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CHAPTER TEN
“Nereida, Arteisma,come grab your stuff,” I called out from the other side of the loft stairs where I’d built a closet to hold all our snow gear.
“Coming!”
Two sets of tiny feet pounded over the hardwood floor and crowded into the little alcove as I handed out jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots. They ran off to dress just as fast.
“Make sure you use the bathroom before we leave.”
Arteisma answered with a sweet, “Yes, Desarae.”
Nereida replied with her usual, “We know.” Likeduh.
Grinning, I gathered my jacket and matching accessories along with my snow boots.
I heard Seff ask in a soft voice, “Hey, you want a hand with those?”
I walked into the living room to find Seff on one knee, patiently holding Nereida’s snow boot ready as she struggled to pull on a pair of thick winter socks.
She growled when the heel ended up cockeyed against her ankle, and the toe seam was off-center. “Stupid sock.” She stamped her foot on the floor.
Seff didn’t crack a smile, only stared at the off-kilter sock as though it were a real problem Nereida needed to solve. “Well, you got two choices here.” He rubbed his chin. “You can try to straighten it out or take it off and start all over again.” His dark brows went up as he waited.
Nereida glared at the offending piece of clothing, then sighed. “Could you fix it for me, please?”
“You betcha.”
Surprised, Arteisma and I blinked wide eyes at each other as Seff set down the little snow boot and straightened Nereida’s sock.
Overcome by the sudden urge to weep, I could barely swallow past the lump in my throat. As Seff finished up with Nereida, he offered to give Arteisma a hand.
“I need to talk to you both before we go,” I said as I sat on the futon. Everyone was watching me, even Seff. Looking at Arteisma and Nereida, I went on, “I know this is difficult for you. It’s perfectly normal to be sad. Putting on a happy face might feel like the hardest thing you’ve ever done. I’m sad, too, but I have little choice.” I glanced at them, then locked eyes with Seff for a second. A slight, almost shy grin curved his mouth. “But my heart is also full of joy because we are together and because Seff is here with us, helping us, keeping us steady and safe. Instead of showing the world my sad face, I choose to let my joy shine through.” I pulled a funny face for the twins. “I’m not promising anything, but maybe we can stop at the candy store and stock up on some saltwater taffy, huh?”
Arteisma bounced in her seat and shouted, “Yes!”
Readjusting all the snow gear in my arms, I glanced back at Seff to offer a smile, only to find him staring back at me. His lips parted. His pupils dilated, engulfing the dark brown of his irises. The perfect reflection of the oil lamp on the table sparkled like copper flames in his eyes as he took me in.
Tiny bubbles of excitement seemed to pop all over my skin, making me shiver—not from cold, but from the heat that burst throughout my body. With every breath, his scent filled my lungs, and I wanted to kiss the heck out of him, taste him, roll around all over him until he saturated my skin with his masculine scent. Seconds ticked by as I gazed back at the gorgeous male who couldn’t seem to stop staring at me.
“Hey, Seff.” Arteisma broke the spell with her sweet voice. “Doesn’t Desarae look so pretty?”
Seff blinked, swallowed, nodded, and answered in a husky, gravelly voice, “She’s the prettiest female I’ve ever seen.” He looked at Arteisma and grinned. “Besides you and your sister, that is.”
Smiling, I glanced at Nereida and saw her gaze darting between Seff and me. No trace of a smile on her face, only that deep worry-crease between her eyes.
“Nereida—”
“I need to go potty.” She jumped up and marched down the hall, her back straight and her fists clenched tight.
Seff stood, took the few steps to the futon. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “I think she’s afraid I’ll take you away from them again.”
I had the strangest feeling in the pit of my stomach. If Seff asked me to choose between him and the twins, either choice would break my heart.
But a good male would never force me to choose.
“Seff—”
