“Thank you.” He squeezes her hands and stands up, rubbing his neck. “I didn’t mean to tell you so much, but you are a good listener.”
She smiles at him. “Tinley is amazing. You are doing a wonderful job.”
“Am I? She longs for her mother, and I didn’t know how badly until she told a stranger.”
Aiylin jerks, realizing the truth of the words. She stiffens and looks at him. “If I’ve overstepped, I’m sorry,” but Sebastian cuts her off with a laugh.
“No. I’m trying to say thank you, Aiylin. I’ve been with a woman who didn’t want me, and it almost killed me. I don’t play games, and I would never lead you on. I won’t pressure you. I too know my worth, Miss Miller. It took me a little while to figure that out.” He stands to go.
“We will be in the living room decorating for Christmas. It may take the rest of the day, but Mother is determined to give Tinley a Christmas to remember. Please don’t feel like you have to help.”
With each word, she can feel him backing away from her, and her heart is screaming at her to do something, say something! He reaches the door, and she shoves back her fear and calls after him.
“Sebastian, who said I didn’t want you?”
His hand drops from the door, and he turns to look at her. The vulnerability in his gaze sends her heart crashing to the floor. She steps towards him and smiles.
“Was it when I kissed you? Did I do it wrong?” He groans and walks to meet her halfway. He pulls her against his body and jerks when she says, “I’ve not had much practice, Sebastian. I don’t let many men get close to me.”
“Why not?” he asks hoarsely and presses a kiss to her forehead, over her closed eyes, and down her neck.
Aiylin reaches up and takes his face in her hands so she can see his response to her next words. “Because I was waiting, Sebastian.”
“For what?”
“For you…”
He smiles softly, and she can see the joy in his eyes. His kiss is deep and passionate, leaving her doubts and fears in the past. How can it be that no woman has ever fought for this man? She will fight with everything in her to keep his heart if he gives it to her.
“You’ll be waiting no longer,” he promises between kisses and Aiylin laughs as the hole in her heart begins to fill.
“I want to court you, Aiylin,” he says.
“Yes, please, but how? You live in a different city?” she asks.
“We’ll figure it out. Just say, yes.”
“Yes,” she whispers against his mouth again. When their kisses grow more heated, he sets her away from him and laughs when she tries to grab him.
“I’m trying to do the right thing here, Aiylin, you’re making it very difficult.” He groans at her look of disappointment and embarrassment.
“Forgive me, but you seem to have awoken something in me, Sebastian,” she straightens her dress and nods at him. “I shall do my best not to accost you.”
Sebastian laughs loudly, “You're a puzzle, Aiylin.”
Her crestfallen look has him jerking her back into his arms. “That was a compliment. I love puzzles. I would gladly spend the rest of my life trying to figure you out.”
“You haven’t yet earned that right, Mr. Becker,” she teases and pulls away to walk to the door. “Though I do hope you earn it quickly.”
Langdon curses the snow. By the next morning, he was completely snowed in. The blizzard hit, giving him time to plot and plan how to get to her. Patience is a virtue, they say. She will pay for making him suffer.
The last young woman to reject him paid dearly, and so did her family. He grins thinking of the payments he still receives to stay away from her. Perhaps he should give her a visit after he teaches Aiylin what happens when you disappoint him. He laughs as he remembers and plans.
Chapter 16
Aiylin spends the next week helping keep Tinley busy. They bake cookies, play games and while Sebastian works, she writes new songs. It's incredible how the break from home has inspired her music.
She slides the third sheet of cookies into the oven and smiles. Ms. Stella, the cook decides the mess is well worth the scents filling the kitchen. Tinley is hard at work shaping her own cookie. When Sebastian enters the kitchen, she lets out a startled scream.
“No, Daddy!”
Aiylin quickly covers her treat with a towel and smiles at his confusion.
“You can’t make something that smells this delicious and not expect company,” he teases.
Aiylin laughs as Tinley pushes him from the kitchen. “NO, these are a surprise! You have to wait.”
“Not even a taste? Please, I’m starving…” he wilts against the door frame and Tinley giggles. “Will no one feed a dying man? Ms. Stella help…” Sebastian drops to his knees, holding onto the wood and groans while Aiylin laughs at his antics.
“I’ve seen that before,” she turns and walks away.
Tinley sighs and walks away with a huff. “Boys are weird.” Sebastian glances at her with one eye and reaches for Aiylin.
“What about you, do you have anything to tide a man over?” he pleads. Aiylin walks over and pops a piece of candied ginger into his mouth.
“That should help,” she slips an arm around his waist and pretends to help lift him. “Poor thing. Old men need extra sustenance, Ms. Stella.”
Ms. Stella has to cover her shout of laughter at his look of indignation.
“I’ll show you old,” he promises and spins her from the room into the dining room to kiss her senseless.
He’s humming when he walks away. Aiylin watches him go. She’s fanning herself
