GABRIELThis day was going to be an experience that we would be sure to remember for many years to come. I suggested to Kira that it would be a splendid plan if we traveled to Hollow Peak to pay her family a visit. They would be so happy to see us together... all three of us. As the Christmas season drew closer, this time of year was an especially meaningful and joyous time. It was like a circle closing.As I pulled up to Kira’s family home in Hollow Peak, I could see the excitement on their faces from the window. Kira’s mother rushed out of the house to us, extending her open arms and giving us both a warm and loving embrace. Upon seeing us, she expressed great delight and joy and welcomed us warmly into her home.We stepped inside the cozy living room, where a warm fire was burning in the fireplace. The inviting and delectable aroma of freshly baked cookies and holiday treats filled the entire room. Mrs. Reed had a hard time containing her enthusiasm when we sat down on the comforta
KIRAI am Kira Reed and for as long as I can remember, I have worked in his company. But I had enough! He’s such a despicable man to the point I couldn’t resist his tyranny. Or maybe that's what I want to make myself believe. Who am I kidding? Besides, the holidays are coming and I really want to go home this year.***“Are you sure this is what you want, Kira? Think again, this man won’t take you back,” said Alana, one of my supporters in this company.“I’ve never been more sure, Alana. You know I can’t stand him anymore!” I shouted, closing the door to my office. “Won’t you at least wait and give it to him in person? He’ll get mad, you know. Especially now that he won’t find someone so soon to replace you.”“You think I care? I’ll leave my resignation on his desk and leave. I have to be on a plane to Hollow Peaks by 6 PM.” “OK. Regardless of what happens here, I’m glad you’re spending Christmas and New Year with your family,” Alana said wistfully. “You know you’re invited too. Pl
KIRA By the time we got home, it was already dark, and I could see the sky shimmering in the distance like jewels on black velvet. The house was stunning and looked like it belonged in a holiday romantic drama. Ideally, life would operate in that manner. The door flying open and the entire family squeezing me suddenly replaced the empty emotions, though. This time, my grandmother, grandfather, and a couple of my relatives continue their kind criticism. “Let Kira breathe for a change,” Finally, granny murmured. “Joe, lead your sister to her room.” Just like Granny asked, Joe took my bags. Right after us, little Bella came up. My cousin was only ten years old, and I missed her terribly. As soon as we reached the doorway, my eyes widened in wonder. “What happened to my room?” “Well, Mom decided that if you’re still not coming with Joe, we should give you a room with one bed. Your room, since you left, belongs to Mom and Dad, being bigger. I hope that’s okay.” My shoulders drop
KIRAIt seemed that even the snow had stopped at his untimely arrival. “What are you...” I was struggling to get a few words out. Also, I struggled to stand up. I wasn’t even aware of a car coming up. Though nothing could stop my pulse from thumping as I realized how harsh and frowning his stare was as he glared at me from beneath a mess of dark hair, even though I had seen him arrive.I swallowed hard and tried again. “What are you doing here?” As he murmured his response, a muscle in his jaw tightened.“We must speak.”Although we had nothing to discuss, I didn’t want to admit it in front of my family.My brother came near, kicking snow in all places as I struggled with what to say next. This was getting out of hand.“Are you going to introduce us, Kira?”I wanted to, but what was I going to say? Yes, of course, why not? This was the boss we had previously insulted. He simply followed me across an enormous distance to inform me I failed to leave appropriately. Any diplomatic way
GABRIEL“If that’s a threat, you know you didn’t do too well. Find another reason.” “Well, because I don’t feel like working for you and because you threatened to punish me.”I let out a childish laugh.“I threatened to punish you if you hit me again. So you’re in danger just in that case.”“I don’t need to be punished! What did you do with Gabriel Bates, and who are you?” As she tried to turn her head, I released her wrist, only to grab her face with my other hand. My thumb traced the line of her jaw as I clasped her cheeks. Damn it, I enjoyed making her shudder. I cursed myself, thinking, why didn’t I act sooner? About three years sooner...Because that was a misconduct at work. Because morally it wasn’t right. And the desperation not to lose her was very serious. “I’m the same person you’ve known your whole life. But I’m not your boss right now. You resign, as far as I remember. And your departure let loose a different aspect of myself. So, my dear, it’s not what I did with Gab
KIRAThis man was the ultimate in nerve and insensitivity. After all that had happened, he was asking me to trust him. He couldn’t have told a better joke. “You are asking me to trust you?” His kisses had burned my skin, and I was furious at what the hell he was up to. I was shivering even as I scowled at him.He gave me a tricky expression that made me want to pound my feet in anger, but before I could strike out at him once more, he slid his hand under my chin, raised my face, and this time tightly pressed our mouths together in a kiss. Not a tease, not a quick brush of his lips against mine, but a passionate, genuine kiss.There was nothing frigid about the kiss I was receiving from my ice-cold ceo.I instinctively lifted myself slightly on my toes to allow him to taste me better. In other words, I was responding to him with eagerness. When I shivered, his lips grew smoother and warmer, and the kiss intensified as his mouth opened and slid against mine. It was really difficult to
KIRA“What do you mean, who is this man? He is Brad… my fiance,” I said with an enormous lump in my throat. I was hoping Granny wouldn’t see. “You weren’t expecting him, were you?” She inquired.“We had a quarrel yesterday. No big deal…” I confessed, which wasn’t entirely a lie.“Oh, I see. Well, you will sort things out. Lovers often fight, right?”“Right…” I hated how I felt like an open book in front of her. Maybe Granny’s wisdom had something to say here, too. But Granny didn’t give up so quickly. She felt there was more to it.“There’s more to quitting your job story than you first told us, isn’t there?” she asked and I hated how closer to the truth she came. “Although he may seem a sweet man, he is not the ideal fit for me… Granny,” I confessed with almost teary eyes. Why was I about to cry? It wasn’t like he was really my fiance.Being all Gabriel needed was something I excelled at. However, because I wasn’t receiving what I needed in return and he couldn’t provide it for me
GABRIELAt her grandmother’s bold advice, Kira gulped. I could easily see she was not feeling comfortable. “I’ll do it as soon as I get the chance.” I said. Then, as she walked by me, I grabbed her arm. “Really, it would be fair if you wanted to go to bed early” I lowered my voice so she could be the only one hearing me.Kira made her eyes so big I had to lean right in front of her so her family wouldn’t notice. She was giving herself away.“With you?” She asked, shocked in a relatively treble voice.“Keep your voice down,” I whispered close to her ear.Indeed, with me, do you see any man around? I wanted to tell her.Why did she find every aspect of this complicated? After all, that was her crazy plan.Making the best of it was all I was doing.I pushed her ahead, and across the dining room as I was conscious of her grandmother following us. “We’ll figure out how to make the most of it. Good night, family!” I laughed when I heard her whimper. “Don’t worry, I only spoke to keep up a