Page 21 of Snowed In

Turning back to my fruit, I split the pile of mango, kiwi, banana, berries, and pineapple, mixing them before arranging the fruit in the two bowls. I add the pomegranate seeds last. They’re like little drops of dark blood on an otherwise pretty dish.

I’ve prolonged the inevitable, so I turn and squeeze by Gabe to get back to the sink to wash my hands again. Once I dry them off, I’m surprised when I turn to find Gabe in my face. With his hands on my chest, his eyes locked on mine, he pushes me against the fridge.

“Is there something you want, Edries?” he asks. Mostly teasing. I think. I definitely see amusement. But is it also a serious question?

Because I’m not entirely sure, I don’t answer. Instead, I pull him against me and press my mouth to his. His surprise is clear when his lips part and I take advantage of that, too. I mean, if he’s going to knee me in the balls, I might as well make it worth it.

ChapterFive

Gabe

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t at all expecting to find his mouth on mine. Or his arms curled up around me, his hands pressing to the back of my shoulders, pulling me tightly against him. My hands on his broad chest are trapped.

He kisses without hesitation or question. He knows what he wants and apparently that’s to kiss me. His tongue moves in my mouth, tracing over mine and teasing me to respond and chase his into his mouth.

I’ve always enjoyed kissing, so it doesn’t take my lovesick heart long to become completely invested in this. The kiss is long, drawn out. My entire body is humming by the time I remember what I was doing and pull my mouth from his.

That doesn’t exactly discourage him. His lips trace over my jaw and down my neck when I let my head fall back, trying to contain the moan that’s working its way from my chest.

“I hope I answered your question,” he murmurs against my skin.

I shiver, gooseflesh making my skin feel tight all down my arms and back. “Yeah, I think I understood.”

He chuckles, his mouth still moving sensually over my skin.

“We should… eat. Before it’s cold.”

His kisses stop and I nearly take the words back. Like, I’m fucking close to saying screw breakfast, just keep touching me like this.

But Edries nods. “I worked hard on that fruit.”

I grin and step backward. Suddenly, I feel a chill. Which is ridiculous since I’m quite sure the small cabin is nearly 130 degrees. It’s so damn hot. Which is why I took a chance on offending him by parading around in just my underwear this morning.

Edries doesn’t move for a minute, but then asks, “What can I do to help?”

Turning back to the stove where I have my French toast trapped in a warm pan, I tell him to get drinks for breakfast. Then I begin plating. Two pieces each—they’re thick Texas toast so it should be plenty—topped with butter, dusted with powdered sugar, and then a healthy drizzle of pure maple syrup. For a little extra decadence, I add a dollop of whipped cream on the side.

To his bowls of fruit, I add a spoonful of Greek yogurt and then a healthy drizzle of pure wildflower honey. The cabinet has several kinds of honey. I kind of want to line them all up and see if I can find a difference in flavor. Just out of curiosity.

We sit at the table and begin eating.

“This is really good,” Edries says.

I smile around a bite. “I’ve spent the better part of a year mastering French toast.”Because it was Roux’s favorite.I don’t say that and I don’t allow myself to concentrate on Roux for long. He’s not here. He’s with his guys and he’s happy. That’s what matters.

“It’s amazing,” Edries says.

“Thanks. Your fruit chunks are exactly the same size. That’s impressive.”

He snorts. “I had an obsessive nanny growing up.”

We eat in silence after that. It’s not awkward, just quiet. The only sound being the usual eating clinks and the sound of the fire in the other room. When we’re done, we clean together, which I think isEdries’ excuse to keep accidentally on purpose pressing or rubbing against me. Though he doesn’t bother hiding it.

When we’re done, we just look at each other.

“So…” he says after a while. “Movies?”

I start to nod, but then I have a better idea. A grin takes over. “Come on.”

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