Page 19 of Snowed In with My Ex

“You really think daddy’s going to let you go out there in this mess?”

“Da—Winston.” She exhaled. It wasn’t what I wanted her to call me, but as long as she wasn’t pulling away from my arms, I considered it a win. Fuck, the scent of her drifted up to my head, filled my lungs.Jesus, I’ve missed it.When I breathed her in again, I caught it. The very distinct scent of her arousal.

“Win?” she whispered again. My head dipped lower, and I inhaled her again, and again, it was there. Faint but there. Had she…

“Winston?” she rasped my name, and a deep rumble vibrated through my chest. “Wh-what are you doing?” She stumbled over her words.

The control I’d managed to hold on to since she broke shit off had been slowly teetering away over the last thirty-one days. It was thin and fragile and really fucking worn out. I had a feeling it was about to snap. I could feel it.

“Wi-Winston,” she stuttered. I took her hand. Her breathing shuddered as I lifted it up and breathed in her fingers.

“Was my princess being naughty?” I asked.

“Winston.” She might have trembled, but it didn’t mean my girl didn’t want me near. Allie leaned back, pressing her body soclose, I doubted a sheet of paper fit between my front and her back.

“I can smell you. Fuck!” I growled. That little worn-out thread started to crumble. “You played with yourself?” I felt her nod as her chest rose and fell. “In the bath,” I guessed, and again, she simply confirmed. “I’m going to have to watch that one day.”

“Win—"

“But right now, you’re going to go grab some blankets and bundle up on the couch.” I hated having to step away, but I needed to. “I’m going to go get some wood and get a fire going. As much as I want you, and fuck, Allie, let me be very clear”—I pressed my hard dick against her lower back— “I want you. I want you so fucking badly, all I want to do is suck on those pretty little fingers that still smell and probably still taste like you.”

“Win—“

“The moment I start, we both know I won’t be able to stop. Not after being without you for so damn long,” my voice rumbled. “So, go take that candle and find some blankets. We will get you nice and toasty by the couch before you know it.” I pressed a kiss to her temple then forced myself to get the hell out of there.

Thankfully, the icy cold blizzard blowing outside helped cut the edge off my urge. Just barely, but it helped.

I hauled wood in and got the fire going before I went back out there and brought in more. By the look of the storm, it didn’t seem like it was going to lighten any time soon, and even though I wanted it to be my body heat that kept my princess warm if we were going to be snowed in together, I needed to make sure I took care of her.

Allie’s needs would always come before mine.

No matter what.

Allie

When Winston steppedout of the bathroom, my breathing felt funny.

There was no way I could pretend, or worse, lie. Not about how I felt around him or how much I’d missed him. Missed moments like the ones we were sharing now. Simple and easy. Me on the couch, him stepping out of the shower. Little moments that were no big deal to others, but for me? I’d hoped to have a lifetime of them.Could it still happen?

The reminder and hurt hit me like a tidal wave. I tried to avoid looking in his direction, but I was weak. No matter how hard I tried, my gaze kept bouncing over to him, taking in every detail I could. It was like my heart and body had been starving for him.

His hair was longer and slightly shaggier. I wondered if he hadn’t bothered to cut it since we had broken up. Which surprised me. Winston Nash was all about order, schedules, and appointments. He had a standing date with his barber, who he had on speed dial at his office. He stood by the fire while he towel-dried his hair. For a moment, with his back turned to me, I could watch him without worrying about being caught staring.

His broad shoulders made my hands ache to touch him. I knew personally the muscles that lay beneath the soft flannel of his plaid shirt. His narrow waist, thick thighs, and cute butt beneath a pair of well-worn dark gray joggers and white crew socks. Even with the time we had spent together, I doubted I’d seen him this way. So casual and slightly disheveled. I liked it.

He turned, his eyes intense with a soft half smile. “Warm enough?” he asked, breaking the silence between us. Before I answered, his brows bunched. “I could look for more blankets,” he offered, and those dang walls I’d built didn’t feel as strong as I thought they would be.

“I’m good,” I answered politely. I hadn’t forgotten how sweet he could be, how attentive. That was probably why it had felt like such a one-eighty when he started to act cold and distant. “Would you like to sit?” I offered, scooting down the couch and pulling the sheets over.

For a moment, he didn’t move. We just stared at one another. His body taut and gaze almost smoldering. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking about. Finally, he took the seat next to me. For a beat, we just stared at the fire, listening to the wood snap and crackle.

“This place is nice,” he stated. I smiled, my eyes focused on the orange flames. He was terrible at small talk. Especially when he was nervous. I opened then shut my mouth, not sure of what to say either. Seemed like I was bad at it, too.

“I thought so,” I mumbled quietly, not turning to look at him. Part of me still couldn’t believe he was here with me.

That’s when it hit me.

What he had done today.

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