Page 26 of Christmas with Hope

“I’m trying to look macho in front of you.” He glanced at me and winked, making me laugh.

“You’re a nerd. I already know you’re macho,” I rolled my eyes. “Let me help.”

I reached to grab some of the cut wood, but he turned his body slightly.

“Nope. Not happening, beautiful,” he chuckled then kept walking towards the cabin.

“Colton, stop being stubborn.” Bending down, I picked up some snow and packed it into a ball. I wound up the pitch, tossed the snowball, and hit my target… Colton’s back.

He immediately stopped walking. I picked up some more snow, made it into a ball, and hit him with it. It was hard to hold back my laughter. I was being so childish.

“Let me help, sir.” I threw another snowball at him, just as he was turning. The snowball hit him in the face. He dropped the pile of wood into the snow. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”

I ran the short distance between us and wiped the snow from his face.

“I am so sorry.” His cheeks were a dark red from where the snow had struck him. “I really am sorry. I didn’t expect you to turn around.”

“Give me a kiss and I’ll forgive you,” he grinned.

“Colton,” I groaned, holding back a smile. “You’re greedy with my kisses.”

“Can’t blame me because your kisses are the best.” he shrugged then puckered his lips waiting for me to kiss him.

“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed before standing on my tiptoes and kissing him swiftly. As I lowered to flat feet, Colton grabbed me around my waist. I squealed like a pig.

“Gotcha!”

“Colton!”

I had a feeling that I was in for it. Couldn’t blame him since I had hit him in the face with a snowball. However, that didn’t stop me from trying to flee

Laughter escaped me as I pulled away, wiggled, and tried to escape his hold. However, I was no match for him. He held me tight. His gaze locked on me. A wicked grin crossed his face.

“Whatever you are thinking… no. Definitely no!” I shook my head like a madwoman as I continued laughing and trying to break free.

“It’s only fair, my love.”

His words caught me off guard and I stopped wiggling in his arms. Judging by his face, they caught him off guard as well.

“My love?” I asked softly.

He didn’t say anything right away. He simply stared at me. Finally, he let out a sigh.

“Yep. My love.” He sounded as though it was no big deal. The look in his eyes told me differently. “Ready for your punishment?”

“Punishment?” I asked in a high-pitched voice and fought again to get away from him. “Colton! Let me go, you barbarian!”

We both laughed. Colton shook his head.

“Never. You’re mine!” he said in a thick European, brute tone.

Is that even a description?I wondered but shook my thoughts when Colton threw me over his shoulder.

“You’re mine, woman!” Even though I was tossed over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes, I could tell he was smiling. Playfully, I whacked at his back and squirmed around so he’d loosen his hold.

“Help! Help!” I called out in a damsel-like accent. Colton laughed.

“There is no one to rescue you from my love,” I stilled at his words. “My love is yours and yours alone.”

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