Page 9 of Connected By Christmas
He pulls me to him, and no words are spoken as we lie there still joined together. In the silence, our souls silently communicate as we watch the snow fall outside. When you feel something this profound, it can’t be put into words because everything we need to say is felt deep inside. Eventually, thesound of the fireplace and the rhythmic falling of the snow lull me into a deep, peaceful sleep.
I awake laterto find the bed empty beside me. It’s still light out, and the snow is falling heavier now. There might be enough on the ground to make a snowman. I grin excitedly as I get dressed quickly and go in search of Noah.
“You’re up,” he smiles at me when I walk into the kitchen. He’s seasoning the steaks we set out for dinner. “Did you have a good nap?”
“I did. Our baby girl is taking all of my energy lately,” I laugh.
“It takes a lot of energy to grow a perfect tiny baby,” he grins and starts to cut up some garlic.
“I was thinking of going outside for a bit. The snow is coming down harder now, and I want to see if it’s sticking for a snowman.”
“Sounds like fun. I can’t remember the last time I made a snowman that didn’t involve making it out of sand,” he chuckles. “Let me finish prepping here, and I’ll go with you.”
“I’m going to go put on some warmer clothes. This is going to be so much fun!” I say excitedly. “Our first white Christmas together.” I reach up on tiptoes and kiss him as he grins at my excitement. I turn to go to the bedroom to change when he drops his knife on the cutting board and pulls me back to him.
“Just one more,” he whispers, cradling my face in his hands. His thumbs run along my cheeks before his soft lips part mine. His tongue explores every inch of me as he slowly takes his time. I melt against him and feel this kiss all the way to the tip of my toes. If there’s one thing I could do for the rest of my life, it would be kissing Noah Bennett.
He finally breaks away, and a small smile plays on his lips as he takes in my disorientated look. “Now you can go get ready.”His blue eyes shine with mischief as he picks up the knife again and continues chopping the garlic.
Still in a daze, I walk into the bedroom and throw on a pair of white sweats over my leggings. There’s no way the snow pants I keep here in the closet will fit with this belly. Pulling a beanie on to cover my ears, I find my heavier jacket way in the back. Noah is by the front door, putting on his jacket and boots, when I enter the living room.
“I look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man,” I laugh at my white puffer jacket, which stretches over my belly, and my bulky two layers of pants.
“Hey, don’t knock the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. He was my favorite character in that Ghostbuster movie,” Noah teases, causing me to giggle. “You’re a prettier version, though, and way more sexy.” He wraps his arms around my puffy frame and nips at my neck.
“Good to know I’m sexier than a one-hundred-foot-tall marshmallow,” I laugh. “I will need help with my boots. There’s no way I can see my feet past all this white fluff.”
Chuckling, he bends down to help with my boots. “Should I just roll you out the door, or do you think you can walk?” His eyes dance with laughter as he stands up.
“Very funny,” I say, trying to hide my smile. I walk, or rather waddle, to the front door and step outside. Cold air hits my cheeks, but I can’t stop the grin on my face. I always love it when the snow is falling. I would beg my parents to let me go outside whenever I would see the first flakes coming down.
Noah grabs my arm, making sure I’m safe going down the stairs. I lift my face to the sky and let the snowflakes melt on my warm skin. There isn’t more than six inches on the ground, but it’s enough to make a small snowman. Reaching down, I gather some in my gloved hands and smile when I realize it’s wet enough to make the perfect snowball.
“Don’t you dare,” he says, eyeing the snowball in my hand. “I can’t hit you back, so it’s not a fair game.”
“Since when do we play fair?” I grin and hit him in the chest.
“You are going to pay for that later,” he chuckles, brushing off the snow on his jacket. “You get a pregnancy pass…for now, but you can’t hide behind that belly for too much longer.” His grin turns devilish.
I collect more in my hand and make a bigger snowball this time. He takes a step back, and I can tell he’s gauging my movements, ready to dodge this one. I hold out my hand, and he looks at me warily, not fully trusting me.
“It’s for the start of the snowman,” I smile sweetly. He hesitates before taking it from my hand. “Now you roll it on the ground to make it bigger,” I say when he doesn’t move. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling.
“I know how to make a snowman,” he says, rolling his eyes. “I just don’t trust the thought of turning my back on you.”
“My hands are empty.” I hold them up in the air to show him.
Satisfied, he bends down and starts collecting more snow for the base. The next one hits him square in the back. A giggle escapes, but I quickly recover as he walks toward me. I look around, but there is nothing to hide behind, and I sure as hell can’t outrun him eight months pregnant and looking like a marshmallow.
“It’s a very dangerous game you're playing, Mrs. Bennett.” His breath warms my cold face as he invades my space. “One would think you almost want to get punished.” His vivid blue eyes stare into mine. He brings his lips closer, and I lean into him as my lips part, eager for the kiss that I know is coming. Right before we meet, a grin spreads across his face, seconds before his hand comes down on my beanie, smashing a snowball on my head.
Laughing, I swipe the snow off my hat and shoulders. “Well played, Mr. Bennett…well played.”
“I thought so,” he grins wickedly before getting back to building the snowman.
This time, I play nicely, and in no time, we have a small snowman sitting in front of the cabin. I adjust the red scarf around his neck and stand back to look at our work.
“He’s perfect,” I smile, burying my face in my coat against the cold. The sun is starting to set, and I can feel the temperature dropping.
