Page 17 of Cold Snap

After a moment, Baz says, "Go on."

I'm not sure what else there is to say. "Lots of people still assume big breasted girls are sluts. And you're…" I nod toward his chest. "Mister super fitness guy. You're chiseled. Perfect. There's no way you could be seen with a girl like me. What would people think?"

The back of his jaw tenses up, as if he's grinding his teeth. "Go on…"

"So I know all this is just a fantasy. Your friends paired up with girls here at the chalet this week. I was the one left over. So you ended up with me to have a little…I don't know. Thrill? Adventure? Apparently, according to everything I've read, even bad sex is pretty good. So if it's been a while for you, maybe…"

In a blink I'm on my back, his hulking body over mine as he captures my lips, his warm hands caressing me everywhere.

"I want to steal every negative word that dared to fall from those luscious lips, and crush it under my boot," he growls. "And then I want to reach out and strangle every kid who ever made you feel bad."

Baz is so gentle with me, even as he's seething. "They wereso wrong, Rosa. I hate that their stupidity and jealousy is stuck in your head now." He fondles my left breast, his thumb grazing my tight, pebbled nipple. "Did any of those boys touch these perfect breasts?"

"No. I became really good at cock blocking."

"Good." His grin is positively wicked. "Because you're all for me. Those fucking morons didn't deserve to even look at you."

It's difficult to process the intensity in his eyes. I still don't get it. A man like him does not settle down with a girl like me. Yet he seems totally incapable of lying. He's been so brutally honest from the second we met.

"Rosa… I was trying to tiptoe around discussing these feelings for fear of scaring you. Because, yes, it's way too fast. But it's also right. Every single detail about you…from the books you read to the way you blend flavors…and those beautiful eyes that I will never stop admiring. Angel, you're the one. I don't care what anyone else on the planet thinks. I'm going to show you off like the shining jewel you are."

It's wild and it's crazy and yet… I believe him. Somehow, I believe every word he says.

His mouth grazes mine in a light kiss, then he whispers, "You're mine. Can you feel that?"

Breathless, I manage to gasp, "I… I think so."

The growl comes from the center of his chest. "That's not nearly good enough."

11

BAZ

It makes me physically ill to hear Rosa's sad story. Who could be so cruel to this goddess? Who could say such nasty things to such a sweet face? Now this glorious treasure of a woman doesn't believe that I see her for her.

"You said that you were happy when you moved closer to the mountains." I watch her eyes carefully. "Was that a lie?"

"Not at all!" Her wide-eyed innocence is so sexy, making my cock throb against her. "Most of it was wonderful. My parents have a nice house, and the weather is amazing."

"The other day you mentioned bouncing around to different jobs so that you could learn more as a chef. Learn different styles of kitchens, how to cook for different clienteles, and more about the industry in general. Could you ever be happy in one place?"

Her eyes glow in the firelight. "Oh, yes. I've always wanted to have a home base, once I feel that I've learned enough."

"And have you learned enough?"

She laughs. "Learning never really stops. But I think I've learned enough to stay put for a while."

"So if you had a man who absolutely worshiped you, and wanted to treat you like the princess that you are, you mightconsider moving in with him and getting a job in Old Hemlock Valley?"

Her head shakes sadly. "Baz, of course, I like theideaof it. But you don't really know me. You'd get sick of me in a week. And your friends would?—"

"I don't give a shit about other people." My voice pops out too harshly, and I fight to soften it. "Rosa, you're the only one that matters. All I'll ever care about is what you yourself think."

My hands are caressing her breasts, watching her lips part as she begins to melt under me. Shifting, I bring the ridge of my rock-hard shaft between her thighs, brushing gently against her mound as she gasps, then lower as she opens for me. From the way her eyelashes flutter, I can tell I've managed to grind against her clit through our clothes.

"Someday when you're ready, that's all for you, angel. I'll never look at another woman again, because now I've seen perfection. And if you decide that I'm not enough for you, then I'll be celibate the rest of my life."

"That's crazy talk," she sputters.

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