“This must’ve cost a fortune.” She looked over everything he’d taken out of the bag—wool socks, a fleece hat, thick waterproof gloves, hot pink snow pants. “I can’t take all of this.”
“It’s not your job to worry about that.”
“Yeah, but this is—”
“Shush.” He started pulling the shopping tags off the items. “You’re gonna give me a complex. I can take care of my woman.”
“I’m not going sledding.” She placed the boots back in the bag. “You can take this stuff back.”
“What’s the matter?” He smirked. “It’s gonna mess up your pretty hair?”
“Yes.”
“Poor baby. Are you scared? I didn’t know I was dating such a chicken.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not going to work on me. I’m not eight years old.”
With a sigh, he stepped closer. When she grimaced and tried to back away, he grabbed her around the waist with his cold, wet arm.
She squealed. “Ugh! Ambrose, you’re freezing!”
“Come on,” he rumbled, bringing his face close to hers, like he was going to kiss her. “Do it for me.”
Squirming, she tried to get away. “Your nose is so cold!” Chuckling, he rubbed it on her cheek. She couldn’t help but laugh at his silliness. “Ugh. How did I get stuck with a boyfriend like you?”
He let her go and stepped away. “Like what? Handsome and charming?”
“Crazy and ridiculous!” She didn’t tell him how adorable she thought he was when he got playful like this. As much as she loved his masterful side, his unpredictability and delight in certain things made him fun.
“I’ll give you lots of orgasms after,” he said with a hopeful lilt in his voice.
She froze in place. He was going to bribe her with orgasms? “Seriously?”
“As many times as you go down the hill, that’s how many orgasms you’ll get.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared at him. He didn’t need to know she was actually considering it. “Can’t we just skip to the orgasm part?” She really should have worn the schoolgirl skirt.
“Hey, you promised me a game the other night.”
Shit. “You remember that?”
“This is my game. You owe me. Now get your ass in these cute snow pants before I beat you.” His eyes darkened. “I promise sledding will be a lot worse if you’re sore.”
Sighing loudly, she grabbed the pants out of his hand. She’d go, but not without attitude. “My ass is going to freeze out there,” she mumbled, pulling the snow pants over her sweats.
“Mmm. I know exactly how to warm it up.”
Yeah right. If she turned into a popsicle, he wasn’t touching her.
* * *
Her fingers and toes finally thawed in the warmth of the hot tub. “Mmm,” she purred as the jet stream hit her back. “Good call coming here instead of my apartment.”
Across from her, Ambrose chuckled.
“I can’t believe your friend is gone again though. Is he ever home?”
His gaze dropped, and he shrugged. “Now and then.”