Christmas with My Grumpy Ex (Feuding Hearts Christmas #1)

9. Gala Countdown

9

GALA COUNTDOWN

ELLIE

I stand on my tiptoes, stretching to hang a delicate glass ornament on one of the higher branches of the massive Christmas tree. The soft glow of twinkling lights casts a warm, intimate atmosphere over the otherwise empty ballroom. I can feel Max's presence behind me, his warmth radiating even though we're not touching.

"Here, let me help," he says, his voice low and husky in the quiet room.

Before I can respond, Max steps closer, his chest brushing against my back as he reaches up to take the ornament from my hand. His fingers graze mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. I hold my breath, hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.

"Thanks," I manage to whisper, turning to face him.

Max is so close I can see the flecks of gold in his green eyes, smell the faint scent of his cologne. For a moment, we're frozen, caught in each other's gaze. The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken words and suppressed desires.

I clear my throat, taking a step back. "We should, um, finish up the last few decorations," I say, hating how breathless I sound.

Max nods, running a hand through his hair. "Right, of course. The gala's only a few days away."

We move around the room, adding final touches to the winter wonderland we've created. Garlands of evergreen drape elegantly from the ceiling, interspersed with twinkling lights that mimic starlight. Crystal snowflakes hang from delicate threads, catching and reflecting the soft glow of the room.

As we work, we fall into an easy rhythm, our bodies moving in sync as if we've been doing this for years. It reminds me of our college days, of late nights spent studying or just talking, existing in each other's space like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Remember that Christmas your sophomore year?" Max asks suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "When we snuck into the campus greenhouse to steal poinsettias for your dorm room?"

I laugh, the memory warming me from the inside out. "God, yes. We almost got caught by campus security. You were so sure we were going to get expelled."

Max chuckles, the rich sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Hey, I had a scholarship to maintain. Not all of us could afford to be as reckless as you, Ellie Cat."

The old nickname slips out so naturally, like no time has passed at all. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I see a flash of the boy I fell in love with all those years ago.

"Do you still sing?" Max asks softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

I shake my head, a pang of regret squeezing my heart. "Not really. Not since... well, not for a long time."

Max takes a step closer, his expression unreadable. "That's a shame. You had such a beautiful voice."

The compliment hangs in the air between us, loaded with memories of late-night serenades and impromptu performances in crowded college bars. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my heart races at his proximity.

"What about you?" I ask, desperate to change the subject. "Any special Christmas traditions with Amelia?"

Max's face softens at the mention of his daughter. "We have a few. Every Christmas Eve, we bake cookies for Santa. And on Christmas morning, we always have hot chocolate with candy cane stirrers while we open presents."

The image of Max and Amelia, cozy in their pajamas on Christmas morning, makes my chest ache with longing. It's a life I once dreamed of having with him, a future that slipped through my fingers.

"That sounds wonderful," I say softly, meaning it.

Max nods, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It is. Amelia... she makes everything brighter, you know? Even on the hardest days, her excitement for life, for the little things... it's infectious."

I reach out without thinking, placing my hand on his arm. "You're a great father, Max. Anyone can see how much you love her."

Max looks down at my hand, then back up at me. The intensity in his gaze takes my breath away. "Ellie," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

And then, before I can process what's happening, Max's lips are on mine.

The kiss is soft at first, tentative, like he's asking permission. But when I respond, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer, it quickly becomes more.

Years of pent-up emotion and desire pour into the kiss, leaving me dizzy and breathless.

Max's hands roam my back, pulling me flush against him as he deepens the kiss. I melt into him, my body remembering this dance even as my mind reels. It's familiar and new all at once, the taste of him, the feel of his body against mine.

We break apart, both of us panting. Max cups my face, resting his forehead against mine, "my Ellie."

And then we're kissing again, more urgently this time.

Max backs me up maneuvering around the Christmas tree, ornaments jingling as we collide with the branches. His hands are everywhere, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

I tug at his shirt, yanking to free the hem, desperate to feel his skin under my fingers.

He pulls back just long enough to lift my sweater over my head, his eyes darkening as he takes in the sight of me.

"You're so beautiful…," he murmurs, before capturing my lips again.

Max's hands slide down my back, cupping my ass and pulling me against him. I can feel his hardness pressing insistently against my belly, and I moan into his mouth.

I want him. Need him. Now .

We undress each other slowly, reverently, pausing to relearn each other's bodies again with gentle touches and soft kisses. When we're finally skin to skin, Max lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me to his bedroom.

He lays me down gently on the bed, his eyes roaming my body with a hunger that makes me shiver. Then, he's on top of me, the weight of him familiar and comforting.

He kisses me again, deeply, as his fingers trail down my stomach, dipping between my legs.

" Max… ," I gasp, arching into his touch.

He smiles, his eyes locked on mine as he circles my clit with his thumb. I bite my lip, my hips lifting off the bed, desperate for more. Max obliges, slipping two fingers inside me as his thumb continues to work my clit.

"You've haunted my dreams, Ellie. My heaven and my hell…"

His voice is low, hoarse. He dips his head, kissing a trail from my collarbone to my breasts. He takes a nipple into his mouth, his tongue swirling around the hardened bud, sending shocks of pleasure straight to my core.

His words send a thrill through me, and I reach out pulling him closer, claiming his lips in a fierce kiss. He groans, his hands roaming over my body with a possessiveness that matches my own.

He pulls out his fingers and I gasp in need.

" Don’t stop… "

He pulls back. The passion in his eyesas he looks at me makes my breath catch. His gaze is intense, unwavering, and full of need. I can see the heat and hunger in the depths of his stare,and I want all of it.

I can't stop the tremor that courses through me. "Please," I whisper. I need to feel him. Need to feel his weight pressing down on me. Feel his body moving in and out of mine. Feel him filling me, stretching me.

"Now."

Max nods, understanding. He leans in, capturing my mouth with his. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, seeking and finding mine in a slow, sensual dance. I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. His hands are everywhere, tracing the contours of my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

He hovers, teasing, his cock nudging against my entrance, and I can feel the heat radiating off his skin.Hepresses forward, slowly, inch by agonizing inch. He fills me completely, stretching me, and I cry out as he bottoms out inside me. He stills, letting me adjust to his size, before pulling back and thrusting again.

I cry out and he drives again, thistime harder, more insistent. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him deeper. His hips snap forward, and I gasp at the sensation of him filling me, stretching me, taking me.The sensation of his thickdick sliding in and out of my slick pussy is almost too much to bear.

I cling to him,as if I'll shatterinto a million pieces ifheletsgo. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer, his mouth finding mine in a bruising kiss that steals the breath from my lungs.

His pace picksup, his thrusts growing faster, more frenzied. He angles his hips, hitting that spot deep inside me that makes me see stars.

" Oh...god... "I can feel the pressure building, coiling in my belly, threatening to explode at any moment.

Max groans, his hips snapping forward again, driving into me with a force that sends me careening towards the edge. He slides a hand between us, finding my clit with expert precision.

Thetingle of relief starting at the base ofmy womb, and I can't take anymore.

The coil inside me snaps and I'm falling, shuddering around him.

"Yes, Max. Oh, god. Yes!"

He growls pumping, chasing his own release.

Then he follows me over the edge, burying his face in the crook of my neck as he groans out his own climax.

We stay like that for a long moment, tangled together, breathing hard, our hearts beating wildly in sync. Finally, Max shifts, rolling off of me and onto his back, pulling me with him so that I'm draped across his chest.

For a moment, everything is perfect. I feel whole, complete in a way I haven't in years. I turn to look at Max, my heart swelling with emotions I've tried so hard to keep buried.

But as our eyes meet, I see something shift in Max's expression. The warmth in his gaze fades, replaced by a look of guilt and panic.

"Max?" I whisper, dread settling in the pit of my stomach.

He sits up abruptly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I... I'm sorry, Ellie. This was a mistake."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I sit up too, clutching the tablecloth to my chest. "A mistake?" I repeat, hating how small my voice sounds.

Max stands, hastily pulling on his clothes. "We shouldn't have done this. It's not... it's not fair to you. Or to Laura's memory."

Laura.

I feel like I've been doused in ice water. Of course. His wife.

The woman he chose over me all those years ago. How could I have been so stupid to think things could be different now?

"Max, wait," I say, scrambling to my feet and reaching for my own clothes. "We should talk about this."

But Max is already backing away, his expression closed off. "There's nothing to talk about, Ellie. This can't happen again. We need to keep things professional."

And just like that, he's gone, leaving me alone in the vast, empty ballroom.

I sink to the floor, my legs unable to support me any longer. The ache in my chest is almost unbearable, a physical pain that threatens to consume me. How could I have let myself fall for him again? How could I have been so naive?

As I sit there, surrounded by the trappings of Christmas cheer that now feel like a cruel joke, I make a decision. I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend that this arrangement isn't tearing me apart. I can't keep giving pieces of my heart to a man who clearly doesn't want them.

With shaking hands, I finish dressing and gather my things. As I walk out of the ballroom, I take one last look at the tree we decorated together. It's beautiful, magical even. But now it just feels hollow, a pretty facade hiding the mess of emotions underneath.

I step into the elevator, my resolve strengthening with each floor I descend. By the time I reach the lobby, my decision is made. I'll finish the gala, see this job through to the end. But after that, I'm done. No more fake dating, no more pretending that Max Wellington doesn't have the power to break my heart all over again.

As I step out into the cold New York night, I take a deep breath, letting the icy air fill my lungs. It hurts, but it's a clean kind of pain. The kind that reminds you you're still alive, still fighting.

I hail a cab, giving the driver my address. As we pull away from the curb, I watch the hotel recede in the rearview mirror. With it goes the last of my illusions about Max and me.

It's time to protect my heart. It's time to move on. For real this time.