His lips tripped across mine before they found their way to my neck.

His kisses were delicate, tender, as they fluttered across my skin, one hand pressed into the pillow behind my neck, the other sneaking under my winter dress, and tracing the waistband on my stockings around my hip.

My pulse raced, echoed by Adams in his chest as his body pressed into mine. One of my hands wrapped around his neck, while the other began to slowly pull at his shirt, slowly untucking it from his trousers.

His warmth surrounded me, the chill of the cold room moments ago feeling like a distant memory.

My heart beat in waves across my body, and I tried to enjoy every sensation he gave me. 

For the first time in my life, despite the joy of the music in my veins as I danced with Adam, I had grown weary of it after a few songs, deciding instead to retire early for the night,

and I invited Adam to join me.

The music from downstairs was now a dull hum through the walls, the joy still thrumming through my veins,

But I had no desire to go back,

I felt his thumb pull down my stockings just slightly, as his kisses paused at the small of my neck and breath teased against my skin. He hesitated for a moment before his thumb traced tenderly down my exposed hipbone, making my breath falter as my heart beat quicker in my chest.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Dai-POPPY! Poppy! Are you in there?" Ashley shouted over the din of the music.

Adam let out an irritated chuckle as he reluctantly pulled himself off of me, looking towards the door.

"Yes, I just decided to retire early for the night," I called back, pulling myself onto my elbows as I met Adam's gaze, which was still heated as a dimpled smile crossed his face once more. "You both go enjoy the music."

"Uh—What?" Ashlely scoffed, "But the night is so young! Come down and dance! You might meet someone—"

"It's okay, I'm not really interested in that." I interupted her, as Adam slowly leaned back over me, wrapping an arm around my back as he began to kiss the skin under my jaw.

"You aren't?" Ashley responded, her tone filled with shock, "But there are so many handsome men out tonight, I even invited a friend from dinner to come and meet you later, he's very tall—"

Adam stopped, his warm breath tickling against the sensitive skin, his arm tightening around me, pulling me tighter against his chest.

"I-" My voice strained as I struggled to focus on what I needed to say to get Ashley to leave me alone, "I don't—"

"Are you not feeling very well, Poppy? Do you need us to get you anything?"

His other hand was creeping under my dress again, his touch tantalizing as it trailed up my thigh.

"I am excellent." I shouted in response, my strained voice almost betraying me, "but thank you..."

"Okay, well, we got you a gift, as a yule present, maybe you can open it before you go to sleep—"

I let out a groan, mentally cursing Ashley out as I reluctantly pushed Adam off of me. It was apparent I was not going to get rid of her easily,

I swung my legs off the bed and quickly walked over to the small wash bin mirror, fixing my hair and dress, smiling as I caught Adam watching me, his shirt half untucked and his face like a child watching someone take away a rare treat. His eyes almost looked like an innocent puppy's, even though I am sure that if Ashley hadn't interupted, he would have been far from it.

Trying to open the door as little as possible, I peeked out at Ashley and Jeremy, giving them the best fake smile I could muster.

"A yule present for me? You two really shouldn't have."

"Oh dear! Are you sure you are alright! You look flustered—"

"Yes, I am fine, but I would love to get back to sleeping. I think I drank too much already," I responded with a nervous laugh. "Sorry."

"Oh dear, well, you are still in your day clothes, did you forget your—"

"No, no! I'm fine, thank you, Ashley." I interupted, trying to hide my impatience, "but you are so sweet to worry about me. You guys enjoy the rest of the festivities for me, okay?"

Ashley knit her brow, her husband behind her unconsciously mimicking her worried expression as they watched me with unconvinced smiles.

 "Okay, well, we got you a new winter fur cap for you to—"

I hurriedly swept my arm out of the door, but it seemed, even despite my haste, the door opened just enough for Ashley to catch sight of Adam still on my bed, as she let out a quick gasp in surprise, before her eyes met mine. Her gaze turned confused as she glanced back at Adam in recognition.

"W-Wait— Peter?"

"Peter?" Jeremy repeated from behind her, confused, having not seen through the gap in the door.

I shut my eyes tightly in embarrassment as I heard Adam crawl off the bed, retucking his shirt as he came up behind me with an embarrassed chuckle. Smoothly, he set a warm hand on the small of my back, as if in reassurance, as he leaned through the door to greet the couple as well.

"Hello again, Ashley, Jeremy. " He said, biting the inside of his cheek as he gave them a guilty grin.

"Wha—" Jeremy began, before he let out a loud laugh, slapping his thigh before grabbing his wife's arm. "Come on, dear, I think we both know she's in good hands with Peter. Let's head back downstairs and leave them alone."

"Quite so, Jeremy," Adam said, sending the other man a wink, as he leaned against the doorframe, reaching for the hat in Ashley's hand that now hung limp at her side in shock.

"Wait, but—" Ashley began looking between me and Adam, "D-Poppy, this is Peter, the man who helped save you—"

"Yeah, I know." I interupted, giving Ashley a forced smile. "He introduced himself to me tonight. He recognized me while I was dancing."

"Ah..." Ashley said, the shock still evident on her face, "Well, don't feel like you owe him anything, Poppy dear, don't let him guilt—"

"Ashley!" Adam scoffed, "Seriously? After all the time we three spent looking after her together, is that really what you think of me?"

"Well, of course not, Peter, but—" Ashley began, before letting out a sharp laugh, "We both know Poppy has been through enough, so I don't want—"

"I am fine, Ashley," I interupted with a smile. " I appreciate you trying to protect me, and your gift is super thoughtful. Thank you again."

"Yes, well—" Ashley said, her face still flustered, "You two have your fun in your... yule time festivities! Goodnight, you two. "

I reluctantly closed the door as the couple finally headed back downstairs to the tavern. 

I leaned my back against the door in embarrassment as I blinked up at Adam while he braced his arms on either side of me.

"What do you want?" He asked, his tone low as his gaze searched mine, his nearby warmth reassuring against the embarrassment that had, moments ago, made my blood run cold.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you want to continue enjoying the Yule downstairs with your friends?" He said, "I won't be upset, as long as you don't mind me tagging along.  They were technically my friends first."

"Do you want to do that?" I asked, feeling guilty for the part of me that did feel like enjoying more of the Yule. 

"I want to be with you.  Like I said before, you tell me what you want, and I'll do it."

The slight urge to join my friends downstairs quickly faded at his words. 

 I tried to hold back my smile, tilting my head as I gave him a suspicious smile. 

"I thought I only won a single wager with you. What's with these extra wishes?" I murmured, my eyes lingering on his lips.

He let out a low chuckle, "How about we make another wager?"

"Oh?"

"I bet I can make every last one of your wishes come true."

I let out a surprised laugh despite myself, and I gave him a doubtful smile. 

"Oh? Every single one?"

"Yes."

"And if you lose, then what?"

"Then I owe you another wish."

I laughed again as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Okay, well, it seems like either way I win, don't I?"

"Not at all," he said, nuzzling into my cheek. "As I was the one who wanted this wager to begin with. Your win will fulfill my wish. "

"You are crazy, beserker," I murmured, my fingers moving down his neck until they trailed along his scars.

He smiled as his lips found my mine again, his body weight pressing into me once more.

"Only for you, Daisy."