Page 15 of Snowed in with the Grump

Carter rakes a hand through his hair. When our eyes meet, he gives me a reassuring look.

“The cabin’s weathered storms before. We have enough supplies for a few days. I won't let anything happen to you.”

His steadfast calm soothes me, as always, but doubt lingers. “I know you will. What about Sarah and the others?”

Carter checks his phone, his forehead creased in concern. “Still no word.”

The lights flicker, making me jump at the same time the door blows open, letting in a blast of icy air.

“It’s only the wind, but wait here while I check.” Carter wipes his hands before leaving the kitchen.

My chest tightens, the wine souring in my stomach. I switch on the TV in the kitchen and find a weather channel—a graphic crawls on the lower screen with a blizzard warning flashing ominously in red.

Carter returns, and as if reading my thoughts, he squeezes my shoulder.

“Don't worry about them. My sister married an ex-military specialist, remember? No way that ol' boy isn't prepared. They're probably holed up somewhere cozy, drinking hot cocoa and playing board games.”

I laugh. “Of course.”

“It’s just you and me tonight,” he says, voice low, a crooked smile ghosting his lips.

Heat flames my cheeks. It’s probably histamines in the wine. “What will we do to pass the time?”

He leans in, his breath warm on my neck. “I can think of a few ways.”

I nod, a reckless thrill coursing through me as I take the bottle of wine to the fridge. Getting snowed in with the man I've been crushing on forever must be fate. If fate made her play, now it’s our move.

As I turn, Carter walks me backward until I’m pressed against the fridge door. I gasp and squirm, but he leans in, holding me in place with his hips. Any closer, and I won’t be able to breathe.

My heart pounds a fervent rhythm, echoing in the hollows of my chest. “What are you doing?”

“I want you, Ava,” Carter growls, his voice rough with need. “Tell me you want this too.”

I trace my fingers down his chest, feeling the feverish hammer of his heart matching mine. No more holding back from this all-consuming need.

“Yes. I want this. I want you.”

Carter searches my eyes, then smiles–a sexy, wolfish grin that tears away the final shred of resistance. Suddenly, his lips are on mine, hungrily seeking entrance.

As our lips crash together, I surrender completely to this night, come what may.

Our kiss deepens, his tongue tangling with mine. I taste the wine on him, rich and heady. Carter's hands are on my waist, pulling me closer.

My back arches as he licks my earlobe, trailing his kisses along the column of my neck.

My fingers tangle in his hair, drawing him closer as his hands roam my body greedily. He works his way lower, alternating hungry kisses with soft bites, branding my flesh and leaving tender marks.

My skin tingles and desire rushes through my body, exploding like fireworks.

Tracing every curve and dip from hip to shoulder, his hand slips under my shirt. His fingers caress my skin, sliding up until he’s cupping my breast.

Carter’s breathing becomes ragged as he rubs circles around my nipple, teasing it into a taut peak. The touch is new yet familiar.

He unbuttons my pants, and I lift my hips, allowing him to pull them off, then quickly discard my underwear. Without warning, he effortlessly hoists me up.

“Let me go!”

“Get used to my hands on you, Sunshine.”

---