Chapter Two
Kayleigh rubbed her eyes and then looked around confused. She had fallen asleep on the couch, but she woke up in her own bed? She vaguely remembered being carried to her room. No, she had to have dreamed that. Just like she'd dreamed she'd been kissing Bastian. He often starred in her nighttime fantasies, and last night had been no different. As her brother's best friend, he had been around for as long as she could remember, and her crush on him went just as far back. Bastian hadn't paid much attention to her when she'd been in high school, especially after her attempted kiss, the first one of many. At sixteen, she'd been dared by her friends to sneak downstairs into the den and make out with him. He'd declined graciously, but she had run off, embarrassed to the core. After graduation, they'd gotten along just fine until he'd turned her bottom pink for drinking and driving. She vividly recalled that memory. It was one she used to play on repeat in her head.
"My everything hurts," she whined, all too aware of the brightness of day outside her window. Kayleigh shuffled over to the large bay window and shut the blinds. "I need to go back to sleep."
"You've slept long enough. What you did last night was dangerous, Kay. You could have gotten into an accident and hurt someone or yourself." Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest. "Your brother asked me to keep an eye on you while everyone is away."
Her parents had taken Rhett down to Florida to help get their house in order. They were buying a winter home, so that when it dropped below freezing in New York, they had a warm place to fly to. She'd had no idea Bastian was playing the part of her babysitter.
"I'm nineteen. I don't need a minder." She crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Besides, I think I'm coming down with the flu. I need to rest."
"The only flu you're coming down with was induced from your reckless actions last night. I found you passed out at the bottom of the stairs, reeking of alcohol. I can't believe you chose to drive home in such a condition."
"I'm sick, Bastian. Leave me alone."
"All right, Kay. We'll see if you're really sick or not." He blew out a breath as he exited the room.
Kayleigh racked her brain for the meaning behind his words. What did he mean he would see if she was sick? She didn't like the sound of that at all. Bastian had always been so damn sexy, but adding authoritative on top of it, especially when it was directed at her, made her tummy flip. A few minutes later, he returned to her room with an object in each hand. She couldn't make them out from the bed. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to check your temperature. If you have a fever, then I'll know you are telling the truth."
"Okay. I run pretty low, though, so it doesn't really mean anything."
"It does mean something, honey. It means I'll be properly responding to your behavior today instead of taking you to the doctor. You're an adult, Kay. Drinking and driving is dangerous to you and everyone else on the road. You better hope you've got a fever."
"Properly responding?" She rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you're getting at. Just get it over with." Kayleigh opened her mouth for the thermometer.
"Sorry, I couldn't the find the one that goes in your mouth." He moved closer to the bed and sat down. A red tipped case was gripped in his hand, and he popped out a slim glass rod and shook it. "So, we'll have to check it the other way."
"There is no other way," she squeaked. "No, Bastian." Kayleigh watched him dip the instrument into the jar in his other hand, and then he set it and the plastic case down on her nightstand, seemingly oblivious to her protest.
"Be a good girl and roll over."
"Or what?"
"Or the consequences which follow afterward are going to be much worse for you."
"I still don't understand what your definition of consequences are." Kayleigh didn't want to push him any harder, but she also didn't want her temperature taken in that fashion. She reminded herself that he could have gotten her into a lot of trouble last night if he'd called the authorities. Or she could have gotten into a bad accident. Damn. How did she get herself into one bad scenario after another?
"I'm going to spank you, Kay. If you fight me every step of the way when I'm doing my best to help you, then you are truly going to be sore. You've got one last chance. Roll over."
"No." The word fell out of her mouth before she could process the entire implication behind his threat, but it was too late.
In seconds, he had pulled the blankets off and turned her over his knees. Bastian tugged her pajama bottoms down along with her panties in one motion.
"Please don't do that," she begged and wiggled in an attempt to get away. Two hard slaps landed on each of her cheeks. "Ouch!" She buried her head in her hands, mortified over the procedure and at being held like a small child over his lap.
"Stay still. It'll be over in a minute." He spread apart her cheeks and then inserted the thermometer. He rested one hand on the stem of the rod while the other pressed against her back. "I don't want to ever hear of you getting behind the wheel after you've been drinking. Do you know I witness dozens of DUI cases every day? Some of those cases involve prison because the person driving also got charged with vehicular manslaughter. Is that the path you want to take, young lady?"
"No," she grumbled, but did not move again. After what seemed like forever, Bastian removed the thermometer. To her incredible dismay, he didn't move her off his lap. "Can I get up?"
"Not a chance, Kay. Just as I suspected, you don't have a fever." He landed three smarting blows to each of her cheeks then rubbed his palm in the same spot. "I promised you consequences."
"Ouch. I get it! You don't need to spank me to prove a point."
"Yes, sweetheart, I do."
Kayleigh bit down on her lip as she let the memory go. Bastian had spanked her hard, and it had left a lasting reminder as he had promised. Since then, she never drank without a plan on how to get home. His message rang true. It had been stupid and irresponsible on multiple levels. She'd never forgotten the way he'd handled her. Bastian had been serious about her infraction, and his hand had punctuated the fact.
After college, she'd moved closer to the Catskills, and he'd joined a corporate office specializing in criminal law down in Manhattan. She smiled as she thought about his lovely face, and those amazing lips. She could have sworn they had actually kissed with how engaged her senses were with the memory of the dream, but she had stayed up later than she normally did. Maybe her brain had been on overload.
She got out of bed, relieved herself in the bathroom then padded out to the living room.
* * *
Sebastian grumbled as the wake-up alarm vibrated his cell phone. He had stayed up much later than he'd originally intended, but he hoped the surprise he had in mind for Kay would be well-received. She had been so adorable last night when he'd taken her to her bedroom, even more than the last time he had seen her, though his knowledge of her secret desires could have enhanced her appearance. With a muffled groan, he got out of bed. There was a lot on his agenda today, and, hopefully, Kay would agree to take part in it.
* * *
Kayleigh looked under the Christmas tree as she passed through the living room. Her intention had been to reach the kitchen and make coffee, but she halted in her tracks. Where had those extra presents come from? “Oh my god!” She rushed over to the decorated tree and dropped to her knees. Half a dozen packages, done up in cartoon kittens paper and bows, were tucked in front of the gifts she'd wrapped for her family. They couldn't be real. Kayleigh fingered the pretty wrapping paper and dared to look at the gift tag. It said her name! Holding it to her, now a tiny bit concerned, she stood and walked into the kitchen. Someone left presents and bought breakfast too? Cinnamon rolls, the makings for hot chocolate, including a big bag of marshmallows, and two boxes of donuts perched on the counter along with her letter. From this spot she saw a reply note on it. What in the world happened last night? Seeing the greeting, her heart nearly beat out of her chest, and she took a deep breath.
Dear Kayleigh,
I trust you have been a good girl this year, even with the unfortunate struggles you have been through. Sometimes what you are seeking is right in front of you. Enjoy the presents I left and be good.
Merry Christmas, S. C.
Kayleigh brushed away tears; her moment of happiness overwhelmed her good senses to check the house. She carefully set the letter down, then unwrapped the first gift. To her immense surprise, it contained several hair bows, an ornate wooden hairbrush, and three ribbons. They were gorgeous. Excitement rushed through her, and she raced into the living room to unwrap the remaining ones. Coloring books, very detailed, fine-point markers and gel pens, several DVDs about magical princesses, and a few craft kits. Who on earth could know her deepest secrets and what she longed for? She'd always wanted someone to pamper her in such a way, but after the unfortunate events this past year, she hadn't dared seek anyone online or in person.
From down the hallway, she heard the guest bathroom door open. Her excitement waned. Could it be Rhett playing some sort of prank on her? No, her brother would never be mean, and he would have stayed in his old bedroom which was upstairs. Besides, he was far away from the cold New York blizzard swirling outside. Florida seemed like a different world for the moment. She felt foolish for believing in a miracle, but her embarrassment quickly turned to anger. In order to get to the bathroom, someone had to walk past where she had been sitting. Someone saw her admiring the gifts. Gifts purposefully selected with a little mindset. You wouldn't give a young kid these types of pens – very fine-point for some, and intricate “adult” coloring books. Her gaze settled on the wooden hairbrush, and suddenly its purpose took on a whole new meaning. Shit. She hadn't thought of that earlier. Some littles, particularly those with brattier sides, usually sought physical discipline. Correction, sought what she wanted. Who knew she wanted a Daddy to take care of her in all the ways it implied and hold her responsible?
Bastian strutted into the living room, and her breath caught in her throat. Of all of the people who could have been in her house, she'd never expected to see him. She would have been less surprised if Santa himself came around the corner. Bastian wore simple black lounge pants and a gray thermal shirt, but his whole body oozed sexiness. His dark brown hair had grown out a little and salt and pepper specks showed at his temples. He had a beard, short, but full, which also showed a few silver colored stands. She could not keep the shock off her face, and her jaw dropped. Heat flooded her face. She was ashamed he'd found her letter. S.C. didn't stand for Santa Claus. Nope, those initials meant Sebastian Cruz. Slowly, it dawned on her, from somewhere way back in her brain. He’d lived here for a while, during the winters mainly, and kept up the house while her parents were away. It didn't explain what he was doing here today. Christmas Eve dinner had been officially canceled by Kayleigh herself. Plus, an even bigger question remained. Why did he have all of these little presents in his possession?
“Do you think this is funny? What are you doing here?” she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
“I don't think anything is funny until I've had coffee." He arched an eyebrow. "Why do you have such an attitude on Christmas morning?”
“I don't have an attitude. How did you get in here?”
“Rhett gave me a key years ago, and if I ever lose it, I know where the spare is. He said I could stay here since a storm kicked up out of nowhere last night while I was on the road.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You seemed sort of happy a minute ago. What changed?”
“Uh, it's not just a storm, Bastian. It's a freaking blizzard." She ignored his question and continued with another of her own. "What is the real meaning of this?”
“Caffeine. Lots of caffeine then I'll answer all your questions. I've got no hidden agendas here. I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Kay.”