Warning: There's a tad, so small you'll barely notice, bit of sexual content. There's no details or anything explicit, but like I've always said, better to be safe than sorry. Don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.

-Violet-

"Shit!" I yelled and wrapped my hand around my finger.

James came running out of his room, stumbling to a stop in front of me. "What'd you do?" He rushed.

I looked down at the broken ornaments on the floor and back to him. "I was trying to reach the top of the tree, but instead I almost fell and dropped a couple of ornaments. I'm sorry."

James sighed and took my hands. He brought me into his room and into the bathroom. He sat me down on the closed toilet seat and retrieved a first aid kit from below his bathroom sink. "I would've helped you, Vi," He said and started cleaning the cut on my finger.

"I know, but I thought I could do it," I grumbled. "We're almost done."

"I don't care how close we are to being finished. What I do care about is you getting hurt."

He finished cleaning it up and wrapped a Band-Aid around it. "It wasn't that bad, James. But thank you for helping."

He took my other hand and cleaned the blood off of my palm. "It's fine, just call me next time, yeah?"

I caressed his face in my hands and smiled. "I promise not to be an idiot again."

James laughed and looked up at me. I leaned down and kissed his lips softly.

We left the bathroom and walked back into his living room to finish the tree. But James cleaned up the broken glass before. After we got the ornaments on the tree, James put the star on the top. We both took a few steps back to look at the completed tree. Chaos was jumping around it and it made me really nervous.

But I think it turned out pretty damn perfect.

James walked in the kitchen to order take out and then announced, "Dinner will be here in twenty!"

I sighed and fell back on the couch. Chaos jumped up easily and lay across my lap. He's not a lap dog, that's for sure, but it doesn't stop him from trying. I ruffled my fingers through his fur and he wagged his tail in response. James came back into the living room and sat down next to me. "How was your week?" He asked.

"Okay," I answered. "Definitely better than last weekend. And I love working for your mom, too. Super easy to work for."

James smiled. "That's good to hear."

I smiled back. "What about you? How's everything going with your dad?"

He shrugged a shoulder. "Nothing's changed. But everything else is pretty damn good."

Chaos jumped off my lap and I took the opportunity to move closer to James. He pulled me against his side and I rested my head on his shoulder. I let my eyes close and James kissed my forehead. "What about Cristin?"

"Haven't seen much of her since the internship ended so I guess that's good too."

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. "What isn't that good is that I only saw you once this week." I moved a hand to his jaw. "That needs to change."

His lips curved into a small smile. "I have to agree."

I brought his lips down to mine for a small kiss. "We didn't finish our conversation from last weekend," I whispered against his lips.

I felt his grin twist. "I'm going to need more time to finish that conversation."

"How much?"

"At least a night." He pecked my lips and pulled back to look in my eyes. "Maybe you can spare me one tonight?"

"I think I can." I pressed my lips to his again for a second. "I'll tell my mom I'm spending the night."

About that time the doorbell rang and James stood off the couch. While he went to get the food, I pulled my phone out and sent my mom a message to let her know I'd be spending the night at James's. It's a Saturday night and I told her I'd be home in the morning and I added that she doesn't need to worry. That's all my mom does anymore.

James came back in the room with food and my stomach growled. When he laughed I knew he had heard it.

He brought the food to the kitchen table and spread the food out while I retrieved plates. We sat across from each other and piled our plates with food.

It felt cozy in his apartment. It's always felt cozy, but something about the Christmas tree made it feel even more like home. I'm so comfortable around James that I do feel like it's home here. James is home to me and I don't want to let that go. I just want to be enveloped by the feeling.

As I looked at James, I knew one thing. "You know what?"

"What?" He took a bite of his food and watched me.

I searched his face for a second until my eyes landed on his. "I love you."

At first he looked shocked. His blue eyes widened a bit and I wanted to die right there.

Why did I just blurt that? Was I an idiot?

Actually that's up for debate. I definitely felt like one. "I'm sorry—"

"Why are you apologizing?" He interrupted.

"It was stupid—"

"No," He said and scooted his chair closer to mine. "Then if that was stupid, then I want to do something stupid too. Because I love you."

My heartbeat sped up and my breathing hitched in my throat. "Is it really stupid?"

James laughed lightly and leaned in close to me. "Of course not." He caressed my face in his palms and kissed me slowly before pulling back an inch. "If you didn't say it, I was going to."

A laugh tumbled out. "Better late than never."

He pulled me back in for another kiss, but longer this time.

The casualty of it all was calming. I haven't said that since Reese left and I've never been so sure when I said it James. Of course I've said it to my mom and brothers, but this is completely different. I just look at James and I know it. I feel it in my chest. It's a feeling I'll never forget.

* * *

"No." I giggled.

"Here?" James asked as he pressed his fingertips against my wrist.

I snorted. "No, but that's a good one."

He lifted my wrist to his lips anyway and left a small, gentle kiss. "I told you I'll get it right eventually."

I sighed and closed my eyes. "We'll see about that."

James kept his word about finding my ultimate weak spot. It was quite comical, actually. If anything I've gotten more laughs out of it.

I was lying in his bed with an arm folded behind my head while he was lying next to me on his side. He glanced up at me, grinned, and then moved to kneel beside me. "I think I have an idea..." He trailed off in a whisper. His grin turned into a crooked smirk as he reached for the hem of my shirt. "May I?"

"If you must," I teased and let out a laugh.

James slowly pushed up the hem of my t-shirt, letting it rest right above my hips. I sucked in a shaky breath when his fingers skimmed over the skin of my hips.

He looked at me and smiled. "I believe I am getting close."

I mentally shook myself and pushed a nervous smile. "Maybe."

His smile only widened as he pushed my shirt further up until it was rolled up inches above my stomach. He let his fingers trickle over my abdomen, tracing circles over my hips, and resting on the curve of my waist.

James knew he was victorious when I shivered under his touch. "And it only took me fifteen minutes."

I started laughing without really meaning to. "Only fifteen minutes," I mocked sarcastically. "I'll give you credit for finding it."

He smiled deviously and that made my heart skip.

With the slight bend of his neck, he leaned down to press his lips against my waist. Without much resistance, my eyes closed and I heard James laugh. He was attentive to the small spot. Light kisses were placed on my waist, trailed down to my hip and across the waistband of my jeans to the other hip. His tongue barely grazed my skin and I was fighting the moan that was bubbling up.

I threw my free arm over my eyes and breathed harshly.

His lips were warm on my stomach, fluttering over back to my waist. I felt the chills speed down to my fingertips, all the way down to my toes.

James wrapped his fingers around mine and brought my wrist to his lips again. He dragged his bottom lip up my forearm, twisting my arm around to kiss up to my shoulder. He nudged my neck with his nose, kissing softly up and against my jaw until his lips met mine.

I responded immediately, my mouth parting against his as I took in a gasped breath. One of my hands flew to the nape of his neck, the other against his cheek. He balanced himself on either side of me on his hands. His body was lightly pressed against mine and I felt like if I didn't have him closer that I'd probably lose my mind.

He pulled away and left rough kisses against my neck, over the swell of my chest, and up the other side of my neck. My fingers slid into his hair, easily wrapping around strands and tugging to earn a moan from him. "Do...you..." I tried breathlessly.

"Yeah," He breathed against my neck and nibbled on the sensitive skin.

James pulled away long enough to retrieve what we needed from his bedside table drawer. And after that, he reached behind his head to remove his shirt and throw it on the floor. Mine followed soon after and we were pressed together again.

His fingers fumbled with the button of my jeans and when I say fumbled, I mean fumbled. He stopped kissing me long enough to look down and I started laughing. "Nervous much?"

James chuckled. "Nervous? No. James doesn't do nervous."

"James shouldn't talk in third person either."

"James is going to kick your pretty little ass," He joked with a smile.

"I have all night." I grinned.

Another second went by and he popped the button open. I arched my back long enough for him to slip the jeans down my legs and onto the floor with the rest of our clothes.

James gripped my chin in one hand and his lips fell on mine.

What happened next could barely be explained. For once, everything was right. We moved together at a steady rhythm, we shared words I've never said to anyone, and this heat that warmed me to my heart and enveloped my body. Nothing has ever felt as right as that moment we shared. Nothing will ever compare to a feeling so overwhelming, exciting, and scary at the same time. I do know it's one of the best feelings in the world.

And I can't wait to experience it again.

* * *

I woke up the next morning cold.

The sheet wrapped around me did nothing to help my body warm to the cold temperature of James's apartment. I sat up long enough to pull the blanket that ended up at the foot of the bed. Then I noticed James wasn't next to me and my heart sank a little.

Instead of moving though, I sank further into his bed wrapped up in a thick blanket and a sheet.

His bedroom door opened quietly and closed with a faint click. The other side of the bed dipped and I felt James behind me.

"Where'd you go?" I asked in a whisper.

"Chaos was about to use my kitchen as his bathroom," He replied in a whisper.

I couldn't help my laugh. "Well I'm cold."

"That sounds like a problem," He said and moved up closer behind me. He snaked and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest and burying his face in my shoulder. "But of course I'm here so save the day as always."

"I'm going to kick you out of bed," I mumbled.

James chuckled and tightened his hold. "Do you want me to make breakfast?"

"You can cook?"

"Well..." He trailed off. "I know how to cook breakfast and that's the limit of my cooking abilities."

I let out a small laugh. "Then I'll take you up on that offer."

"Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen." He pecked my cheek and removed himself off the bed. When I heard the door open and close again, I got up with the sheet wrapped tight around me so I could collect my clothes. I walked into James's bathroom and got dressed quickly. Pulling the hair tie from my wrist, I put my hair into a ponytail and washed my face before brushing my teeth. I checked my reflection and sighed. Good enough.

I made my way out of James's room and into the kitchen where James was. "Whatever it is, it already smells good," I commented.

He looked at me and smiled. "I don't want to scare you away."

"So far, so good then." I walked up closer to him and stood on my toes to give him a quick kiss. "Also, do you think you'll be able to pick me up from work tomorrow? Your mom wants me to work late and my mom is working later."

"Of course." He pecked my lips once more before going back to what he was doing. "I have to talk to my mom about something anyway."

* * *

I was sitting at my desk the following day after school, writing down messages left for Claire when she couldn't take phone calls.

It's also the time when the elevator opened and David stepped onto the floor.

I half expected to see James, but in no way was I expecting to see his father.

It's weird how nervous he made me and it was crazy how much James resembled him. The walk, the height, and the same gray-blue eyes. David definitely made me more nervous than James ever did.

As he sauntered up the middle, he glanced my way and my breathing stopped. When he got closer, I pushed a smile. "Good evening, Mr. Roedan."

He paused in front of my desk, putting on one of those fake smiles I've seen many times. "Hello...Violet is it?"

"Yes, Sir," I replied meekly.

"Sorry," He said.

"It's okay—"

"I just usually forget the names of the girls my son dates. No offense."

Asshole. "I hope you have a good night, Mr. Roedan."

"You too...Violet." He grinned and walked into Claire's office.

I looked and she had been on the phone. She hung up when she noticed her ex-husband looming at the edge of her desk with his hands in his pockets. She didn't look very pleased. Then David turned, and I thought he was going to leave, but instead he closed the office doors as Claire rose up from the desk.

Well that wasn't good.

I tried to get back to work, but I was too bugged to even think straight. Who does David think he is? I'm glad James didn't inherit that. Or if he did, he got it out in high school. Because he's nothing like his father now.

Speaking of James, the elevator opened up to reveal him. I sighed with relief as he walked closer. His smile widened and he came to a stop in front of my desk. "Who's in there?" He asked, jerking his thumb in the direction of his mom's office.

"Your dad," I grumbled.

He glanced at the door and back to me. "What'd he say to you?"

I shook my head. "Nothing," I lied.

"Liar." He placed his hands flat on my desk and leaned in close to me. "Your cheeks are red."

I shrugged. "It's hot in here."

"Liar," He repeated. "What the hell did he say to you, Violet?"

"Leave it alone, James," I pushed. "Let me tell your mom I'm leaving."

"Violet—"

"Drop it." I stood up. "I'll be back."

James clenched his mouth shut, his blue eyes turning cold. "We'll talk in the car."

I ignored him and walked up to Claire's office doors. I knocked twice and took a small step back as I waited. The door swung open a few seconds later and David stood tall in front of me. But I looked around him to Claire. "James is here."

She moved around her desk and walked past David and me both to get to James. Claire didn't look happy until she saw James and she hugged him quickly.

Feeling weird, I walked away from David and up to where Claire stood with James. He didn't hesitate to pull me close by the waist absentmindedly while he talked to his mom.

David walked up to us, stopping next to Claire with a grin on his face. "So, when are you and Violet coming over for dinner?"

Oh, so he remembers my name now.

"I don't know, Dad," James answered a little harshly. "We're both busy."

"Well when you find time in your busy schedule," He glanced at me, "call me and we'll set something up. Sara is a great cook."

Gag.

"Okay, Dad." James looked back to his mom. "I'll call you tomorrow."

Claire nodded. "See you tomorrow, Vi."

I nodded and James steered me away from his parents and into the elevator. James visibly relaxed until we got into the car. He waited until we were on the main road before saying anything. "What ever he said to you, ignore it and don't let it get to you."

I shrugged. "I already know he doesn't like me," I murmured.

James reached over the center console and grabbed my hand. "He doesn't like anyone. But he has no right treating you badly and it wouldn't have happened if I was there—"

"James, it's okay—"

"Stop saying it's okay, Violet, because it's not. He hasn't been nice to you since you started the internship. And he's only doing it to piss me off." He pulled his hand from mine and placed it back on the steering wheel.

"Do you remember what you told me that night I asked you to pick me up when we weren't talking?"

"I said a lot of things, Vi."

"I told you that Gray doesn't like you and your dad hates me," I said.

"And I told you that it shouldn't matter." He sighed. "And it doesn't. My dad won't tear us apart."

I did my best to lean over the center and press a kiss to his cheek. "I know."

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WOOOOOOOO a lot happened in this chapter hahaha. Still not writing explicit, detailed scenes. Just not fully comfortable or good at it. I'm so awkward when it comes to writing intimate scenes and I'm 21...still working on it tho.

ALSO IT WOULD SERIOUSLY MEAN THE WORLD TO ME IF YOU CHECKED OUT MY NEW BOOK CALLED 'BEST KEPT SECRET'. IT'S MY CHRISTMAS STORY I WON'T SHUT UP ABOUT SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT!!! :)

AND PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT ON THIS CHAPTER AS WELL? :) LOVE YOU GGGGGUUUUUUYYYSSS! <3

Song: Roman Holiday by Halsey (Listened to this album while writing this chapter so it's only fitting AND THIS SONG IS EVERYTHING)