‘Tis the season of Wicked Deeds (A Holiday romance Book 1)
‘Tis the season of Wicked Deeds: Chapter 12

It was the right call to skip dessert at the restaurant Kingston and I had dinner. Because my stomach is close to bursting as we stroll along the residential street and glance one by one at the prettily decorated windows at each house.

It’s sort of like trick or treat.

Each family welcomes us and offers homemade cookies and cupcakes. They are so sweet and friendly that it’s hard to say no. Also, homemade desserts just hit different. The first four to five houses, I was eagerly gobbling the treats despite Kingston playful warning me to slow down.

Did I listen? Nope.

“Why is it so hard to be rude?” I whine in a low voice, while smiling at the crowd gathered around the second to last window, which was revealed yesterday. “I’m going to fall if I eat any more.”

Kingston rubs my back soothingly. “They won’t be offended if you say no, Twinkle.”

“Maybe I could politely ask them to pack a few so I can eat them in the morning.”

“Were they that delicious?”

“You know when your stomach is full but your heart isn’t, it’s one of those situations.”

“I get it,” he replies with a chuckle. “But don’t worry about tomorrow, our chef at the hotel bakes different breads and desserts for breakfast every day.”

“Can we give suggestions?” I ask hopefully. “I love banana bread.”

“I’ll let him know.”

“Thanks!”

“Come on, it’s time for the final window.”

Locking his hand with my gloved one, we cut through the lingering group of people chatting and laughing with each other. It’s very wholesome the way everyone is so close to one another. Some of them even know Kingston very well and came to chat with us. I didn’t miss how they gazed with pride at the man on my arm, almost like they idolized him.

When they realized I didn’t speak their native tongue, they were respectful to speak in English so I could be part of the conversation. I almost panicked when they asked how Kingston and I knew one another.

All night, we’ve been hanging, traipsing around the village and talking like a loved-up couple. So, I wasn’t sure how to answer. I was seconds away from blurting out that we were friends when Kingston stole the focus and proudly said, “We met six months ago and she had me hooked with her smile, but she slipped away from me. I finally got her to say yes and go out with me on a date tonight.”

To which a middle-aged lady whispered in my ear, “He’s a great catch, honey, and you both look gorgeous together.”

With a wink, she and her husband walked away, leaving me red from head to toe.

I jolt out of the memory when we slow down near a two-story brick house with a slanted roof and a long chimney. The window visible on the porch at the front of the house is covered with a black sheet. I immediately know it is the final house of the advent calendar.

But what I don’t expect is an elderly couple to walk down the porch steps and come straight for Kingston and me.

The moment they reach us, the short and willowy woman engulfs Kingston into her bony yet strong arms. He bends and sways with her, making her sigh.

“My big boy, we were just about to call you.”

Oh snap! I completely forgot he mentioned his grandparents were participating in the tradition every year. I was half sure he was kidding when he said we’ll meet them.

“Hi, Nana, I told you I’ll be here.”

“And you brought someone with you,” teases his grandfather in a thick Swiss accent, who was quietly smiling as he watched his wife hug their grandson. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

I’m standing mute to the side. Kingston tugs me back into his arms, where I’ve been attached to the whole night, and introduces me. “Nonno, meet Twinkle. She’s mine.”

That’s it.

No explanation or anything.

Kingston possessively announces we’re together.

His grandparents’ eyes light up in a way that is a dead giveaway their grandson has mentioned me before.

I should be suspicious but I’m still stuck on how Kingston simply calls me his.

The single syllable holds so much depth and power.

It sends my heart soaring and jumping up and down in a happy dance, when it should freaking scare me.

Yet it doesn’t.

Me? The girl who has run away from commitment her whole life is suddenly in sync with a domineering man calling me his in front of his family on our not-so-official second date.

Must be something in the air.

“Twinkle, such a unique and pretty name,” compliments his grandmother.

My eyes widen when she wraps me in a bear hug, and I murmur, “Nice to meet you, Mrs.—”

“Call me Nana,” she says before I can finish.

Emotions clog my throat and I whisper, “Nana.”

I swear every member in this family is doing some sort of magic and making me act against my nature. Or perhaps it’s the holiday season making me soft and emotional. This time of the year is always hard on me because I came from a broken family.

“Come inside, you two,” says Kingston’s granddad. “Mila baked all your favorite sweets and cookies.”

“Oh God!” I gasp, my stomach screaming in protest.

Kingston hears it and laughs. “That’s what we’ve been doing the last hour, Nonno. We eat any more, we’ll burst.”

“Hot coffee then.”

“Darling?” murmurs Kingston in question.

“Coffee sounds nice.”

The four of us enter the house and go straight to the living room. Family portraits hang on one wall while a huge plasma screen is mounted on another. A candle burns in the corner, its aroma floating around the space and smelling like lavender.

The men leave Kingston’s grandma and me alone and go to the kitchen to make our coffees.

“You have a beautiful home,” I compliment.

“Thank you, hon.” She watches me sweetly and asks, “So Kingston tells me you’re from India.”

“He has talked about me before?” I’m curious to know since when and just how much he’s told them about me. I want to know everything.

She must sense my mind whirring because she reassuringly says, “He called me a few hours ago and we chatted a little about you.”

“Oh, okay,” I mumble. She laughs. “Yeah, I was born and brought up in India. Have you been there?”

“Yes. His parents got married in India since everyone from his mother’s family couldn’t come here. Would’ve been too expensive.”

“True.”

“So… you and Kingston. Do you like him as much as he likes you?”

My thoughts drift back to our date in the past and the instant attraction I felt toward him. Plus, the surreal bliss of running into him here. It’s like every inch of me came alive. I wonder about the way he’s treated me this entire evening. Making me laugh, caressing and teasing me, hanging on to every word I said, and those soul-searing looks… It’s been nothing short of a dream.

Something every girl desires from a man she likes.

From the outside, we’re moving too fast. Yet it doesn’t feel that way to me.

“I do.” The answer comes easily, making Nana beam. Still, I don’t want to get her hopes up since I don’t see us working out in the long term. So, I quickly add, “But we’re taking it slow.”

She burst out laughing, staring like I’m in denial. “Kingston isn’t the one to take things slow. Once he’s set his heart on something, he goes after what he wants with all of his determination. And I heard it in his voice how much he adores you. None of your defenses will work on him. I also think it’s the same for you but you’re scared.”

She hit the nail on the head. “What should I do then?”

“Stop thinking of all the reasons you shouldn’t be with him and just focus on how he makes you feel. The rest will work itself out.”

Her gentle advice sinks in. She makes it sound so simple. Maybe it is. Before I can reply, the men reappear and my gaze shoots to Kingston’s. For the first time, I don’t let myself think about how we live in different countries, that he was supposed to end up with my best friend, or that we see our future in opposite visions.

I just focus on the different emotions coursing through my body.

Like how my breathing picks up when he’s nearby.

The strong urge to feel his skin against mine and lean on him.

To listen to his deep voice tease and whisper sweet nothings in my ear. His protective hug and possessive claim that I belong to him.

And I realize with clarity that if I’m not too careful, I might fall hard and fast for him.

His brown eyes soften ever so slightly and roam over my face, lingering on my lips a little longer. Settling down beside me on the couch, he passes me the steaming hot mug after I take off my gloves. “Let me know if you want more sugar.”

“Thank you.”

“What were you two talking about?” he questions, gazing between his nana and me.

“Nothing much,” answers Nana with a wink at me. “Just telling Twinkle embarrassing stories about you.”

“Is that right?” drawls Kingston in mock anger.

I nod. “Tons of them.”

“Care to share?”

“Are you scared I’ll spill to someone else?”

Lips curling into a smirk, he taunts, “Now who’s being cocky?”

“You’re rubbing off on me.” I shrug innocently. “Blame yourself.”

“Rubbing off, huh?” His grin is becoming filthy.

The memory of me shamelessly grinding on him just a few hours ago slams into my head. It’s clear that both of us are thinking about it. Except, I’m the only one embarrassed because we’re sitting right in front of his grandparents, who can no doubt hear us.

My mouth opens and closes several times before I narrow my eyes and hiss, “You know what I mean, King.”

We pull back when his grandfather clears his throat and I replace him, as well as his wife, studying us with matching expressions that say they’re up to no good.

“What are your plans for tomorrow, Twinkle?” asks Kingston’s grandfather.

“Sightseeing.”

“And in the evening?” probes Nana. “Surely you aren’t thinking of spending Christmas alone in your room?”

“I might go shopping at the local vintage market and video call back home.”

“Absolutely not. You can do that any other day.” Flicking her determined gaze to Kingston, she orders sternly, “You’ll bring her here to celebrate with us.”

“Of course I am, Nana. It was always the plan.”

“But, Nana…”

“Here we go,” sighs Kingston.

I elbow him hard. The bastard just laughs. “I don’t want to impose. Besides, I traveled here on my own, so being alone was a given.”

“Oh shush, plans change.”

“We’d love to have you, Twinkle,” urges Kingston’s grandfather. “Just say yes.”

Kingston tugs my hair playfully and gives me puppy dog eyes, which shouldn’t be possible, given how rugged he is. Yet he manages and suckers me in. “Okay. I’ll be here.”

Kingston bends and kisses my cheek. His breath skates across my ear as he whispers, “Thank you, darling.”

Silly man, I should be thanking him.

“That’s settled,” announces Nana and she claps her hands. “It’s finally time for the reveal. Everyone must be waiting outside. Let’s go.”

As we all stand up to pile outside, I hook my arm around Kingston’s elbow and ask, “Did you help decorate the window?”

“I used to when I was a kid. Now, I contribute by buying the things Nana needs to do it with gramps.” A cheeky smile lights up his face as he shares, “They also banned me from decorating because one year, it looked like it was more appropriate for Halloween rather than Christmas.”

“So, you used to raise hell as a kid?” I tease.

“What fourteen-year-old boy doesn’t?” He shrugs. “What about you? Did you do any shenanigans during the holidays?”

I glance away as bittersweet memories surface. “Christmas at my home used to be amazing until my parents got a divorce.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, pulling me tighter against him.

“It’s okay.” I return a shaky smile. “It happened a long time ago.”

“Are you close with your parents?”

“No. They’re more like strangers now. I call them once in a while but I feel like I’m disturbing them, so I stopped.”

His body tenses, as though hurt and angry on my behalf. “It’s their loss, Twinkle.”

“That’s what Tina says too.”

“She’s right.” His tone is deadly serious. Tilting my chin, he says, “And it’s not your responsibility to check in on your parents all the time. It goes both ways and they most certainly shouldn’t make you feel like you’re annoying or disturbing them.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

Giving him a grateful smile, both of us join the waiting crowd and together, we watch as his grandparents stand near the covered window. As the people around us cheer and start a five-second countdown, I join them and we gasp in unison when Gramps tears the black sheet down, revealing the colorfully adorned glass.

“Merry Christmas!”

“Ho ho ho!”

“Happy Christmas!”

Everyone cheers and hugs each other. Twisting to face Kingston, I rest my hands on his big shoulders as I peer up at him. “Merry Christmas, King.”

He taps my nose. “Merry Christmas, my stubborn girl.”

I stretch on my toes and press a quick kiss against his mouth. His gaze darkens both in surprise and yearning. But before he can deepen it, someone taps on my shoulder to wish me happy holidays.

I lose count of how many people hug me, as though I’ve been living here my whole life. Afterward, Kingston and I help pass around the cookies and chocolates his nana made. My first night here couldn’t have been more amazing. I’ll be a little sad when it’s time to leave.

After bidding Kingston’s grandparents a good night and promising to come tomorrow, I exit their house. I slow down walking when I observe Kingston on his knees and signing what looks like a card for a kid, who is bouncing on his toes in pure excitement.

I close the gap when Kingston stands to his full height and ruffles the little boy’s head before he runs off.

“What was that about?” I curiously tease.

His gaze snaps to mine, eyes dark underneath the moonlight. His face remains intense, savage like a wolf on the snowy mountains. I swallow nervously, sensual tension floating and thickening in the air between us.

It’s just us on the empty street.

I stop before him, reach out, and tug him closer with the edges of his leather jacket. A shiver, not from the cold but from his proximity, passes through me. Running my palm up his flat stomach rippling with muscles, I ask, “Are you a local celebrity and haven’t told me?”

“Maybe.”

“Shame. Because if it were a solid yes, I would’ve said yes to dating you.”

“You want to date a famous person?” He cups my face. “Is that on your naughty list too?”

“Maybe,” I repeat his answer, though I’m kidding. Celebrity or not, my feelings for him wouldn’t change. “Seriously, though, what were you signing?”

“Just a card. He was collecting signs from every house. A school project or something.”

“Interesting.” I yawn, the jet lag finally catching up.

“Sleepy? I completely forgot you arrived today.” Kissing my forehead, he murmurs, “Let’s get you back to the lodge and into bed.”

I bump my head on his chest and sigh. “How far is the resort from here?”

“Hop on my back. I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

“What?” I pull back in shock. “No way. You’re tired too, and I can walk.”

His domineering and protective streak returns and he commands me in a no-nonsense voice, “It’s either that or I’m carrying you in my arms.”

I open my mouth to argue but he shuts me up with a stern look.

“Okay. But only halfway.”

He rolls his eyes and gives me his back, crouching enough for me to easily maneuver myself on him. My legs go around his lean waist and my arms lock around his neck. Without so much as a huff, he straightens to his imposing height.

I feel like I’m sitting on a mountain and replace myself giggling. “You know, I’m not the only stubborn one between the two of us.”

“Yes, you are,” he retorts and starts walking.

True to his word, he carries me all the way back to the resort. He lets me down only after we’ve entered the lobby.

“I would offer to give you a massage but I’m seconds away from passing out.”

“You’re light as a hair, darling. However, rain check on that massage.” Smirking seductively, he whispers, “Preferably while you’re naked.”

“No promises.”

Soon, we reach my—our—cabin. Pulling out the key card, I unlock the door but don’t go inside. Instead, I hover in the doorway and turn around to face him. For a long moment, we become lost in each other’s eyes, conveying without words how romantic tonight has been.

It’s me who speaks first. “Tonight was a date, Kingston.”

“It was and you know how a date ends.”

My eyes drop to his tempting mouth and my panties dampen.

“Sounds like you do too, which should be impossible since I recall you admitting you’ve never been on a date.”

“Never mind, I’ll do what always works.”

“Which is?”

“This.” He hauls me closer and seizes my lips with his. Gripping my hips, he slams me against the door and parts my mouth wide to push his tongue inside. He devours me with rough strokes of his tongue, nipping and sucking my lips until they’re swollen. I kiss him back with fervor, smashing my full breasts against him, letting him take the lead and demand my submission.

It’s heady and erotic.

“Say yes,” he groans. “I need to fuck you so badly. Need to watch you writhe and struggle to take every inch of my cock. Spank your ass red for making me wait and driving me insane all these months. And I absolutely fucking need to live out your fantasies and turn you into a cum-hungry whore for me, made to serve my cock, even though we both know it’d be me serving you.”

The entire night felt like one long session of foreplay.

My will tatters into pieces.

“Okay… yes!” I moan, yanking his lips back on mine. In between wet kisses, I confess, “It was you I saw and ached for when I touched myself, Kingston. Every time I imagined myself on my knees, it was you standing over me and filling my mouth with your cock. Choking and making me swallow every drop of your cum. I thought I had lost you for good and still I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about you. I hate how obsessed I am with you.”

“Not as much as I am with you, you filthy little girl.”

“Then have me.”

“Oh, I will, darling,” he growls. “In every hole you have. Your mouth. Your cunt. Your ass. As many times as I want. For the next seven days, my cock, my tongue, my fingers will be all you know.”

His utterly indecent words set my body on fire.

I let myself burn.

“Yes. I’ll be yours to command, King.”

“Tomorrow.”

I seal our fate. “Tomorrow.”