The Noël Contract: A Sapphic Christmas Novella by Wren Taylor

Author:Wren Taylor [Taylor, Wren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Lesbian, LGBTQ+, Romance
Goodreads: 243847430
Publisher: Anonymous
Published: 2025-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Olivia

The whole château was asleep by the time the Christmas market crew returned from their outing to the city and quietly returned to their rooms after raiding the kitchen for small gingerbread cakes soaked in Grand Marnier and dusted with powdered sugar. Olivia climbed into bed next to Ellie, feeling deeply content after a perfect day with a snowy walk in the afternoon and, of course, the magical market in Besançon. Ellie looked troubled as she got under the covers, though, her brow furrowed in deep thought for the second time in only a few hours.

“Everything okay?” Olivia asked. “You look kind of sad.”

“Just thinking about if this really is the last time I’ll ever get to spend Christmas here,” she said. Olivia noticed tears spilling over her cheeks before Ellie turned away. “It was just something I always thought would last forever. But that’s silly, right? Nothing does.”

“But it’s not silly to be sad about it, though. Changes are tough no matter what, but your family—Ellie, they’re amazing. And they’ll always be here for you.”

“It won’t be the same,” Ellie sniffled. “I hate Mara.”

“Who?”

“My ex. She’s part of what kept me away so long. She hated Christmas, hated flying, and always wanted to stay home and pout about it. I almost convinced her to come last year, but she changed her mind at the last minute and then dumped me on New Year’s Day.” Ellie sighed, the tears dried up. “But I don’t miss her. I just wish she’d done it three years sooner.”

“I’m sorry.” Olivia ached to reach out and touch her, to wipe away the remorse from her still-damp cheeks. “But at least you’re here now.”

“And with you. Definitely an upgrade.” Ellie smiled as she lay back onto her pillow. “Thank you for doing this. I don’t know if I’ve said that. I know my family is a lot.”

“They’re wonderful. You’re really lucky to have them.”

“I know. Even if my mom gets after me about everything.” Ellie’s smiles were so enchanting, the way her lips parted when she spoke hypnotizing. Were they as soft as they looked? Olivia didn’t know if she’d ever find out. The contract hadn’t said anything about kissing, but now that she knew Ellie, she definitely wouldn’t be opposed.

“She just wants the best for you. Overbearing is better than the alternative—parents who don’t care at all.” Olivia said. It was hard not to be jealous of the difference in how she and Ellie had grown up.

“You deserved better,” Ellie said softly, her dark eyes locked on Olivia’s. “You deserve everything the world has to offer and more. I hope you know that.”

Olivia’s skin prickled as her forearms erupted in goosebumps. “No one has ever told me that before.”

“Call me anytime you need to hear it.” Ellie yawned.

“Good night, Ellie,” Olivia said, stretching to turn out the lamp on the bedside table. She wasn't tired yet, but it was obvious Ellie needed to sleep.

“Night, Olivia,” Ellie replied, drowsiness already creeping into her voice.

She woke with the dawn each morning, while Olivia preferred to sleep in.

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