88 pages / 24,400 words
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Tam's ReadsBlurb
Sebastian has done the one thing a guardian angel is never supposed to do. He’s fallen in love with a mortal. When his human falls into serious jeopardy, Sebastian descends to Earth without permission.
Kevin’s bartending job just doesn’t pay enough, his mother's hospital bills keep piling up, and now he’s borrowed money from the wrong person. He needs a miracle this Christmas season. Kevin just didn’t expect it to come in the form of an actual angel.
Not caring that he's breaking all the rules that govern guardian angels, Sebastian helps Kevin all he can. But the consequences of Sebastian's actions could be dire for the angel, unless Kevin can perform a miracle of his own.
Kevin’s bartending job just doesn’t pay enough, his mother's hospital bills keep piling up, and now he’s borrowed money from the wrong person. He needs a miracle this Christmas season. Kevin just didn’t expect it to come in the form of an actual angel.
Not caring that he's breaking all the rules that govern guardian angels, Sebastian helps Kevin all he can. But the consequences of Sebastian's actions could be dire for the angel, unless Kevin can perform a miracle of his own.
Excerpt
Sebastian's eyes widened. He wasn't sure who was more shocked, he or Kevin. He hadn't meant to lower his guise of invisibility, but now it had happened twice in one night. Kevin distracted him. Sebastian had never been able to be this close to Kevin before. He had always had to look from so far away. The proximity overwhelmed him. He knew he had crossed too many lines to count back in the alley, but his punishment would be worth it. Watching Kevin sleep, being so close, knowing his mortal charge was safe... it was worth everything.
"Please, do not be frightened!" He held up his hands, voluminous sleeves falling down his arms to his elbows. "I mean you no harm." There was no going back now. No point in disappearing. The damage had been done.
Waves of terror and confusion washed over Kevin's face. His eyes were wide and blinking rapidly. Sebastian understood this would be difficult for him to understand. He waited patiently, giving Kevin a few moments to collect himself.
Kevin's hands came up to his face and rubbed furiously at his eyes. Sebastian smiled when Kevin looked surprised that he was still there. Kevin had beautiful eyes. They were so unusual. Blue-gray, like Cape Cod after a storm.
"Y...you're not real. I'm still dreaming." It came out as a statement.
"I promise you are awake." Sebastian tried to make his voice as gentle as possible.
"Who are you?" Kevin's voice was edged with astonishment and a small amount of fear. He pushed his back flush against the headboard and gripped handfuls of bedding tightly.
Sebastian took a chance and moved slightly closer, trying to offer reassurance with his smile. This was where Kevin would need to suspend disbelief and have a little faith.
"My name is Sebastian. I am your guardian angel."
"Right. I'm definitely still dreaming."
Kevin's hands once again went to his face, and he sighed deeply. At least he didn't look frightened anymore.
"This is a dream. I'm not crazy, and there are no such things as angels." He spoke more to himself than to Sebastian. "I'm going back to sleep. When I wake up, you won't be here."
Kevin reached for the bedside lamp, and once again the room was bathed in darkness. Burrowing under the covers, Kevin pulled the quilt up over his head as if that would make everything go away. Sebastian didn't blame him. Not really. Everything Kevin had been taught had told him that Sebastian couldn't be real. Sebastian still found that it hurt, though. He wanted Kevin to believe...needed him to. Hopefully things would be better in the morning. Sebastian wasn't going anywhere.
Sebastian moved to a sitting position near the end of the bed, keeping vigil over his charge until morning.
Extra bit of story
As part of the marketing materials authors put together for new releases, Torquere invites us to write an extra bit of story if we are so inclined. This extra snippet could fit nicely in the last third of the book. Don't worry, it's not terribly spoiler-y if you haven't read An Angel For Christmas yet. ;)
Kevin finished arranging the last string of lights and reached down to plug them in.
"There." He smiled as hundreds of twinkling yellow lights sparkled against the deep green of the tree.
"It is absolutely perfect!" Sebastian clapped his hands together and his wings rustled with excitement against his back.
"It's not perfect quite yet. We still have to put on all the ornaments." Kevin kneeled down and opened up the large box filled with brightly colored balls, silvery charms, and glitzy bobbles just waiting to find homes on the branches of the tree.
Christmas carols played softly in the background and the lights from the tree cast a warm glow around the living room. Kevin was filled with warmth and desire as he watched Sebastian, blue eyes bright with happiness, begin to place ornaments on the tree. They worked in companionable silence, letting the refrains of joyous carols wash over them.
"I think we need some more near the top."
Kevin handed a glittery red ball to Sebastian and their fingers brushed together and lingered for a moment. Even that small touch was electrifying. Sebastian lifted off from the ground, wings suspending him several feet from the floor, so he could reach the uppermost branches.
Sebastian turned to Kevin as he touched back down. "I am so glad I could decorate my very first Christmas tree with you, Kevin." Sebastian moved closer and rested delicate warm hands against Kevin's chest. "Thank you."
Kevin's breath hitched as he reached for Sebastian. He trailed his hands over the downy, soft feathers of Sebastian's wings before settling them against the small of Sebastian's back. He pulled his angel closer until their bodies were flush.
Lips parted and lashes fluttered closed as Sebastian waited to be kissed. Kevin's hand came up to cup Sebastian's cheek as he lowered his head to press his lips against those of his angel's.
Incessant buzzing broke through the Christmas carols. Kevin blinked. Instead of staring at Sebastian's beautiful face his alarm clock came into focus. Blearily he squinted at the offending device and realized it was the culprit of the horrible beeping.
Sighing, Kevin struggled to a sitting position, turned off his alarm, and rubbed his eyes. It had been a dream. There was no Christmas tree to decorate, he and Sebastian couldn't touch, and there was no way for them to be together. It had been a dream that could never come true.
