Page 11 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly as he slipped the helmet off. She knew her hair was probably stickingin a thousand different directions, but she knew Sev didn’t care if she looked unkept, and she wanted to drink that experience right up with him. It had been so long since she’d been around someone who truly liked her forherthat she was having a hard time letting go. “I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”
“Yeah, I thought you might like it,” he said, giving her a half grin as he set her helmet back in the saddle bag. “I love the feeling of freedom when I ride.”
“Yes!” she agreed, back on the balls of her toes as she grabbed for his arm, completely blown away that he felt the same as she did. “That’s exactly the feeling! Like I could take off at any moment.”
“So it won’t be your last time on a bike, then?”
“Definitely not,” she said, her head turning when the front porch light snapped on. “I might need to get one myself. I’m sure it’d come in handy in New York City.”
“Without a doubt,” he said, chuckling as a rather broad-shouldered shadow crossed the glass of the front window. When the door opened, Kelsey took in the perplexed look of her father as he slowly made his way down the stairs to them.
“Sir!” Sev suddenly called out, stiffening his posture so quickly that Kelsey’s hand fell away from him. The change was so sudden that she could be convinced the man had turned to stone as a result of her father looking at him.
“At ease,” he immediately responded with a tone that expected Sev’s response. He got that a lot, even when he was in his civilian clothes.
Sev relaxed slightly, but not a whole lot.
“Kiki,” he said cautiously, glancing at her mystery man. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Kelsey burst out in laughter at what her father must have thought. This afternoon, she’d left the house primly in an emerald green sweater, black pants, and a set of pearls to see how they would pair with her dress.
And now? She was buttoned up in a black puffer coat,some guy’s snow pants, a wedding gown, and a fabulous pair of patent leather taupe heels.
Well, at least she still had the pearls.
But she really should give him his pants back.
“Sorry, Dad,” she said, bringing herself back to earth as she gave him a big grin. “This is Sev.”
“Stewart Severance, sir,” he said, even his language snapping-to in the presence of a superior officer. Kelsey took in the interaction between them as she began to step out of the loaned pants.
Her father nodded his head, holding out his hand for the young man to shake. Sev seemed to hesitate only for a moment before cautiously raising his own to clasp.
“Thank you for getting her home safely, Stewart Severance,” he said, cupping Sev’s shoulder with his hand and giving him a pat on the back. “I heard there was some trouble at a bar in town?”
“There wasn’t any trouble until Chip decided to show up,” Kelsey lamented. “Wait, how did you hear about that?”
“Chip’s mother called,” he said matter-of-factly, making Kelsey’s stomach queasy. But she knew she would have to deal with this aftermath.
“Ugh,” she said, groaning. “I’ll have to fill you in on the full story. I guarantee it’s not as bad as they’re making it out to be.”
“I’ve no doubt,” he said, once again with an impassive look on his face as he turned to go back into the house. “I’m going to order dinner. Severance, will you be joining us?”
“Thank you, sir, but not tonight,” Sev responded. “My family’s expecting me. I’m shipping out in a few days.”
Kelsey’s father looked back at Sev, a world of experience flashing in his eyes. “Then you take care of yourself.”
Sev nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Kelsey watched him make his way back up the stairs, glad that he was on her side. She could only imagine what Chip and his family were saying about her now.
But she had better things to deal with at the moment.
“Here,” she said, holding out Sev’s snow pants to him. He didn’t notice straight away, watching her father like a starstruck teen.
“Thanks… Kiki.” Sev’s face broke into an amused grin.
“Hey,” she said, feigning offense and smacking his shoulder. He yelped dramatically as they dissolved into laughter just like they had at dinner. “It’s a name only my dad calls me. Besides, you’re one for secrets,Stewart.”
