Page 60 of Beauty and the Billionaire

He turned toward me, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Are you admiring me or the tree?”

I chuckled, pulling him close, my arms wrapping around his waist. “Both,” I teased before leaning in to kiss him gently, savoring the warmth of his lips against mine.

He sighed into the kiss, melting into me, and for a moment, we just stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the room bathed in the soft glow of the tree lights.

When we finally pulled apart, Zain rested his head against my chest, his arms still around me. “This is the happiest I’ve ever been,” he whispered, and I could hear the truth in his voice.

I kissed the top of his head, holding him close. “Me too,” I admitted.

We stood there for a long time, just holding each other, listening to the crackle of the fire and the gentle whisper of the snow falling outside. It was a far cry from the man I had been a little over a year ago—the man who had pushed away everyone who tried to get close, the man who had been consumed by bitterness and revenge.

Now, I was someone else. Someone better. And it was all because of him.

As we watched the snow fall outside, I realized that I didn’t need to be the beast anymore. I didn’t need to hide behind walls or lash out at the world to protect myself. I had Zain. I had love. And that was all I needed.

“Come on,” I said softly, guiding him toward the sofa near the fire. “Let’s sit down and enjoy this.”

We curled up together, wrapped in each other’s arms, watching the lights twinkle on the tree and the snow fall outside. And for the first time in years, I felt at peace. Truly, deeply at peace.

The beast was gone. And in his place, a man who had finally found what he’d been searching for all along.

Love. Home. Happiness.

And it was all right here, in his arms.

The End.

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