Page 24 of We Three Kings

“I appreciate it, but I want you to be you. Talk like you. Dress like you. Act like you.” I press my thumbs into her biceps. “Not London or anyone else. You.”

Her hands clutch my jacket. “I’m sorry. I was just feeling a little bit intimidated.”

“No need.” I cup her face. “Now where doyouwant to go?”

A pink glow spreads across her lifted cheeks. “The holiday festival at Grant Park. They have food trucks and bands playing and an arts and crafts show.”

Never in a million years would I go to an event like this by choice. Funny how I don’t mind when it’s with her. For her to make her happy.

“I mean only if you want to.”

Her little squeak at the end is undeniably adorable. “Yeah, angel. I do want to.”

She lights up like the stars. “Yay! Then let me change really quick and we can go.”

I kiss her forehead and step back. Despite how much I want to, I don’t follow her to the bedroom and watch her strip. I wouldn’t be able to withstand the temptation to do more than look.

Seraphina

Balthazar eyes me with more than just approval when I step out of my bedroom. I swear hunger flashes in his expression, and my fear of disappointing him instantly evaporates. My long red sweater, black leggings, and furry white boots don’t seem to bother him. He even grins at my snowflake knit cap. I can’t help but smile back.

I feel like myself in my festive clothes and simple braid. With his admiring gaze, all of my optimism returns. Wearegoing to have fun.

He grabs my hand, dragging me to him and kissing me again. This time is chaste as he seemingly holds back. A growl rumbles in his throat when he pulls away, and his grip tightens on my fingers. He doesn’t seem angry. More frustrated than mad, I think.

I don’t know why so I stay quiet. Talking too little is always better than talking too much I’ve learned.

When we stop for me to lock my front door, he acts unhappy to release me. With an apparent need to always touch me, his hands glide around my waist while I turn the deadbolt. As soon as my key ring is in my jacket pocket, he entwines our fingers again and leads me downstairs.

Outside, work men mill around. Boxes are stacked by the door and a man wearing an enormous toolbelt checks off a list on his clipboard. “I wonder what that’s all about.”

“No idea.”

Balthazar doesn’t even glance at the construction crew. He just tucks me against him, with his arm tight around my rib cage, hurrying me to his car.

My heartbeat gallops when he opens my door, assisting me inside, and ensuring I tug my seatbelt across my body before he walks around to his side.

Once inside, he starts the engine and wraps his fingers around mine, just like last night. It seems like it would be hard to drive holding someone’s hand, but he doesn’t appear to have any difficulty.

“Have you been to this before?”

He glances at me with a seductive expression. Or at least that’s what it feels like. He just pulses sexy with his wavy black hair, dark emerald eyes, and sharp jawline. “My brother and Quinn took me once. I had the best time, and I’ve always wanted to go back. I hope it’s as good as I remember.”

“If it’s not, I’ll take you any place else you want to go.”

When he says stuff like that, I swear my heart is going to explode in my chest. No one has ever wanted to please me the way he does. “Thank you. I’m sure whatever we do will be fun.”

He nods and brings our entwined fingers to his mouth, kissing the back of my hand.

“Always angel.”

Only about a quarter of the parking spaces are taken when we pull into the lot. The festival just started about twenty minutes ago so I’m not surprised. The place will probably be a madhouse soon.

Balthazar navigates to the end of the fifth row, picking the last spot and hanging over the line a little bit. I can’t blame him. With an expensive car like his, I’d probably have walked here and left my vehicle at home.

A gentleman as always, he comes around to my side and helps me out. More kisses and caresses before I loop my arm through his.

He seems thrilled I reached for him first. I guess with how tender and protective he is with me, I feel the need to hold on tight to him too.

---