Love Novel 86

I’m so tired at this point.
The warmth from dinner still lingers in the air, and I can smell the scent of roasted meat and cinnamon. My half-eaten
slice of pie sits on the coffee table and I lean closer into Aiden’s side.
We ate too much, and now the four of us have all settled in the living room. The chaos of cooking and eating has finally
died down and now we’re watching the lights on the Christmas tree in silence.
They twinkle and light music plays in the background.
Zaid is on my other side, so I am perfectly tucked between the two of them. The heat of their bodies keeps me warm
despite the way my short red dress barely covers my legs.
I’m still reeling from the fact that Zaid bought it for me, that he thought of me when he saw it. And judging by the way
his thigh presses against mine, the subtle way his fingers trace absentminded patterns on the couch near my hand, he’s
been admiring it all night.
I grab onto the hem of my dress, imagining that it is Zaid’s fingers that brush my skin.
Aiden has an arm draped over my shoulders, his fingers brushing against my collarbone as he leans in and presses a kiss
to the side of my head. “You look so damn sexy,” he murmurs against my ear, his lips barely brushing my skin. “And I
can’t wait to get you out of this dress tonight.”
Heat floods my cheeks, spreading down my neck.
Across from me, Jake clears his throat and takes a slow sip of his whiskey. I glance at him, my stomach flipping at the way
his gaze flickers over my legs, dark and intense. He’s been watching me all night. Hungry. And god, am I hungry for him,
too.
He sets his glass down and leans forward, stretching to grab a small box from under the tree. “Time to open presents.”
I smile, still basking in the warmth of the moment, until Jake turns and hands the small box directly to me.
I blink, my smile faltering. “Wait, what?”
He looks down at the box, then at me.
“This is for me?” I stammer.
Jake nods, his expression unreadable.
Aiden lets out a low whistle. “Damn, Dad. That’s nice of you.”
My mouth is still slightly open in shock as I carefully unwrap the box. The moment I lift the lid, my breath catches.
A pair of stunning, glistening diamond earrings sit nestled in black velvet, catching the glow of the Christmas tree lights.
My fingers shake as I touch them, my heart hammering in my chest.
“Jake—this is too much,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I can’t accept this.”
Jake takes another slow sip of his whiskey before setting it down, leveling me with a firm gaze. “As long as you’re a Matthews girl, you’ll have whatever you want and need.”
The weight of his words sinks deep into my bones. He isn’t just talking about the earrings. He isn’t talking about me as
his son’s girlfriend; his meaning is so much more.
I swallow hard, nodding slightly, though I can feel the heat crawling up my neck. Before I can say anything else, Aiden
gets up and grabs another present from under the tree, grinning as he hands it to me.
“Here you go, baby.”
I take it with trembling fingers, carefully unwrapping the box. My stomach tightens as I pull out a delicate gold necklace,
and a piece of silky, barely there lingerie.
My cheeks flame as I quickly shove the lingerie back into the box, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Aiden chuckles from beside me, his fingers at my collarbone dropping lower until he grazes the top of my breast.
Jake clicks his tongue, his voice sharp. “Aiden, don’t be inappropriate.”
But when I look at him, his expression isn’t just disapproving. It’s jealous. His fingers are white from how hard he grips
onto the glass in his hands.
I force a small smile and turn to Aiden, holding up the necklace. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
I press a soft kiss to his lips, trying to ignore the weight of Jake’s stare and the lacey garment still in the box.
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Then Zaid stands, retrieving a bigger box from under the tree. When he hands it to me, I frown, glancing at him.
He just nods toward it, silently urging me to open it.
I do. And the moment I see what’s inside, my heart stops.
A painting.
Not just any painting. One of his paintings. My father’s.
A strangled sound escapes my throat as I cover my mouth, tears instantly pricking my eyes. I trace my fingers over the
canvas, over the familiar strokes, the shades of color I remember watching him mix when I was a little girl. “I—I thought
my mom got rid of them all after he died.”
Zaid shifts closer, his voice soft. “She didn’t.”
I let out a quiet sob before launching myself into his arms, holding onto him like he just handed me a piece of my soul.
“Thank you.”
He rubs slow circles on my back, his fingers gentle, grounding.
When I finally pull away, he wipes the tears from my cheeks with careful hands, dark eyes watching me like I am
everything to him. My gaze flickers to Jake, who is watching me with narrowed eyes, his jaw tight.
Zaid clears his throat, nodding toward the last gift under the tree. “That one’s for you, too.”
I blink. “Wait—what?”
I get up, moving toward the tree and picking up the last present. They were all for me?
Swallowing hard, I unwrap the box and open it. The moment I see what’s inside, warmth spreads through my chest.
A sketchbook. Embroidered with my name, and a set of charcoal pencils.
My vision blurs slightly as I stare down at them, my fingers running over the cover. I snap my gaze to Zaid, a thousand
emotions rushing through me at once. A thousand words I want to say.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice raw.
Zaid just nods, his gaze holding mine for a long, quiet moment.
I exhale sharply and glance between the three of them, guilt creeping into my chest. “I feel bad. I didn’t get anything for
you guys.”
Aiden grins, leaning back against the couch. “You’re my gift, baby.”
Zaid gives me a subtle nod in agreement.
Jake, on the other hand, runs his tongue across his teeth, his jaw clenching. Then, without a word, he abruptly stands and
leaves the room.
I watch him go, my chest tightening.
Minutes later, Zaid, Aiden, and I are in the kitchen, lazily eating ice cream straight from the bucket as we clean up.
I yawn, stretching. “I think I’m gonna head to bed. I’m really tired.”
They both look at me expectantly.
I huff out a soft chuckle. “Alone.”
They look at each other, disappointed but they nod.
I press a kiss to each of their lips and whisper goodnight before heading to my room.
But the moment I close the door behind me, it creaks open again.
I turn, and Jake steps inside, shutting the door behind him.