Page 102 of Vicious Impulses (The Capo and Ballerina)
My cheeks warm at Caelian’s flattery. “There are many dancers who are better than I am.”
“She’s modest too,” he says.
Mom laughs, her dark eyes shining. She raises her glass. “I must say I’m truly pleased with how your union is turning out. I won’t pretend I wasn’t worried for my sweetie. But it seems you two have really fallen for each other.”
I avoid Caelian’s gaze for a second. He’s taken to raising his glass too, his undivided attention shifting onto me. The intensity of his affection permeates the space between us. An overwhelming reality on its own, let alone when I’m keeping secrets.
Mom’s watching me too. The shine no less bright in her eyes.
They’re waiting for me to raise my glass. I do after a slight pause, forcing a smile onto my face.
“To this holiday with loved ones,” Mom says.
Our glasses chink against one another before we take our sips.
Each of us rides a different wave as we do. Mom’s triumphant and eager. Caelian’s satisfied and calm. I’m a bundle of ever-increasing nerves as the night wears on.
We eventually move into the den, where Christmas music trills in the background and the massive tree glitters. We do a small exchange of gifts. Since I had no clue she would be visiting for the holiday, I have nothing to offer Mom, but Caelian’s thought ahead.
“This is truly gorgeous,” she gasps, sliding the top off the jewelry box. She holds up a pair of emerald earrings that sparkle in the light. “You two shouldn’t have.”
I tip my head up at Caelian and murmur, “I can’t believe you put my name on the gift tag.”
“Husband and wife. What’s a gift from me is a gift from you.”
“That’s conveniently in my favor this time, so I won’t complain.” I let out a soft laugh.
Mom gifts me with new ballet shoes. Caelian informs me that on top of my surprise visitor, he’ll be renovating more of the east wing.
“You need more space for your dancing,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “This house is your home, Nevi. Which means it needs to reflect that.”
Mom gives Caelian a male cologne that she says made her think of him—the scent’s heavy on earthy and woodsy notes. Caelian’s reaction is polite, making it difficult to tell if he truly likes the scent or not.
I hold out a jewelry box of my own for him to take.
“I hope you like it…”
He spends a second taken aback. He’s not only startled by the gesture, but endearingly touched by it.
“Nevi,” he says. “You got me a ring.”
“If I have to wear one…”
“Then I have to wear one too,” he finishes. A broad grin crosses his face.
We indulge in a tender kiss despite the fluttering nerves in my stomach. Mom waits until we’re separated to tell us how good we look together, but I’m not fooled—she’s really thinking about what’s to come in a few hours.
The night snowballs from there. Caelian and I share in a slow dance to soft music. He grips my small hand in his massive one and we sway around the room at a lazy, unhurried pace.
“This will be our wedding dance,” he says. “The dance I should’ve given you on our first night together.”
“It’s okay. This is just as special. Thank you for doing any of this, Cael. Christmas—any holiday—isn’t your thing, but you’ve let me put up all the lights and mistletoe I’ve wanted.”
“What can I say? You bring out a softer side in me.”
“Some would say they didn’t know it was possible for a man like you.”
“A beast,” he growls, and my smile widens. “What would you say?”