"I'm a—"
"Wait, let me guess—you work with kids… you're a doctor. A pediatric heart surgeon!"
I can hear the shock in Sebastian's voice. "Yes, actually. That's incredible."
"Have we ever met before, Sebastian?"
"No."
"Okay good. Now, I'm going to ask you to help me with my next bit of magic. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
"Great. Now see that frame right there with the picture of the beautiful woman in shadows? Can you tell who she is?"
"No."
"Okay, great. Now I want you to imagine the love of your life. The one who got away. The girl you wish were here right now so you could tell her how much you love her. Are you picturing her in your mind now?"
“Yes.” Sebastian’s voice sounds different, and I wonder what he's thinking.
"Stare at the painting and keep imagining her. Picture every detail of her, from the color of her hair to her eyes, to the way she smiles. Are you picturing it all?"
"Yes. I am."
"Great, now watch the painting closely."
The crowd gasps at something, and I can imagine it's the shadows parting to reveal a painting of me, but I can't see it. I can hear Sebastian though, when he inhales sharply. "How… how is this possible?"
"What's her name? The girl in the picture?"
"Kacie. Kacie Michaels."
My heart feels like a weight has been lifted from it. I've been living under this dreadful fear that he wouldn't picture me. Wouldn't say my name. That he'd pick Celene. And it would crush me. But he chose me. He picked me. I have to resist running out there right now and into his arms, but the magic trick isn't done yet.
"How would you like to see Kacie again? To hold her in your arms?"
His voice sounds sad. "I don't think that's possible, no matter how much magic you have." My heart breaks.
"Let's just see what we can do."
This is the part I'm blindfolded for. This is the part I have no idea how they manage. Because right now as someone moves me around by the hand, right now the crowd, and Sebastian, are seeing the painting literally come to life. The painting is turning into me right in front of their eyes, and somehow, when my blindfold is pulled off, I turn into a swirl of smoke and am standing on stage, facing Sebastian Donovan.
"Kacie?"
I step forward, my hands outstretched. "It's me. I'm here to say… I'm sorry. About everything. I love you. I've always loved you. And I don't want to live another day without you in my life."
The crowd "Awwws," David takes a bow, and we are ushered back stage.
I'm still waiting for Sebastian to reply, to say something, anything.
"Kacie… " He reaches for my hands, and when our skin touches, I feel warm and hopeful. A tear runs down my cheek.
"Oh Sebastian. I screwed up. I let my fear get in the way of the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please tell me it's not too late."
He leans in, his hand reaching for my face, and he gently caresses my skin and kisses me deeply. His taste, his touch... it's everything I've been dreaming about. Everything I've wanted and needed for so long. I am home. With him, I am home.
"It's not too late," he says. "But I have one condition."
There's a twinkle in his eye, and a grin on his face.
"What's that?" I ask.
"Ninety days. You have ninety days to prove you really want to be with me. It's your turn, Ms. Michaels. Think you're up for the challenge?"
"I don't think you'll last ninety days," I say, smiling, and I kiss him again.
Chapter 37
Propositions
The kiss turns into something more, and we are scrambling to find an unused dressing room before our desire rips us apart.
We're already tearing at each other's clothes. I need him badly. I've needed him for so long, it's an actual pain in my body.
We find a room, more a costume closet than a changing room, but we aren't picky.
Sebastian closes the door behind us and locks it. I cough as a bit of dust shakes loose. "I think this is where the costumes come to die," I say.
He laughs and pulls me into his arms. "How did you manage all this?"
I look up into his handsome face, a face I thought I'd never see again, at least not like this. "Magic," I say. "Real magic."
He kisses me again, and our clothes magically fall off, joining the carcasses of costumes as our bodies find each other.
The sex is fast, hard, full of unfilled need left too long. His cock rams into me deeply, tearing me in half. We're standing, pushed against a wall, my legs wrapped around his waist as he fucks me.
It's raw, this coupling, as we pull our need out of each other, as we give everything we are to each other. My nipples are hard and so very tender as they brush against his chest with each thrust of our hips. I pull at his hair, and he groans and sinks his teeth into my neck.
We leave our marks on each other, and when we come, it is explosive.