Wesley’s gaze stole to Sebastian, who was laughing with Arthur and Ellis. “Yes,” he said slowly. “I suppose so.”
It was surreal—perhaps evenmagical—to have dinner in his own home at a full table, to hear laughter and stories layered over Stella Robbins’s record on the gramophone and most of all, toenjoyit. Wesley might like his privacy and solitude, and that would never change, but this did have its appeal, having people in his life who felt not like peers, but likefriends.
Finally, when Jade was hiding yawns and Rory nodding off into his sponge cake, they called it a night, plans being made for the next day. Arthur and Rory had already disappeared into the guest room as Wesley led Sebastian up the stairs. “I can’t believe my staff is blaming the cats for you sleeping in my room.”
“They want to see you happy,” Sebastian said, as they walked down the hall. “Do they put on a big Christmas here?”
Wesley shook his head. “They have their own families. I give all the staff the holiday, so Christmas is just me, and my smokes, and my whiskey.”
Sebastian paused outside Wesley’s door. “We could stay in England for a bit, and then what would you say to Christmas in Spain?”
Wesley raised his eyebrows.
“It’s just a little celebration,” Sebastian said, with a hint of a smile. “Two weeks and about thirty de Leons showering you with food and attention.”
“Thirty de Leons.” Wesley’s eyebrow went up. “And how many dogs and cats?”
“Lots,” Sebastian said, sounding like that was a Christmas present all in itself.
Wesley huffed a half laugh. “And you’re certain you want to bring a very male viscount home for Christmas?”
“My family is big and some of them are a bit eccentric,” Sebastian said. “There will probably be many guests much stranger than you. And Isa is going to bring Molly; we can say we’re Bohemians like them.”
“Bohemians? I think I’d rather openly admit I love your cock,” Wesley said in horror, which made Sebastian snort. “Brodigan might be jealous if I’m the one who goes to the Mediterranean.”
“I was going to invite him too,” Sebastian admitted. “And the others. But I promise you can complain about all the people and pets as much as you want.”
A real laugh escaped Wesley. “I think I’m offended by how well you know me.” He pushed open the door to his room. “Is your entire family paranormal?Eccentricparanormals?”
“Pretty much,” Sebastian admitted. “It can get pretty wild, as you would say.”
Being swept away into Sebastian’s wild world of magic—Wesley could think of nothing he wanted more.“I’ll happily follow you to Spain, or anywhere you’d like to go—provided we can start with my room. Right now.”
“Does it look different if you’re not wearing handcuffs?” Sebastian said, as Wesley grabbed him by the sleeve and tugged him into the bedroom.
Wesley firmly shut the door behind them. “Come here and find out—”
His knees promptly went weak, and he pitched forward, right into Sebastian’s arms. “Oops,” Sebastian said, too innocently.
“You arsehole,” Wesley said, though he could feel himself smiling again. “You did that on purpose, just to show off that you have magic again.”
Sebastian grinned. “Maybe,” he said. “Or maybe I just—whoops, no, that time actuallywasan accident,” he said, as he scrambled to catch Wesley before he hit the floor.
They fell together on Wesley’s bed, a tangle of limbs and magic and laughter. Outside the bedroom window, the snow was falling as he rolled Sebastian onto his back. “You can use that magic all you want,” Wesley said, crawling over him. “Doesn’t change that you like it here, under me—”
His arms and legs gave out, and a startledoofleft him as he fell flat on top of Sebastian.
“I can use it all I want, hmm?” Sebastian said, pushing Wesley over onto the mattress.
Wesley’s limbs were tingly and heavy as lead, his eyes half-lidded with the effort of keeping them open, and the return of the sensation was as welcome as the smile on Sebastian’s face. “You think you’re so cute.”
Sebastian lowered himself so their bodies werealigned as he stretched out directly on top of Wesley. “I think I have you right where I want you.”
“For a moment, perhaps,” Wesley said, limbs alight with magic and the bliss of Sebastian’s warmth against him. “But you see, I know you too. And I know you don’t have enough control of your magic yet to keep this up.”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Yes I do.”
Wesley scoffed. “Maybe by tomorrow you will. But tonight? Considering the amount of control you need to exert to keep your magic just on me? You really don’t.”
