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“But I promise you I’m being real here. I like you, December. I more than like you,” I admitted, too afraid to call it what it was. Not in fear of getting hurt but of scaring her away.
“Wow.” Her glassy caramel gaze blinked away unshed tears. “I more than like you, too.” My breathing picked up at her confession. My head dipped down, and I touched my lips to hers. They were icy cold but so damn soft and sweet, I hardly felt it. Snow started to fall around us until we pulled back. I heard her laugh, and the sound went right through me. It was a sound I wanted to hear countless times for the rest of my life.
Yet, even then, I was more enchanted by the sight of her.
Snowflakes falling on the dark strands, her ruby-red lips smiling up at the sky. The scene in front of me was a snapshot that would stay forever in my heart. One I would never forget.
“This is beautiful.” She sighed happily.
“Most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” My thumb stroked her cheek. Her dark eyes connected with mine. She stopped laughing when she noticed I’d been staring at her. That pretty blush hit her face, and I leaned in closer. “So… what do you think?”
“About?”
“About our place?” I pressed, talking about the future being ours, and for some reason, she let me.
There wasn’t a moment she seemed to overthink anything. She simply tucked back into my front as we both stood there and looked out at where our forever home would one day be.
She went along with it easily.
Pointing out how beautiful it would be to step into our backyard and watch the sunset behind the hill. And how nice it would be to have one big chair out there where we could snuggle and sit and talk. I loved the idea.
We daydreamed together while snowflakes danced around us. Telling one another about all the things we’d want in and outside our home for a couple of minutes, getting lost in what would one day be. All the while, I cataloged everything she mentioned to memory. Making sure I’d add them into the plans when spring came and construction could pick back up.
After that, we rode back to the barn, where I had two ranch hands help us with the horses, and I rushed her to my cabin. The place was small, but it had something I knew she would like. I drove us to my place, noting the snow was falling a lot harder than we’d thought it would. By the time we arrived, I hurried her inside with her bag slung over my shoulder. We took off our layers and hung them on the coatrack by the door before stepping inside.
“You trust me? I asked, and she nodded.
“You know I do.” She hip-checked me, and I reached and took her hand in mine. I led her to my bathroom, letting her pass me after I opened the door.
“Oh my god!” she gasped. “Clay! Is that a real…” She looked over her shoulder as I leaned against the doorway.
“It is.” I grinned, loving her reaction to the old cast iron clawfoot tub.
“Wow! I’ve only ever seen them on TV.” I could feel the excitement radiating from her, and it triggered something in me.
I’d planned on drawing her a bath, making sure she took a long warm one to soothe her body. Something for her. A moment to relax. But as I walked right to her and set my hands on her hips, I knew that plan had gone out the window.
“Clay?” I didn’t know what I wanted to say, and I simply shared the only way that made sense for me in that moment.
My head dipped down just as my hand slid into the back of her hair, and I kissed her. Wet and warm. I loved the way she let me take control. The contrast between us surged through me. Her softness to my hard, her submission handed over with trust. My tongue pushed its way through the seam of her lips, and I deepened the kiss. Plunging into the cavern of her mouth. Her taste blossomed. Emi was addictive. From the scent of her skin to the feel of her body to the way she kissed and tested my control.
An addiction I would never try to kick.
I pulled back and felt like a goddamn gladiator at the dreamy way Emi stared back at me. “Not that I’m complaining, cowboy, because I honestly am not, but what was that for?”
“For being you.” I stroked the top of her shoulders and loved the way she relaxed and her face softened. “Emi?—”
“Shh.” Her fingers pressed against my mouth. “I think we should both relax, don’t you?”
“Relax, huh?” I muttered, and my nose flared when her hand stroked my chest. I stood silently as she worked button after button of the long-sleeved flannel I wore. When she pulled it off my body, I smirked at the impatient little sound she made when she noticed the tank I wore beneath. She tugged at the hem, and I helped her pull it up and above my head, letting it fall on the ground beside us. I held her hands in mine and kissed them.
“Give me one moment, beautiful,” I requested, and she nodded. I felt her eyes on me as I moved and started the tub.
Once the water reached the right temp, I plugged the tub. I reached for some citrus bath soak my mom had given me and tossed it in before returning my attention to my woman.
“You sure about this? I could leave you alone, let you rest and rel?—"
“I’m sure,” she cut me off. Her hands left my front, and she reached for the hem of her own shirt before I stopped her.
