Sebastian's smile was slow and genuine, realizing that despite the fact that the storm may have greatly receded, he wasn't in his usual hurry to leave.
"That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me," he said, his grin widening. "I'll bet you the storm has receded, though," he added, sensing an opportunity. "If we can take a walk in the snow, you owe me a kiss."
Anya snorted, playing along. "And if we can't?"
Sebastian's smile was wicked. "I'll give you a kiss."
Anya rolled her eyes, putting out her little finger to hook with Sebastian's little one. "Deal."
After their showers, they brushed their teeth, Anya making silly faces at herself in the mirror, anticipation building.
Sebastian caught her eye, his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, and wackily posed, too. They both cracked up.
They went straight to their usual window in the sitting area and gazed out, and sure enough, the storm had minimized, the howling wind reduced to a gentle whisper. The snow still fell, but it was more like fluffy confetti now.
Sebastian pumped his fist quietly. "Yes! I win!"
Anya raised an eyebrow. "We can only manage a short walk. Don't get too excited."
Sebastian turned, triumphant. "Yeah, yeah, a short walk, which is still a walk. And I'm excited because, of course, Anya, owes me a kiss."
Anya's smile was wily. "Okay,okay. Pay up, Sebastian."
Stepping towards her, Sebastian's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze smoldering hot. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Gladly," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers.
The kiss was... wow. Soft, warm, and sweet, with just a hint of tongue. Anya felt her knees go weak, her toes curling. Sebastian's hands slid up her back, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Anya stood on her tiptoes, her hands grabbing at the lapels of his winter sport coat, desperate for balance.
Finally, they came up for air, both a bit breathless.
Sebastian grinned, his eyes locked into Anya's, bright. "Worth it," he whispered.
Anya just shook her head, laughing. "You're ridiculous."
"And you are such a beautiful woman, Anya," he said. "Very beautiful."
Anya's smile widened as her heart swelled with the unexpected compliment.
Sebastian leaned in to plant another quick, chaste kiss on her forehead. "Time for breakfast," he declared, snaking his hand around her back and steering her out the door.
They headed down to the hotel's restaurant, the smell of eggs and bacon wafting through the air, making Anya's stomach growl and Sebastian chuckle.
They devoured their breakfast, laughing and chatting like they'd known each other forever. As they dug in, Anya couldn't help but tease Sebastian. "You cheated, by the way."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Anya's grin was wicked. "The storm hasn't receded enough for a walk," she said,gesturing out the window."
Sebastian chuckled, not bothering to glance out the window. "I think it has, for a short walk, anyway," he said. "We could just walk up the block,get some fresh air and come back."
"Guess we can do that," Anya said.
Anya leaned back into the restaurant's warmth, circling her hands around the hot mug as Sebastian went to grab more sugar. She liked the vibe, snowed-in, coffee in hand, and Sebastian by her side.
What if this is it? What if they woke up one day and it's like... this, but forever? Anya wondered.
She smiled into her coffee, picturing it: lazy Sundays, snow-covered windows, Sebastian making pancakes while she worked on the paper. The "forever" thing still felt like a big maybe, but with Sebastian, maybe it was possible.
Sebastian slid back in, nudging her gently. "Hey, space cadet. More sugar, just how you like it."
Anya's eyes met his, and she knew she'd follow this guy through snowstorms, sunshine, or whatever life threw their way.
As they finished breakfast, Sebastian leaned in. "Want to take that walk now?"
Anya's smile was instant. "Definitely."
The young blonde receptionist waved and smiled brightly as they went past the reception desk. "Good morning?"
"Morning," Anya mumbled.
"Wanna take a walk?"
"Yeah," Sebastian answered. "Feel like we could really use some fresh air."
"Wouldn't go very far if I were you," the receptionist warned.
Sebastian grinned. "Don't worry, we won't get lost... or drenched."
The receptionist chuckled. "Good plan, Sir. The cafe up the block's got hot chocolate if you need warming up."
Anya nodded, snuggling into her coat. "Sounds like a plan."
The streets in downtown Minneapolis looked deserted. The city quiet and still. Anya and Sebastian trudged through the snow, the only sound their boots crunching on the snow. The storm still raged on, but they didn't mind, they had each other, and a steaming hot chocolate waiting at the cafe.
"Dripping wet and freezing, just what I needed," Anya teased, shaking the snow off her coat.
Sebastian chuckled, "You love it, admit it. You're a snow bunny at heart."
Anya rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Maybe. But I'm also a scientist at heart – did you know storms like this can boost birth rates?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "How's that?"
"Nine months after big storms like this, there's usually a baby boom," Anya said, her eyes sparkling. "Couples stuck indoors... you know."
Sebastian glanced around – the streets were deserted, almost all businesses closed. "Looks like everyone's getting cozy," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Anya followed his gaze. "Exactly. And it's not just that. People bond over survival mode. Shared struggles, adrenaline... it's like nature's way of saying, 'Hey, make some babies!'"
Was she giving him a free pass? Sebastian had to wonder.
He'd never really thought about relationships, having kids, or marriage for that matter. He simply hadn't had the time to. His life had been a whirlwind of work and travel. But standing there, with Anya in the snow, the idea didn't sound half bad. With a wife and a beautiful Kid playing around the house, perhaps his St. Paul mansion wouldn't feel so huge for him and the housekeeper anymore?
Anya was a beautiful woman. Way too beautiful for her own good. He stared at her,"You would be a beautiful mother," he said. Because she would.
Her cheeks flushed red. "And you'd be... decent."
Sebastian laughed. "Hey, I think i would be the fun dad; teach 'em snowboarding, bad jokes, the works."
Anya's grin lit up. "Sounds like a plan. But first, chocolates. I'm freezing."
"As you wish, missus," Sebastian quipped playfully, putting his hand out to her.
Anya put her hand in his, and they picked up the pace, trudging up the block and crossing the street hand in hand.
At the cafe, they kicked snow off their boots and pushed open the cafe door; warmth and the smell of freshly brewed coffee enveloping them. Sebastian leaned in, voice dropping to a mock-serious tone. "You know, if we had a kid nine months from now... we'd have to name it Stormy."
Anya giggled, unwinding her scarf. "Or Blizzard. Or... Snowflake Sebastian Jr."
Sebastian groaned. "You got all that right. Only that the Jr. part sounds very...old-fashioned."
Anya winked. "Just planning ahead."
They slid into a cozy booth, shedding coats and laughing, and ordered steaming hot chocolate with whipped cream. Anya laughed as she dripped some on her nose, and Sebastian joined her, laughing as he wiped it off with a napkin.
As they sipped their drinks, Anya sighed happily. "This is perfect."
Sebastian nodded, smiling. "Yeah, it really is...relaxing."
Anya nodded, glancing around the little, warm, cozy interior of the cafe.
"Back to the suite?" He asked when they were done. Anya nodded again, and they trudged back through the snow, hand in hand.
In the suite, Anya switched on her phone, and her eyes widened as notifications flooded in – missed calls and texts from her parents, best friend Rachel, and two colleagues. "Uh, i think I have some fires to put out."
Sebastian retrieved his phone from the nightstand and switched it on, too. "Shit," he muttered as it pinged repeatedly with notifications.
And just like that, their romantic bubble started deflating. For quite a while, Anya got busy texting and calling; Sebastian dealing with business stuff. The hotel staff started popping in, fixing things, offering snacks, checking if they needed anything. A housekeeper they hadn't met before peeked in,beaming."Mr.Sebastian! Nice to see you! I'm Maria."
Sebastian smiled, wily. "Hi, Maria. How do you do?"
"Great. Well, I never saw you the last time out. And the rumour floating around was that you were here. Didn't want to miss you this time round."
"Well," Sebastian smiled, flustered. "You got me this time, Maria."
Maria nodded, pleased. "Yep. Anyway, nice day you two," maria said, backing out.
"Nice day,Maria," Sebastian called after her.
A minute later, Anya hung up from a frazzled conversation with her mom, sighing. "Sorry, I think I need a minute."
Sebastian nodded, his phone still glued to his ear.
The room filled with the awkward hum of productivity. Occasionally, they'd exchange a wily glance, but mostly, they were stuck in their own worlds.
The hotel staff kept coming – bringing fresh towels, restocking the mini-bar... it was like they were being herded back into real life. Anya started feeling like she was in a fishbowl.
Sebastian finally tossed his phone aside, looking frazzled. "Okay, that's it. I need a break."
Anya nodded, putting her phone down. "Same. Want to... I don't know...Do something interesting?"
Sebastian's eyes lit up. "Yeah. Let's do something ridiculous."
Anya grinned. "Like what?"
Sebastian's smile was wicked. "Like... hide-and-seek in the suite."
Anya laughed. "Oh, come on, wolfe. That's sounds so..."
"Childish," Sebastian finished.
And they chatted playfully for a while, forgetting about the outside world, the phones, work and responsibilities. Just two people, joking and laughing like tLvesick teenagers in a cozy hotel suite.
But the moment was short-lived. Anya's phone buzzed again, and Sebastian groaned.
Anya picked it up, sighing. "It's Rachel. I have to get this."
The real world had barged back in. But Anya smiled at Sebastian. "Just a second," she muttered as she walked into the bedroom, her phone stuck to her ear.
Sebastian nodded, "Sure."
The suite's coziness felt like it was shrinking. The romantic bubble they'd built definitely under threat.