Candy Cane Chains by Naomi Night & Kelani Knox

Author:Naomi Night & Kelani Knox [Night, Naomi & Knox, Kelani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

17

IVY

Isprawl across Julian's leather couch, his laptop balanced on my thighs. The living room's dimmed lights cast a soft glow across the screen as I scroll through Instagram stories. Another perfect party photo appears - Sophie toasting with champagne, her sequined dress catching the light. I swear I spot Xander just behind her.

To another great year! reads the caption beneath along with hundreds of comments, even ones from Jess and Lily.

I keep scrolling, seeing Jessica at her firm's party with the same guy as before. He looks a little dangerous, his hand wrapped around hers, but she's smiling. Which is unusual for her.

I click to the next story. Lily's small town is decked out in twinkling lights, trees visible in the background while her friends are all posing or goofing off in the background.

My fingers hover over the keyboard. I could message them, let them know I'm safe at least. But Julian's security protocols run deep - I've seen how his system flags any suspicious activity.

He keeps me close, controlled, cherished in his own intense way. The thought doesn't scare me like it should, not when I remember how his ice-blue eyes darken when I submit to his will.

Another story pops up - the downtown Christmas market where Katie's showing off her new engagement ring. The same market Julian and I walked through last week, his hand possessive at the small of my back while he bought me mulled wine.

The laptop's screen reflects my face as I watch my friends' lives continue without me. Their laughter and joy are captured in fifteen-second snippets while I sit here in Julian's penthouse, wrapped in silk and luxury and his overwhelming presence. Even when he's not in the room, I feel owned. Protected. Possessed.

I'm not delusional enough to think he doesn't know what I'm doing. The computer probably logs my activity. But if I ask, he gives it to me, in the way he knows how. And I appreciate that.

And while Julian allows me these glimpses of my old life, this illusion of freedom, we both know I belong to him now. And the scariest part? I wouldn't have it any other way.

A small smile tugs at my lips as I close another holiday story. The weight in my chest isn't grief or longing - it's relief. Especially as memories flood in.

Last Christmas I couldn't even really enjoy the holiday. Travis picked a fight with me over disappearing on me at his company party, storming out of the company party after too many drinks, leaving me to explain his absence to his coworkers.

There have been far too many years like that. Going to parties alone. Being ditches when I thought we had plans. So many exes that would get drunk or start fights or leave me otherwise disappointed.

But this year…it's been the best Christmas ever.

The laptop screen dims, and a shadow falls across the keyboard. Julian's fingers brush my neck, trailing along my birthmark before he closes the computer with a decisive click. The leather couch dips as he settles behind me, drawing me back against his chest.

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