The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

square. Eyeing me curiously, he separates the two protective pieces, and a snow globe comes into view.

Well, really, it’s a sand globe. I had it custom made to mimic a snow globe, but it’s actually a mixture of real sand and a sparkly white artificial sand. It’s encased in water like a typical snow globe, but this one has the ocean and beach inside of it. The inner surface of the glass has a dark transparent layer all around it to mimic the night time. The base is black but coming out of each side stretching over the globe is a Ferris wheel. It’s black like the base, but when you turn the knob to play the music, blinking rainbow lights shine, just like the Ferris wheel he took me on in Coney Island.

Inside the globe, dark ocean waves are portrayed along the horizon with more sand at the shore.

And right on the beach is a little red barn facing the waves.

He examines it for a while, his face blank, and I’m afraid he doesn’t like it.

“Turn the knob all the way,” I instruct him, hoping that hearing his song will help change his mind if he doesn’t.

He turns the little knob until it locks, and when he lets go, a portion of the song ”Use Somebody” plays.

A smile comes to his face now, and he looks at me. “I love this so much, Nyx. Did you have this made?”

“Yeah, I had it built from scratch. I actually placed the order the week after Coney Island. I wanted to get you something that’d show you how much that night meant to me.”

Jaxon carefully places the globe back in the box and puts it on the floor. He stands in front of me, taking my hands to pull me up with him. “Thank you so much, baby. I fucking love it.” He rests his cheek on my head, running his fingers softly down my back. “Although, you’re the only gift I really need.”

“Thank you so much for the tablet. I love it so much.”

“Merry Christmas, Nyx,” he whispers.

I squeeze him so tight, I feel the muscles in my arms straining.

“Merry Christmas, Charming.”

Forty-two

Cameron

Curled up in bed, I look out the window to see the brightness of the morning in full swing, but I’m just as tired as I was last night trying to fall asleep.

We spent all of Christmas yesterday watching holiday movies. I cooked a whole chicken, along with red lentil soup, and a string bean casserole. I love the new Surface Pro Jaxon got me. I’ve never had anything this fancy, so to say I’m excited to use it is an understatement.

Jaxon spent over an hour setting it up and updating it for me. I’m so excited to try out all the new features available now that the device I’m using was made during this decade. I could even sign up for classes next semester with no worries about the computer crashing.

The bed dips as Jaxon rolls over to swing his arm over me, pulling my back into him, emphasizing each word. “Need.” Pull. “You.” Pull. “Closer.” Pull.

When I’m pressed up against his chest, I roll over and face him, his sleepy eyes staring into mine. “Good morning, Nyx.”

The smell of rotten eggs and sour milk attacks my nostrils.

I lean back, gagging dramatically. “It would be if you didn’t almost render me unconscious with your terrible morning breath!”

I pretend to gag again, and Jaxon reaches for me as I scurry away, hop off the bed, and head to the door.

I’m standing in the doorway, scolding him like a child. “Brush your teeth! You’re gonna kill someone like that!”

I make my way down the hall, hearing the bed creak behind me from Jaxon getting up. I stop by Emersyn’s room and peek in on her to make sure I didn’t wake her.

Waiting for the coffee to brew, I rest my tired head against my arm on the counter. I need caffeine. Jaxon approaches me from behind, reaching into the cupboard to grab his mug and slapping my ass in the process.

I jump up, straightening my back, and turn my head to find Jaxon grinning.

“See,” he blows his icy breath in my face. “Minty clean for you now.” Jaxon grabs me by my hips and spins me around fast to face him, my long hair slapping me in the face. “Can I get my kiss now, Nyx?”

I remove the hair from my face, give him a quick peck on his lips, and then reach for the coffee pot to get first dibs.

Emersyn goes home today, and Gelissa should be picking her up around noon. I always look forward to our little encounters. There’s nothing like dirty looks and silent judgment to ruin your post-Christmas morning.

“Daddy.” I hear the little voice coming from the hall, and Jaxon’s eyes immediately widen, his smile reaching his eyes. He turns to face Emersyn in her pink onesie pajamas.

“Come here, you.” He leans down and opens his arms wide, welcoming her in for a hug. She runs into his arms, climbing up his legs until he picks her up and kisses her little cheek. “Good morning, baby girl.”

Emersyn rubs her little belly. “I eat.”

Jaxon looks around at the options, which I know are slim unless he cooks. I don’t want him cooking for anyone, especially his own daughter. He can’t get water to boil. “I got it. I’ll make some pancakes.”

Jaxon kisses me on my forehead. “Thanks, Nyx.” Carrying Emersyn into the living room, Jaxon turns on the television. I take out a large bowl, flour, and all the other ingredients I need to make pancakes for us.

There’s a knock at the door, and I watch through the kitchen pass-through as Jaxon jogs over to see who it is. I continue cooking, silently praying the wicked witch of Williamsburg hasn’t decided to show up early.

“Where’s my little Poti?” I hear Sayeed say as he enters the house with Sam.

He always comes down to see her