“You throw like a pussy,” Cal called, then fired his own snowball, barely missing Jack’s leg.
“Says the guy who couldn’t get it up just now,” Jack said, aiming high for Cal’s face again.
“Oh, I have no problem getting it up,” Cal yelled back, throwing another and hitting Jack’s calf as they ducked and ran through trees, hucking snow as they went. “Just ask Lana.”
Instead of growling or fussing over his comment, a snowball crashed against my ass. I turned to find Jack smiling and looking guilty.
“What the hell?” I said with a laugh.
“Sorry, baby, y
ou’re in between us.” He may be talking about the snow war going on, but his words hit hard. Before I could think further on that, another snowball hit my stomach. Cal.
I glared his direction.
“That’s it!” I scooped my own snow and threw it fast. First at Cal, then another handful at Jack, as I ran to take my own cover.
“Oh you’re in for it now,” Jack called from his hideout. A small giggle of delight escaped me as I ducked low and packed another snowball. I wasn’t anywhere near as big as the guys, so the tree covered me pretty well. I took the opportunity to make a few snowballs and stock up. Breathing hard, I peeked out and caught a glimpse of Cal and Jack, moving and throwing snowballs as they strategically got closer to me.
“Here, kitty, kitty, kitty,” Cal called. Though he may be lighthearted, there was an underlying lust that tainted each word, and my nipples responded instantly and my breathing picked up.
Adrenaline was coursing and this was…fun.
With my snowballs in hand, I threw them as I went to gain more ground and a better location, attempting to run and hide at the same time.
Jack caught my movement first and sprung after me. I playfully screamed when his strong arm wrapped around my waist and caught me.
“You’re mine now, baby.” He turned me to face him and trailed his snowy gloves over my lips and chin, the chill surprising my hot skin. I breathed hard and smiled.
“You’ll never catch me,” I panted, and spun quickly out of his grip. I made it two feet before meeting a wall of muscle. Cal.
“Caught ya,” he smiled, his big arms wrapping me up. I did the only thing I could. I tossed the handful of snow I had at his face. He sputtered and I laughed, getting his grip loose enough to ease out, and I squirmed away. But Jack was right there again, and I was trapped between them.
“Can’t get away from me that easy,” Jack said against my ear and bit the lobe. His chest was pressed against mine and Cal’s chest was against my back, his big hands gripping my hips. For one moment, it felt like a puzzle coming together.
I swallowed hard and look into Jack’s eyes, the contact didn’t break when Cal’s cold nose skimmed over the top of my head.
I turned to see Cal’s blue eyes bright and alive. Then he glanced at Jack and shook his head, as if dislodging from the moment. Jack moved back several paces, and Cal’s hands fell from me. I felt instantly cold, colder than even the weather should make me feel.
I had been so close to them. Between them. Yet, one thing remained: I wouldn’t choose. Despite how the next week went and our eventual goodbye, I would never choose, for good bad or otherwise, between them. Because it was choosing between my heart and soul.
“Let’s get you that tree,” Cal said, and turned to head back to the one I’d picked out.
Jack was right behind him. He turned and held out his hand.
“You coming?”
I did the one thing I shouldn’t. I reached for it.
“Yes.”
With that, I followed behind the two men that I was desperate for, yet could never have completely again.
Chapter 13
“What can I do?” I asked, walking into the kitchen.
Jack glanced up from cutting a potato. “You can sit there and relax,” he said with a gruffness in his voice.