“Eve!” he exclaimed, pulling her down onto his lap for a tight hug. “Thank you, angel.”
She had taken a picture of her mother and Garth—one of the last ones before her death—and had it cropped and enhanced in black and white. She had put it in a beautiful crystal and platinum frame, which had cost a small fortune. But the love on the couple’s faces in the picture was priceless. Eve could see how happy her mother was in that picture and just how much Garth Savage loved Giselle as they stared adoringly into each other’s eyes, secret smiles on their lips.
“Hey.” Quinn was running her new silk scarf through her fingers. “This is wonderful, hun. I love it. Thank you.” Eve blew her a kiss, knowing that her stepsister loved scarfs. Add in silk, and you had a happy Quinn. This one was multicolored in pastel hues which Quinn was even now wrapping around her slender throat.
“This is perfect, kiddo.” Cameron was busy going through the camera satchel she had given him. It was leather and big enough for all of his gear. She’d had it personalized with his name on the shoulder strap. When she had first seen it in the shop a few weeks before, she had known that he would love it. “My old one needed to be tossed anyway, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy a new one. Thanks.”
“It has your name on the shoulder strap.” She pointed out and watched him drool with pleasure.
She would have been ecstatic that they loved their gifts if Sebastian weren’t still quietly sitting by the fire. She bit her lip, wondering if he liked what she had given him or not. She had spent weeks tracking it down. It was the main reason she had even left the house on Friday…
Don’t think about the robbery!
He had a collection of first editions. For all his muscle and brawn, he could be a little bit of a nerd when it came to books. Something she found so incredibly sexy. Eve knew he’d had a favorite book as a child, but for some reason, he had lost it. She also knew he had been looking for a copy of it for years. It had been pure luck that she had found a first edition copy, and even though she had had to pay much more than she normally would have, it was worth every penny to give him something so unique.
On the inside front cover, she had written a little note: Something special for my someone special. –Love, E
And now he just sat there staring down at the book without a word. She didn’t get a thank you or even so much as a smile in acknowledgment. Tears burned the backs of her eyes.
Garth yawned long and loud. Now that he had gotten his way, he was ready for bed. Eve blinked back her tears and gave him a big, if forced, smile. “Time for bed, I think.” She stood when he did, and he dropped a kiss on top of her head. “Thanks again, angel. I’ll put it right beside my bed.”
“I’m glad you like it,” she murmured, her smile less forced this time but filled with a sadness that she shared with him. “Goodnight.”
After he was gone, she returned to sitting beside Quinn. She pulled the soft throw over her bare legs and reached for her half-empty, now cold cup of chocolate.
“What about you?” Quinn asked. “Want to open something from me? I promise you will like it.” She waggled her eyebrows in encouragement.
Eve laughed. “No thanks. I can wait.” She gave Quinn another one of her forced smiles. “Knowing you guys liked your gifts so much is enough for me.”
“Well, Dad really loved his,” she assured her. “And I have a dress that will look wonderful with this.” She ran the scarf through her fingers once more. “Thanks, hun.”
“Welcome.”
“Ami’s plane gets in early,” Cameron said after a few more minutes of comfortable silence. “I promised to meet her, so I am going to turn in.” He gave each of his sisters a kiss, said goodnight to his brother—who didn’t seem to hear him—and went upstairs.
Feeling let down by Sebastian’s reaction to her gift, Eve finished off her drink and hugged Quinn goodnight. Without a look in Sebastian’s direction, she left the room, fighting tears. It was senseless to feel this way. So what if she had put so much time and thought into finding it for him when she assumed how much it would mean to him? It was just a stupid gift anyway.
Upstairs, she washed the tears from her face and brushed her teeth. Then, tossing her pajama bottoms off the foot of the bed, she crawled under her covers in only her tank top and panties. She punched her pillow a few times, more in frustration than any need to fluff them. Her day had royally sucked all around.
With a frustrated sigh, she turned on her side to face away from her door and closed her eyes.
She dreamed that he came to her.
Sebastian sat on the side of her bed and grazed his fingertips down her bare arm. She shivered deliciously and turned to face him. “Bastian…?” she murmured.
“Shh,” he whispered and bent to brush a kiss against the top of her head. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
Eve blinked. “I couldn’t tell if you liked it or not.” She couldn’t keep the hurt from her voice, and he smiled.
“I was in awe, babe. That book means so much to me. And that you gave it to me… I love it, Eve. Thank you.” His eyes, what she could see of them with the moon as the only light, were glazed with passion. “Sleep now, babe. Tomorrow I want to talk.”
She sighed happily. “Okay.”
Another kiss caressed her cheek. “Goodnight, sweet Eve.”
***
When Eve woke the next morning, she was more than a little hurt and more than just a little angry. Her dream last night had shown her exactly what reaction she had been wanting from Sebastian. She jerked on her pajama bottoms, pulled a sweatshirt over her head and brushed her teeth. Not even bothering to smooth the tangles from her long hair, she pulled the heavy tresses back into a messy ponytail that hung halfway down her back.
Tomorrow, she swore to herself. Tomorrow, she was getting it chopped off to her ears!
Downstairs in the dining room, she found the table loaded with platters of breakfast foods. Garth was already halfway through his plate of bacon, eggs, toast, and other delicious smelling food. Cameron was seated across from his father with a beautiful woman beside him. Her warm brown eyes and short, dark hair were gorgeous. Her kind smile was breathtaking even to Eve.
“Bonjour, Ami,” Eve greeted the French girl. “How was your flight?”
The slightly older woman laughed and shook her head. “I have no idea how it went,” she admitted. “I was too busy thinking of being with Cameron to pay attention.”
“I can only imagine.” Eve reached for the carafe of orange juice, not feeling in the least hungry. She was in a horribly bitchy mood, but she refused to take it out on the obviously happy woman across from her. Even if Ami did seem to glow with happiness… Eve sighed, wishing she could be so content.
“We are thinking of getting married in May,” Cameron was saying. “But that doesn’t give us much time to plan a wedding.”
“I’ll gift you the best wedding planner in the country,” Garth assured his son with an indulgent smile. He was obviously happy for his youngest son. “Just find her.”
Eve took a small sip of her juice, not at all surprised that her stepbrother and Ami were talking about marriage. When Cameron finally made up his mind about something, he didn’t waste time. “I know just the person you need. She does all the party planning for Winthrop Charities and handled Kari and Keith’s wedding last year. Remind me to give you her contact information later.”
Quinn joined them just a few minutes later. She stopped to greet her future sister-in-law with warmth before reaching for the coffee. Conversation was on a neutral topic, and Eve was thankful it stayed that way for the rest of the meal. She didn’t want to take her mood out on innocent bystanders.
Sebastian had yet to make an appearance by the time they all moved into the family room with cups of coffee. But he was already seated in the chair his brother had occupied the night before. His head rose as they entered the room, and his eyes went straight for Eve. But she turned away as soon as she felt his gaze on her. The dream
from the night before had been far too real, and her hurt was too close to the surface for her to face him at the moment.
Cameron and Ami sat on the sofa, while Garth took his normal chair. Quinn leaned against the arm of his chair while Eve sat on the floor in front of her stepfather, resting her head against his knees.
“Who wants to play Santa?” Quinn asked, rubbing her hands together in glee.
“You do it,” Eve urged. “I’m not feeling well.”
“Darling, what’s wrong?”
She shrugged. “Just a little headache,” she lied.
“Oh, okay then.” Quinn went to the tree and picked up a stack of gifts. “Let’s see what we have here… Cameron, here is one from Daddy. And Ami, one for you from Eve… Hush!” She shushed the other woman when she started to protest. “Eve gives the best presents ever. Trust me.” She winked and laughed.
Ami gave in with a smile as she took the prettily wrapped gift. “Okay. Thank you, Eve!” Eve gave her a small smile.
Quinn tossed a present to Garth. “That’s from me.” She put the largest bundle down before Eve. “So is that, love.” Then she dropped one into Sebastian’s lap. “From Cameron, darling.”
Eve took her time opening the wrapping. Inside, was a pretty pillow that would look wonderful in her room. No doubt, judging by the silky embroidering, it had cost a pretty penny. All around her, everyone was laughing and tearing into their gifts. Eve heard Ami exclaim when she unwrapped the picture Eve had given her of Cameron in a silver and crystal frame.
Garth played Santa next, giving everyone two gifts from the still large pile under the tree. Eve received a gorgeous necklace from Garth and a funny hat from Sebastian. Quinn put her own hat on and hugged her big brother. The gift-giving went on for a good hour, and Eve was still feeling sour and sulky. But she kept a smile on her face as she thanked Cameron for the rosary and Ami for the designer handbag.
When the pile under the tree was down to only a few small presents, Sebastian stood to play Santa. “Ho, ho, ho,” he said as he tossed gifts around.
He had given one out to everyone but her when he suddenly dropped down beside her and carefully placed a thin little box at her feet. “Merry Christmas, baby,” he said, his eyes intent on her face.
Everyone else was busy either unwrapping something or clearing away some of the mess they had caused by the volume of discarded wrapping paper, so no one was paying the slightest bit of attention to her. With a frown, Eve picked up the box. She knew it was jewelry because there was no wrapping on it, just a little ribbon on the outside. It was long and thin, and there was no card to say who it was from.
“Go on,” he urged as he dropped down beside her.
Slowly she raised the lid…and caught her breath. Inside sat a white gold bracelet with several charms. One was a cross, and then a book beside it. There was a tiny sea turtle—her favorite sea animal. The last was two interlocked hearts with a perfectly cut diamond in the center. “It’s… It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“It was a last-minute buy yesterday,” he murmured, taking the bracelet from the box and carefully snapping it into place around her right wrist. “I told the salesgirl about this special woman in my life, and she suggested this. Do you like it?”
Eve couldn’t find words. She just sat there looking down at his fingers still caressing her wrist, causing her heart to beat her to death. He had to know what he was doing to her with his fingers right over her pulse.
“How about going for a drive with me later?” he questioned in a quiet, passion-husky voice. “We can talk like I said we would last night.”
Her head snapped up. “Last night?”
He grinned. “Yeah. When I thanked you for the book last night, I told you we needed to talk… Remember?”
A blush crept up her neck and burned her cheeks. “I thought I was dreaming that,” she muttered.
His grin disappeared, and his eyes only grew hotter. “You dream of me?” Shyly, she nodded, turning her attention back to the bracelet. “God…” he muttered and stood. “Later?”
Eve could only nod.
eight
Sebastian had to force himself to do long division in his head. Anything to keep his mind off the woman standing beside him in the elevator.
It was beginning to get late. They had spent most of the day with the family, enjoying the holiday, having a delicious meal—a meal that had tasted like dust in his mouth. He had been so hyped up for what was going to come afterward to enjoy any of it.
After everyone had a full stomach and seemed to be falling asleep from all the turkey, Sebastian informed his father that he was taking Eve for a drive to look at all the Christmas lights. It had been a plausible excuse; after all, Eve loved to see the lights reflecting in the snow. But his father had given him the oddest look and told him to be careful.
It turned out that Garth was not completely clueless to the tension burning between his son and stepdaughter. Sebastian had nearly changed his mind after that, but one look at Eve and he was lost. She dreamed of me! Her confession that morning had nearly caused him to burst with desire. She blew his mind with her honesty regarding her feelings for him.
So he had put her in his car, and they had driven around the city for a while. Eve made him ache as he watched her eyes light up at the many beautiful designs created with Christmas lights. After only an hour or so, he couldn’t stand it any longer.
There was no way he was going to let their first time be under his father’s roof. Their corporate apartment, kept for out-of-town clients and visiting executives, was on Park Avenue. It was a three-bedroom penthouse. No one was using it that week, and with the maid service not scheduled until after the new year, it was the perfect place to take Eve.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this place.” She gazed up at him with those beautiful green eyes. “I knew there was one, but I had almost forgotten about it until you mentioned it earlier.”
He opened his mouth, but he couldn’t remember how to speak. She had him all knotted up. Sebastian clenched his hands into fists to keep them from trembling. He felt like a teenager about to seduce his first girl. He couldn’t even remember that girl’s name right now. Eve had invaded his every sense, blocking out any woman who had come before her.
Until last night, he had still been unsure if he even wanted to pursue the feelings he had for Eve. She was so damn young, and what if things didn’t work out? But as soon as he had opened that incredible gift, he had known that Eve’s feelings for him went far beyond just desire. She couldn’t have given him such a meaningful gift unless she loved him. And while he wasn’t yet sure if what he was feeling for her was as deep as love, he did care for her more than he had any other woman who had been in his life. He didn’t even know what love was. That was an emotion he had never experienced in a romantic way.
When he didn’t speak, she gave him a small smile. “You said we were going to talk. But so far you haven’t said much.” She captured one of his fists and brought it to her lips. Her big green eyes trapped his as she kissed his knuckles, her little pink tongue coming out to taste him. “Maybe we don’t need to talk after all,” she murmured.
Her wet tongue touching his overheated skin snapped him out of his daze. “We are going to talk.” His voice was hoarse and just slightly shaky. “But first… Oh God, Eve!” He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the wall of the elevator as she took one of his fingertips into her mouth and nibbled. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She grinned but released his hand. “If that’s the way you like it…” She squealed when he growled and pushed her up against the wall of the elevator. “Kiss me,” she commanded.
Normally, he liked to be the one in control, but from the way she was ordering him around right now, he knew she was going to dominate in the bedroom, something that was completely out of character for her. But, hell, did he love it. It sent a shot of white-hot desire through his veins, and he captured her lips roughly. His finger
s tangled in her hair, and he pulled her head back so he had the perfect angle to devour her luscious mouth.
The elevator was slowing down, but he didn’t even notice until the door opened on the top floor. Reluctantly, he lifted his head and took a step back. “We’re here.” She opened her eyelids slowly, her eyes glazed with so much passion he was tempted to take her there in the open elevator doorway.
On legs that trembled noticeably, she exited the elevator, and he enjoyed the view of her walking in front of him. She wore a short red sweater with black leggings and stiletto boots. The boots made her legs look endless, while her rear was showcased to perfection in the leggings. He couldn’t wait to unwrap her.
There were two penthouse apartments that took up the entire top floor of the building. Sebastian unlocked the second door and pulled her inside. Before the door was even closed behind them, she was in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he held her in place by gripping her sweet behind. Her lips devoured him, stealing away his breath.
She tasted of cool winter air, cinnamon coffee, and the sweetest honey. It was an addictive taste, and he feared he was going to become a junkie for it far too soon. She nibbled on his bottom lip, causing him to gasp in pleasure at the little stings. He fisted her hair to pull her head back, his breathing labored.
“We have to slow this down, E. I won’t be able to be gentle with you if I can’t get some semblance of control.”
She giggled, and it was the sexiest sound he had ever heard. It was incredibly feminine and musical. Just like bells… Who knew that bells were so sexy? “Gentle isn’t what I want, Bastian. Take me to bed.”
There she went with her sexy commands again. It sent a delicious shiver down his spine, and he pulled her through the apartment toward the master bedroom. With her hand in his own, he could feel the way she was trembling. He gave her fingers a little squeeze as he opened the door to the master bedroom and tugged her forward.
He turned to flip on the lights, and she walked away from him, toward the bed. He waited by the door while she took her time looking around. The king-size bed had cream and brown pillows decorating it with a matching comforter. The drapes were a dark brown, while the furniture was a soft cherry. He had no idea who had decorated the room, but it seemed to be welcoming.