Page 57 of A Cursed Noel

Her back slides alongthe cool sheets.

Her thighs fall open.

She’s ready.

So, I am.

Celia mews as I make myway in, each small thrust of my hips advancing me further inside her.I’m huge. No lie. And she’s so small.

Each motion is barelythere. I don’t want to hurt her. As much as I’m ready for ourbodies to join, I wait, each press forward cautious and cognizant ofher needs.

Celia kisses me,opening herself further. “I love you,” I tell her. “God, I loveyou so much.”

When we finish, itdoesn’t seem real. We can’t stop kissing or smiling or loving. Itossed two condoms we used in the garbage and retrieved my clothesand hers when I brought us some water.

She laughs when Inuzzle her neck. I think we’ll go again when I stroke her face andmy hand begins to fade.

We startle, our eyeswidening. “No,” she says.

My skin grows cold.Almost immediately, I feel her slipping away.

“Aric, no.” Sheglances around, as if she can somehow use something to stop me.“Please. Don’t leave me.”

I pull her against me,cursing Mimi and everything taking me away from Celia.

I won’t wake besideher.

Tomorrow, I won’t seeher, or the next day after that.

Her life will moveforward without me.

But how thefuckwill I move forward without her?

Although I speak withinmy thoughts, what feels like shards of glass rake against eachsyllable.Will you remember me?

No, Mimireplies, her harsh voice soft, just this once.Nor will you recallanything about her.

Why? Why do this tome—to her? I demand.

Aric Connor, for youto become the man you’re meant to be, you must forget. And for herto become the tigress the world needs, she must forget the man youare,Mimi answers.

Celia curls against me,her tears soaking my chest. It takes all I have not to tear thishouse apart.

Have faith, youngalpha, Mimi tells me.You won’t remember, but your wolfalwayswill.

What is thatsupposed to mean?

Mimi doesn’t answerme, not in the way I want her to.

The window flies open,and a strong wind seeped with Mimi’s magic flows through the room.Snowflakes flicker over us, spinning gently to melt against our skin.

Celia tries to blinkaway her tears, but they form faster and trickle into her words. “Ican’t tell you goodbye,” she says. “Just know that I love you,okay?Please, don’t forget that I love you.”

Her sorrow worsens andher barely-there voice disappears in the escalating breeze. I clutchher to me as the current surrounding us intensifies.

It’s time to go. Noway in hell am I ready to leave. I tuck her closer, hanging onto thissmall moment of paradise where we became one.

“I love you,” shetells me again. “I’ll always love you.”