VI.
Soft voices filtered from upstairs as Sebastian made a final round through the house, turning off lights and double-checking doors as he went. After punching in the key for the security alarm, he raked a hand through his hair and glanced around. It had taken hours, but they’d decked the house to the hilt for Christmas. Crisp white lights and festive garland covered nearly every surface from archways to mantles, to the thick curving banisters. Multicolored lights illuminated the outside of the windows, bathing the inside with a colorful glow. All that was missing was the tree, but truth be told, he was looking forward to decorating that alone with Taylor. Maybe he would even take her shopping and let her pick out the theme. Women tended to like that sort of thing.
All in all, the evening had gone well. The kids had been well behaved and more than happy to help. They’d been ecstatic when he’d handed them all twenty bucks for their hard work and they’d all shared a peaceful meal of fried chicken, jo jos, and Mediterranean pizza. He chuckled remembering Mia’s face the minute she’d bitten into the feta cheese. The way she’d grimaced, he would have thought she’d swallowed a lemon. At least she’d politely lifted the napkin to her mouth and spit the food out, even if she did follow it up with a scowl and an adamant “yuck.”
His head snapped up as the little princess let out an ear-piercing shriek upstairs. It had been a long day and he was more than ready to retire to the more peaceful surroundings of his suite. Bounding up the steps, he found his niece standing in the hallway. She’d crammed her fingers in her mouth and fat tears rolled down the rounded slopes of her cheeks. The boys stood sheepishly behind her, the look on their faces anything but innocent. Shooting them both a dour look, he crouched down and plucked Mia’s hand from between her trembling lips.
“What happened, baby?”
“Dey slammed my fingers in the door.” Her chubby little legs pumped as she danced in place. “Owwwwie!”
He examined her dimpled digits, bending them gently. Running a finger over the red indent, he shook his head and scooped her up. “You’re okay, pumpkin. Let’s go get you some ice though, just to make it feel better, okay?”
She nodded against his neck, her cheeks leaving hot wet patches in their wake.
“We’re sorry, Uncle Seb. It was an accident.”
“It’s not me you should apologize to, Christian. Your cousin’s the one who got hurt.”
The young boy scowled and hung his head. Kicking the carpet with his toes, he gave a begrudging sigh. “I’m sorry, Mia. She’s just such a pain in the butt! She never leaves us alone.”
Sebastian lifted an eyebrow at his nephew and adjusted the squirming toddler on his hip. “Is that an apology or an excuse?”
“Sorry.”
“You boys finish up your game and get ready for bed. I’ll be up in a minute to say goodnight.”
“Yes, sir.”
A few minutes later, he had Mia tucked into her frilly white bed and the soft glow of a nightlight flooded the lavish space. She beamed up at him from beneath the covers, still clutching the plastic bag of ice. Leaning over, he kissed her forehead with a promise to keep her door cracked and a reassurance he was just down the hall as always.
The boys had already scrambled into their bunk bed by the time the peeked in on them. The blue multisport comforters were just coming up over their bodies, and their hushed whispers filled the room. Sebastian shook his head and smiled from the doorway. The two couldn’t have been any closer if they had been cousins.
“You know the rules. Keep the TV down and lights out at eleven.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
It was a force of habit for Josh’s son, being raised by a military parent. Christian happily followed Aiden’s lead. Regarding them for a minute longer, he felt a twinge of pity for his nephew. His home life was an unstructured mess. Most of the time, it bordered on utter chaos. It was no wonder the kid clung to anything that resembled order. A frown darkened his face as he pondered the situation. Maybe someday his brother would find his balls and get his wife in check. He snorted. That was doubtful. For whatever reason, Lucian seemed to enjoy being a doormat and unfortunately, he was dragging his poor kid down with him. Right under some vicious four inch heels. Sighing, he reminded himself that it was none of his business. He had his own house and his own affairs to keep in order.
“I love you boys,” he stated softly. “Goodnight.”
“Love you too, Uncle Seb. G’night.”
Peaceful silence enveloped him the moment he shut the doors to the master suite. His eyes darted over the bed before his gaze traveled to the far end of the room. Taylor lay curled up on the chaise lounge, a soft cashmere throw spread across her legs as she read. Hearing him enter, she set the book down and smiled. Sebastian regarded her for a long moment, unsure if he wanted to return the gesture or not.
“I thought I asked you to get ready for bed,” he stated, turning to tug off his shirt.
Taylor’s expression faltered as he looked her way. “I am ready. My clothes are changed, my teeth are brushed…”
“And yet you aren’t in it.”
Her forehead creased with confusion. “I was waiting for you.”
Sebastian nodded and stripped off his pants. “We seem to be having a little breakdown in communication this evening. To be honest, I’m having a hard time understanding why that is. Am I not being clear?”
“I…I did what you asked.”
“No, Taylor, you didn’t. Is there a reason you are avoiding our bed?” he asked, turning to face her. Her mouth opened and closed without sound. Uncertainty lined her face as she glanced at the object in question. A silent shake of her head was all she managed to muster. Sebastian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then please get in it.”
Laying the book aside, she peeled back the throw and stood. Her gaze darted to the rumpled blanket and he watched the conflict surge through her as she struggled with the urge to fold it. The muscles on one side of his jaw knotted. Crossing his arms against his chest, Sebastian bit his tongue and waited. After a long pause, she finally crept across the room and slid between the blankets. A small tremble wormed through her as he pinned her with a stare. Shaking his head, he moved to turn out the lights.
Her body stiffened as he eased into bed beside her.
“Are you trying to test my patience?” he asked quietly.
“No.” She squirmed beneath the comforter.
“I’ve warned you several times that I am not a patient man. I asked you politely to get in bed. It was a simple request, yet you still felt the need to make me wait.”
“I was scared,” she whispered. “You seem angry.”
“So you decide to further test that theory?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in the dark. “Tell me, Taylor, if it’s not my anger you want then what is it you are trying to accomplish here?”
“I…” she blew out a shaky breath. “ Sebastian, please don’t be mad at me. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“No,” he agreed. “It won’t. When I tell you to get ready for bed, that means I expect you to be ready and in bed when I get here. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sebastian.”
“Good. Don’t make me have this conversation with you again. You won’t like me if I have to continue repeating myself, and you’ll like the consequences of avoiding my touch even less.”
The mattress shifted. He stared up at her as Taylor leaned over him, her inky hair spilling across her face. Even in the darkness, he could see the hurt and confusion wounding those beautiful eyes. Gooseflesh erupted beneath the feather light stroke of her fingers as she trailed them across his chest. He bit back a groan as they danced lower and swirled across his navel.