Page 74 of Tempt Me Forever

She put a hand on her hip. "Listen, I've been on kids' toboggans, carrying one of my nieces. These things are sturdy, okay? Come on, let's go. I thought you'd be happy that I didn't spend too much time choosing my boots."

"Let me guess—they’re bright pink too?"

“Of course. Now let’s go.”

“Kimberly!”

"Oh, loosen up, Drake."

She laced her arm through mine, and I gave in. This little vixen was too determined. I realized when it came to her, I wasn't going to win all the fights. I was surprisingly accepting of that.

We bought some clothes that were suitable for the snow and changed in the bathroom at the store, putting our work clothes in the shopping bag.

"Where are we going?" she asked once we were back in the car. She’d changed into her snow boots while I loaded the sleds in the trunk of the SUV.

"There's a hill near Montrose Beach. You know it?"

"Yes. It's in the northern part of Lincoln Park. I've never actually been sledding there, but I remember that hill. It's pretty good, not too steep."

Once we arrived, I found a parking spot near the entrance easily enough. It was snowing even harder. "I wonder if there are going to be other people here too."

I doubted it. The hill wasn’t lit up, and it hadn't started snowing long enough ago for people to react. I was banking on us being alone. I wanted to see Kimberly's unrestrained joy.

"You should have bought some snow boots too. You're going to ruin those beautiful Oxford shoes."

"They’ll be fine," I assured her. Obviously, they were going to be messed up, but no way in hell would I ever wear snow boots. But they looked great on her. She wore them with pride.

There were a few inches of snow on the hill. We walked over, and I set both toboggans down. Kimberly started pulling the handle of hers. She couldn't be prouder of her pink sled. I laughed despite myself.

She glanced at me over her shoulder. "We're all weird in our own ways, Drake. I've learned to embrace mine. Have you?"

"No,” I said truthfully. But I had a hunch I'd catch up to her in no time. Her unrestrained way of doing everything was contagious.

We walked uphill for a few minutes so we could get to the top.

"This is beautiful," she murmured when we reached the peak. We had a view of the city under the moonlight. She was right. It was breathtaking. "Thank you for bringing me here."

I leaned closer. “I love being here with you.”

"Are you ready to race?"

"Not yet."

I brushed my lips against hers before capturing her mouth. Jesus, I'd wanted to do this all evening. I'd been lost in her the whole night, and yet I hadn't been able to taste her the way I wanted to. I kissed her deeply, putting a hand on her back and pressing her against me. I needed her body warmth, but mostly I just needed her. My mind became a blank slate whenever I was near her; any worries or thoughts fell to the side.

She moaned against my lips and then stepped back, shaking her head. "No, no, no. First sledding, then kissing—and whatever else you might have in mind."

Before I could add anything else, she sat down on her sled. I did the same and waited for a few seconds, watching her intently as she slid down the hill, letting out a loud “Yoo-hoo” with both hands up in the air, waving them about.

God, this woman is going to give me a heart attack. Does safety mean nothing to her?

I got on the sled and headed down too. Because I weighed more, I caught up to her in no time. We reached the bottom almost simultaneously, and Kimberly grinned, jumping up to her feet.

"This is amazing. Come on, let's go again."

I frowned. "Kimberly, how about you keep your hands inside next time, holding on to the sled?"

"What do you think is going to happen to me? There's no one around. Besides, it's not that steep."

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