The Serpent & Hawke | Mattheo Riddle | Enemies to lovers

Part 40 - Naughty or nice?

(warning: Christmas smut)

Mattheo's POV

Christmas Day arrived with a flurry of snow, and I couldn't help but roar with laughter at the sight of Lyanna spectacularly landing on her ass.

One moment she was walking beside me, the next — complete disappearance.

The snow was so deep that her entire body vanished, leaving only her pink-gloved hands flailing about like some kind of deranged winter octopus.

I doubled over, tears streaming down my face as she alternated between begging for help and cursing my entire existence.

Her laughter was infectious, even muffled by several feet of snow.

The few students passing by must have thought we'd lost our minds.

"Help me, you absolute wanker!"

She shouted, her hands making increasingly dramatic gestures.

I approached cautiously, knowing full well this could be a trap.

Lyanna had proven herself quite the strategist when it came to revenge — just like when she'd shoved me into the freezing sea on our first proper date.

That date...

It couldn't have been more perfect if I tried.

A smirk crossed my face as I remembered how she'd shown her appreciation the following morning.

The memory sent tingles to places that really shouldn't be tingling in this cold.

Surprisingly, we hadn't killed each other yet, despite Astoria's warning.

Being together for days on end had been nothing but pure bliss — like living in our own little bubble.

I'd almost managed to forget about school, my father, and all the complications that came with being a Riddle...Well, almost.

Another letter from Narcissa arrived, practically begging me to return to the manor for Christmas dinner to be with 'family.'

The word left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I knew she was worried — I hadn't replied to any of her letters, but the thought of returning to that place made my stomach churn.

No doubt she'd recruited Malfoy to convince me, but he'd already been avoiding me.

As for my father...

I didn't even want to think about whether he was there or not.

"MATTHEO!"

Lyanna yelled, her voice muffled by snow.

Finally, I grabbed her hands and yanked her up, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically as she came flying into my chest, sending us both stumbling.

She looked like a snow creature, covered from head to toe.

I helped dust her off, paying particular attention to her ass.

"Just being thorough."

I said innocently when she caught me lingering a bit too long.

Little did she know, I had something special planned for later.

Last night, I'd snuck into the kitchens to enlist the house-elves' help.

They'd been skeptical at first — particularly the head cook, who still hadn't forgiven me for breaking into the pantry and stealing snacks, more than several occasions.