Page 18 of Just A Dash of Holiday Magic
Chapter 4
KARA
Sebastian and I asked Tobey to come along with us, but he insisted that he needed to make sure that he fixed the elevator, so no one else got stuck.
At first, I was annoyed to have been stuck in such a small space with Sebastian, but he surprised me. It’s like his whole demeanor changed, and the wall he'd built around himself started to fall brick by brick.
It probably makes me sound crazy, but I feel as close to him as any other friend in my life. Something more than getting stuck together happened to us in that elevator. I feel more than something physical for this man. I want to know everything I can about him. I don’t want a minute to pass between tonight and when he leaves for us to be away from one another.
Don’t lose yourself, Kara.
It's sound advice my brain is telling my heart, but my heart doesn't want to listen, especially when Sebastian meets me in the lobby after running up the stairs to change for the feast.
“Come on,” he says with a smile as he takes my hand as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Lead the way.”
We walk the few blocks from the hotel down into the town’s square. It’s filled with people who have come to celebrate the Around the World feast and is lit by the fifty-foot Christmas tree. I never get over the awe of the sight each year.
“Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” I ask.
"No," Sebastian says. "It's stunning."
I turn and see that he isn’t looking at the tree but at me. Heat pools in my lower belly from the steamy look in his gaze as we stare at one another. The pull to each other is magnetic as we both lean close. Our lips are a breath away when the sound of my mom calling my name makes us pull back.
“Kara, darling! I thought you weren’t going to make it tonight,” she says as she approaches us.
Dad is walking with her, but his gaze is on Sebastian's hand holding mine.
“Change of plans,” I say, reaching out to hug Mom first and then Dad. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Kiddo. Who is your new friend?”
“Sebastian Castile,” Sebastian says, holding his hand out to my father.
Dad looks down at his outstretched hand and doesn't move for an agonizingly long moment. I can't take a breath as I wait for him to decide if he wants to be friendly or put Sebastian through the Dad ringer.
“I’m Joe, Kara’s father,” he finally says, and I can hear Sebastian next to me let out the same breath I was holding.
"Nice to meet you, sir." Sebastian turns to my mom. "You as well, ma'am."
Mom blushes slightly. Apparently, I'm not the only one in the family charmed by just a look from Sebastian.
"I hope you two are hungry," Mom says. "I think the town has outdone itself this year."
SEBASTIAN
The evening is everything that Kara said it would be and more. I may be a stranger, but every one of the town’s people welcomed me with open arms and a joyful smile. It's incredible to walk around like a regular guy and not be treated a certain way because of a title that I was born into and not earned. And I can't deny the heat and excitement I feel with each glance, and smile Kara throws my way. The urge to pull her in the shadows and kiss and taste her cherry red lips has my dick at eager for her touch.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" a deep voice asks from behind me, making me jump.
I turn and see Joe. His tone seems friendly enough, but I don’t miss the protective glance he shoots at Kara and then turns back to me. She’s off by the cider table talking with some woman with a baby in her arms.
“Yes, sir. Everyone has been so welcoming.”
He nods and takes a sip of his beer. “I can’t help but notice the change in my daughter tonight. Does that have something to do with you?”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but I hope he can see that she might feel for me what I know I already feel for her. I've never connected with a woman the way I've connected with Kara. She's unlike anyone I've ever met. She is sweet and filled with effervescent joy, but she can also hold her own against anyone who doesn’t treat her in the way she deserves—I should know.
“I must admit, I haven't known her long, so I can't attest to knowing how she acted before. But I hope that whatever differences you are seeing in her are positive ones. I know that since meeting her, I can already feel myself changing for the better."
