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He put his arm around her shoulders. “Hell, we could bring the shovel up here together.”
She leaned into him. “And have a rematch?”
He laughed. “Which game?”
It came so easily to her, like there hadn’t been any doubts in her mind. Like she hadn’t been driving herself crazy with doubt.
She tipped her head back and gave him a wicked grin. “All of them.”
“I win the bet.” Ace gave a triumphant smile.
Charlee crinkled her nose. “Which bet are you talking about now?”
His smile broadened. “The one where you’d want me to come back another time together once our snow-in was over.”
She groaned. “What did we bet? There have been so many I’ve lost track.”
“A candlelight dinner at your place.” He brought her gloved hands into his. “I aim to collect on it just as soon as possible.”
CHAPTER12
“That’s it.” Ace put the snow shovel in the back of his truck. “Start that baby up.”
“Aye, Captain.” Charlee opened the door of her Mustang and climbed into the driver’s seat, which was cold enough to chill her through her jeans. She turned the key in the ignition and her car roared to life. She immediately clicked on the heater to warm up the car before opening the car door. “Perfect. I’m ready to hit the road and get back to civilization.”
He braced one hand on her car. “You can’t leave yet.” He crooked his finger with a “come here” gesture.
Butterflies swarmed in Charlee’s belly as he opened the door wider and she climbed out, then he closed the door behind her. She stood in front of him, her head tilted back and their gazes met.
For some reason she felt nervous and unsure. After all they’d done and shared, she wasn’t sure why. “Thank you for rescuing me and everything.”
“Is that all you have to say, sunshine?” He tugged on her ponytail. “I think the last few days involved a little more than getting you to the cabin, then getting your car out of the snow and changing the tire. Wasn’t there something in between those events?”
Her throat worked. “A little.”
He grinned and slid his hand from her ponytail to cup the back of her head. “I think a whole lot happened. Best Christmas of my life.”
His hand warmed the back of her head and she swore she could feel his body heat through their jackets as he brought her closer to him.
“It was nice.”Nice? Did I just say it wasnice? “I mean, I had a great time.”
“Is that it?” Ace slid his hands beneath her jacket to her waist.
Her eyes widened. “Your hands are cold.”
“I think you have something you must want to say.” He drew her tightly against him. “I’m not letting you go until you admit exactly how youreallyfeel about being locked in with me over Christmas.”
This sudden nervousness with Ace was crazy. Just because they’d left the cabin didn’t mean anything had changed.
Right?
She bit her lower lip before she forced herself to relax and draw in a deep breath. “I had a great time with you, Ace. And yes, it was one of the best Christmases ever.”
“That’s better.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “If you want to warm up, I know exactly what to do.”
She let out a soft sigh as their lips met. His kiss did warm her through. She was vaguely aware of the cold, but mostly she didn’t care. She just wanted to be kissed by Ace. Loved being kissed by him.
When she didn’t think she could breathe anymore, he raised his head and looked into her eyes. “Jayson and Celine are having a New Year’s Eve party at their ranch. I’ll pick you up at seven. Date number one.”
