Tessa blushed and glanced at him. Finally, after the rest began to beg too, she stood and went over to the piano. She whispered to Tonia, the tall plump girl, and music began to flow from the piano. Gideon glanced at the stoic Grand Master, and he noticed a subtle softening in his face when Tessa began to sing.

Softly, she began on a classic, "Winter Wonderland." As she sang, Gideon felt her magic. Even her voice held the magic and he knew she didn't even realize it. Somehow, that fact charmed him even as she entranced him. She sang a few more songs before she and her accompanist sat back down at the table.

Someone suggested games, and he followed the family from the table. It surprised him when the Grand Master sat down across from one of his daughters and started to deal a deck of cards. This was a side of the man he doubted very many had ever seen; it made the fearfully powerful man seem almost approachable, until he remembered what he'd been told about the Grand Master being different only with his family.

While the family was distracted choosing activities, Tessa approached him slyly. She took his hand and all but ran with him from the room; yanking him out the door. When she finally stopped dragging him he noticed that she had taken him into a beautiful atrium. It held so many plants it looked like a forest. The room was almost entirely composed of glass, and with the subtle lighting it felt as if they were walking in a summer garden.

Looking out a window at the snow made a striking contrast. The snow in Other World wasn't like the snow in the human world; it was less soft and fluffy, yet as she glanced out the glass with a wistful expression, he could tell it made her homesick. When Tessa turned to him and spoke, he had to clench his hands into fists to keep from grabbing her and taking her right in the middle of the room.


* * * *

Tessa brought Gideon to the atrium because she wanted to talk to him without her entire family present.

"I just wanted to let you know that I've not told my sisters or my father what happened between us. It was just one of those things that happen in the heat of the moment."

He didn't speak, and worse; he looked like he was upset. He clenched his fists tightly.

Blushing, Tessa tried to correct her blunder. "I didn't want to make you feel awkward." She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm. Looking up into his face, she found his expression was unreadable. Biting her lip, she didn't know what to say or do, so she just stood there mutely, feeling foolish.

Gideon pulled her to the side and took her cheek tenderly in his palm. "Look up, Tessa." His voice was hoarse when he spoke.


She did; and found mistletoe hanging over their heads. Mistletoe was one of her favorite parts of Christmas and standing there, with Gideon, felt simply perfect. She saw his eyes change, filling with lust, but also something else; something they might be able to build into a real relationship. He seemed to feel the moment as strongly as she did. When he made a move toward her his actions spoke to her, and she liked what she was hearing.

Gideon leaned down and claimed her lips with a rough passion that stole her breath. Her pussy was wet just from his kiss. His breathing was ragged when he pulled back. "Tessa, you mean something to me, and I know I mean something to you. Please, Tessa, tell me the truth. I don't want to steal it from your head; I want you to tell me."

"I want you more than I have ever wanted another man. I don't even care that you're from this place, that you're a vampire. I don't know what it is I feel, but it's certainly not hate."

Growling, he pulled her to him; and Tessa let him kiss her until she couldn't breathe. The sound of footsteps startled her, and they both turned. To her horror, Victor stood in the doorway. He didn't look happy. She stepped in front of Gideon, trying to shield him from her father's ire.

"Vampire, if you plan on spending any time with my daughter casually, you'd better request my permission!" Tessa wasn't sure which of them felt more surprised by his words, her or Gideon.

"Grand Master, I would like to request your permission to spend time with your daughter."

"Tessa, do you want this vampire to court you?"

She didn't know how to answer that. Her heart told her that Gideon was perfect, but her head told her he was a vampire. If Victor won and she was forced to stay in his world, she couldn't imagine being without Gideon. Finally, she found her voice again, because ultimately the answer was easy. "Yes, Father."

"I want you to stay with the family in this house, and if this… man… makes you happy, then I will allow him to remain also."

Tessa was shocked. She hated anyone trying to dictate her life, but as she lived trapped in Other World until further notice, she knew she was stuck with her father too. Gritting her teeth, she replied, "I do want to see Gideon. But I plan on getting my own apartment and a job, and I don't want your goons stalking me. No humans can hurt me here, and I doubt any Other Worlder would be stupid enough to mess with me. So if you will give me a little bit of rope, I promise not to hang myself with it."

Victor's eyes glowed red and she could see how close to losing control he was, but something stopped him. She wondered if he was as sick of fighting as she was. He seemed to calm, the red left his eyes and as he left the atrium Tessa was sure she heard him muttering something about vampires and mistletoe.

Gideon looked at her and grinned. "What kind of a job do you plan to get? I hear you've got a good chance at future Grand Mistress."

"I'm stuck here for now. You're right; I'm going to need to do something if I don't want to be under Victor's thumb. But I don't ever plan to be the Grand Mistress. I could open my own store; specializing in very human products. Talia suggested it once, and I think the novelty of it would be a big hit here."

Gideon laughed. "As you're under lockdown and can't get to those human products, how do you plan to stock your shelves?"

"I know this vampire who has no problem going back and forth. I thought I might ask him."

"Lovely, are you trying to get me killed? Your father already hates me. Supplying you with contraband might be hazardous to my health."

"Oh, I hear vampires are a very healthy lot. I think you'll be alright."

"Sweet Tessa, if you pay me in kisses, I'll work night and day to bring you everything you need."

Laughing, Tessa leaned toward him and kissed him. Soon, they were both mindless and lost in the kiss. When she finally pulled back, Tessa looked into his face, searching for the truth of his feelings.

"You're the best Christmas present I've ever gotten."

Suddenly, her new residency didn't look so bad after all. The look in his beautiful eyes made Tessa hot. If Other World had Gideon, maybe it wasn't all bad. Feeling lighter than she had in days, she knew she had more questions about her mother that she wanted answered, but for the rest of the day it was still Christmas, and she wanted to unwrap her present and play with him.

Gideon followed her, and she knew he was reading her mind. He looked both worried and delighted by her train of thought. Smiling, Tessa put her arm around his waist and looked up at him. He was beautiful, and she felt very confident that he was hers. This was definitely her best Christmas ever, after all.


* * * *

Watching from a nearby alcove, the Grand Master allowed a slight smile to twitch at his lips, content in the knowledge he'd finally found a Christmas present that would make her happy.

About the Author

Ashlynn Monroe is a busy wife and mom. She's been writing since she was a teenager for her own pleasure, but in her thirties, she decided it was time to share her stories. She enjoys writing about anything and everything paranormal or fantasy-related while maintaining a career as a full time customer service professional. When she is not lovingly raising her young family, she is dreaming up her next tale of romance.

She'd love to hear from you at authorashlynnmonroe@gmail.com. Visit her website at http://ashlynnmonroe.webs.com/ or for her YA books go to http://ashlynnmonroeya@webs.com/.


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