After Divorce, I Won The Christmas Lottery

Chapter 8: Long Nights

Liz

I take a shower and I can’t get Zander and that kiss off my mind. It’s like I am moving on autopilot at the moment. I got into bed and just lay there. “Stop it Liz, focus damn it.” I said to myself. I need to get my head into the game.

I need to win this divorce battle, then find Mary and go collect my winnings. I can’t stay here forever, I need to get my own place. Being this close to Zander all the time is torture. Living with him feels so right though. The way we move together is like we have known each other forever. It never felt this way with Kyle. He was always too busy. He never did anything in the house either.

I closed my eyes and fell into a fitful sleep. I woke up from a very s****l dream about Zander and felt very hot and bothered. I get up and go to the kitchen to get myself something to drink. The whole house is dark, so I don’t bother to put on my gown. I tiptoe into the kitchen and open the fridge and take out the juice.

“Can’t sleep?” Zander says from somewhere in the kitchen and I get such a fright, I drop the bottle of juice. I spun around and saw him sitting at the kitchen island eating ice-cream. “Don’t do that! I swear you are trying to send me to an early grave.” I say, and he chuckles.

He gets up and puts on the light and I look at him. He is only in his boxers and, f**k me, his body is so hot and toned. After that dream I just had, I don’t think I should be seeing him like that. I saw him looking me up and down and then I realized that I was only wearing a very short nightie. My thighs and the swell of my breasts are very much on display.

I quickly covered my breasts and turned around. “I am sorry, I was thirsty and hot. I didn’t expect to find you here.” I said, looking down at my n*****s, which were standing erect. f**k, just my luck. I hope he didn’t see. “I always turn the heat up at night because I hate sleeping in clothes. I should’ve put on something before I came down. I couldn’t sleep, and I was burning up, so I came to get some ice-cream to cool me down.” He says, and I look back at him and nodded.

I bent down to pick up the bottle of juice, and tried to do it as lady-like as I could so that he wouldn’t see my ass. I quickly grab a glass and pour myself some juice. I need to get out of here and fast. I turned around, just as he was about to put his bowl in the sink behind me.

I bumped right into him and spilled my juice on his chest. “Oh my God, I am so sorry.” I said and put the glass down and grabbed the kitchen towel to try and wipe the juice from his body. His beautifully sculptured body. f**k Liz, focus. “It’s okay, don’t worry. I think I need a cold shower anyway.” he says, looking down at his body. I looked down too, and saw the very noticeable bulge in his boxers.

Don’t look, Liz, look away. I put the kitchen towel down and stepped away from him. “I am so sorry Zander.” I said. “It's fine, no worries, Liz.” He said and wiped himself dry. I turn and walk away, but he calls me back. “Wait,” he says, and I turn around. He pours me another glass of juice and walks over to me.

He hands me the glass and I take it and smile. “Thank you, night Zander.” I say and turn and leave. I rushed back to my room and closed my door. I rest my head against the door and sigh. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Ugh,” I said, and put the glass down on the nightstand and got back in bed. I drink the juice and try to go back to sleep. My mind is a complete mess at the moment, and when I close my eyes, all I see is Zander and his perfect body. I toss and turn until I eventually fall asleep again.

When I woke up, I checked the time and saw it's already after 7am. I got up and put on my gown and went downstairs. Hopefully, I can still make Zander some breakfast. I went into the kitchen and found a note for me on the counter. ‘Had to go in early. See you this evening. Z’

I missed him. Well, maybe it's for the best. I would’ve felt awkward anyway. I fix myself something to eat and sit at the kitchen counter. When I am done, I quickly shower and dress, so I can head out to the park. I really hope to see Mary today.

I spent the rest of the day in the park, hoping to run into her. I even asked the patrolling security if they had ever seen her. They promised to give my number to her, should they ever see her. I left after 4pm and drove back to Zander’s place. I started dinner and when I was nearly done, I got a text message from him telling me not to wait up because he would be late.

I can’t deny I felt a pang of hurt and some old feelings from my time with Kyle came to the surface. I have no right to feel hurt though, we are only friends, and he has a life and has to work. There is nothing between us and I doubt there ever will be. I am nowhere near his league. I replied and told him that I would leave his dinner in the kitchen.

I spent the rest of the evening in the TV room watching old movies. I really didn’t enjoy them because my mind was all over the show. I fell asleep sometime during the second movie.

Zander

I get home just before 12am and go straight to the kitchen. I was starving, I didn’t even have dinner and Liz said she left some food for me. I warm my lamb curry and the aroma has my mouth watering. This woman can cook.

I enjoyed my food with a glass of wine and tidied up before I headed upstairs. I don’t like leaving dirty dishes and I also don’t want Liz to feel like she has to clean up after me. I heard the television was still on in the TV room, so I went straight there. I found Liz fast asleep and looking so cute. I picked her up and carried her to her room, and she didn’t even wake up. God, she smells so good.

I lay her down gently and moved the hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. She is so beautiful and she looks so peaceful. I took one last glance, and then went to my room. I am so tired, I get straight into bed. I can shower in the morning. Today has been a long day, but very productive.

I have enough evidence of that fucker ex of hers. I also discovered some disturbing information about him, but I am still doing some more digging. There isn’t much about Tiffany, but lots and lots of men. Her mother kicked her out when she slept with her stepfather, and that’s when Liz took her in.

Kyle hasn’t tried to contact her since she last messaged him, so that is a good sign. He doesn’t know she hired me, so he is in for a big surprise. I am sure he thinks he won and that she won’t fight back. Hopefully he doesn’t make any contact, and we can enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas together in peace. I fall asleep immediately, and just like always, she consumes my dreams.

I wake a bit later than I normally do, and grab a quick shower. I could smell someone cooking, so it must be Liz. I gave Rosa the rest of the week off so she could spend it with her family. I really want her to retire, but she is so stubborn. I can easily get someone else, but she is so used to looking after me. All I really want is to look after her now. She is getting older and needs to take it easy.

When I was dressed, I headed down to the kitchen to help Liz, but it seemed like she was already done. “Morning Liz,” I said, and she turned around and smiled when she saw me. She always looks so beautiful in the morning. Who am I kidding? She is beautiful all the time.

“Morning stranger, you slept late. You are always up before me. What time did you get home?” she asks. “Just before 12am, it was a long day. The lamb curry was delicious, by the way. Thank you,” I said and she smiled. “You are very welcome. Did you carry me to bed last night?” she asks.

“Yeah, and you didn’t even wake up. You must’ve been tired,” I said. “Thank you, Zander. Why didn’t you wake me? You didn’t have to carry me. I hope I didn’t hurt your back.” she says. “You looked so peaceful, I didn’t have the heart to wake you. And you barely weigh anything, I really didn’t mind.” I said.

“Hmm, you don’t have to spare my feelings, but thank you anyway,” she says chuckling. “Did you go to the park yesterday?” I ask. “I did, but there was no sign of Mary. I left my number and a description of her with security in case she comes by. I will check every day if I have to,” she says. “We will find a way, Liz, I promise to help you.” I say and she smiles.

“Come sit down and eat before you leave.” She says, and I sit while she puts everything she made on the counter. Everything looks delicious. “I am not going anywhere today. It's Christmas Eve, and I am spending the day with you. But only if that’s okay with you.” I say and she smiles. “Yes, of course, I would love that,” she says.

“What do you normally do on Christmas Eve?” I asked. “I just clean up, do some last-minute shopping and then start prepping for Christmas lunch. I haven’t gone skating in years, because Kyle always worked. I don’t really have any other traditions. I stopped them all when I married Kyle,” she says.

It seems like that fucker really didn’t spare her much time. “This year, we will do whatever you want. We can go skating, or go watch the Christmas play in town. I will even go out and sing Christmas carols with you if you want.” I said and she smiled. “I would really love that, minus the singing. I don’t have much of a singing voice. Are you going to help me cook too?” she asks.

“Of course, I am a very good cook, you know. I just hardly ever have time to use my skills.” I say and she chuckles. “Okay, but I will be the judge of that.” She says and I chuckle. We enjoyed our breakfast, and after we tidied up, she went to grab a shower before we left to go ice skating.