick with taxis, and horns sound every few minutes. The air is crisp and so cold that my breath frosts in front of me. I hook my arm into his and look up at him. Conner leans down and gives me a quick peck on the lips.
When we get up to the intersection of 50th and 5th Avenue, I look up at all the giant buildings in front of us. I feel so tiny, like a speck of dust compared to them. They tower over the people walking around from all sides. No matter how long I live in this city, I never get tired of the beauty in the architecture here. Then it dawns on me where we are.
“Are we at Rockefeller Center?” My head turns towards Conner, who’s grinning.
“How are you with ice skating?” He takes my hand and brings it up to his mouth, kissing it softly.
“I-I have two left feet.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m here.” He holds my hand tightly in his own, and we cross the street, eventually making our way into The Rink.
The Rink is fucking amazing. I spin around and take in everything around me. People are packed into the level above us. Others are huddled together taking pictures or talking into their phone with selfie sticks. Flags above The Rink flap in the wind as the people below skate with smiles on their faces, laughing and enjoying their time circling around.
“I’ve never been to The Rink before.” I shake my head as my eyes fall on the giant Christmas Tree above the Prometheus statue. It’s stunning, giant, and festive; it’s a symbol of the holidays and it gives the perfect ambiance to the skaters below.
“What?” Conner’s eyebrows pull together, and he looks at me with confusion. “You’ve lived here for how long along?”
I shrug. “For a while now. Several years, I think.”
“And you’ve never been here?” Conner shakes his head, his eyes wide with shock.
“No. I told you, two left feet. This would be the last place I’d ever go.”
He leads me to the skate rental counter. “Then I guess this is a first for you.”
After we get our skates and put them on, we wait for our time to hop on the ice. I look around at all the couples huddling close, lip locked and adoring each other. I smile at the thought of love that surrounds us.I wonder how many are getting proposed to tonight?
Conner’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, “Here, it’s our turn. Grab my hand. Go slow.”
We make our way to the ice, and the moment I step out onto it, I feel myself start to slip. Conners arms wrap around me and hold me tightly against him, keeping me from falling flat on my ass.
“Thank you,” I breathe, looking up at him. He places a small kiss on my forehead and slowly helps me move on the ice.
I’m worried that little voice is right.
Chapter 11
Allison
It’s a week before Christmas, and you can feel the season everywhere you turn. The sights of shoppers lugging their hauls around, the sounds of bells and Christmas music from every storefront I walk past. Holiday lights and decorations adorn window displays, and the snow that’s falling down around the city? It’s magical.
I’ve been spending so much time with Conner, and it’s been amazing. He’s been sweet, kind, and attentive. Also, there have been no do-overs in sight.
Tonight, Conner is surprising me by taking me somewhere special, as he put it. He asked me to dress warm and comfortable. So, I threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a black V-neck sweater, and some boots. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but I’m feeling pretty comfortable. Also, very excited. I love surprises, and Conner taking me somewhere as one has me doing mental somersaults.
As I grab my black leather jacket and throw it on. Then there’s a knock at the door. A huge smile comes over my face.He’s here. Butterflies swirl inside me. Sauntering over to the door, I open it and find Conner standing there with a wide grin.
“Hello, beautiful.” Conner leans in, and his lips meet mine. Softly and slowly, he kisses me. I melt into him, letting out a sigh as he pulls away. “You ready to head to your surprise?”
“Yeah. I just need to lock up and then we can go.” I break away from him and reach for my purse on the hook adjacent to the door. I dig through and find my keys, then step out into the hallway, turning to the door to lock up. As I slide the key in, I feel Conner press up against me. His hand slowly moves my hair to the side, and he peppers my neck and shoulder with kisses.
“If you don’t stop, we’ll never get to where we’re supposed to be going.” I reach back, my hand threading through his hair. God, I want nothing more than to take him inside and let him continue this.
I hear him growl as he pulls away, “Let’s go so I can get you back here.” I turn to see his megawatt smile as he gives me a wink. He reaches out for my hand, and I take his. His warmth spreads from my hand to every single part of me. This man does things to me that I never knew was possible.
When I told Lacy I wanted that connection, that spark, I had no idea it would be this good. I crave that inferno, that fire that rages through me. That need to touch him, be consumed by him. I wanted what I feel for Conner, the burning when his fingers graze my skin. The goosebumps when he’s anywhere near me. The blazing of his lips on mine and getting lost in his gaze. That’s what I want. And I want it with him.
We pull into a parking garage on East 50th Street and start walking. People are window shopping and checking out Radio City Music Hall. Traffic is thick with taxis, and horns sound every few minutes. The air is crisp and so cold that my breath frosts in front of me. I hook my arm into his and look up at him. Conner leans down and gives me a quick peck on the lips.
When we get up to the intersection of 50th and 5th Avenue, I look up at all the giant buildings in front of us. I feel so tiny, like a speck of dust compared to them. They tower over the people walking around from all sides. No matter how long I live in this city, I never get tired of the beauty in the architecture here. Then it dawns on me where we are.
“Are we at Rockefeller Center?” My head turns towards Conner, who’s grinning.
“How are you with ice skating?” He takes my hand and brings it up to his mouth, kissing it softly.
“I-I have two left feet.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m here.” He holds my hand tightly in his own, and we cross the street, eventually making our way into The Rink.
The Rink is fucking amazing. I spin around and take in everything around me. People are packed into the level above us. Others are huddled together taking pictures or talking into their phone with selfie sticks. Flags above The Rink flap in the wind as the people below skate with smiles on their faces, laughing and enjoying their time circling around.
“I’ve never been to The Rink before.” I shake my head as my eyes fall on the giant Christmas Tree above the Prometheus statue. It’s stunning, giant, and festive; it’s a symbol of the holidays and it gives the perfect ambiance to the skaters below.
“What?” Conner’s eyebrows pull together, and he looks at me with confusion. “You’ve lived here for how long along?”
I shrug. “For a while now. Several years, I think.”
“And you’ve never been here?” Conner shakes his head, his eyes wide with shock.
“No. I told you, two left feet. This would be the last place I’d ever go.”
He leads me to the skate rental counter. “Then I guess this is a first for you.”
After we get our skates and put them on, we wait for our time to hop on the ice. I look around at all the couples huddling close, lip locked and adoring each other. I smile at the thought of love that surrounds us.I wonder how many are getting proposed to tonight?
Conner’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, “Here, it’s our turn. Grab my hand. Go slow.”
We make our way to the ice, and the moment I step out onto it, I feel myself start to slip. Conners arms wrap around me and hold me tightly against him, keeping me from falling flat on my ass.
“Thank you,” I breathe, looking up at him. He places a small kiss on my forehead and slowly helps me move on the ice.