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He shrugged, smiling. “I wanted to boost your confidence. Try again. I’m sure you’ll hit me this time.”
There was nothing left to lose. I grabbed the last one, concentrated hard, and finally set it free. By some miracle, I got him right in the middle of the chest, and he didn’t even need to help to make it happen.
I threw my arms up in the air and started to hoot and holler, celebrating what felt like the most incredible victory. All was fine and dandy until I glanced over at Jack and saw the look on his face.
His features had softened and were so tender, and the look nearly melted my heart.
“That’s my girl,” he praised me.
I immediately stopped dancing and swallowed hard.
Did he just call mehisgirl?
Why would he do that? I was stunned and speechless.
And I was convinced my heart was going to melt now, because I loved the way hearing him say those words made me feel. The only reason it didn’t actually melt was because no sooner had he said those words and shot me that tender look, it was gone, and something far more mischievous took hold.
That’s when I knew I was in trouble.
“It’s all fair game now,” he warned me as he began taking slow, deliberate steps in my direction.
“Shit,” I hissed, hating that I couldn’t focus on him calling me his girl. Then, I turned and started running.
Jack was right on my heels, and I was not a pro at running in the snow. The next thing I knew, I stumbled and put my hands out to brace for impact, but a strong arm clamped around my waist from behind.
I yelped, and Jack managed to pull my body back toward his at the same time he rolled. His back hit the snow, his hard body beneath mine as my eyes were staring straight up at the sky.
Immediately, I rolled to the side and tried to scramble away. I grabbed handfuls of snow and started throwing it at him beside me. He did the same, tossing it in my direction.
I shouted and laughed so hard I couldn’t catch my breath.
But it all changed when he finally decided he was finished with the snow and the only way to stop me was to tackle me.
“Not so tough now, are you?” he asked, his voice light and teasing.
In any other scenario, I might have come up with some witty reply, or even a solid defense, but I couldn’t do that now.
Because Jack was on top of me, his eyes were lit up in the most beautiful way, and it had been a very long time since I’d experienced any physical intimacy.
That’s when it all changed.
I needed to find a way to get myself out of this, and I needed to do it fast.
But I didn’t want to be a jerk, because Jack had given me such a wonderful afternoon with him.
So, I did my best to ignore the fluttering butterflies in my belly and said, “I guess not.”
As soon as I got the words out, I pressed my palms against Jack’s shoulders. He quickly got the hint and lifted his body from mine.
Then he stood, held his hand out to me, and helped me up.
With the way he was looking at me and the day we’d had together, I think I would have found myself taking advantage of the sexual tension I was feeling. But that wasn’t on the table for me any longer.
In fact, I needed to stop doing this to myself.
I needed to just be a friendly neighbor to Jack, who baked him treats when he managed to help me out with whatever problem I might have.
I couldn’t go frolicking in the snow with him.
