Page 122 of Rugger: The Huntress

Definitely corny.I chuckled, picking up the pajamas and heading into the bathroom.

ELEVEN

Wrapped in my sheets was how I wanted Rugger day in and day out. However, I understood that neither of us had chosen a life that would allow us that much grace. Two days away from our duties and tucked in the highest, humanly-possible points of the mountains had done us both justice.

“Too much?”

Rugger descended the stairs with her hair wrapped up in a sleek ponytail. The red reindeer ears I’d added to her wardrobe in the event she was feeling as festive as I was sat atop her head.

Her dark skin paired well with the colors that had been chosen to celebrate the final holiday of the year. It was pure. It was soft. It was free of blemishes.

Stunning.

I shook my head. “No. Not at all.”

I extended a hand and captured hers before pulling her in toward my side. Together, we made our way into the living room where the large blanket was spread near the tree. I lowered my body to the floor and guided Rugger down onto my lap.

“Thirty.”

“Thirty?” I asked, leaning into her frame.

“Gifts. There are thirty gifts under this tree.

“Thirty-four.”

She chuckled, “Close enough.”

“There are four, barely visible boxes underneath the tree. You were very close.”

“I’m assuming you want me to open them all tonight?”

“Christmas ends when the clock strikes twelve tonight. You have all day, love. But, yes, I’d like for you to begin.”

Suddenly, I understood my parents' excitement while waiting around for me to tear open the gifts they’d carefully considered and wrapped with the love they harbored for us daily. All thirty-four gifts had been selected for a number of reasons. Deep down, I hoped she loved each one of them.

Rugger reached underneath the tree and grabbed a medium-sized box. She pulled it into her lap where she spread her legs slightly, forcing me to open mine as well. The ripping of black paper was followed by the inhaling of a large pocket of air.

“Baby–” Gazelle whined as she continued to tear through the paper.

In her hands, she held a black leather Prada Nappa Biker jacket. Her eyes twinkled under the warm lights of the Christmas tree.

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s gorgeous.”

Pride swelled my chest as I lifted my head and then lowered it several times.

“Next.”

I nodded toward the next gift, closest to us. She grabbed the small box and tore into the wrapping. It produced a Cartier bracelet that had her smile reaching her eyes. The third box produced a black Louis Vuitton backpack.

“You didn’t have to, Psalms. You really didn’t have to,” she explained, turning to face me as she held a new set of Prada frames to match the jacket she’d been gifted.

She doesn’t understand.I concluded as I pulled her closer to me.

“Yes, Gazelle. Yes I did. You’ve provided me with immense joy, I’d be regretful if I didn’t.”

I closed the camera in my hand, stopping the recording session to admire Rugger through the naked eye. She was flawless.

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