Dominick closed his eyes at Jeniva’s soft request, a curious smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He waited not for long until she whispered for him to open them.
He obeyed, his gaze landing on a small box wrapped in exquisite, shimring paper and tied with a perfectly looped bow.
"Your Christmas gift," Jeniva said with excitent.
Dominick carefully untied the ribbon, mindful of her effort, and peeled back the paper to reveal a heavy box. When he lifted the lid, he found a beautifully crafted, Christmas-inspired lamp.
It was a glass sphere, clear as crystal. At the flick of a small switch on the base, a soothing lody began to play, and a miniature world ca to life. Tiny, glittering flakes of snow began to swirl inside the globe, falling gently over a cottage nestled in a forest of frosted pines.
The warm glow of the lamp illuminated the intricate details of the winter scene, casting a soft, amber light over Dominick’s face. For a mont, the Prince was silent, srized by the simple, peaceful beauty of the gift.
"Did you not like it? I was honestly at a loss for what to give you," Jeniva admitted, her hand moving to the back of her head in a nervous habit. "I’ve never actually given a present to a man before, so the whole process was a bit difficult for ."
Dominick remained silent for a second longer, his gaze fixed on the miniature snow falling within the glass. Finally, he looked up, his eyes eting hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. She quickly lowered her hand to her lap, her fingers twisting together as she waited for his verdict.
"It is a beautifully thought-out gift, Jeniva. I truly like it," Dominick finally spoke, his voice low and sincere.
"Really?" she asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes. It’s perfect," Dominick said, his hand reaching out to brush the side of the glowing sphere. "Whenever I look at this, it will remind of this place, of this night." A warm, genuine smile spread across his lips, one that reached his eyes. "Thank you, Jeniva, for being with tonight and don’t let feel lonely."
"I’m happy you liked it. You can keep it on your bedside table and turn it on every night before you sleep," Jeniva suggested.
"I will," Dominick promised. He carefully nestled the glass sphere back into its protective box. He paused then, watching her.
Jeniva had closed her eyes, her hands clasped tightly together in a silent prayer. The soft light of the restaurant caught the line of her throat, and for a mont, the Prince simply observed the peace on her face.
Dominick signaled the waiter, settling the bill with a discreet nod, before leading Jeniva out. As they reached the car, Jeniva instinctively reached for the handle, ready to retreat into the safety of the tinted windows. But Dominick caught the door before she could open it.
"Let’s take a walk," he said. He leaned past her to set the gift box safely on the backseat and shut the door with a firm thud.
"Are you sure?" Jeniva asked, her gaze darting around the street with sudden worry. "What if people recognize you?"
Dominick looked at the snow-dusted pavent and then back at her. "No one will see us," he said, putting back the car keys into the pocket of his overcoat before holding his hand.
~~~~~
Karn watched Aisha from across the suite, her silhouette frad by the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the vast expanse of the ocean. Aisha held her wine glass, sipping slowly before tilting her head to look at Karn.
"You look upset," Karn noted. He stepped forward, extending a gift bag toward her. "By the way, your Christmas present."
Aisha reached out and accepted the gift as she set her glass down on the marble-topped round table. The rich wine she had been consuming since the cruise party had left her cheeks red.
"Thank you," Aisha said softly. She moved away from the window and lowered herself onto the plush velvet settee. She carefully drew a navy blue box from the wrapping and eased it open. Resting against the silk lining was a delicate gold bracelet.
Her eyes widened, the shimr of the gold reflecting in her gaze as she looked up at Karn. "It’s too expensive, Karn. I can’t possibly—"
"I felt it would be the perfect gift for you," he interrupted. Without waiting for a protest, he dropped to one knee before her. He gently lifted the sleeve of her left arm, his fingers brushing against her skin as he fastened the clasp around her wrist.
Aisha held her arm up, watching the gold glint against her skin. "It really is perfect," she admitted. Then, her brows arched in sudden realization. "Wait, when did you even asure my wrist?"
Karn looked up at her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I didn’t. I just followed my intuition and guessed. I want you to rember that you’re not alone anymore. And this bracelet will always remind you that."
Aisha leaned down, her senses clouded by the wine and the intimacy of the mont. Her hands reached out to cup his cheeks as she pressed her lips to his.
"Uh, I-I..." she stamred, pulling back for a fleeting second as she bit her bottom lip. But Karn didn’t let her retreat. His hand slid firmly to the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he tilted her face up to et his, initiating a much deeper, more commanding kiss this ti.
In the heat of the shift, the navy velvet box slipped unheeded from Aisha’s lap, thudding softly onto the carpeted floor of the suite.
Her heart was racing as she adjusted her position on the settee, her hands sliding up the hard muscle of his arms until they reached his shoulders. Finally, she locked her fingers behind his neck, pulling him closer.
Reviews
All reviews (0)