AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Okay, fine—yes—she liked it whenhesaid it.
Maybe she was scared because of her prior experience with her ex. Or maybe she just knew the gorgeous Shifter was out of her league.
It was Christmas Eve, though. So, maybe Carolina should tell her inner voice to just shut the hell up and have a good time?
Good plan.
“This will work,“ Jasper said, jogging her from her thoughts.
They walked through a stand of tall pines heavy with snow. When she would have slipped, he was there, steadying her with a firm arm around her waist and a hand on her elbow. Right before her eyes was an open field blanketed in thick, white fluffy frozen stuff that made her want to squeal and play like she was a child again.
“Where did this come from?”
“The trees hid it from view. Do you like it?” he asked, hope shining in his golden eyes. “In the summer, this is covered in tall grass with patches of colorful wildflowers sprawled across, like drops of paint across a canvas.”
“Wow! That sounds gorgeous,” she enthused.
“I’ll have to bring you back to see it,” he said, his voice deep and husky, sending little zaps of heat curling through her body straight down between her legs.
At this rate, she was going to have to wash her clothes. Caro had no clean underwear left, for pity’s sake.
Beyond the field of snow was a sharp edge and a rocky cliff beneath. The drop off appeared pretty steep, and Carolina worried her lower lip.
“Below the small drop is the lake. I’ll set up the blanket there so you can see my beast.”
Carolina gasped in wonder as she took in this secret winter wonderland that was hidden in the mountains. It was, in a word, beautiful.
“Caro?”
“What? Oh yeah, that sounds amazing. Thank you for trusting me,” she said and meant it.
“Always,” he said and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth before he started shaking out the blanket.
The blue sky was clear with no clouds at all, and the December sun was shining so brightly, it almost hurt to see. The altitude meant it was even colder than it would’ve been back in her condo.
She appreciated the atmosphere, delighting in the air of magic that seemed to surround her. Carolina wore thick sweatpants, with a thinner pair of leggings beneath them, a thermal shirt, and a heavy parka on top of that. Jennifer’s boots donned her feet, but she couldn’t wait to take those off. They were a little big, and she felt silly, but it was better than having cold feet.
Following behind Jasper until he found her a clear spot near the edge of the cliff where the snow was shorter, but clean, she sat down on the thick, waterproof blanket he put on the floor, and accepted the warm throw one he’d packed to drape over her lap.
Caro smiled brightly and wiggled her toes before a familiar plastic-wrapped package inside the backpack Jasper was holding caught her eye.
“Where did you get this?” she asked, curiosity burning inside her.
“Oh, um, I called Jennifer. She told me she had some things for you in the cabin for your after holiday gift swap thing you guys do,” he said, running a hand over his head.
Fuck, he was so cute. Adorable, especially when he was uncertain, like now. Carolina smiled at him brightly. That was so thoughtful of him, truly. Aside from Jennifer, no one else seemed to understand her need to fiddle with clay and other textures. She sat down on the blanket and tore off her mittens.
“Will you be warm enough?” he asked, concerned, as he handed her the lump of red clay.
“Sure,” she said, eager to just hold the stuff.
That was new. When had anyone ever cared about her comfort?
“I appreciate it, Jasper. And I promise to pay attention to your Shifter form when you are ready,” she said, winking playfully.
“Baby, you won’t be able to take your eyes off me,” he returned, his over the top, cocky grin even sexier than usual.
She bit her lip, watching expectantly as he placed the backpack with their stuff on the blanket and removed a thermos full of something warm.
