My time with him was fun and special, but what now? Last night, in his arms, we seemed to agree we’d keep on seeing each other, our fling wouldn’t end. How though? What exactly did he have in mind? Clandestine hookups or would the staff know me as his—girlfriend? Significant other? Partner? What type of situationship was the next level above a fling?
My stomach knotted harder than the dough I was rolling into perfect little snowballs, preparing another batch for the oven.
Through a mouthful of sea salt caramel and chocolate chip cookie, he protested, and gestured. “There’s at least two kinds I haven’t tried yet. What are those?”
“My Brown Butter Snickerdoodles with Eggnog Glaze. And these are Peppermint Bark Shortbread Bars.”
“Give. Now. Must have.” He moaned, his palm raised expectantly.
“There won’t be any cookies left at the rate you’re burning through them, Mr. Snowman. Not to mention the sugar crash in your near future.” I poked his stomach, shook my head, and handed them over, anyway.
“You said I could help. I’m taste testing.”
“Measuring out ingredients for me was also an important task you completed without making a mess, but I think every minute you stay here is tempting fate for something bad to happen.”
“Like what? They’re baked with joy, iced with care, and literally pieces of happiness. You can’t just keep these to yourself.” He finished—nearly toppling off his stool while reaching for another.
“Hey!” I laughed. “Seriously, don’t you have other work to do?”
With dramatic flair, his shoulders fell. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll leave you be. For now.”
“Aw, don’t be sad, Mr. Snowman—” I started, but he grabbed me up instead, and swayed with me in the kitchen, singing a song in my ear about a few of his favorite things, substituting words like Lilah’s pussy, nipples, and clit.
The only proper response to his spontaneous song was to fling my head back and howl as he twirled me out and back in. How could I not? Holden had a way of bringing brightness back into my life that had long ago gone missing.
To end it, he dipped me. My hair cascaded to the floor, which I’d left loose for the day when typically I’d pin it up while cooking. Warm air skimmed my neck as he kissed there, stealing my breath away.
“What was that?” I asked breathlessly with a smile when he let me back up.
“Something to remember me by until we see each other again.” With a playful wink and smoldering smile, he finally disappeared from sight, out the kitchen doors.
A giggle bubbled up. All at once it hit me—how lucky I was to spend this time with him. To think I could have spent these days alone, locked in my own pitiful spiral of anger and grief over the past. Now, on this side of things, I could see clearly what exactly had been missing in my life. Thanks to him, I started to believe in the possibility of loving someone again.
The timer went off, shaking away those thoughts. I took the last batch of cookies out, pleased with how everything turned out. Holden’s sunburn protocol and excellent nursing attention made the burn cool enough so I could move around the kitchen without wincing.
He had other effects on me, too. My heart grew lighter throughout this entire holiday. I officially put Christmas back on the list of holidays to celebrate. But what had I done for him? I hadn’t even given him a real present, and cookies didn’t count, although he wouldn’t object to a box full of all eight kinds I’d prepared, certainly. From my Pistachio Rose Snowballs to Maple Pecan Toffee Bars, he’d tested and given them each a thumbs up—Holden’s version of Michelin stars, which maybe meant more to me.
A sigh escaped me, because this would likely be our last night alone here. Cal had reported this morning that the snowplows were slowly making their way up the mountain.People would arrive tomorrow and burst this bubble Holden and I had been living in.
Tonight would be my chance to thank him for this special holiday together.
For dinner,I went in search of Holden. Surprisingly, he’d kept out of the kitchen the rest of the afternoon. When I found him, he was in his office, desk buried in paperwork, as he leaned back in his chair, phone pressed to his ear.
He glanced up the second I appeared at the door. After raking down my body at the red dress I’d changed into, he pointed to the empty chair for me to sit.
“Got it. Thanks, Sheriff.” He finished the call, hung up, and sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Road crews finished up just before dusk. The sheriff says he’ll open the switchbacks at dawn.”
The news jolted me like someone had lightly pressed an icy hand to my spine, even though I knew it was coming. Tomorrow, the staff would return, deliveries would resume, and this place would fill with the energy of everyone working hard toward the same goal, that of making Snow Quest Lodge’s grand opening spectacular.
“Good news,” I offered with a weak smile.
“It’ll get crazy around here, but… we still have tonight.” His eyes glazed over me.
My insides aroused by his attention. “Which is why I’m here. I have a surprise for you.”
His brows lifted. “A present?”
“Not exactly.” I nodded toward the door. “Come on.”
