Page 75 of Snowed Under

I press my lips together just as I release them. Then he bends down to kiss me. “Hello to you, too.” I smile.

He tugs at my high swinging ponytail. He’s been jibing me all week about his little fantasy of doing me in my office when no one else is here. I had no idea that could be tonight. “Cole,” I warn, but I can’t hide the amusement in my tone. “There’s camera’s here.” I even glance around for effect.

“Not in your office, there isn’t.” He steps inside as I lock the doors.

“You’re a bad influence,” I tell him as I turn back to the main section of the library. Cole follows and glances around as we walk.

“So everyone has gone for the day?” He raises his eyebrows, clearly not taking my warning as a serious answer.

“It’s just me and Little Ginger.”

“How’s the little guy been today?”

“He’s great. Come see for yourself.”

I keep him up to date through the day, but it has been a couple of hours since my last text. I walk toward my office as Cole falls into step with me.

“How was your day?” he asks as we pass the neatly stacked sections of the library on the way to my office.

“It was good. I finished the letter to my dad on my lunch break.” After the storm was over, I decided to see what dad wanted that day he called, and sure enough it was some half assed attempt to invite me to Christmas, to which I declined. He was astonished because I don’t think he’s ever heard the words ‘no’ in his life, but never asked me why. So I told him I was spending time with my new boyfriend, his family and my mom, and that I have never felt welcome at his place. I didn’t let him even get a word in before I brought the conversation to an end. After I hung up the phone, I felt a sense of relief I never knew was possible.

Cole was right, standing up to him was everything and more.

But I still felt I had things I wanted to write down to release them. Now I plan on burning the letter before Christmas.

“Ains, that’s awesome. You doin’ okay?”

“I am.” I nod. He knows I’ve been writing the letter this past week. “You really are in the wrong trade, you know. I mean, you’re a great builder and handyman. But have you ever thought about going into counseling?” I poke him in the ribs playfully.

He laughs. “I’m sure I could rival Dr. Phil if I really wanted, but I think I’ll stick to my day job.”

We walk into my office and both look over to the little canvas travel case on the ground as it stirs and a second later, Little Ginger pops his head out the top.

Cole bends down to pull him free with one hand and brings the little kitten to his face. “Daddy’s here, yes he is…yes he is…” he coos, and my heart literally melts.

“Cole,” I giggle. “Presley said we don’t know yet?—”

He waves it off. “It’s been a week and no one has posted on the community lost and found pages, or responded to the flyers we put up around town and in the Piney Paws window. He had no tag or collar, and no microchip. So if he belongs to someone, they would have surely come forward by now.”

“I don’t want you to get your hopes up.” I know both of our hopes are well and truly up. We love the little fur ball and hope he gets to stay with us and Fudge.

“How aboutfoster Daddythen, for now?”

My lipstwitch in a smile. “I like that.”

He grins. “Oh, yeah? You like me saying,Daddy?”

My nipples pebble at the way he voices the words, combined with the sexy way he tilts his head. His honey eyes dip down my body. “Uh, huh. I love it.”

“I think I’d love it even more if I’m inside you while you’re the one sayin’ it.”

I laugh. “You’re hopeless.”

“You hear that, Little Ginger? Our girl says she loves it.” He kisses Ginger’s head and places him gently back down in his carrier where he has a little stretch, only to curl up again on top of the blanket. When I glance back at Cole, he’s watching me. His eyes heat even more, taking one step closer to me. “I bet you don’t care right now ifDaddycloses the door and tugs that pretty ponytail, do you?”

I can’t help but giggle as I feel his deep, dark words between my thighs.

“Seeing you in that sexy uniform, baby. It does things to me.”

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