Page 52 of Never Kiss a Krampus

No hesitation. No apology.

“Bastian—”

“He came into your shop, your home, and tried to intimidate you.” His other hand came up to cup my face, tilting it so I had to meet his eyes. “He spoke to you with disrespect and tried to make you feel small. He threatened your livelihood.”

“It’s just business to him.”

“I don’t care what it is to him. He made you upset. He made you afraid.”

“I wasn’t afraid?—”

“You’re shaking.”

I was. Damn it.

“That’s just adrenaline. He rattled me, but I handled it.”

“You did.” Pride flickered across his face. “You stood your ground beautifully. But that doesn’t change the fact that I wanted to throw him through your window for daring to threaten you.”

Oh.

The raw protectiveness in his voice, the barely contained violence thrumming beneath his skin—it should have frightenedme. Should have made me take a step back and reevaluate this whole situation. Instead it made me feel safe. This ancient, powerful being had chosen to stand beside me. He’d claimed me in front of a threat and made it clear that anyone who wanted to hurt me would have to go through him first.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?”

“For being here. For having my back. For being so intimidating that Grinchly practically wet himself.”

A smile tugged at his mouth. “I barely did anything.”

“You did everything.” I covered his hand with mine, pressing it more firmly against my cheek. “I’ve been dealing with him alone for months. Having someone in my corner, someone who…” I trailed off, unsure how to finish.

“Someone who what?”

Someone who cares. Someone who sees me as worth protecting. Someone who makes me feel like I matter.

“Someone who believes in me,” I said finally.

His expression softened. “Of course I believe in you. You’re extraordinary, little light. You’ve maintained your kindness and optimism despite endless challenges. You’ve created a space where people feel welcome and cherished.” His thumb stroked along my cheekbone. “And you’ve somehow managed to make a jaded demon remember what joy feels like. If that’s not extraordinary, I don’t know what is.”

My throat closed up. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

“Stop,” I said, voice breaking. “You’re going to make me cry in front of customers.”

“They’ve already left.”

I glanced towards the back of the shop. Empty. While we’d been having our moment, the browsers had apparently made their purchases with Jingle Bells—who I now noticed sitting primly by the register, looking smugly pleased with himself—and slipped out.

“Your cat is an excellent salesman,” Bastian observed.

“He’s very entrepreneurial.” I swiped at my eyes. “God, what a day.”

“I do not wish to add to your concerns, but…”

Something in his voice immediately caught my attention, and I looked up to find him staring out down the street in the direction Grinchly had taken.

“But what?”