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Caleb stiffened and pulled away, holding her by the shoulders at arm’s length.
“Caleb, put some snow on that gash. It’ll stop the bleeding and take down any swelling. I’ll go up and check on the horses. Meet me up there when you’ve got her squared away.” Jack turned to leave, but looked back at her and smiled. “You were right about sticking to our traditions. The snowball fight was a lot of fun. You’ve gotten better.”
“I know. I won.”
Jack headed up the short hill, laughing. “Yeah, you did.”
Caleb’s head fell to her shoulder. “I thought you were really hurt.”
Surprised he didn’t comment about Jack seeing them in an embrace, she slid her fingers through his hair to the back of his head and held him to her. “It’s just a small scratch. Nothing to worry about.”
“Jack’ll kill me for putting a mark on you.”
“Not your fault. I slipped and fell.”
Caleb raised his head and met her gaze. “You’re bleeding. I can’t stand to see you hurt.”
The moment stretched and his eyes narrowed. He swore and crushed his mouth to hers. Something primal sparked inside both of them and they dove at each other, their lips meeting in a frenzied need denied far too long.
His hands remained gentle, cradling her face, but his lips took possession and consumed. His tongue slipped past her lips to taste and slide against hers. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders, pulling him closer.
Caleb broke the kiss first, holding her head between his two hands. He didn’t open his eyes right away, but gathered himself. They gulped in deep breaths and let them out on wispy gasps into the cold, crisp air.
He brushed a soft kiss on her forehead, her temple, and the small cut at her hairline. He pressed his forehead to hers and held her close. She covered his hands on both sides of her head with hers.
“Caleb, honey, it’s okay.”
“Jack’s going to kill me.”
“I think he knows there’s something between us.”
“He suspects, but if he caught me kissing you...”
“What? He wouldn’t be your friend because you like his sister?”
“What I feel for you goes far beyond like, sweetheart.”
“Then shouldn’t he be happy for us, that we’ve found something special together?”
He stood and turned his back on her. The stab of pain in her heart hurt. She brushed her fingers through her unbound hair and realized that during their kiss he’d somehow knocked off her cap and undone her braid. She giggled, drawing his attention.
“What’s so funny?”
“You.” She pointed to her head.
“What?”
“You couldn’t wait to get your hands on my hair.”
The look on his face and the hot gaze he swept over her body said he’d like to get his hands on a lot more than her hair.
“It’s really soft and always smells like spring flowers.” His massive shoulders went up and down in a dismissive shrug he didn’t really mean. The moment they shared meant something deep and profound. As much as it meant to her.
She took his offered hand and he pulled her up to her feet. He took the cap from her hand and slid it over her head, making sure it covered her ears. His fingertips brushed the small cut.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you okay?” she asked, knowing he needed some rest and, unfortunately, more time to figure things out.
