All I Want Series Boxset, Books 1-3: All I Want for Christmas, All I Want for Valentine's, All I Want for Spring (21 page)

“Sounds like a perfect plan,” Holly said. “Talking of which, can I top up your drinks?”

We all agreed and Holly turned towards the kitchen.

***

The evening went off with a festive bang, the mince pie martinis going down a storm. Once they’d run out, we moved on to wine, beer and Prosecco, cranking up the Christmas tunes to get everyone in the party mood. Our friends didn’t need much persuasion. Plus, with our newly purchased patio heater roaring into action, our balcony was suddenly a destination, with train passengers waving at us as they passed. Christmas fever is infectious, my dad taught me that.

Around midnight, we toasted in Christmas Eve and Holly put on Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ — she knew it was my all-time favourite Christmas tune. We danced around our lounge pointing and singing at each other with the rest of our friends, but my eyes were only ever on Holly. This Christmas, she
was
all I wanted and all my dreams
had
come true. Turns out, Mariah was prophetic.

The last guest cleared out around 3am, and we took a couple of glasses of Prosecco out on to the balcony to stare at the stars. Well, that was the plan, but the light pollution in London spoilt the intention. We could see a few sparkling lights in the inky canvas overhead, but whether they were planes, drones or stars, we weren’t sure.

A few moments later, Holly clicked her fingers together. “I almost forgot.” She dipped into the pocket of her red jacket and produced a sprig of mistletoe.

I grinned at her. “You old smoothie.”

She winked, before holding it over our heads and kissing me softly.

I melted on the spot. Holly’s lips were so warm and inviting, I was happy to pull up a chair and stay all night. Eventually though, she pulled away.

“Happy Christmas Eve, beautiful,” she said. “And happy anniversary!” Holly held up her glass to cheers.

I clinked mine to hers. “It’s our anniversary?”

She nodded. “One week today.” She paused. “And what a week it’s been.” She shot me her lopsided smile. “Thanks for getting everything ready for today too, I really do appreciate it.”

“The least I could do for my new girlfriend,” I said. Then I held my breath. Shit. I hadn’t meant that to just slip out. I flicked my gaze up to Holly who was grinning.

“Girlfriend? You don’t mess around, do you?”

“It just came out — we don’t have to be yet if you’re not ready. I won’t be upset.” I wanted to lower my eyebrows, but they were stuck in an alarmed position on my face.

“You won’t?” Holly stepped forward and gathered me in her arms, looking down into my eyes.

I swallowed and shook my head. “Just an expression, I didn’t mean it seriously.”

The corners of Holly’s mouth tugged upwards. “Tori, I’ve been your girlfriend since we kissed on the kitchen floor. I’m not going anywhere. So just relax, okay?”

I nodded, still not trusting myself to speak again.

Holly put both our glasses on the floor, re-gathered me in her arms and kissed me with utter intent. I was floored, but also wrapped in her warmth — metaphorically and literally. When she kissed me, strange things happened. That much I knew.

Within seconds, she lifted me on to our small balcony table and hitched up my skirt. I took a sharp intake of breath. The mood had just turned up a notch and I smiled as I saw the lust pooling in Holly’s eyes.

“Not too cold?” Holly asked, never taking her mouth from mine.

I shook my head, feeling a rush between my legs in anticipation.

Holly’s body moved forwards and she spread my legs, moving her tongue inside my mouth.

I groaned.

She ran her hands up and down my sides while she deepened our kiss further, then her hand grazed my thighs.

She was going to fuck me on this table, in the open air. In that second, I didn’t think it was possible to love anybody more than I did right then, and that thought made me open my eyes.

Holly’s hand reached up and tugged off my pants, pushing up my bum so I could wriggle out of them. A fresh gust of air hit me as I sat back down and we retook our positions. Now Holly’s hand was hot over my pussy, her mouth in front of mine.

“Okay?” she asked, biting my lip and slipping a finger inside me. “I’ve been wanting to do this all night long.”

I went to reply but nothing came out. I was too lost in her, lost in the moment, overtaken by Holly.

She slipped in another finger and I groaned, pushing my hips forward, feeling freer now than I had in years. Sex had always been high on my agenda, but I hadn’t had sex with someone I felt so attuned to in quite a while.

What’s more, nobody had ever taken me on a balcony before, so Holly was winning hands-down.

I put my mouth beside Holly’s ear, my breath wispy. “If you’re going to fuck me, just do it,” I said.

She didn’t need a second invitation.

As her fingers began moving back and forth, my mouth dropped open but the December air that coated my throat felt warm and inviting. I threw my arms around Holly’s neck and opened my legs, welcoming her in, encouraging her to go further.

She shifted as close as she could get and slid her tongue into my mouth as she went deeper.

I clung on for the ride of my life as our bodies melded into one.

She ramped up her festive charm offensive, slipping and sliding all around me, over me, inside me — I loved being in her orbit. With every second that passed, we grew more urgent, Holly with laser-like focus, mine more hazy as the thunder in my body built. She hit my G-spot and I groaned into her mouth, before flinging my head backwards.

In return, I heard her grin.

I began seeing stars and wasn’t sure if they were fake or real. I was on the edge, staring at the universe, shouting out its name. Or it could well have been Holly’s name. I was wrapped around her, pressing into her. Holly was everything I asked for on my Christmas list and way more besides.

I was so close, then Holly put her mouth beside my ear. “Come for me, or you’ll be on the naughty list,” she said.

My muscles spasmed, and I dug my fingers into Holly’s neck while she swiped her thumb back and forth.

I did as I was told, coming in a hot rush all over her fingers, shouting into the darkness for all I was worth.

But Holly didn’t let up and within seconds I was coming again, shouting again, feeling wild abandon cascading from my very core.

Holly kissed my neck, my ear, my hair, my mouth. Every connection made me jolt, my nerves on high alert to this emotional tour de force. She held me close while I steadied my breath, my arms flung around her neck, clinging to my anchor. When I leaned back and found her gaze, we were both grinning like idiots.

I kissed Holly hard, wanting to show her everything I was feeling. But even I knew that was hard to sum up in one kiss. I was still flying and I wanted to take Holly with me too.

I reached for her zip, but she caught my hand and held on to it. I pulled back, searching her eyes with mine.

Holly just smiled a lazy smile as she extracted her hand from me.

I let my eyelids droop lazily.

She kissed my lips. “Shall we take this inside?” Her breath was hot against my ear and tingled down my entire body. Inside was probably a very good idea.

I grinned at her. “When I regain the use of my legs, absolutely,” I said, pressing my lips to hers again.

CHAPTER 24

Saturday December 24th

We got up around 1pm the following day, cleared up the flat and then sat smiling at each other. I didn’t recall doing this with anybody else I’d been with, so I was either turning into someone I didn’t recognise, or I was falling in love — truly in love — for the very first time. I was pretty sure it was the latter.

Holly made me a cup of coffee and we sat on the sofa eating leftover pepperoni pizza from the night before. It always tasted better the next day, and this afternoon was no exception.

“I don’t want you to go today. It’s going to feel like I’ve lost a limb.” I stared at her.

“I know.”

“So stay. Call your Mum and come with me tomorrow. We can spend our first Christmas together.”

Holly sighed and chewed on some pizza. She sipped her tea and stared out the window at the afternoon winter sun. The trains were still chugging past, although we expected that to stop soon, being it was Christmas Eve, when everything came to a standstill around 5pm.

All I wanted for Christmas was sitting on the sofa staring at me. And preparing to leave me.

“Don’t look so sad,” I said, reaching across and kissing Holly’s hand. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

Holly smiled. “You haven’t made me sad, believe me.” She curled her long legs up under her body and sighed. “It’s just… a bit late to tell my parents I’m not coming, that’s all. They’re expecting me.”

I squeezed her arm. “I know — I’m just being a selfish brat.” I paused. “Go, and we’ll see each other the day after, or the one after that.” I smiled to back up my last statement. “It’s just, I’m not going to be able to function without you.” I put my head in my hands. “And will you stop me talking such drivel? I’ve turned into one of those snivelling wrecks and it’s your fault.”

She laughed and put my feet on her lap, massaging one of them up, then down. “Whatever it is, you’ve turned me into it too.” She paused. “But let’s not focus on negatives today. We’ve got the rest of the day together, so let’s do something fun. How about we have a walk around the Christmas lights in town, like your parents always used to do when you were little?”

My heart swelled so much inside my chest, I thought it might burst out at any second. This was the love I’d read about, the love I’d hoped for. It’s one thing to wish for a Christmas girlfriend. It’s quite another for her to arrive and be so utterly, deliciously perfect.

“I would love that,” I replied, beaming at Holly. “You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet, you know that?”

She squeezed my foot. “I’ve got skills,” she said. “It’s settled then. We can eat hot dogs and roasted chestnuts from those dodgy street carts, have mulled wine and be so Christmassy, your teeth will ache.”

“Sounds like my ideal date.”

I leaned back, never taking my eyes off of Holly. “You know, when I started my girlfriend quest on November 25th, I wanted three things: a girlfriend, drunk Christmas sex and a present from someone who wasn’t related to me.” I paused. “But that was Tori 1.0. Unreformed Tori. Naughty Tori.”

“I think you’re still a bit naughty,” Holly replied, grinning. 

“I’ve got skills too,” I winked. “But things have changed. I’ve changed. It’s like I told you in the beginning — I didn’t really want anything, I wanted
someone
. But the someone I ended up with is so much more than I bargained for. I had a plan, I had dreams and goals, but you’ve shifted the goalposts. Now you’re a part of those dreams.” I paused. “You are those dreams.”

Holly’s cheeks reddened and she looked down. “Are you trying to make me blush?” she asked.

I smiled. “I’m not, but I can’t keep this quiet. I feel so loved, so cared for, so
safe
. And that would never have happened so quickly if it hadn’t been you because I knew you already.” Tears threatened but I held them in. They were happy tears, but I didn’t want any mixed messages.

I took Holly’s hand in mine and kissed her silky fingers. “You’re more than I ever dreamed of, you know that?” I whispered. “I’m already in love with you.”

I couldn’t contain my emotions around Holly. My mouth just ran away with me. Everything about us was just so huge and overwhelming, I had emotions leaking out of every pore.

“Does that scare you?” I asked.

Holly flipped my feet off of her lap and scooted across the sofa, taking me in her arms. The kiss she gave me started on my lips, but vibrated right down to my toes. When she pulled back, her eyes were large pools of happiness, shimmering in the afternoon light.

“Last night you call me your girlfriend, now you tell me you love me. What’s tomorrow’s declaration?”

“Happy birthday?” I said, smiling. Then I paused. “So does it?” I asked again.

Holly crinkled her face. “What?”

“Scare you?”

She shook her head and kissed me again lightly. “Don’t be stupid. I’ve loved you for years. Taking the leap to being
in love
with you happened weeks ago. There’s no getting away from me now, I’m here to stay.”

Relief washed over me. Holly loved me.

I moved my head and stared right at her. “You sure?”

She tilted her head. “Positive,” she replied. “I know it’s only been a week, but it’s been way longer really, hasn’t it? We just feel so right, you and me.” She shrugged. “We just are.”

I put my head on Holly’s chest and we sat like that for a few moments, the gentle hum of the trains buzzing by. In that moment, we were cocooned, untouchable, in love. She kissed the top of my head and I was content to ride the rise and fall of her body, warmth emanating from her.

It seemed like for once, I’d landed right where I belonged.

CHAPTER 25

Christmas Day

I woke up the next day and my eyes shot open — it was Christmas Day! Then a wave of tiredness washed over me as I checked my phone. It was also 7am. My body clock hadn’t got used to waking up late yet, it was still on work time. On top of that, my bed was empty.

Holly had gone to her mum’s house late last night after a magical late afternoon walking hand-in-hand around the West End Christmas lights. Being there with Holly as my girlfriend had made it extra-special, and the whole way round, I’d felt like my dad was with us, our very own Christmas spirit guiding us on our way.

Now, Holly would be getting ready for her annual birthday breakfast with both her parents. This was their concession for their Christmas baby — they couldn’t stand the thought of spending Christmas Day together, but Christmas breakfast for Holly, they could handle.