Page 63 of A Sudden Romance

“I like the festive polish.” He resumed their stroll, falling one step behind her as they passed the couch in the main room.

“Thanks.” She cocked her head over her shoulder. “Heard you guys played tennis today.”

“That’s the only way I got your brothers to help. The losing team had to move the foosball and pool tables.” At the elevator, just around the corner from the family room, he pressed the button. In the room nearby, the Christmas tree glittered with the lights and homemade ornaments they’d hung Wednesday.

The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside, and the doors closed them into silence. Instantly, in an enclosed and private space, the atmosphere changed between them.

Sabastian moved the cart separating them, and his gaze flickered to her mouth.

Her breathing altered as her heart raced, charged with an electric, exhilarating anticipation. She closed the gap between them.

“I missed you today.” His mouth hovered less than an inch from hers as he slid one hand into her hair and gripped the back of her neck.

She gulped. “I missed—”

Sabastian’s mouth captured hers, and he swallowed her words in a fierce kiss that stole all the air from her lungs and rational thought from her head.

She was kissing him back, losing herself, and melting into him. Something dinged, but she ignored it and blocked out the rest of the noise, save for the pounding of her heart as their breathing mingled.

With her legs wobbly, she clung to him. Gripping the hem of his sweater until a deep voice sounded.

“Whoa there, boy!”

They tore apart, panting as Nate thrust his hand between the open elevator doors.

Iris slapped a palm to her mouth as if she could hide evidence of the scorching kiss.

Nate looked between her and Sabastian, his brows lifting. “Does this have anything to do with the smoke alarm yesterday?”

“Um...” Sabastian winced.

“Should you be upstairs?” Iris jammed her hands on her hips, needing a distraction. But seriously, she’d expected the entire family to be in the dining room. Had she kept track of everyone instead of gawking at Sabastian, then maybe she would’ve known people were on the loose.

“Did I miss something between you two?”

Sabastian gripped the back of his neck. “It’s a long story.”

“We need to set up for the gingerbread competition.” She tipped her head to Sabastian and reached for the cart handle.

“Hmm!” Nate smirked, obviously pleased he was in on a secret, before he stepped into the elevator.

Now, in a matter of time, the entire family would find out about them.

After they stepped out of the elevator into the full-size basement and the doors closed behind Nate, they looked at each other. They stood underneath the warm white icicle lights dangling from the ceiling, surrounded by another winter-wonderland transformation.

“Should we let the family know about us?” She released the cart. If Sabastian wasn’t ready to let other people know, she didn’t want to rush things.

“I’d love that more than anything.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, breathing into her hair. “Are you okay with it?”

He sounded doubtful. She drew back enough to eye him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just...” He rubbed the back of his neck again, his head dipping as a frown flattened his sensual lips. “I’ve loved you for years. But you’re just getting used to the idea of me.”

She kissed that mouth. “Maybe I already knew you were the one. It just took my heart and eyes time to see that you were right here all along.”

Whether she was rushing things or not, she’d never felt charged and euphoric around any man as she did in his presence.

“If we’re going to keep sneaking around like this, I’d rather my family know about us. Just in case the rest of them run into us like this, then it won’t be a surprise.”

---