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“I know, Twinkle.”

“If you want to end whatever this is, I would understand.” I give him a choice to cut ties now, even though saying the words tastes like poison on my tongue. “Because I can’t stand the thought of hurting you. You deserve someone so much better than me.”

He shakes his head before I could even finish. He holds me tighter against him, like he’s afraid I’ll skip away. “I knew what I was getting into, Twinkle. We aren’t ending it. I only ask for one thing.”

“What?”

“Give us a real chance,” he says earnestly. “If by the end of our dates you still wish to part ways, I’ll let you go.”

I peer into his hopeful eyes, looking for any signs of deceit and find none. Nobody has ever made so much effort for me. Treated me like a queen.

I’m not that heartless or stubborn to take it all for granted.

Besides, my feelings for him aren’t the issue. It’s the other obstacles standing in our path. In a movie or fictional world,we’d find a way to overcome them. But in the real world, it takes more than just love to make a relationship work.

Despite all of it circling in my head and at the risk of falling for him, I smile and answer, “Okay. I will.”

All my reservations evaporate for a blissful second when his expression shifts. A breathtaking smile etches on his face and he picks me up and kisses me.

“Just the perfect Christmas gift I needed.”

“The night is still young,” I tease, thinking about his other gift.

Putting me down, he captures my chin and fixes me to the spot with a possessive look. “Also, never ever repeat you aren’t worthy or I deserve someone better. You’ve never led me on or been dishonest. Even now, you put me first and it shows what a wonderful woman you are, darling,” he rasps in a deep tone. “Whoever you give your heart to will be the luckiest man ever. I’m selfish enough to want it to be me.”

His heartfelt admission only affirms my belief that if anyone’s going to be the lucky one, it’ll be me.

CHAPTER – 20

Twinkle

After Kingston gave me a tour of the house, where he told me he spent most of his childhood growing up, we reached the dining room. The table was set and lit with candles, wine, and a big traditional dinner. It’s a glimpse into their delightful culture, which I absorbed enthusiastically as Nana pointed out at all of the dishes.

There wasPastetli, which is a meat pie served with rice and peas.Sauerkraut, which is also made of meat, potatoes, and fried vegetables.

With the wine, everything tasted scrumptious. I tried every single dish, and I must say, the meat pie is my favorite.

It was as much a feast for the eyes as it was for my mouth. I wasn’t surprised when Kingston revealed his grandmother used to be a chef back in the day.

The entire dinner was a pleasant affair, filled with laughter and stories about their relatives, and some cute ones about Kingston causing trouble, which he denied. I felt a partof their family, which is such a rare and beautiful feeling, but Kingston’s grandparents made it so easy. I’ve never met such wonderful people with big hearts.

While I conversed and joked around with his family, I was keenly aware of every small touch, little sigh, and word Kingston spoke in his deep and cocky voice. He was weaving a spell around me, controlling every nerve ending in my body.

Every time his hand would skim my knees or squeeze my thigh, arousal shot through my system while I tried not to squirm or cross my thighs in desperate lust.

It didn’t help when I would catch a tiny knowing smirk on his lips.

He knew what he was doing, playing a dangerous game.

It’s only when his grandmother asked for my help in the kitchen that I could breathe without the fear of betraying my lascivious thoughts.

“Did you enjoy the food, Twinkle?” asks Nana, while placing her homemade cake on a floral plate.

“What cake is this?”

“This isNusstorte, commonly called nut cake.”

“I haven’t heard of this.” I can’t wait to taste it; the baker in me, excited to try something new. I’m definitely getting the recipe to try baking it myself at home.