Page 25 of Snowed Under

I don’t knowwhat possesses me, but I don’t just throw my arms around Cole and press my body to his like a woman possessed, but I kiss him, too. Maybe it’s the adrenaline. Or the fact Drake got what he deserved, especially after basically calling me a skank. I don’t condone violence, but having Drake in my face, drunk, and yelling at me — well, I refuse to feel bad about it.

When Cole’s lips connect to mine, they’re surprisingly soft. And I almost die when his hand reaches up and cups my face, his large warm fingers holding it in place for a moment as he moves his lips.

My heart is beating so damned loud that I’m not sure it can keep up with what’s happening. I pull back after a moment, gasping, as our lips disconnect and he stares down at me. His honey-colored eyes burning like molten lava.

“I’m sorry,” I pant, touching my fingers to my lips where his mouth just was. Savoring the moment.

“For what?”

“Kissing you without asking.”

“You never have to ask to do that, trust me.”

“It was the adrenaline,” I try to explain. “What you did to Drake was so?—”

“Terrible of me?”

“No, I was going to say, so manly of you.”

His lips quirk, and my eyes flick down to look at them. The pink gloss looks good on him. “Manly? I’ve been called a few things in my time, but manly? I kinda like it.”

I pull at his arm so I can see if there’s damage to his hand, palming over his fist as I examine his knuckles. There’s no skin broken, but they look a little swollen. “We should put some ice on this.”

“You’re just trying to get me to the infirmary and play Nurse Nancy, aren’t you?”

I try not to laugh, despite the situation and his swollen hand. “No, but this is going to swell.”

“I don’t care, it was worth it.”

“He’s such a jerk. I don’t know what I ever saw in him.” I mean that with all my heart. To turn up here at a kids dance smelling like alcohol and yelling like that? This’ll be the talk of the town for quite some time.

“Don’t beat yourself up. He had his chance, he blew it.”

“Are you okay?” I don’t like the idea of Cole being hurt on my account, not that he couldn’t take Drake easily. He’s lucky the teachers got there when they did.

“I’m fine. Probably good that they stepped in, for his sake.”

I blink up at him and take in his gorgeous face. I know it’s probably wrong, but a bigger part of my heart swells with the fact he stuck up for me the way he did. It’s not something I’m used to. “Thanks, Cole. You didn’t have to, but the fact he turned up here like that, what was he expecting?”

“He’s not worth two more seconds of your time, or a second thought.”

I look over Cole’s shoulder; Charli and Rory are both headed this way.

“Cole, are you okay? Ainsley?” Charli calls across the distance.

I nod as they get closer and stop in front of us. “I’m fine. Drake stepped outta line, Cole punched him.”

“We saw. Nice job, Cole!” Rory chimes, giving him a high five. There’s no love lost with any of my friends and Drake, that’s for sure.

“Would you guys mind taking over so I can ice Cole’s hand?” I wave my hand in Cole’s direction.

“Of course.” Rory smiles. “But way to go, Cole. That asshole had it coming.”

Lucky for us, nobody else seemed to notice because the drinks stand is located at the back of the room. The last thing we need is parents or kids complaining about Cole when they don’t know the full story. I know word will get around, but that’ll be for tomorrow to worry about.

He rubs his chin. “Tell me about it. He’s also drunk.”

“What a dick,” Charli agrees. “You guys go, we’ve got this.”

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