Page 2 of Snowbound Princess

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Letting himself into the house with his well-worn key, Sebastian did his best to stay quiet. He had groceries in one hand, and a medium-sized suitcase in the other. Shaking off the snow as best he could, he proceeded to the kitchen and set everything down. He returned to the entryway and removed his boots and coat before heading back to the kitchen. Something caught his eye as he moved around setting out treats for the morning and the like. It looked like a letter, and curiosity moved him to pick it up.

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a Daddy who will take care of me. I know you have so many other people around the world who are asking for big and important things, but please if you can find it in your heart to bring me a good man who can help me, I promise I won't be so naughty this coming year. I probably didn't make it on your good list because I haven't been good to myself. I've drunk too much, hid away from my friends and refuse to talk to my family about how I've been. I know I don't deserve to be rewarded, but I'm trying so hard! I have had more jobs in the past six months, Santa, than most people have in their whole lives. There are so many hurtful, hateful people in this town, and they won't give me a chance. I even flipped burgers for three weeks just to make some money so I don't have to rely on my parents. They have been wonderful, but I know seeing me this way is hurting them too. If you can fit him in your sleigh, I would really love a Daddy for Christmas.

Your Little Friend,

Kayleigh Cavett

A Daddy for Christmas? Sebastian rubbed his chin. He could absolutely step up into that role. Taking care of Kay, loving her, supporting her and guiding her were all things he wanted to do for her anyhow. Holiday magic existed. Sebastian would find a way to give her all of the things she deserved. He might also be able to fill up the piece of himself which had been missing. At least if Kay let her walls down this time around. Several trips through the hall, and out to the car and back left him happy to be inside. Once everything was put away, he noticed Kay scrunched up in a ball on the couch. Crossing the room as quietly as he could, he heard her snoring softly. She would be so uncomfortable in the morning if he left her like that. Deciding it would be better if she woke up in her own bed, he scooped her up into his arms and her eyes fluttered open.

"Hello, beautiful."

“Hello yourself.” She smiled up at him but her eyelids hung heavily with sleep.

Sebastian pressed her closer to his chest as he carried her up the stairs and into her childhood bedroom. It had been painted a dark salmon color instead of the bubblegum pink of her youth, but he saw her well-loved stuffed bears, bunnies, and other woodland creatures spread around her room. Her window seat, a place he always envisioned doing naughty things to her on, morphed into one of more peace and solace as he caught a glimpse of the snowflakes twinkling in the moonlight through it. He sighed as he placed Kay down on her bed, tucking her underneath the blankets and fluffing the pillows. She smiled again.

“Go back to sleep. It's the middle of the night."

"May I have a goodnight kiss?” Kay pouted as if he would deny her request.

"Yes, but just one." He kissed her forehead, but she grabbed his face in between her hands and kissed him hard, delving her tongue into his mouth. He had wanted her for so long, but this wasn’t the way he had envisioned the moment, and he broke away.

“Just one more.” Kay whimpered.

“It’s late, princess. Close your eyes and go to sleep.”

“I don’t want to go to sleep yet, Daddy.”

Shit. Of all of the words which could have slipped out between her pretty little lips, those words tightened something inside him. He wanted nothing more than to join her in bed and hold her all night long, but she wasn’t fully awake.

“You have to go to sleep so Santa can bring you presents, little girl.” He brushed a piece of her hair out of her eyes and nuzzled against her cheek.

“Okay,” she sighed. “Good-night, I love you.”

Kay snuggled down into the mattress. She did love him, that much was true, and he loved her back more than she realized.

“I love you. Good-night, Kay.”

He left her room with mixed feelings. He wished he had known she longed for a Daddy the same way he longed for a girl to call his own. He wanted a special little one he could lavish with attention, as well as a woman with whom he could engage his darker fantasies. Kayleigh Cavett could be both if she followed his lead. She might reject his sincere attempts as she had done so many times in the past, but he sincerely hoped she gave them the chance to be together.

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