Page 70 of Always Mine

“I was going to pay,” I point out as I stuff the useless bills back in my pocket.

He rolls his eyes, tucking his wallet away. “I know, but I was the one who asked you out. Why would I make you pay on our first date?”

My heart does a little flutter. Once again, I’m fighting back a smile as I bite my bottom lip. “A first date, you say?”

“Well, of course,” he says, giving me one of those winks that always makes my stomach tighten. “Wouldn’t want you thinking I couldn’t provide for you.”

“That’s oddly chivalrous of you,” I tease, bringing my fingers up to my lips to heat them.

“I’m quite the gentleman.” And to prove his point, he plucks off his own gloves, grabs my hands, and shoves them over my frigid fingers.

I watch him, heart pounding rapidly between the gesture and skin contact. “You’re something alright.” My voice comes out shaky, and I clear my throat, pulling my hands away. “But I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

“You never could resist busting my balls.”

Not yet.

Yeah, we’re going to blame my wayward thoughts on the fact that I haven’t had an orgasm in entirely too long. I mean… it’s Paxton, and I’ve never really had any self-control where he’s concerned.

He pulls another pair of gloves from his pocket and my face scrunches in confusion. “Why didn’t you just give me those?”

“Because those will keep your hands warmer.”

Okay. Swoon.

“That’s…” I don’t even know what to say. Nice? Thoughtful? Caring? “Thank you.”

“Anything for you,” he says, and the underlying conviction in it isn’t lost on me. He tosses me another wink as the girl sets our stuff down.

“Y’all have fun, and stay warm,” she says kindly.

“You stay warm, too,” I tell her, passing Paxton his stuff before grabbing mine. He takes a sip from his cup, eyes watering instantly. “Hot?”

He nods, opening his mouth and sucking in some air. “Yeah, and it hurt like hell too. Blow on yours before you drink it, if you want to be able to taste it later. Pretty sure my taste buds are crispy now.”

We head down the path, going to where the trees are in the back lot.

I nudge him as I take a bite of my Danish. “It’s calledhotchocolate, you know?”

“You don’t say?”

“Just a reminder. You seem to have forgotten that detail.”

“I was excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve had hot chocolate.”

“Same.” I don’t even know how long. Years? I’ve taken more to coffee recently.

“So, what kind of tree are you thinking?” He pauses at the most hideous-looking tree I’ve ever seen. “This one has character.”

I snort. “It’s missing half the needles.”

He pouts. “Everyone loves a Charlie Brown tree.”

“I feel like this goes hand in hand with a fa—” I cut myself off, glancing around for the demon child. I’m expecting her to pop out from around the corner or something crazy. “Those other kinds of trees,” I finish, turning back to Paxton.

His face is filled with amusement and he also looks around for the demon child. “I think you’re safe.”

“I’m going to have nightmares about her.”

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