"Merry Christmas, Dominic," I whisper back with a smile, and he gives me a smile in response.
We clink our champagne glasses and take a couple of sips before placing them on a coffee table next to us. And then he gives me a long, tender kiss, and I close my eyes in pleasure.
A couple of days ago, Dominic bought a small fake Christmas tree already decorated and placed it on the counter next to the fireplace. He said that that it's not a real Christmas without a tree.
Dominic has turned out to be so attentive and gentle, the kind of man I never dreamed he would be. He drives me home every night from the restaurant so I don’t have to go alone. He brings me coffee in bed every morning, joking that he does it because I'm not me without my coffee.
Dominic's personality is so much deeper than I could've imagined. He has a kind heart and sensitive soul, the things you'd never say about him when you first meet him.
"I want to give you something." He pulls away slightly, and I make a displeased moan, not ready to stop our kissing.
"We agreed not to give presents," I remind him even though I also prepared something special for him.
"I know, I know, but I couldn't help myself, you know." He smiles, and for the first time since we met, I see awkwardness in that smile.
He puts his hand in the pocket of his robe and pulls out a little red box with a bow on top of it. He even prepared a box! I smile at how cute it looks.
"Open it." Dom holds the box out to me, and I take it gently, as carefully as if it might break.
I untie the bow slowly, and my face lights up with a smile the moment I see what's inside of it: a little book made of platinum on a chain.
"Aww, this necklace is so cute." I can't help but show my excitement.
"Open it," he retorts with a smile, obviously enjoying my reaction.
I get the necklace out of the box carefully, placing the box on the table next to our glasses. I take a deep breath before opening it as if preparing myself for a parachute jump.
There's a photo of us lying in bed naked, smiling at each other. Dominic took this photo a couple of days ago in the morning, right before I went to the bookstore.
"It's so cute." I feel that my eyes are getting wet out of how unbelievably sensual it is.
"Flip the book," he asks, and I do so right away.
"This book lover belongs to Dominic Astor" is inscribed on the back of the book. I am barely able to speak because of the lump stuck in my throat with my overflowing emotions.
"Do you like it?" he asks after I simply stay silent for about a minute, staring at the book description.
I force myself to look up at him. I know he'll see tears in my eyes, but I don't care, not anymore.
"I love it," I confess sincerely, clearing my throat.
"I want you to wear it every day as a reminder that you're mine." He smiles, and I see a glitter in his gaze as if he's restraining his emotions just like me.
"I'm...yours?" I ask quietly, so uncertainly that I'm not even sure that I said it aloud.
"Yes, Serena, you're mine," he confirms, taking my hand in his palm. "And I don’t want you to ever forget it."
Chapter Twelve
Dominic
We don't need any more words as I silently place the necklace on the coffee table and move closer to Serena.
Her big brown eyes are glittering with tears, and to be honest, I feel like I could start crying any minute as well. The emotions are overflowing, and I wouldn't stop them even if I could.
Our eyes lock as she takes the robe belt and unties it, silently inviting me to join her.
"Are you sure?" I ask, whispering, and she simply nods in response.