Christmas with a Bad Boy (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

SARAIYAH

I stand behind the counter of Ruth's Brew, my fingers tapping a quiet rhythm on the polished wood as I survey the cozy scene before me.

The shop hums with the soft chatter of customers and the gentle clink of ceramic mugs. It's the Christmas season and colorful lights cast a glow over everything. Outside, snow falls gently, dusting the sidewalk and creating a perfect winter day.

Three years have passed since I found Zale and his love wooed me back to a place I've longed for. A place my Grandmother Ruth would have loved to witness.

People filling every inch of her shop with laughter, love, and coffee. This is what she wanted more than anything and now it's my life.

I watch Zale sitting at his usual table, laptop open but forgotten as he gazes at me with a soft smile, I'm struck by how far we've come.

"Boss, you alright?" Jamal waves a hand in front of my face, grinning. "You gonna make these lattes, or should I tell the customers you're too busy making googly eyes at your man?"

I laugh, swatting his hand away. "I'm on it, I'm on it. And I do not make googly eyes."

"Sure, boss. Whatever you say."

I roll my eyes good-naturedly and get to work on the drinks. As I steam the milk, my gaze drifts back to Zale. He's talking to Mrs. Rodriguez, one of our regulars, his expression animated as he listens to her story.

The sight warms my heart. Three years ago, I never would have imagined Zale Fulton, billionaire real estate mogul, chatting easily with the locals in my little coffee shop.

But then again, three years ago, I never imagined a lot of things.

As if sensing my thoughts, Zale looks up, catching my eye. He winks, and I feel a flutter in my stomach. Even after all this time, he still has that effect on me.

I finish up the lattes and hand them off to Jamal for delivery. As I wipe down the counter, Zale approaches, his steps slow and deliberate. He leans against the counter, close enough that I can smell his cologne—a scent that never fails to make my pulse quicken.

"You look beautiful today," he murmurs, his voice low and intimate.

I raise an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. "I'm covered in coffee grounds and my hair's a mess."

"Exactly," Zale grins, and cups my cheek. I lean into his touch. "Perfect."

"Smooth talker," I tease.

Zale's eyes darken slightly, his gaze dropping to my lips. "Why don't you take a break? I'm sure Jamal can handle things for a few minutes."

I glance around the shop. It's relatively quiet, with most customers settled in with their drinks and pastries. Jamal catches my eye and gives me a thumbs up.

"Alright," I concede, untying my apron. "But just a quick one."

Zale's hand finds the small of my back as we weave through the tables towards the back office. The moment the door closes behind us, he pulls me close, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that steals my breath away.

I melt into him, my arms winding around his neck as I deepen the kiss. Zale groans softly, his hands sliding down to my hips and pulling me flush against him. The heat of his body seeps through my clothes, igniting a familiar fire in my veins.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. Zale rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed.

"God, I've been wanting to do that all day," he murmurs.

I chuckle, running my fingers through the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "You saw me this morning, remember? In bed?"

His eyes open, a mischievous glint in their blue depths. "Oh, I remember. Vividly. Which is why it's been torture watching you all day and not being able to touch you."

I feel a blush creeping up my neck at his words. Zale still has the ability to make me feel like a teenager with a crush.

"Well," I say, my voice a bit breathless, "you're touching me now."

Zale's grip on my hips tightens slightly. "That I am," he growls, leaning in for another kiss.

This one is slower, deeper, filled with a promise of things to come. I lose myself in the sensation, in the taste of him, in the way his body feels pressed against mine.

For a moment, I forget about the busy coffee shop just beyond the door, about the customers waiting to be served. There's only Zale, his lips on mine, his hands roaming my body.

A knock on the door startles us apart.

"Boss?" Jamal's voice calls out. "Sorry to interrupt, but we've got a bit of a rush out here."

I sigh, resting my head on Zale's chest for a moment. "Duty calls," I murmur.

Zale chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Go on. I'll be here when you're done."

I straighten up, smoothing down my clothes and running a hand through my hair in an attempt to look somewhat presentable. Zale watches me with a fond smile, his eyes soft.

"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze.

He shakes his head slightly. "Nothing. Just... I love you, Saraiyah. So much."

The simple words, spoken with such sincerity, make my heart swell. "I love you too, Zale," I reply, leaning up to give him one last quick kiss before heading back out to face the crowd.

As I step back behind the counter, my mind naturally goes down memory lane, to the time I was struggling to keep Ruth's Brew afloat, terrified of losing my grandmother's shop.

Now, thanks to Zale's support and my own hard work, the shop is thriving. We've expanded, adding a small bakery section and even a little reading nook in the corner.

But it's not just the physical changes that amaze me. It's the emotional ones too. I was so afraid of letting anyone in, of being vulnerable. Now, I have a partner who supports me, challenges me, and loves me unconditionally.

As I work through the rush, my mind drifts back to those early days with Zale. The tension, the misunderstandings, the pain of betrayal. For a while, I thought we'd never recover from it. But we fought for each other, for what we had. We learned to trust again, to be open and honest with each other.

It wasn't easy.

There were times when I wanted to give up, when the hurt seemed too big to overcome. But Zale never stopped trying, never stopped showing me how much he cared. And slowly, day by day, we rebuilt what we had, stronger than before.

The rush finally dies down, and I take a moment to catch my breath. Zale appears at my side, a steaming mug in his hands.

"Thought you could use this," he says, sliding the mug towards me.

I inhale deeply, recognizing the rich aroma of my favorite blend. "You're a lifesaver," I sigh, taking a sip. The warmth spreads through me, soothing my frazzled nerves.

Zale leans against the counter, his eyes roaming over my face. "You okay? You seemed lost in thought earlier."

I nod, setting the mug down. "Just thinking about how far we've come. Remember our first Christmas together?"

A shadow passes over Zale's face, and I know he's remembering the pain and uncertainty of that time.

"How could I forget? I thought I'd lost you for good."

I reach out, taking his hand in mine. "But you didn't. We made it through."

Zale brings my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "We did. And I'm thank for that every day."

We stand, lost in our shared memories. The shop has quieted down again, most customers engrossed in conversation or their phones. Christmas music plays softly in the background, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

"Hey," Zale says suddenly, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "What do you say we close up early tonight? It's Christmas Eve, after all. We could go for a walk in the snow, maybe grab some dinner?"

I hesitate, glancing around the shop. It's tempting, but...

"I don't know, Zale. We usually stay open late on Christmas Eve for the last-minute shoppers and people needing a caffeine boost."

He nods, understanding in his eyes. "Of course. It was just an idea."

But as I look at him, at the love and warmth in his gaze, I make a decision.

"You know what? Let's do it. Jamal can handle closing up, and I'm sure our regulars won't mind. It's been a long year. We deserve a little time to ourselves."

Zale's face lights up, and he leans in to kiss me quickly. "I'll go grab our coats."

As he heads to the back, I call out to Jamal. "Hey, you mind closing up tonight? Zale and I are going to head out early."

Jamal grins, giving me a thumbs up. "No problem, boss. You two lovebirds enjoy your night."

I roll my eyes at his teasing, but I can't hide my smile. Zale returns with our coats, and after a quick goodbye to the remaining customers, we step out into the snowy evening.

The cold air hits me like a shock, and I burrow deeper into my coat. Zale wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as we start walking down the sidewalk. The snow crunches beneath our feet, and the street is quiet save for the distant sound of carols and the occasional passing car.

"This is nice," I murmur, leaning into Zale's warmth.

He hums in agreement, pressing a kiss to my temple. "It is. Though I have to admit, I had an ulterior motive for suggesting this walk."

I look up at him, curiosity piqued. "Oh?"

Zale stops walking, turning to face me. His expression is suddenly serious, and I feel a flutter of nervousness in my stomach.

"Saraiyah," he begins, taking both of my hands in his. "These past three years with you have been the happiest of my life. You've shown me what it means to truly love someone, to be vulnerable and open. You've made me a better man."

My heart races as I realize where this might be going. "Zale..."

He smiles softly, reaching into his pocket. "I had this whole speech planned out, but standing here with you, in the snow on Christmas Eve, none of it seems adequate. So I'll just say this: I love you, Saraiyah Banks. More than I ever thought possible. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."

Zale drops to one knee, pulling out a small velvet box. He opens it to reveal a stunning ring—a large diamond surrounded by smaller sapphires set in white gold.

"Will you marry me?"

I'm speechless.

Tears well up in my eyes as I look at Zale, kneeling in the snow, his eyes full of love and hope. Three years ago, I never would have imagined this moment. But now, looking at the man I love, I can't imagine my life any other way.

"Yes," I whisper, then louder, "Yes! I'll marry you!"

Zale's face breaks into a radiant smile as he slips the ring onto my finger. He stands, pulling me into his arms and kissing me deeply. I pour all my love, all my joy into the kiss, my arms wrapping tightly around his neck.

When we finally break apart, we're both laughing and crying. Zale wipes a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

"I love you," I say, my voice thick with emotion.

"I love you too," he replies, resting his forehead against mine. "More than anything in this world."

We stand in the falling snow, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in our own little world. The past three years flash through my mind—the ups and downs, the fights and reconciliations, the moments of pure joy. And now, looking towards our future together, I feel nothing but excitement and love.

As we start walking again, hand in hand, I can't stop smiling. The ring on my finger catches the light from the street lamps, sparkling like the snow around us. It's a symbol of our love, of the journey we've been on and the one we're about to embark on.

"So," Zale says, a teasing lilt to his voice, "think we should head back to the shop and share the news?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Nah, let's keep it to ourselves for tonight. We can tell everyone tomorrow."

Zale nods, pulling me closer. "I like that idea. Tonight, it's just us."

"Yes, just yes."

Our journey hasn't been easy, but it's been worth every moment. And now, as we step into this new chapter of our lives, I know that whatever challenges come our way, we'll face them together. Because that's what we do. That's who we are.

Zale and Saraiyah. Partners, lovers, soon-to-be husband and wife. And as we walk hand in hand through the snowy night, I know that this is just the beginning of our happily ever after.

I guess Santa does mend broken hearts, and Christmas wishes still come true.

May all YOUR Christmas wishes come true!

Thank you for reading Christmas with a Bad Boy !

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