Page 7 of Christmas in Paradise

For the next three weeks, when I’m not helping out at the Garden of Eatin’, or learning the ins and outs of event planning with Carson Stevens as we plan Evie’s wedding, I’m with Sebastian. We go back to the spring, he takes me horseback riding, and for a ride on a real motorcycle. He takes me to the rodeo in Florence and on his favorite hiking trails.

But mostly, we just kiss. In the spring. On his bike. In his truck. Against a tree. In my room when I sneak him up one night while Evie’s downstairs at Adam’s.

Basically, there are very few places in Paradise where I don’t kiss Sebastian Sparks.

My favorite place, though, is on Smuk Lake’s beach at night with a million stars shining on us. He brings a blanket for us to lay on, but somehow, I always end up with sand in my hair.

Tonight I lay against his chest, in the crook of his arm, as he points out constellations. His heart beats steadily under me, and I realize that I feel safe here.

Not just in Paradise. In Sebastian’s arms.

And that’s not what I want to be.

Excited? Yes. Adventurous? Of course. Bad?Obviously.

Anything but settled and happy. That’s not what this fling is supposed to turn into. It’s only supposed to be fun. To distract me from the fact that getting experience as an event planner meant leaving Charly behind for eight weeks.

And if this is going to be more than just fun, I have to tell him about Charly. But I don’t know if I’m ready to do that.

I inch away from Sebastian and ask the question I hope will turn my feelings back into what they’re supposed to be: casual.

“How many other women are you seeing right now?” I ask it with a teasing smile, ignoring the hole opening in my chest.

He flinches with surprise. “What makes you think I’m seeing anyone else?”

I crook my arm and rest my chin on my fist. “Because that’s what you do, isn’t it? Date all the girls who come to town for the summer?”

Sebastian barks a laugh. “I don’t dateeverygirl who comes to town.”

We’re both smiling, back on safe ground. I’m just another girl. He’s only a summer fling. “Uh huh. What exactly are the parameters for who you’ll date? Only blondes? Anyone willing to ride on the back of your bike?”

He shakes his head. “I do have actual standards. I’m not a player.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“No married or engaged women. No cougars.” He counts off on his fingers. “No one under twenty…”

“Whew, I barely made the cut there.” I poke his side, and he grabs my hand.

“Actually,” He twines his fingers through mine. “I lowered the age limit when Evie warned me to stay away from you.”

I burst out laughing, and he bites his lip to hold back his own laugh, then says. “I love the way you laugh too much to spend time with anyone else.”

I go quiet, knowing I should take my hand from his, but I don’t have the willpower.

Kissing is one thing, but holding hands is a different level of intimate. And I’m enjoying his palm pressed to mine too much. I like the idea of being the only woman Sebastian wants to hear laugh.

“That’s the whole list of your rules? Seems like it leaves a pretty big pool to choose from.” I’m grasping for solid ground again.

Sebastian grows suddenly serious. “Okay, one more. And I’ve never told anyone this, so don’t judge… as soon as a girl says anything about a baby or a kid being cute, I’m out.”

“What?” I let out a nervous laugh, not sure if he’s serious. “Why?”

“They’re the ones who are thinking about settling down. They want kids.”

“You don’t?”

He shakes his head. “Not yet. Maybe not ever.”

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