21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

My heart is pounding so fast it’s like a hummingbird trapped inside my chest. Is it possible to explode from the inside out? Because that’s how I’m feeling right now. It took twenty agonizing minutes before I could finally pry myself out of the car. When I pulled up, my bravado drained away like air escaping a punctured tyre, and I had to crack the window for a breath of fresh air.

The gentle melody of ‘ Flaws ’ by Callum Scott drifted from the radio as I sat in the car, contemplating the uncertainty of getting out and walking towards what I hoped would be my future. As the song played, I felt Tristan’s presence beside me, his words whispering through the music, ‘ I just want someone to love me, flaws and all .’

I know I want to be the person who fills that void for him. The mere thought of someone else doing it causes my chest to ache. No, Tris is mine, and I pray to the universe that he feels the same way about me.

As I watched Jake and Lewis disappear through the door, I knew that if I didn’t follow them and claim Tristan, my son would feel like I’d let him down as well. I’d also be letting myself down. I’ve spent years putting the needs of others before my own, but now it’s time for me to be a priority.

I carefully pick up the single rose, its petals a deep yellow, perfectly plump like the ones that Tris said his mum loves. My car is also full of backpacks, each filled with necessities for the shelter, but I’ll get them later. Right now, I need to go get my man.

Looking at Tristan from the doorway, even with his back turned towards me, I recognise him instantly. Who else would be bold enough to wear an elf costume?Jake meets my eyes and smiles, then Tristan turns, and even from across the room, I can see the startled way he sucks in a breath, his hand flying to his chest like it always does when he’s nervous. Taking a deep breath, I walk through the room; the chatter and music around me becoming a dull hum as I focus on him. Tristan gets up, and of course, he’s wearing the shortest shorts ever. He’s the most adorably sexy elf I’ve ever seen.

As I stop in front of him, his baby-blue eyes, bright and innocent, look up at me. I’m lost for words, lost in his eyes, as he stares at me, his gaze piercing my soul.

“Dax,” he whispers, “W—what are you doing here?”

“I needed to see you,” I rasp, my fingers itching to touch him. “Jake mentioned you’d be here tonight.”

Simultaneously, our eyes drift to Jake, who’s now chatting away with Lewis and a woman wearing a shockingly colourful ensemble topped off with a truly horrendous hat.

“This for me?” he asks tentatively, nodding at the rose.

My focus shifts back to Tris. “Yeah,” my voice shakes as I extend the rose to him.

“They’re my mum’s favourite,” he whispers, his gaze watery.

“I remember,” I murmur.

“You do?” His face lights up, hope emerging in his eyes.

“Of course I do, Tris.”

He leans in close to the flower, his eyes closed as he breathes in its sweet scent. Then, with a dreamy look, he opens his eyes and meets mine. “I love it, thank you. Yellow is also my favourite.”

“Tris…” I start. My confidence is wavering again, nerves hitting, but Tris instinctively seems to read me like he always does, reaching out and placing a calming hand on my arm.

“Breathe, Dax,” he smiles, and the affection I see in his gaze makes all my doubts wash away in an instant. “Look at me.” I do, and everything else bleeds into the background.

It’s now or never. The silence stretches as I struggle to find the right words. Any words. Tris takes the lead again. “If you and me... If we were a mistake, then just say it, Dax. If you regret it, then tell me. No hard feelings.” He blinks at me as he tilts his chin, a newfound determination in his eyes. “But for the record, I don’t think it was. A mistake, that is,” he whispers. “It was a mistake that I left, though. I shouldn’t have. That wasn’t fair.” His bottom lip trembles as he looks around the room. Then he turns back towards me, his hand dropping from my arm. He holds it out in front of me instead, shrugging, trying for nonchalance. “Friends?”

No, no, no! This is NOT going to plan! Everything’s going wrong, because I can’t get my stupid mouth to work, and my grand gesture is quickly falling apart. Friends, my arse. I’m not backing down this time. I have a purpose for showing up here, and I won’t leave until Tris understands my feelings. With a deep breath and a quick unzip, I shed my coat, throwing it over the nearest chair, and exposing the cardigan beneath. My Christmas cardigan, covered in Santa’s face. I hunted high and low for the ugliest one I could find for this ‘ Get My Man Back ’ mission.

Cupping his chin in my hand, I gently turn his face towards mine, making him look me in the eye.

“I don’t regret you or us. Quite the opposite, in fact. If you hadn’t stubbornly left that morning, you would have known that. I mean, look at this,” I say, motioning towards the cardigan. “I’ve never really done the festive thing. But I did this just for you.”

“For me?” he whispers, furrowing his brow as he takes in the cardigan.

“Yeah. For you, Tris,” I tell him.

His hesitant look kills me, but I get it. Trust isn’t easy for him, but I’m all in, and now it’s time for me to prove it.

“What is it you want, Dax?” he eventually asks.

Taking his hand, I tell him, “ You , Tris. I want you. I want us .” I shake my head. “God, these past few days without you... I... I’ve been fucking miserable, baby. It’s like you’ve put a fucking spell on me. I want you, Tris. Only you.”

A subtle smile grows at the corner of his mouth until it blossoms into a full, warm grin. “Really?” he whispers.

“Really—”

“I want you, too, Dax. So much.”

Cupping his face in my hand, he leans into the warmth of my touch, his eyes fluttering closed. I lean down and gently brush my lips against his, a soft whisper of affection.

I get lost in his gaze until it dips down, and he takes in the outrageous cardigan I’m wearing. A loud snort escapes his lips. “You really wore that cardigan for me?”

“I did. And don’t think I didn’t notice my favourite one was gone?” I give him a knowing look.

He tries to hide it, but a delicate tug of his lips and the telltale blush that creeps up his pale neck, give him away. “You can have it, baby. You can have everything I own, as long as I get you in return.”

“Dax,” he chokes out.

“Wait.” Unbuttoning my cardigan, I show him the T-shirt I’m wearing. “Since you love slogan tops so much, I figured I should get one too.” I extend the shirt so he can get a good look.

As he reads, tears start streaming down his face. “ Tristan is for life, not just for Christmas .”

“Too much?” I ask, dropping the shirt, but I get my reply when Tris leaps into my arms. I instinctively catch him, his weight landing on my chest. Legs encircle me tightly, and my hands grip his firm, round butt.

“No, not too much.” His warm breath brushes against my neck as he speaks. “Just perfect. I’m sorry I left. I’ve regretted it every second. I’m such a dumb arse for leaving, but... I just...” he sniffs against my ear.

“I understand why you guard your heart, but you don’t have to do that anymore. I’m here now, and I’ll protect it for you.”

Leaning back in my arms, he looks at me, tears lingering on his eyelashes. “Do you mean that?”

“Yes, little fox. I mean it. I want you, all of you. All your imperfections, all your sadness, all your joy. Just please... give me a chance. I know I’m new to this relationship thing, so I’m probably going to mess up sometimes, but I want to try—for us.” I’m going all out, leaving myself vulnerable, so he knows I’m 100% in. “What do you say? Do you wanna try forever with me?”

His gorgeous smile, a beacon of light, is all I see as he leans in, his lips meeting mine in a perfect kiss. In front of my son and a room full of people, I kiss the man whose love has woven itself into my heart, one tiny stitch at a time. Tristan’s taste is back in my mouth, filling up my half-empty cup till I’m brimming over with sunshine and fucking rainbows.

Pulling back, I ask, “So, is that a yes?”

The sound of his joyous laughter lingers in my ears. “Yes, Dax. All the flipping yeses from here to space and back again.” He covers my face with sweet kisses, each one a tiny part of him.

A light tap on my back makes me turn round to see Jake and Lewis grinning at me. “Fucking finally,” Jake muses. “So glad you both pulled the sticks out of your arses to figure this out!”

“Heyyy,” Tris says, slipping out of my arms, his feet landing firmly on the floor. “It’s not our fault it took us so long to get here. Remember your dad’s old.” He pats my chest with a smirk. The little shit.

I lean in and whisper, “You’re gonna pay for that later.”

The whimper he gives me makes my dick want to come out to play in the middle of a mess hall full of strangers. Awesome. But I mean what I said. My little fox is going to have to beg for his release later…when he’s down on his knees, pleading for mercy.

“Move out of my way. It’s my turn to see who this stud muffin is.” The rainbow lady, a whirlwind of colour and movement, barrels into the space between Jake and Lewis, halting in front of us. Hand on her hip, she gives me a look that makes me feel like I’m under a microscope, every inch of me being judged. Now, I’m the one squirming, and my heart rate picks up a little as I wait for her verdict.

“Is this your guy, Tris? The one you’ve been pining over?” Straight to the point. No beating around the bush with this lady.

“Yeah, Trixy, this is him. This is my Dax.” With a smile, he leans in and kisses my cheek, whispering loudly. “Stunning right?”

“Oh, he’s something all right. Tell me, Dax. What are your intentions for my boy here?” Leaning in closer she says, “Now don’t bullshit me, son, cos I’ll know if you’re lying.” She waggles her finger in front of my face. I wouldn’t want to meet her in a dark alley; she would cut my nuts off and give them back to me as a gift.

I pull Tris closer, holding him tightly against me. I won’t lie: I’m using him as a body shield, just in case Trixy deems my answer unsatisfactory and castrates me on the spot. “Well... umm... I want to make sure he’s happy and taken care of. To keep him safe and treat him like he’s the most important thing in the world.” The way he looks at me fills me with a sense of belonging, and I know I’ll spend every waking moment cherishing him.

“Leave him alone, Trixy! You’ve had your fun,” Tris laughs.

She pats me on the shoulder with a firm hand. “Yeah, I’m sorry,” she chuckles with her raspy voice. “I’m just pulling your leg. Jake filled me in—he mentioned you’re his dad.” I nod. “I’m trusting you to look after Tristan,” she says, her eyes pleading. “He’s really special to me.”

Okay, maybe she’s not as scary as I first thought. “I will. I promise. He’s really special to me, too.”

She looks back at Tris. “Yeah, this one’s a keeper. I like him.”

This makes Tris light up. Taking off the hat on her head, she motions for me to put my head down. “Here, this hat is for you. It’s a token of my gratitude for loving my boy.”

I’m too afraid to say no, so I obey. Dark alleys and my balls in hand come to mind again.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

“And don’t worry. I don’t have fleas; Tris de-loused me last week.” She winks.

“Trixy.” Tris scolds her just like a grandson would. “Leave him alone, you only had that one flea...”

“What?!” I let out a shriek as everyone bursts into laughter. I’m the butt of the joke, great. I can’t do anything about my son teasing me—that’s Lewis’s responsibility now—but I can teach my little fox a lesson. Later. For now, I playfully pinch his butt and he lets out a screech. The urge to be near him is overwhelming; I’m addicted to him already. Unable to stand the thought of not touching him now that he’s mine, I pull him close again.

“Right then, boys, let’s go have a little dance. Then I’m gonna need some more food in me soon,” Trixy informs us. We all do as we’re told. Call us the whipped sheep crew as we ‘ baaaaa ’ along behind her. I, for one, won’t be crossing her, that’s for sure.

We sway to our own rhythm, ignoring the upbeat music as I hold Tris, clad in an awful cardigan and a hat that smells faintly of… well, let’s just say it’s seen better days. But I’m exactly where I want to be.

“Looks like Trixy approves of you,” Tris comments. “And her judgment of people has never failed before.”

“Well, I’m glad because, honestly, she scares the shit out of me.”

“She’s harmless,” Tris chuckles, “but like a grandma to me. Her giving you her hat, she’s placing her faith in you. Her trust. It’s not just an accessory, but a sign of her expectation that you’ll meet her high standards.”

“I’m deeply honoured and committed to ensuring I don’t let her or you down.” I kiss him again just because I can. Because he’s mine now. “Thank you for this, for giving us a chance.”

“Dax,” he coos, his fingers tickling the back of my neck. “I’m just so glad you came to find me. I’ve been heartsick without you. I was wallowing in my own stupidity.” He leans his forehead against mine for a moment, as if recharging himself. When he finally looks up, he says, “No need to thank me either. I mean, you totally can, but I’d rather that you fuck your thanks into me. Hard. All night long.”

Fuck! There’s my little brat. I’m trying to be all sweet and loving and his mind is in the gutter. I press my semi-hard cock against his belly, and I can tell by the way he licks his lips that he’s remembering all the things we did together. “How long till you finish up here?”

“Maybe a couple of hours? Why?”

“Just wanted to know how long I have to wait to be inside you,” I smirk.

“Fuck, Dax. That’s all I’m gonna be able to think about now while I hand out cookies.”

“Good.” I give him a quick kiss. “Now, be a good elf and help everyone out while I bring in the backpacks I made.” My voice is a low growl next to his ear. “And when you’re done, I’m going to take you home and make sure you remember who you belong to.”

A whimper catches in his throat, a strangled sound as he bites his lip, trying to hide it. I discreetly ease my hard-on before stepping back from Tris with a wink as I turn, making my way out to the car, a newfound lightness to my step that matches the feeling in my heart.