After Divorce, I Won The Christmas Lottery

Chapter 9: Christmas Eve

Zander

I already have everything at home that is needed for Christmas dinner, so we don’t have to go to any stores. I really hate going shopping, but I will brave the Christmas rush for her if that’s what she wants. I would do anything for her, but she doesn’t know that.

I decided to take her to my parent’s place, because it has a pond that freezes over every year. That’s where I used to do all my skating growing up. I haven’t sold the house yet, and I don’t think I will. It holds so many fond memories. I tried to give it to Rosa, but she said it’s too much, she is such a stubborn old woman.

“Whose place is this?” Liz asks, looking around. “It's my childhood home. I never sold it after my parents died.” I said. “It’s beautiful Zander. This is what I envisioned for myself when I thought of starting a family. The pond at the back just makes it so much more special. Will you show me inside too?” she asks, and I smile.

“Sure, let's go inside first, and then we can skate for a bit,” I said, and she followed me inside. The staff that wanted to stay still live here and look after the house. So, I know the place will be in good condition. I only come out here to check if they need anything.

I show her around, and I love how she smiles the whole time. I can tell she really likes the house. “Would you ever sell the house?” she asks. “I don’t think so.” I say. “Not even to me? I promise I will look after it. I love it as is.” She says and I smile. “If you want the house I will give it to you. I was thinking of moving back here though,” I say, and she nods.

“We can talk about it when I get my money.” She says, looking around. “Okay,” I say with a smirk that she didn’t see, because she was too busy admiring the finishes. You can live here as long as you like, my dear, but I will be staying here with you. You just don’t know it yet.

The house itself was built to mimic the villas in Greece with a touch of new age style. My mother is originally from Mykonos and that’s where my dad met her. They upgraded just before they died, so everything is still as good as new. It really is a beautiful home and the perfect place to raise a family.

I never thought much about having a family. I have been too career focused. But now that Liz is in my life, I feel like the possibilities are endless. I just need to be patient. That I can do, and she is very much worth the wait. I just need to help her get this divorce finalized first.

After the tour, I went to grab the skates that I asked the staff to buy. Then I took her out to skate on the pond. “I am a little rusty, so please, bear with me,” she says and I smile. “Take my hands, I will help you.” I say and she does. I helped her onto the ice and move slowly so that she could get used to the feeling of being on the ice again.

She gets the hang of it quick enough, and soon we are skating together. I haven’t let go of her hand just yet. I will if she wants me to, but for now I will enjoy the moment. She looks so happy and carefree as we skate. She let go of my hand after a while and made a perfect turn.

When she tried to stop, the blade of her skates hooked on some uneven ice. She was about to fall, but I caught her just in time and held onto her tightly. I hold onto her while she looks into my eyes. I just hold her like that while we look at each other.

I snap out of my moment of weakness and loosen my grip on her. “Are you okay?” I ask and she nods. “I’m fine,” she says and stands on her own. “Maybe we should head back, it’s getting late.” she says and I nod. I could see she felt uncomfortable, so I didn’t say anything.

We head to the car in silence, and before I start the car, I look at her. “Are you sure you are okay?” I ask and she nods. “Yes, I’m fine.” She says even though I can see she isn’t fine, but I will drop it for now. I drive us home and when we go inside, she goes straight to her room to get undressed.

She hasn’t spoken much and I don’t like it. I didn’t do anything but look at her when she looked at me. I wish I knew what was going through her mind.

Liz

What is wrong with me? I need to snap out of it. I am sure he thinks I am crazy. He did nothing wrong, and now I am avoiding him. I am such an i***t. I am the one that gazed longingly into his eyes. If he picked up on it, he didn’t show it.

I get undressed and wear some leggings and a jersey. I go back downstairs, and he is already in the kitchen with an apron on. “Looking good, the only thing that’s missing is the hat.” I say and he chuckles. I put on the other apron and start collecting the food from the fridge.

“So, what do you want me to do?” he asked me. “What are you good at?” I asked. “I can roast the turkey if you want. Don’t worry about dessert, some will be delivered in the morning. I already placed an order.” He says and I nod. “Then go ahead. Is there anything specific you want for tomorrow?” I asked.

“Not really. This is our first Christmas together, so I think you should choose. I am not fussy.” He says and I smile. As much as I like the sound of that, he just means together as friends. Cut it out Liz. “Okay, go ahead with the turkey. Can you do the stuffing too?” I asked and he nodded.

“Okay, I will prep the rest. How about I make some sticky ribs, beef wellington and roasted leg of lamb? We can have some garlic potatoes and some roasted veggies as a side, and I make a mean chestnut dressing. And for tonight, we can have mac and cheese. I do make it a bit differently, but I am sure you will like it,” I said.

“I think I just had a foodgasm and I haven't even tasted anything yet. It all sounds delicious.” He says, and I burst out laughing, and he joins me. And just like that, the atmosphere feels lighter. We start prepping everything and I will pop the roasts in the oven in the morning.

We worked really well together, and the banter and laughter made everything go quickly. He even helped me make the mac and cheese. When we were finished, we enjoyed our dinner with a glass of champagne. “That was really delicious. I have never had mac and cheese with bacon and mushrooms in it before,” He says, and I smile.

“I love experimenting with food. I saw this recipe on an Italian show and I loved it the first time I made it. Kyle didn’t like it, he said it was fattening.” I said. “Kyle is an i***t. Let’s not talk about him and ruin our evening.” He says and I nod. “Agreed,” I say, and he smiles.

We cleaned up and sipped champagne while we sang Christmas carols. I don’t remember ever having this much fun with Kyle. He always worked late, now I am beginning to think the late nights were probably him cheating on me. I find myself questioning all the conferences and out-of-town clients too. I wonder if he ever really loved me?

But then why did he marry me? None of his actions really make sense to me. I should just give up trying to understand that man, because I clearly didn’t know him as well as I thought I did. I need to move on and embrace my new-found freedom. I go change into my nightie and go back downstairs and meet Zander in the lounge.

We sat in front of the fire and sipped champagne and chatted some more. I am beginning to realize that we could’ve been great friends all these years. I still don’t know why he never spoke to me back then. I tried a few times, but he was so quiet and aloof. But it doesn’t matter, he is in my life now and the timing is just perfect.

By late evening, we had both had way too much to drink. He helped me to bed, while I giggled and fell around. When he tried to lay me down, my hand hooked into his shirt and I pulled him with me. He fell on top of me with our faces inches apart. We stared into each other’s eyes.

He looks down at my lips and kisses me. I kiss him back and then there is no going back. I kissed him with a fever I had never known before. My hands roam his sculptured back, and he reaches down and runs his hand up my hip, and then lifts my thigh up. I put my legs around his waist, and he started grinding on me.

I am only wearing my nightie and panties, and I can feel his bulge through his jeans. I lift my hips to meet his thrusts, and we are like two frenzied teenagers dry humping. When we break the kiss, we are both panting for air and I can’t help but giggle.

“Are you sure you want to do this? If we do this, there is no going back. You will be mine and only mine.” He says and I look at him. “I don’t know about that, but I do know that right now, I want you.” I say and kiss him again. I don’t know if I am doing the right thing, but I am so turned on, I can’t think straight.

While we kissed, I unsuccessfully tried to untie the buttons of his shirt. He breaks the kiss and takes off his shirt, jeans and boxers. I sat up to look at him and ran my hands over his perfect abs. And then down his happy trail, to his huge c**k that was standing at full attention.

I take it in my hand and start to stroke it. He groans and closes his eyes. Hmm, I think I want to taste him. His c**k is just way too perfect. I lean forward, and lick the little droplet of his essence that is already leaking out of him. I looked up at him and smirked, because I planned on sucking this beautiful c**k dry.

My smirk fades and the room starts to spin, and I feel like I am spinning with it. Why do I feel so dizzy all of a sudden? I close my eyes and then all I see is darkness. I feel myself falling back on the bed, and the last thing I hear is him yelling my name. I just need to close my eyes for a bit. I feel so dizzy.