Page 122 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“Why are you looking at artificial Christmas trees?”

“Because it’s in three weeks.”

“So?”

I rolled my eyes. Hadn’t she gotten the hint yet? Perhaps I had to spell it out for her.

“So, I want you to have a proper Christmas since you can’t go home.”

Her eyebrows shot up.

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“Is it just going to be the two of us?”

“Yes.”

A smile played on her lips.

“Am I allowed to pick out the decorations?”

I nodded. She curled into my side, resting a hand on my chest.

“Aiden…”

“Hmm?”

I wrapped an arm around her, stroking my fingers down her arm.

“Can we have that one?”

She pointed at one which already had lights built into it.

“We can have whatever one you want.”

Twenty minutes later, she’d picked out the tree and silver and blue decorations. None of it fancy or extravagant. She told me she preferred tasteful and understated. The light in her eyes when she’d chosen a silver star to go on top damn near fucking killed me.

“Do you even celebrate Christmas normally?” she asked me.

I shrugged.

“Not since I left the army.”

She frowned, shifting ever closer to me as her fingers ran down my chest.

“Am I allowed to get you something?”

I turned to her. Why on earth would she want to do that? Gifts were traditional, but she didn’t need to do anything for me. This was for her. Although, there was really no harm in her getting me something.

“If you want to.”

She put her hand out. I raised an eyebrow.

“I can’t exactly access my own accounts right now.”

I rolled my eyes before handing her my credit card which we’d be using to purchase the other bits. She stole the laptop off my lap and sat away from me. I watched her fiddle with it and gave her the flat address when she asked for it.

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