Page 61 of Second Chance Christmas

“You run, this time I'll catch you, and when I do, I’ll cuff you to my bed.”

Her face flushed.

“You like that idea don’t you, baby? Being tied to my bed. Think of all the dirty things I would do to that beautiful body.”

“No.”

“Liar.” he chuckled low. “Just like you craved all my cum this morning.”

She groaned and quivered in places she didn’t want to quiver. Her body definitely thought one thing and her brain another. Her heart wanted him, but she had a plan and not until less than twenty-four hours ago did anything ever involve Dixen, Alaska or a big dix man.

“Come here,” he purred using that same tone that broke down her defenses.

She cursed softly under her breath. “I’m sorry, Aspen. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression. What I feel and what is right are two different things.”

“What I see is the woman I never forgot, never got over standing in front of me needing help. Look at me, Ivy Sunday.”

She raised her gaze to his.

“Don’t walk away this time.”

Her back went rigid. “I didn’t just walk away, Aspen. Besides, I think there’s a lot about both of us that has changed, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I get it you wanted the big city life and I was cool with staying right where we were. I didn’t make you as happy as you wanted back then, I get that. But don’t think for a second we aren’t perfect together.”

“Sex was never the problem. We were too young, too inexperienced back then and I got scared. I wanted to live life and...and?—”

“And what, baby girl? Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings. Say what’s on your mind.”

“I fucked up, Aspen. I loved you and I walked away from that and I’m afraid there’s no way you can ever love me again. I almost married another man a month and a half ago. How could you ever want me now?”

She had no idea she had so much pent up until she spilled every last word between them.

Her confession had him burying his fingers in her hair and tilting her head up until their gazes locked.

“People change, Ivy Sunday, but not so much as to forget what—who—is important to them. You, your family, my family. All of you are important. You know that. A few years away won’t change that. The past is just that. When I was buried inside you this morning, I didn’t think for a second about what we had. All I could think about was what I felt for you. What Ifeelfor you.” He reached between them and stroked a thumb down her cheek and she leaned into the warmth of his touch.

“Aspen,” she whispered, unable to hold back the slight shudder of anticipation his touch brought about.

“Come with me.”

She found herself reaching for his hand before she realized hers had already slid into his. “Where are we going?”

“Not too far. But you have to promise not to look.”

Aspen pulled her to walk in front of him and he slipped his hands over her eyes.

A warm laugh bubbled up and she grasped his hands and he pulled her snug against his front. Encased in his warm embrace again, a fire stirred in her. A fire that hungered for the safety he provided and made her feel.

“Whoa. Watch your step, sweetheart. There you go. One more. Okay. Now don’t peek.”

He’d walked them around the side of the house just out of sight of the back-kitchen window. She knew where they were, so what surprise did he have in mind?

The cold swirled around her the second he stepped away.

“Ahh. Naughty girl. No peeking.”

“Come on, you have me dying here. Hurry up.” She danced from foot to foot to work in some heat. Judging from the steps they’d climbed, she knew he led her to the gazebo that nestled the snow line of the property that hugged the lake. On snowy moonless nights like this one, you wouldn’t be able to see much past the frozen shores, if anything at all. What could he possibly want to show her?

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