Page 30 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

“Hey, kiddo, how’s your Christmas?”

“It’s snowy,” I tell my stepdad. “Not the beach I was expecting.”

“I overheard. You holding up okay?”

“Yeah,” I pace across the room. “Getting ready for your golf game?”

“Yep, I’m all set. Did you know I almost had a hole-in-one the other night?”

Tears gather at the corners of my eyes as I listen to Max tell the story. I couldn’t ever bring myself to call him “Dad.” The dad I knew drank too much and screamed at my mother. I was twelve when my mom finally decided she had enough. I was fifteen when Max came along and swept Mom off her feet.

He’s stable and steady, and he’s always been there for me. When I broke up with my former Dom and was going to quit being a lawyer, he flew out to Toronto, took me to dinner and told me to only give up if it was on my terms.

With a start, I realize I had spent so much time trying to avoid a relationship that was like my mom and father’s that I didn’t clue into the one who I was trying to model my own after. Max brings my mom flowers out of the blue. He gets her favourite concert tickets and surprises her with trips. They dance in the kitchen as if it’s Carnegie Hall, and he looks at my mother as if the sun rises and sets on her.

I don’t need someone steady, stable and boring. I need someone who can love me.

I frown.

I don’t want a man who wants me to be weak, even if I am submissive in the bedroom. Noel said he’d been in the lifestyle for fifteen years and a Dom to his wife. If I continue with him, will I lose myself? But so far, Noel has shown me he is a good man.

“Holly? I got to get to my game.”

“Okay. Love you, Max.”

“Love you, kiddo.”

The phone is silent, and I end the call. We agreed to five days, only five days, I remind myself.

* * *

“I knew that colour would suit you,” Noel leans by the front door. “Are you wearing everything I gave you?”

“Yes.” I feel the weight of the vibrator as I move. “Thank you very much for the cloak. I’m at the mercy of what I found in the airport gift shop.”

His dark eyes light with mirth. “I saw you stuff shoes into your bag.”

“You did not!”

“Yes, and it was adorable.” Noel throws on a wool coat and a plaid scarf. He passes me a red-knitted toque and a fuzzy pair of gloves.

“Thanks.”

“Right this way.” He opens the door.

The cold air catches my breath, and my feet crunch on the packed snow. The red bows and the hanging star ornaments on the garlands are dusted with snow, making the property look like a Christmas card.

From here, I can almost see Gran’s treeline.

“Holly, this way.” Noel gently takes my arm.

“Oh, horses!” I rush forward, eager to give the two great speckled grey Percherons pats. One snorts at my touch. The horses are harnessed to a red sleigh.

A driver in the front of the sleigh tips his hat to me.

“How many horses does Vixen’s Paradise have?”

“These two workhorses and four more. We have a maintenance ground crew and stable staff who live on the property full-time.”

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