The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(126)

“I like American Christmas,” Zadid said. “It’s very relaxing.”

Yvonne laughed, and he gave her a curious glance.

“While I agree with you that this is quite peaceful, usually, Christmas is a pretty boisterous affair—especially when there are children around. It’s all running around, playing games, begging for presents and more candy and pie and cake than you can eat.”

“Is that what it’s like for you, normally?”

Yvonne shrugged.

“Not exactly. I mean, I definitely had that, but my parents split up when I was thirteen, so my Christmases were always just a little bit…less.”

“One would think, with two separate ones, that they would be a little bit more,” Zadid observed, and Yvonne nodded.

“Oh, I certainly got more presents, that’s for sure, but by the time I was a teenager, the magic had pretty much dissolved, anyway. Christmas when I was a kid, before the divorce, was one of the best things in life. I would wake up ridiculously early and jump on my parents’ bed until they were forced to get up to open presents together.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Zadid said, and his hand twitched as though he wanted to reach out and grab hers.

She half-hoped that he would, but she had never wanted pity over her family situation.

“In a lot of ways, I’m very lucky. My parents’ divorce was amiable, and they’re still friends today—in a general way. They don’t really talk except through me, but it’s never hostile.”

She took a bite of the moist turkey, pairing it with mashed potatoes and gravy. Wanting to change the subject, she altered the direction of the conversation.

“What about you? What’s Christmas like in Abu Algar?”

Zadid’s expression clouded over a bit at her question, and she wondered why. Was he homesick, perhaps, or was it the opposite?

“We don’t necessarily celebrate Christmas, but since it’s one of the few times a year my family can all get together, we do partake in some festivities,” he said, setting down his fork as he leaned back in his chair. “My family is large and boisterous—like you said is usual for Christmas—and we all get together in the palace’s main ballroom for a massive feast and plenty of fun games.”

“What kinds of games? What food do you eat?”

She leaned in as Zadid lit up, regaling her with tales of his family’s celebrations. As he talked about his family, it was clear that they meant the world to him, leaving her to assume that her original guess was correct: Zadid was homesick, and he was used to being with his family this time of year.

“I’d love to experience it sometime. I’ve never been to Abu Algar,” she said.

“It’s likely I’ll have to take a business trip there in the future. Perhaps I’ll drag you along,” he said, his words softened by the smile in his eyes.

“Perhaps you will. I’m due for a business trip soon, anyway. You can’t get anything done without me.”

“Oh, cocky are we, now that we’re on your home turf?”

“Hey, I got you cooking in my kitchen. I think I can make anything happen.”

“What about presents? Can you make that happen?”

“Are you asking me whether I got you a present or not?” she asked, leaning back in her seat.

She was pleasantly full, a sleepy feeling overtaking her as she settled into full relaxation. Somehow, conversation with Zadid always managed to flow so easily, but his more casual demeanor outside of work made his appeal even greater.

“Well, that doesn’t really matter as much as the fact that I would like you to open mine.”

“Lucky for you, I got you a gift, too. I was going to bring it to you at work in the new year, but now is much more fitting.”

She stood and walked over towards the couch, pulling out a wrapped gift from the coffee table’s drawer. Zadid followed, and they handed each other their respective gifts. Once again, just the brush of his fingers sent tingles down her spine.

“Shall we open them at the same time?” he suggested.

She nodded.

“Let’s.”

The sound of crinkled paper filled the room as they tore into their gifts, the shiny paper falling to the floor.

Inside Yvonne’s box was a stunning crystal angel tree topper, glistening in its wooden box. She looked up at Zadid, who was staring in wonder at his own gift.

“Is this a first edition?” he asked, nearly breathless.

Yvonne repressed a smug grin. It had taken her ages to find the original copy of his favorite book, searching through dozens of bookstores across D.C.

“It is. I found it in a bookstore uptown.”

“This is amazing. How did you know this is my favorite book?”

“You have six other copies on your office shelf, and that’s three more than you had when I first started.”

“You noticed that?”

“I notice everything. Except for keeping time when I’m supposed to be hosting an important dinner. That, apparently, I am not stellar at.” She glanced down at her crystal angel. “Now, you need to tell me how you knew I didn’t have a tree topper,” she said, grinning.

He shrugged, meeting her grin with one of his own, his dimple outlined in the golden light of the fire. He was like a modern Adonis, the perfect specimen of man. Yvonne struggled to keep from staring at him as though she wanted to devour him, which she very much did.