Page 19 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
The main course features a hearty beef stew, tender chunks of beef simmered with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a rich, savory gravy. There’s also a creamy mashed potato side to go with the stew, along with a green salad with a light vinaigrette to complement everything.
I observe Emily, who catches me staring. “How about we take a walk around the resort before dessert? The snow is really coming down, and it might be nice to get some fresh air.”
Emily looks at me, considering the offer. “A walk? That sounds...nice, actually.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I almost thought she would turn me down, and that I had ruined the date somehow. I had never felt this out of sorts on a date before. What is it about this girl that is driving me bonkers?
I get up and help her with her coat, and we step outside into the crisp, cold air. The snow is still falling, creating a soft, sparkling blanket over the resort.
“Hailey’s not going to like this,” she says, eyeing the snowflakes that continue to fall.
“It’s supposed to clear by tomorrow,” I murmur. I couldn’t care less about what Hailey would want. This moment is perfect. “It’s magical, don’t you think?”
“It is. It’s just...a little inconvenient.”
We continue walking, chatting about everything from Hailey’s wedding plans to the latest news in our lives. The path becomes a bit icier as we round a corner, and I notice Emily’s steps growing cautious. Before she can react, her foot slips out from under her, and she starts to tumble.
She gasps, her arms flailing as she loses her balance. Instinctively, I reach out and catch her, but the momentum causes us both to tumble down into the soft, powdery snow.
We land with a soft thud, and for a moment, we’re both stunned, lying side by side with the snow gently settling around us. Emily looks up at me, her face flushed and her eyes wide with surprise. I’m on top of her, my body pressed against hers, and the sudden closeness makes the air between us crackle with a new, electric tension.
We lie there for a few seconds, our faces inches apart. I can see every detail of her—her flushed cheeks, the way her lips are slightly parted, the flecks of snow in her hair. Her gaze is so intense, so vulnerable, pulling me to her. I can’t escape her.
Before I know it, her fingers graze the side of my face, and I lean in, feeling the softness of her skin against mine. Our lips meet in a slow, tentative kiss before I pull her against me. She gasps, her mouth opening. I stroke her bottom lip, coaxing it open before I slip my tongue inside.
CHAPTER 7
EMILY
I can’t helpbut shiver as Tanner’s lips brush against mine again, this time with more urgency. The kiss deepens, his tongue exploring the contours of my mouth, and I respond eagerly, my own tongue sliding against his. His lips are firm but soft as they press against mine, moving in slow, deliberate strokes.
His hands move from the snow, warm against my cold cheeks, and then trail down to my neck, his fingers gently stroking the delicate skin. My breath catches as his touch becomes more assertive, roaming over my collarbone and slipping beneath the edge of my coat. The sensation is electrifying.
As his fingers move lower, they brush against my collarbone and travel further down, making contact with the sensitive skin of my chest.
His touch becomes bolder, cupping my breasts through the fabric of my coat and sweater. He kneads them gently, his fingers finding their shape and pressing possessively. The sensation is overwhelming, even though we aren’t skin-to-skin, and it makes me gasp against his mouth.
Each kiss is punctuated by the caress of his tongue and the gentle pressure of his lips, while his hands continue their exploration.
“Oh, fuck,” Tanner groans against me. “You feel so fucking good.”
His kisses move from my lips to my neck, where he kisses and nibbles softly, sending tingling sensations through my body.
I find myself yearning for more warmth, more closeness. I wonder if we should take this inside. If he can kiss like this, I wonder what else he’s capable of. The idea of being in a warm, soft bed with him, without inhibitions, becomes increasingly enticing.
We finally break the kiss, breathless and flushed. As I’m about to voice my thoughts, I hear the unmistakable sound of a dog barking. Before I can fully process it, Raffle bounds into view, his big paws slipping and sliding in the snow.
He trots over to us, tail wagging furiously. As soon as he spots Tanner, he starts growling. I burst into laughter as Raffle’s barks grow more insistent, and he tries to jump on me, his tongue flailing wildly.
“Hey, boy, it’s me! Remember?” he says, mock hurt in his voice.
Raffle doesn’t seem convinced. He continues to bark and nuzzle at me, his huge frame knocking me further into the snow while he totally ignores Tanner.
“Wow,” Tanner says. “He’s totally in love with you.”
I laugh as Raffle continues to lick me up and down while I attempt to pet him in turn. “Where did he come from?” I manage to say between my giggles.
Almost as if on cue, I hear footsteps crunching through the snow, and I look up to see Axel, Jace, and Ben approaching. Axel’s eyes immediately find Raffle.
