Fake Christmas

Inside the snow globe was an adorable polar bear ice skating merrily. Her heart swelled at the sight. “This is so thoughtful, Cameron. I love it. Thank you.” She paused. “I was going to give you your gift later tonight, but I’ll get it now.”

Allyson headed over to the nightstand and took out a gift bag. She walked back over to Cameron, handed it over, and watched as he pulled out his gift.

“No way!” Cameron took off his old watch and put on the luxury smart watch she had gotten for him. “This must have cost a fortune. Thank you so much.” He reached for her and pulled her into a tight hug.

It was right then, with her arms around Cameron, that her husband stepped into the room.

Chapter 2

Seeing his wife in a loving embrace with her assistant made his blood boil. Allyson jumped out of Cameron’s arms, her face reddening.

“What the hell’s going on here?” Dane demanded, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.

“Nothing,” she stammered. “We were just exchanging gifts.” She held up the snow globe she was holding in her hands. “Look what Cameron got me.”

Dane forced back the snarl that almost curled his lip. This was just his usual unfounded jealousy. The unease of a man who knew how beautiful and vivacious his wife was. Knew that being married to Allyson made him the luckiest man alive. And that many men would do anything to have a woman like her. It was natural for the sight of Cameron’s arms around her to unsettle him. No. More than unsettle him. It actually pissed him off.

He eyed the gift, unable to hold in his contempt. “That’s... nice.”

“I told him about how I used to collect snow globes when I was a kid,” she said.

Frowning, he focused his attention on Cameron, who was staring at the floor looking sheepish. “Thank you, Cameron; I’m pretty sure that’ll be all.”

Cameron nodded, and said to Allyson, “I’m glad you like the gift, Allys—Mrs. Prescott. I’ll be up bright and early tomorrow, so if you need me before the flight I’ll—”

“Goodnight, Cameron,” Dane said testily.

“Of course, sir,” Cameron murmured. “See you tomorrow then. Happy holidays, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott.”

Dane barely grunted out a reply as his wife showed Cameron out of the room. Unable to shake his annoyance, he headed over to the sitting area and tossed off his coat.

“What was that all about?” Allyson demanded as she stepped into the sitting area.

He took a seat and started to untie his tie. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“You can’t seriously still be jealous of Cameron.” She sat on the sofa across from him. “He’s a kid. Barely voting age.”

“Jealous?” He laughed humorlessly. “No. It’s not really jealousy. Just common sense.”

Irritation flitted across her beautiful face, and her green eyes narrowed. “Common sense? Do I even want to know?”

“I’ve seen the way Cameron looks at you,” he said. “It was amusing at first, but now he’s giving you gifts?”

“You gave your assistant a gift,” she pointed out.

“Penny is a middle-aged married lesbian with a keen interest in gardening,” he grumbled. “I doubt she finds me even remotely attractive.”

Allyson laughed. “So, if she was younger, single, and straight you’d be running around with her?”

“No, you know I’d never do such a thing,” he chided. “But if she was younger, straight, and single she’d probably have a crush on me.”

She groaned. “You are the most arrogant man in the world.”

“I’m not trying to sound cocky, but I’m speaking from experience,” he reminded her. “I specifically remember a beautiful young woman who was absolutely crazy about me long before we got married.”

A smile played on her full, kissable lips. “I’m still crazy about you. Always will be. And you’ll never have to worry about anything. If you’re that upset, maybe I can shuffle Cameron to another department and—”

“No, forget it,” he interrupted. “I trust you, Allyson.” He heaved out a sigh. “I just don’t trust Cameron.”