Page 22 of Wedlocked

“I wanted to,” I confessed, not looking at him but at the pine trees beyond his shoulder. “I missed skiing.”

“Hey.” His voice was soft, and it made my lip quiver. “Look at me.”

I couldn’t.

“Lars Forsberg Erikson, look at me right now.”

Surprise had my eyes snapping to his. He grunted in satisfaction. “Good boy,” he whispered. “There’s my angel.”

“I’m sorry I lied,” I professed, voice shaky. “I-I—my mind took over a-and…”

“Shh,” he shushed, pressing his lips right against my stammering ones. I whimpered on contact, body sagging in his hold.

He made a sound of approval and deepened the kiss, sweeping into my mouth and muffling everything else.

I leaned in, the skis on my feet sliding behind me, and I stumbled farther into his chest. Our lips unlocked, and he caught me, arms going under my arms to pull me upright.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he mused. The softness in his demeanor had my lip wobbling all over again.

He kissed it, humming softly. “Enough of that,” he ordered, pulling back. “Listen to me. I’m not mad that you lied. You were just trying to protect yourself. I can’t even imagine what it’s like having flashbacks of something so cruel. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m more than willing to say it a million times. No. More than that if you need to hear it. You’re so strong. The longer we’re together, the more I watch you fight the demons someone else plagued you with, the more in awe of you I am. Thank you for telling me. I know it was hard. I love you so much, you know that?”

I didn’t say anything, just leaned into his chest and listened to his words.

“And fuck him. Fuck him all the way to hell’s basement. He tried to take something you love, but I won’t let him. We’re going skiing today, you’re going to beat the pants off me, and I’m gonna be so proud of you for it. I’m gonna brag to everyone that my boyfriend not only has a magic dick but is the best skier on the mountain.”

A laugh bubbled out of me.

His smile was so infectious, so warm that I felt it even though I didn’t look up.

“We’re gonna have the best time. Create memories that will overshadow the ones that came before.”

“Promise?”

“Do monkeys have tails?”

I rolled my eyes.

“And just so you know, I’m not gonna go easy on you up there. I’m gonna make you work for it. If you think you can beat this demon, then bring it on.”

“I know I can,” I said, still shy.

Win stepped back, eyes twinkling. “First one down the mountain gets a blow job.”

I scoffed.

He yanked his glove off with his teeth, letting it dangle between them. He looked even more like a dog than usual.

Min hund.

Pushing his newly bared hand between us, he gestured for us to shake on it.

“You’re serious?” I asked.

He spat the glove at his feet. “I never joke about blow jobs.”

Well, that was true.

I reached out my hand, but he made a rude sound. “This is a skin shake.”

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