Page 25 of Snowed in with the Grump

I pull her in for one more lingering kiss, not yet ready to face the day. With great reluctance, I head out into the cold, already missing her and wondering how she got so deep under my skin so quickly.

After getting the generator working again, I head back inside, drawn by the promise of Ava's company. We spend the morning cooking up a storm in the kitchen, laughing and joking as we prepare a feast.

Ava is a natural in the kitchen, whipping up perfect fluffy pancakes and frying the bacon just right.

“We can eat by the fire,” she suggests, carrying the food into the living room.

We settle onto the floor before the flames, their warmth seeping into our bones. The fire crackles as we eat in comfortable silence. It feels natural, as if we've been doing this cozy routine for years instead of a day.

Without thinking, I reach for her hand, lacing our fingers together. Our eyes meet, and we share a smile.

“I can't imagine going through this blizzard with anyone but you, Ava.”

“There's nowhere else I'd rather be,” she says.

I'm struck by a thought and chuckle under my breath.

“What's so funny?” Ava asks.

I study her lovely face, feeling like the luckiest man alive. “We could be on a beach in the Bahamas right now.”

Ava grins and nudges me playfully. “Us on a tropical vacation? We'd either be sunburnt lobsters or hiding in the shade. I prefer being in this cozy cabin with you.”

“I bet you won’t say that in a few days if we’re only eating canned beans,” I tease.

She giggles. “As long as we're together, that's paradise enough for me.”

I brush my lips softly against hers. She melts into the kiss, validating all my unspoken feelings with the caress of her mouth on mine.

I'm tempted to pull Ava back upstairs, eager to pick up where we left off, but we have the whole day ahead.

We clear the dishes, stealing glances and touches as we move around the kitchen. After breakfast, although I'd love to take Ava on a winter walk through the snow-covered woods or explore the cabin together, the weather rages on outside.

We lounge on the sofa, listening to the wind howl. I wrap my arm around Ava as she snuggles into my side, head resting perfectly in the crook of my shoulder. I breathe in the sweet scent of her hair and sigh contentedly.

“This is nice,” she murmurs.

I smile and kiss the top of her head. “I wish we could stay like this all day.”

Eventually, we reluctantly peel ourselves off the couch in search of entertainment. Since we're stuck inside, I suggest a game of cards to pass the time.

But my mind is already wandering, thinking of other ways Ava and I can keep each other warm.

Ava suddenly turns to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Have you ever played strip poker?”

“Strip poker, huh?” I chuckle. “I'm game if you are.”

As we play, I watch intently as Ava bites her lip in concentration, her eyes narrowing as she studies her cards.

“Who taught you how to play?”

Ava smirks, her eyes dancing. “Your sister and I used to play with some boys from—”

“Spare me the details!” I interject, mock outrage in my tone as I pretend to cover my ears. No way do I want to imagine Ava stripping down with other guys.

Ava winks mischievously. “Relax. They were nothing compared to you.”

Her words reassure me as she leans in for a lingering kiss.

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