Second Chances Under the Tree?

LL

, the door swung open, and Mr Thompson

u two discuss

nced at me quickly before murmuring, "Nothin

Thompson studied her for a moment longer.

ophie," he said, his voic

nd as she followed Mr Thompson out of the kitchen,

as goi

n, and Charlotte returned, their lau

an said with a grin on his face as he extended h

arlor, I saw the beautifully decorated tree, gif

on the couch. A few seconds later, Mr Thompson and Sophie wa

right, everyone," she announced brightly, "we have a little tradition i

s, clearly eager for t

"I bet you five bucks that Ch

, playing along. "I

a grin. "But be war

her throat and said, "Alright

we all know what song Charlotte's going to sing. It's 'Jingle Bel

m. "It's like the only Chr

that, thank you very much!" She grinned mischievously

pression remained unchanged. She simply sat t

n next. "Okay, Ethan, ho

ll, I only know one Christmas

scared," Cha

o sing, "We wish you a Merry Christm

n eyebrow and chuckled. "I knew that's what you'd sing, Ethan," he said wi

, but Mr Thompson was alrea

. Thompson said. "Someone else... anyone else.

ing to someone else, and before I could stop myself, I stood up. "I'l

ws, clearly impressed, and

throat and st

s burning bright,

nderneath the good o

n in, humming along, their voic

'til Santa comes to

e that's Chris

Her eyes were downcast, the frown still etched on her fa

ody lifting our spirits, and I found myself

tmas song in my hear

candles glowi

he stockings by t

e that's Chris

!" Charlotte exclaimed, cl

mas!" the res

t, now that the song's out of the way, I

nd we all reached for the piles of g

peeled back the paper. My eyes widened in shock, and my jaw dropped. Inside the box was a pair o

's really naughty of you," I teased, holding up t

et them for you," he said, leaning closer. "Trust me, I

hen my mind wandered. Who else cou

h, immediately knowing who could'v

ross the room, chuckling at my reaction with

y a word. I didn't want to cause a

**

y undressed, slipped into a towe

k at my door. I smiled, assuming it was Sebastian. I q

, it wasn't Sebast

as E

e?" I asked, my eyebrow

me to check

nonsense was that, Ethan? Panties for Christmas... of all things,

ook a step back, but a tingling sensatio

" Ethan said. "But I just want you

response. Instead, I tried to push him away

my voice shaky no

m mine. I could feel his breath on my skin, and before I could protest,

caught in my throat. The sensation of his t

nst mine. Before I could even react, the door to

hest. I gasped, and my mind scramb

as a di