“I think I was like twelve the last time I built a snowman,” she states as she smiles up at me.
“Yeah? Well, today we’re breaking that streak.” Grabbing the snow shovel with one hand, I capture hers with the other and lead her to the side of the house. “Okay, I’m going to shovel a circle for you so that you won’t get lost in the snow.”
“Hey!” She smacks at my arm. “Is that a short joke?” From the expression on her face, she’s trying to act as if she’s offended, but I can see the hint of a smile tilting her lips.
“Nope. You’re the one who said it would bury you.”
“Not exactly, but thank you. You’re my hero.” She bats her long eyelashes, and I want nothing more than to bend my head and press my lips to hers. Instead, I grip the shovel and get to work, making her an area that she can walk comfortably.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m sweating despite the cold temperatures, but Aspen is smiling, and when she wraps her arms around me in a hug as a thank-you, I don’t hesitate to hug her back. I’ll take anything and everything she’s willing to give me. I’m also not going to try and decipher why that is.
“Yay! I’m so excited. Let’s get started.” She wastes no time getting to work on our snowman. Tossing the shovel to the side, I join her in her efforts.
I’m placing the final piece of our snowman, the head on top of his layers of body, when I feel something hit my back. The giggle that follows has me turning to see Aspen with a snowball in her hands, ready to fire.
“Oops.” She shrugs.
“Oops? Did that snowball just fall out of your hands?” I ask. Bending down, I grab my own pile of snow and pack it tight in my hands, forming a perfect ball. “Is that how you’re going to play it?” I toss the ball up gently and smirk.
“It was an accident.” She takes a step back.
“Why don’t I believe you?” I take a step forward. Raising my arm, I aim and fire. The snowball hits her right in the chest. She stands still, looks down at the snow on her coat, then fires one back. Back and forth, we throw handfuls of snow at one another. I chase her around the snowman, and although she’s fast, I’m faster. Snaking my arm around her waist, I swing her around and fall back into the snow, with her landing on top of me.
We’re both laughing and breathing heavily. Reaching up, I move her hair out of her eyes. “Hey.” I smile up at her. She moves to sit up, which has her sitting on my hard cock. Even through our layers, I know she can feel it. I open my mouth to say something smooth, but I can’t for the life of me think of anything. Me, Conrad Riggins, can’t find the words to say to a beautiful woman who’s straddling his lap. I open my mouth to try again but don’t get the chance because Aspen does it for me, smashing a handful of snow on top of my head.
“Oh, it’s like that.” I grab my own handful of snow, which has her scrambling from my lap, and the chase begins. She rushes up the front steps, but before she can get the door open, I grab her around the waist and turn her to face me. I hold my handful of snow over her head.
“Uncle,” she says with a laugh. The sound warms me from my head to my toes.
“I don’t know. I think it’s payback time.”
“Conrad, please.” Those hazel eyes of hers stare up at me, and I know that I could never deny her anything.
Instead, I step forward, causing her back to press against the side of the cabin. Dropping the snow, I place my hands flat on the cabin over her head. She tilts her head back to look at me. She’s so fucking beautiful; she takes my breath away. I lean in, not really thinking about the consequences. All I know at this moment is that I need to kiss her. I need to taste those soft lips. Her tongue peeks out and licks her lips, and I lean in a little closer. I’m going for it. It’s a kiss. What’s the harm in a kiss?
Our lips are a breath apart when her cell phone rings. I watch as she blinks hard three times, and just like that, the spell is broken. Dropping my hands, I take a step back, giving her the space she needs to dig her cell phone out of her pocket.
“Hey,” she answers breathlessly. “No. Conrad and I just built a snowman.” I assume she’s talking to Aurora. “Let me call you back. We’re heading in now. Let me get out of all of these clothes.” She nods even though the caller can’t see her. “Great. Give me ten.” She ends the call. “That was Aurora. She was calling to check on things. I have to tell her about all this snow. Look, the path you shoveled is already covered again.”