Page 70 of Heartbreaker

“Sounds good.”

I pull out a handful of things that look good and begin arranging them on a platter I found on a top shelf. I hum as I work, slicing cheese and strawberries, adding a dollop of apricot jam, arranging the crackers, and placing a few slices of salami. I sprinkle a handful of grapes and turn to find Royal watching me with a smile.

“What?”

“Like I said, you’re something,” he says, stroking a finger along my jaw. “That looks amazing. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen?”

“When I’m home, yes. Obviously, not when I’m touring or traveling, but I like to putter. That’s when I get most of my song ideas.”

“You were humming something just now.”

“Midnight Snow,” I admit then sigh contentedly. “It looks so pretty outside and reminds me of when I was little and we’d have snowball fights. Me, my parents, my grandparents…the whole thing was kind of magical.”

“Yeah?” He follows my gaze and smiles. “When was the last time you had a snowball fight?”

“Years.”

A slow, sexy smile. “I could change that.”

I arch my brows. “I thought you were hungry?”

“I am, but a snowball fight at midnight with the most gorgeous woman I know sounds like a lot more fun.”

I gaze out at the yard longingly.

Itdoessound like fun.

“I have to put on more clothes!” I say, practically running from the room.

And five minutes later we’re outside, the floodlights on, a light snow still falling from the sky.

It’s cold but I’m bundled up in sweats and gloves, a scarf, hat, and my winter coat. Royal is wearing sweats too, and a jacket, but doesn’t seem nearly as concerned with the cold as I am.

“That isn’t fair!” I tell him. “You’re barely wearing anything—you have more mobility.”

He rumbles out a laugh. “You’re welcome to take off some layers.”

And before I can react, he wings a snowball at me, catching me right in the face. He didn’t throw it hard, and the snow is still soft and fluffy, but I sputter indignantly anyway.

“Thatwas not fair.” I pack a bunch of snow together in my hands and give him the evil eye. “And now you’re going to pay.”

“Uh-huh.” He laughs and dances out of the way.

I toss a few more snowballs in his direction, most of them woefully off-target, until one finally lands on the top of his head, sending clumps of snow down his face and onto his shoulders and chest.

“Now you’re in trouble!” He growls playfully, scooping up a mountain of snow using both arms.

I shriek and make a run for it, tripping and landing face first in a snowbank.

“Jade!” I feel Royal behind me, lifting me out of my icy blanket. “You okay, Shortcake?”

He looks worried but I’m giggling, sputtering and shaking the flakes from my eyes. “I’m fine. Just a bit of a klutz.”

He wraps his arms around me, pressing a kiss on the tip of my nose. “But a verysexyklutz.”

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