Chapter 2

As Mr. and Mrs. Wardle left to close the apothecary shop that evening, Nova and Ash settled on the sofa. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the cheek. She sighed and settled against him. Together, they watched the log burn in the fireplace.

"Merry Christmas," she said.

"Happy solstice," he said with a smile showing his brilliant white teeth.

"You remembered?"

"Of course, snow. I'm grateful you're celebrating Christmas with me."

"You're so amazing, Ramsey."

He made a face. Ramsey was a family name. Desiring to be his own man, he preferred to go by Ash, a nickname that Nova was aware of. She enjoyed teasing him, saying that Ramsey was a strong name. She'd told him she'd like to pass the name onto a son of her their own one day. The thought of children seemed too soon for the teen, but there was no doubt Nova was his future.

"And you're fucking adorable."

She swatted him with the back of her hand. "Watch your mouth," she cautioned.

"You're going to love my mouth soon." He grinned.

His crass words had their intended effect. She squirmed next to him, and his lips descended to her throat. He sucked hard until she squealed and then soothed the spot with his tongue.

"I relish in your sweet taste, snow."

"Ash—" She blushed.

"I want to give you your present first," Ash said as he jumped off the couch. He plucked the present from underneath the tree.

It was a small squared box wrapped in white tinsel paper that glittered in the soft glow of the firelight. When he placed it in Nova's hands, she gasped softly.

He watched her face in anticipation as she pulled the iridescent ribbon from the package. She carefully unwrapped the paper, trying not to rip it.

"You know most people tear into the paper to get to the present immediately."

"This paper is so beautiful, it would be a shame to tear into it. In the commune, lavish spending isn't common. Instead of wrapping paper, we use gift bags because they can be saved and reused the following year."

Ash remembered first meeting Nova.

His mother visited the apothecary monthly for a tincture to calm her anxiety. She was overwrought when she accidentally spilled it and sent him to pick it more for her.

Wardle Apothecary was on the main road that separated the town's limits from the commune. A tinkling bell overhead alerted his presence as he walked through the door. A sense of peacefulness greeted him, along with a powerful herbal scent. He inhaled deeply, allowing his senses to become invigorated.

When he opened his eyes, which he hadn't realized he had closed, a pixie goddess stood before him with a wide, full-lipped smile. Her hazel eyes were slightly upturned under dark lashes. She had a small gathering of freckles on her nose and left cheek.

"Welcome to Wardle Apothecary. Can I help you find something?"

He swallowed and shook his head. She giggled and tilted her head thoughtfully. Though she was a head shorter than him, he shrunk in embarrassment. He cleared his throat and willed his racing heart to return to a normal pace.

"I'm Ramsey Ashford Hayes," he introduced himself with an outstretched hand, hoping she would take it. His etiquette became his excuse to touch the nymph.

But she surprised him by throwing her arms out and hugging him. "Why didn't you say Mrs. Nancy was your mom? I've been waiting ever since she called. Her tincture is almost ready."

He fell for her instantly. He made every excuse to stop by for a week while he gathered the courage to ask her on a date. When she agreed, it was music to his ears.

Ash loved how Nova approached everything with childlike wonder. He joked and called her Snow because she was as pure of heart as a storybook princess.

The dark-stained oak base was adorned with a silver engraved plate containing their names and the year. The clear glass dome covered a majestic wonderland. Several trees lined a portion representing a forest. A bird sat in the boughs of a decorated tree in front of a tiny, cozy cabin. A mighty buck stood guard while his Doe grazed.

"I had this specially designed for you. My family owns a cabin at the base of a mountain. Some of my happiest holidays were spent there. That's where we're going tomorrow." Ash pointed to different details in the snow globe.

The tree in the front yard was decorated with twinkling lights and icicle crystals that shimmered in the light instead of tinsel. The Northern Cardinal sat atop the tree, allowing the bird a sentient view over the dome. Their initials were carved in the bark encircled by a heart.

She wound the tiny key on the bottom. A tinkling piano melody sounded with such beauty it brought tears to her eyes. Snow swirled around the glass, bringing the interior to life.

"Oh, Ash. This is amazing!" she exclaimed.

"I composed the song myself. I hear it every time I'm at my piano. My fingers danced across the keys, bringing my feelings to life."

Nova brushed the tears from her cheeks. "When I set my intentions and asked the goddess to bless me with love. How did I know I would get so lucky?"

Nova placed the snow globe on the hearth and flew into Ash's arms. Her hand brushed against his smooth cheek.

"It's time for your gift now," she said, her lips a hairbreadth away from his.

He closed the gap in an instant, claiming her mouth and offering her what they both craved. He gently scraped her lower lip with his teeth. She opened to him with a moan, and he penetrated her mouth. Their tongues danced as their hands explored each other.

Ash scooped her up, brought her to the couch, and sat with her astride his lap. He ran his hand through her dark hair and cradled her head before lightly tugging her hair, breaking the kiss.

"You are heartbreakingly beautiful, snow."

Her hazel eyes glistened as she said, "I love you, Ash."

He smiled and pressed his forehead against hers.

"I love you too," he replied.

Their lips found their way together again as though drawn by magnets. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. He relished in the feeling of her chest pressed against his. The sweet herbal scent that was unique to her ensnared his senses.

He slid his hand down Nova's back and cupped her ass, encouraging her to rock back and forth in his lap. Her breath hitched as he hardened beneath her. She grabbed onto his flannel shirt to balance herself.

"I've got you, Nova. You're safe with me. I'll never hurt you."

They kissed again with renewed passion. He buried his face in her neck, gently sucking on her skin. He soothed her warm skin with open mouth kisses.

"That feels amazing," she moaned.

Their bodies continued to grind against each other. Their love sparked an ardent fire that couldn't be denied. The soft sounds spilling from Nova's mouth drove Ash wild. He was ready to take their relationship to the next level, but he wasn't going to push.

Pulling himself free from the frenzy between them, he kissed Nova on the forehead.

"We should stop, little bunny."

Nova groaned in frustration, rubbing herself hard and slow in his lap. It was torturous to stop her, but he was firm.

She slipped from his lap with a pout. Ash leaned in and took her lower lip between his teeth with a growl.

She gently pushed back and sank to her knees before him. She brushed her fingers up and down his thighs. "It's time for your gift now."

"No, snow. You don't need to do this."

Nova nuzzled against his thigh, and the weight of his arousal strained against his zipper. The adoration he felt reflected in her hazel eyes.

"I'm ready to bind myself to you. I love you, Ramsey. There won't be anyone else but you."

Her hand slid up his inner thigh and grazed the line of his clothed cock. He groaned and felt as though he would melt at her simple touch. Let alone how her mouth or virginal pussy would feel.

Looking into her eyes, he stilled her hand. "Are you sure?"

She nodded and moved her hands to his zipper. He sucked in a deep breath and felt lightheaded as all his blood rushed into his cock, which begged to be released. His hands fumbled over hers as his penis couldn't break free from the metal-toothed prison fast enough.

He almost came the moment Nova's soft hand touched his burning flesh. There were no words to describe the feeling of being in love and seeing her pink lips wrapped around his cock. She was made for loving him. It wasn't long before he erupted in her mouth, and she swallowed him down.

"I love you, Nova," he said sincerely. "I want you to know I will cherish tonight forever."