Page 41 of Snowed Under

“You can say that again. Beautiful, by the way.”

“Cole, I had no idea this was gonna happ—” I place a finger over her mouth and lean down to replace it with my lips.

“You’re sexy as fuck,” I tell her. “Best not wear that bodysuit in public anymore, honey, if you want me to be a good boy.”

She tugs on her lip with her teeth as she unfortunately tucks herself back in. “What if I want you to be a bad boy, after all?”

A grin dominates my face, and my balls tug at her words. “You sure you’re ready for that,sweetheart?”

Her cell chimes from somewhere on the table, but she ignores it. “Yes,” she murmurs, reaching for my shirt as I look down at her. “I’m ready.”

Fudge is long gone, at least he knows some cues. I swallow and reach down to kiss her again, our lips locking and our coffee meeting all but forgotten.

“Sorry about your notes.” I motion to the papers scattered all over the floor and the crumpled mess around her.

“I’m sure Mayor Lockwood wouldn’t approve,” she giggles, blinking up at me as her phone chimes again.

“You should answer it,” I say.

She shakes her head. “It can wait.”

I grin and lean back in, our kisses becoming more intense. Her warmth is like a fast spreading wildfire, and I’m all lit up inside and out. I’m patient, but this is testing my willpower.

“This was some coffee date,” I murmur, my hands cupping the back of her head.

Then, for the third time, her phone sounds again. “Ains, someone is really trying to get hold of you.” And I know it can’t be asshole Drake because she blocked the fucker.

“Alright,” she agrees. “But don’t go anywhere.”

I hold my hands up in surrender as I step back and help her slide off the table. She quickly straightens out and finds her feet, albeit a little wobbly, and then reaches for her cell. When she finally finds it, under page one of the minutes of meeting, I snicker at the irony of it.

My dick is rock hard, so bending isn’t the best thing I could do right now, but I need to do something for a moment to distract me.

“It’s Emma,” she whispers as she swipes her phone.

I nod and keep giving Fudge a ruffle under the chin.

“Hey, Em—” the long pause has me looking up. “Wait, what? She’s where?” Her eyes dart to me and all traces of lust and passion-filled kisses fade from her face. It’s replaced with pure panic. “IN HOSPITAL?” she gasps, one hand over her mouth.

I stand up quickly and walk toward her. Emma is a local nurse in town — is she talking about her mom, perhaps?

“Okay, I’m here with Cole… yes, alright. I’ll be there soon.” She quickly hangs up and holds her hands to her face. “It’s my mom,” she says after a long pause while she catches her breath. “She had a fall — Heavens, this is just like my mom. Climbing up ladders and doing dumb shit instead of hiring someone or asking me?—”

“Is she okay?” Hearing Ainsley’s mom is hurt and seeing the worry on her face immediately puts me on edge.

“Emma said she hit her head pretty hard, luckily the neighbor heard the commotion outside and ran around to help.”

“Jesus. And she’s at the hospital?”

“She’s having some tests. Emma said she’s okay, but has a possible concussion.”

“Let’s go,” I say, resting my hands on her shoulders. “I’ll drive you.”

She presses her lips together. “I’m so sorry, Cole. To end tonight like this?—”

I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. Let’s get to your mom, okay?”

“Okay.”

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