Page 55 of Christmas Magic

Chapter Ten

Lucian’s arm muscles tightened under Cora’s grip. With an appreciative shiver, she savored the feel of his hard, bulging biceps under the fabric of his shirt. He truly did have a magnificent body—as the group of mothers staring at them had obviously noticed.

Several of the moms looked jealous.

Ha! Did they think a woman of Cora’s age couldn’t be paired with a young hottie?

This was the twenty-first century, not the Middle Ages.

Smug delight convinced her to press against Lucian to show that he was all hers. She glanced up at him, hoping he’d gaze down at her with adoration. His attention was elsewhere, though. His eyes were narrowed, his jaw set in a determined line. He was staring at Santa—Fred—as though he planned to walk over and challenge him.

How thrilling.

It had been a long time since she’d incited such passion in a man. Lucian almost looked ready to fight for her…but she really didn’t want to be responsible for a brawl; not at a place with so many young and impressionable children around. She was, after all, a mother herself, as well as a grandmother and a local celebrity, with her baking contest win and her volunteering for various organizations.

A regretful sigh rushed from her, because her wanton desire to flaunt Lucian before Fred had fizzled somewhat. Still, if she acted with care, she should be able to show off Lucian in a way that not only got her ex’s attention but avoided a confrontation.

“All is well?” Lucian asked.

He’d better not have some kind of woo-woo ability to read minds. “Yes.” No.

Lucian’s expression held concern. He drew her aside, out of the way of several boys running to join the queue. “Are you upset because of seeing Santa?”

Ugh. He might well be a mind reader. “A little.”

“You intended to introduce me to him.”

Not really. I just wanted to show you off.

“I would like to speak with him.”

“Lucian—”

“I am well aware of the honor of such an introduction,” he said earnestly. “You could have chosen any knight, and yet, you picked me. I will not forget this day, Fair Maiden.”

Neither will I.

She patted his face. “Let me handle our visit here, okay?”

His eyes narrowed further. Did he object to her being in charge? Before she could ask, he caught her hand touching his cheek, ensnared her fingers with his, and lowered their joined hands.

“If I may,” he said, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “We are honored guests, are we not?”

Hardly. “Actually—”

“We do not count among the folk who are here because they are Santa’s subjects. They will have a duty to visit him at this time of year, perhaps to bring the Christmastide payments they owe him.”

Duty? Payments? What was he talking about? Coquina Castle didn’t charge a fee for people to see Santa Claus.

“We are Santa’s noble peers,” Lucian continued. “If we get close, draw his attention, he will summon us for an audience with him. We will not have to wait in line.”

Before she could utter a word, Lucian marched toward the platform while pulling her along with him. Her kitten heel sandals sank into the sandy soil, making it hard for her to keep up.

Any second, she’d twist her ankle and fall face first on the ground. That would get her some attention, but not the kind she wanted.

“Lucian!”

“Almost there.”