Page 4 of Snowbound Princess

“Actually, that sums up my plan rather well.” He wrapped one arm around her waist. “Glad we're on the same page.”

“We are not!” Kay squeaked. “I don't even want you to be here, so you can just let go of me and march back to the guest room where you can stay until the snow melts.”

“Are you giving me an order, sweetheart? I don't think that's the brightest move on your part, especially not before I've got some caffeine in me.”

“No, actually I'm a bit overwhelmed.”

Bastian didn’t believe she was acting the least bit overwhelmed, but the gifts might have upset her instead of delighted her. “Are you?”

“No, I just didn’t expect to see you.” She huffed but her body relaxed a tiny bit. “Where were you headed anyway?” she asked.

“Coffee first.” He released her slowly. “Questions later.”

“I'll make us coffee.” She beat him to the kitchen, busying herself with the task. “I picked up different flavored creamers: Peppermint Kisses and Gingerbread Delight.”

The two of them stood at the counter, leaning awkwardly against it without either of them speaking. Her gorgeous eyes darted to his several times and the sweetest blush tinged her cheeks. The coffee finished its brewing cycle after what felt like an eternity of silence. Sebastian grabbed two solid blue mugs with smiling snowmen dancing on them.

“Why didn't you go to Florida with your family?” He handed her a filled mug and she accepted with a smile before sinking down on one of the stools by the island.

“I don't want to talk about it.” Kay sniffed the aroma wafting from her mug and took a long sip. “Did you carry me to bed last night?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn't actually kiss you though, right?”

She chuckled but her pupils were huge. Something seemed off with her question, and he wondered if she were trying to search through her sleepy brain for the next inevitable conclusion about how she referred to him.

“You did.”

“Oh, well, whatever. At least I didn't call you Daddy.”

“Well, Kay, you did that too.”

Her mouth opened and closed several times, and somehow her pupils got even wider.

“Wait. Before you get defensive, listen to what I have to say.” Sebastian reached for her right hand and laced his fingers with hers. “I've been hoping to find someone who I could call my little girl for a very long time.”

“I can't be your little girl.” She tugged her hand, but he clapped his other one over hers. “I was just a stupid woman last night who was hoping for some stupid fucking holiday miracle. I didn't mean to call you Daddy. It won't happen again.”

“Kayleigh Mallory Cavett,” he stated with a growl, and she stopped fighting him. “We can talk about this after breakfast.”

“No, we won't be talking about it at all. I'm going back to bed! When I decide to come back downstairs, I'll wrap up those gifts, and you can go and give them to someone much more deserving than me.” Her eyes shone with tears, her emotions betraying her actions. He didn’t believe for one minute that she actually wanted to send the pretty gifts away. “I expect you to stay far away from me.”

“No, I won’t be staying away from you, princess. And you won’t be wrapping up anything. You deserve those presents just as much as anyone. I saw your beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement. They were meant for you.”

She stared up at him with her mouth pressed into a thin line. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to scoop up her wonderful treasures or throw them at him until he forced her to stop this tantrum.

“Let go of me, Bastian!” She started her fight anew, struggling against his grip. He released her, but he wanted to turn her right over his knee for this nonsense. She was hiding one of the most special parts of herself away, and worse, she thought she didn't deserve wonderful things.

“Go on and take a nap then. I'll come up and get you in an hour and we can restart your day.”

“I'll stay in bed as long as I damn well please.” Kay spun on her heel and stomped off, her sassy little hips swinging from side to side as she stormed away.

He decided to give her some space, and poured himself another cup of coffee. A loud thud and sharp cry pierced the silence of the house. He rushed to the landing of the stairs to see Kay sprawled out across several steps.

"What happened, Kay?”

She shook her head, huge tears falling down her cheeks. How she had managed to land face up while going up the stairs was a mystery of its own.

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