Page 17 of Snowed in with the Rancher

It was Jackie who made the play, with Melissa standing behind her, coaching.

“Mommy?” Jackie said with such innocence, Olivia knew that whatever she wanted was going to be something completely inappropriate.

“Ye-es?” She eyed Tate, who didn't seem to have a clue that something was up.

Jackie giggled and pointed at the newly hung mistletoe. “You and Mr. Tate should kiss like they do in the movies.”

“What?” Tate jerked and turned to see what Jackie was pointing to.

Olivia felt the heat rush to her cheeks. “Honey, you can't make people—”

“But it's the rules.” Melissa finally stepped out from behind her sister. “They always do on TV.”

Olivia looked at Tate, unsure what to do. He scratched his head awkwardly.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Both girls began chanting in unison, hopping up and down in excitement. Lobster chimed in with a few howls.

Olivia sighed.

Tate cleared his throat and then raised his voice to be heard over the ruckus. “I think we might have to.”

“I'm guess I'm game if you are,” she answered before stepping closer to him.

He cupped both of her elbows in his big hands and looked down at her. Her heartbeat kicked up. His eyes were so beautiful. Like two pieces of amber. Thick dark lashes; strong, straight nose. She couldn't help the tiny breath that escaped her lips.

“It won't be too bad,” he told her with a wry smile. “After all, it's how we got them in the first place.”

Then he bent and pressed his lips to hers.

It was the briefest moment in time, a few seconds at most. But in that tiny touch, Olivia felt everything. The joy she'd found when they met, the sorrow she felt when she lost him, the days and nights of yearning since. His lips were warm and soft, his scent like pine and snow and chocolate. She felt his hands tighten around her arms as he pulled away, and then they simply gazed at one another, millions of unsaid words sitting in the breath of space between them.I'm sorry. I missed you. I'm glad we found each other again.

And then he was gone, stepping back, calling to Lobster that it was time to take a trip outside. Olivia blinked, and it was over, but she knew it wouldn't be leaving her heart—ever.

EIGHT

Five years earlier

Olivia woke with Tate's lips in lovely places. She squirmed and giggled as he made his way to her mouth.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning, yourself.” He gazed at her for a moment. “You got a little sun on your nose yesterday.”

She rubbed at it. “We shouldn't have sat by the pool for so long, but it was so nice out there, I couldn't resist.”

He moved on top of her, settling himself between her thighs. “Plus there was the whole bar service at our poolside loungers thing,” he added.

She smiled, relishing the weight and heat of him. His arms held part of his weight as he caged her in on the bed, biceps firm and round.

“You know,” she said as he put his magical lips to work again, this time on her neck, “I can't even remember what my cabin looks like, I haven't been there in so long.”

“Maybe you should just move in here,” he answered, giving her a quick peck on the lips.

“Too bad I didn't know I'd meet you; I could have saved on cabin fare and been in here with you from the start.” She ran her hands up and down his bare back. It was firm with muscle and covered in silky smooth skin. She arched into him, loving the way he was so much bigger than she was, so solid, so masculine.

“Well,” he whispered. “Maybe we can plan another vacation together after this one is over. Then we can double up all we want.”

She stared up at him for a moment, wondering if he was serious. “Really?” she asked, probably sounding far too hopeful.

---