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By the time we make it to the platform, about thirty people have gathered. I slide Seraphina in front of me and wrap my arms around her chest to help keep her warm. Despite the abundant sunshine, the air is still cool. Her small body trembles against mine, and her graceful fingers are red as they wrap around my forearms.
The vocalist launches into the lyrics and has one hell of a voice. Rich and throaty, she sounds like she belongs at a night club instead of singing Christmas carols in the park.
Seraphina lets out a small gasp. “Wow! This is my favorite song, and I’ve never heard it sung so beautifully before.”
Heads bob around us in agreement with lots of murmurs through the growing crowd. I squeeze her tight, relishing her enjoyment of the performance. Enormous applause breaks out upon conclusion, and the soloist doesn’t pause, launching intoSilent Night. Her rendition of that classic is just as incredible.
By the end, Seraphina’s teeth chatter, so I bend down to her ear. “It’s time to go angel. You’re freezing.”
“Okay.”
As expected, she offers no argument but disappointment thuds in her tone. She snuggles in tight as we walk back to my car.
“Thank you so much for bringing me. I had a great time.”
I smile from her unwavering politeness. “Was it as good as you remembered?”
“Better.”
Breathless and vehement, she stares up at me with adoration that’s undeserved by a man like me. “I’m glad.”
At my car, I hurry to help her inside and then hustle around to start the ignition and pump the heat. An icy hand entwines with mine, reminding me I need to get her some gloves. I squeeze her fingers in approval of her touch. “Good girl.”
The shiver vibrating through her isn’t from the cold this time. Another confirmation of how much she needs my praise, that I’m just as eager to always provide.
Seraphina
The vibe between us changes when my phone buzzes in my jacket pocket. Balthazar’s body stiffens and his hand holding mine squeezes as he glances at me with squinting eyes. Unable to figure out why he’s irritated, I wait until he looks back at the road before I dig out my cell.
My chest flutters. What if it’s Bree? I already feel guilty and don’t want to have to explain to her I’m on a date with the man she’s overly suspicious of. Somehow, I feel worse when I see Casey’s name on the screen.
Casey:What happened last night? You left with that guy and didn’t even say good-bye.
Wow! He abandoned me, and he’s the one that’s mad? I don’t understand his perspective at all.
“Who is it?”
Without thinking, I blurt out Casey’s name in my own frustration from his accusation of my rudeness.
“That son of a bitch.”
Fury thunders in Balthazar’s tone. His grasp turns into a death grip crushing my fingers.
The expression on Balthazar’s face as he jerks the car to the side of the road makes me think he’s going to wreck. He slams the gear into park and turns his big body toward me as far as he can in the narrow space.
He grabs my hand again, cupping the back in his palm as he strokes over my skin. “Did I hurt you?”
The horror shocks me from a man so normally poised and confident. He gave me a pinch but I’m fine. “No.”
“Angel you flinched.”
The tender way he caresses me and worries over me steals all of my focus. I don’t care anymore if Casey is mad at me or not. I just want to relieve any unwarranted guilt from Balthazar.
I’m not sure how—after knowing someone for such a short time—I can be this concerned with his feelings but I am. My heart knows he’s better for me than Casey. “I’m okay really. It was just for a second.”
“Fuck.” He twists back and slams his head onto the back of his seat, blowing out a long breath. “You’re making me lose control.”
I’m not sure how I’m doing that, but he seems upset by it. So I say the only thing I can think of to make him not mad at me. “I’m sorry.”
