Page 11 of Once Upon a Frosty Winter

Glowing lanterns light up the night sky, and laughter fills the air. Eira and I weave through the crowd at a leisurely pace. My jaw drops when, to my utter amazement, I see Hilda Queenlaughing.She’s standing next to a woman, and they have their heads tilted toward each other as they’re experiencing a fit of giggles.

“Who is that?” I ask Eira.

She follows my line of sight and releases ahumph.“What do you care?”

“Don’t be sour. Who is that with your stepmother?”

“Mira. It’s her only friend. She owns Fairest of Them All Salon.”

I look longingly at the two. I want her to laugh like that with me.How does one even get close enough for Hilda to become comfortable enough to be so carefree?I have an obsession with Hilda Queen. That’s evident. I’m not sure why, but I’m desperate to have her.

“You don’t know her,” Eira reminds me. “You literally just met.”

Yet she’s consumed my thoughts since I first saw her. I can’t explain it. It’s not only that she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, or seen for that matter, but there’s something else. An energy about her. Maybe it’s that she’s graceful yet crass enough to tell me like it is. All I know is that I won’t be satisfied until I have a night with her.

And it’s going to be tonight.

Mira and Hilda begin walking toward the botanical gardens, so I haul Eira along. “Tell me more about college.”

“What?” she hisses. “Oh, please, I’m not stupid. Just say you want me to walk with you toward mystepmother.Gross.”

“I’m closer to her age than yours, dearie.”

“Whatever. I’m not going to help you two get acquainted.”

Before I can lie and say I’m only after Hilda for her orchard, she appears. I turn to see her and Mira pleasantly smiling at us.

“Hello, Eira. Mr. Frost.” Hilda addresses us with her voice dripping in honey.

“Hello, Eira, sweetheart.” Mira stretches her arms and pulls Eira into a warm embrace. I note that Eira welcomes Mira’s touch. So it really is only Hilda she hates.

Hilda gestures toward me with her hand. “Mira, this is Jax Frost. His family owns Old Man Winter’s Diners. He’s after my home and orchard.”

A laugh gets caught in my throat. Through that entire introduction, her voice never lost its enthusiasm or friendliness. “That’s true. Pleasure to meet you, Mira.” I shake her hand but keep my eyes on Hilda.

“Oh my,” Mira announces. “Hilda, you’re under the mistletoe.”

Not a man to waste opportunities, I take that as my cue to step forward. It’s a holiday tradition after all.

We both stare at one another without speaking. I swear I feel little sparks as my hand reaches out and touches her arm. I start off slow, sweeping my lips lightly across hers before applying more pressure. Hilda Queen’s lips are finally mine. She releases a tiny sigh and I take that to mean shelikes it.I hold her tighter, sliding my hands along her back. The warmth of her tongue meeting mine is giving me an embarrassing public erection. All too soon she’s pulling back when Eira releases a painful sound that’s between a growl and a mangled cry.

A flash of sadness appears in Hilda’s eyes, but she quickly covers it with a cocky smirk. “Oops,” she coos. “I didn’t realize a silly kiss would upset her so much.”

“I’ll go check on her,” Mira offers.

“No,” Hilda says a little too loudly. “I need to,” she whispers to Mira.

Mira slowly shakes her head. I hear her say to Hilda in a voice barely above a whisper, “I told you it wouldn’t make you feel better.”

“I know. I thought if I hurt her… I really am a wicked stepmother.”

“No, you’re not. Go on. Go make up.”

Hilda doesn’t even spare me a glance. I’m left standing alone with Mira, who is openly studying me.

“You’re either very brave or very foolish,” she tells me.

“Sometimes ya gotta be a little of both to take risks,” I try to tease, but she doesn’t appear amused. “Would you like to tell me why you think I’m either of those things?”

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