We stop to caress and kiss beneath an archway made of plants. I’m not sure what plants, as they’re covered in snow and not in bloom, but it’s still a magical place to show Damon how into him I am. I love how masterful his kisses are. Gentle, yet commanding, as he holds my hip possessively, like he’s claiming me. Well, I’m happy to be claimed by him. He’s making all my fantasies come true right now, including some I haven’t dreamt of yet.
We move out from under the arch and walk around a frozen pond. Lily pads are trapped in the ice. Beneath the hard, transparent surface, we catch glimpses of giant fish swimming lazily.
“Do you normally spend Christmas alone?” I ask.
“Mostly.”
“Why?”
“I’m not really into it.” He sighs. “My parents always tried to make it special for us, but they often went into debt to do it. Nigel and I didn’t realise that until we were older, of course, but once we did, we went to them and asked them to stop. So, we stopped making a big deal of Christmas, and I guess I never really got back into it once Elevated started doing well.”
My heart squeezes tight.
“On the other hand, NigellovesChristmas. The first year Elevated turned a profit, he took our parents out for Christmas dinner. He sends them money every year, now, so they can celebrate in style.”
“You could join them,” I suggest.
“I could, and I do, sometimes.”
“But not this year?”
He shakes his head.
“Am I ruining your quiet Christmas for one?”
“No. My plans changed. For the better.”
I grin.
“I assume you like Christmas?”
“Oh, I love it. I enjoy seeing carol singers and making mulled wine. I enjoy drinking it, too.”
Damon chuckles.
“I love picking out presents for friends and family. I love all the decorations and how bright and happy everything looks. And Christmas songs are so much fun! They’re bouncy and joyful and always make me smile.”
“Is there anything that doesn’t make you smile?”
I hum as I consider his question. “Seeing people sad or upset. I also hate seeing animals get hurt.”
“Noted.”
Having exhausted the gardens, we turn back towards the main building.
“You never did finish telling me about your apartment.”
Damon frowns. “I’m pretty sure I did.”
“Nope. You told me the things I’d expect to see in a not very well-written advertisement in an estate agent's window.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Why you picked it. What drew you to it. Why did you have to livethere.”
“It’s close to a train station.”
I roll my eyes. “And it has a good view. So do hundreds of other apartments. Why that one?”
