“Sure, whatever you say,” she said with a big grin on her face.
He couldn’t resist her a moment longer. Moving carefully, he pulled her into his arms and onto his lap. She straddled him her hands on his shoulders, her center nestled against his crotch. Her breath smelling of chocolate pudding and coffee brushing over his face.
“You forfeit the game? That means I win two to one,” she said.
“Fine,” he said, tipping his head back as he pushed his hands into her hair. He drew her head forward until their mouths met.
The last thing he was thinking about was card games…but he was thinking about favorites.
That this might be his favorite blizzard ever. That Ava was his favorite woman as they fell to their sides and clothing was rearranged until his hands were on her bare flesh. He loved the sound of her muffled moans as she arched against him, loved the feel of her nails biting into his side as she moved them both until he could get inside her.
Loved the way she tightened around him and then called his name as quietly as she could as she came. He loved everything about this woman and knew that there was nothing that would stop him from claiming her as his. Not just temporarily, but forever. He needed Ava in his life.
With her by his side, he could see himself parenting Gracie and having the family he’d never really dreamed he’d find.
Chapter 20
Gracie woke first with a small cry, and Ava rolled away from Chay to pick her up. They were all sleeping on the living room floor. The fire, which Chay had banked before they went to bed, was still smoldering. Chay sat up, his hair sticking out on one side.
The storm seemed to have passed, but the world was covered in a white blanket. “I’ll get the generator on so we can cook some breakfast and wash up. Then go and check the yard for damage.”
“How are you going to get out?” she asked.
“Dig if I have to. The side door on the garage usually isn’t too hard to shift the snow.”
“I’ll feed her and make us some coffee,” she said.
He kissed her before getting up, and she watched him leave. Gracie was mumbling in her arms, and she looked down at her.
“What do you think, Bug?”
“Mamama.”
Ava’s heart was so full. She wanted to be Gracie’s mom more than anything, but she wasn’t sure that was going to happen. So instead she changed the baby’s diaper and then dressed in warm clothes. She had heard the generator kick on and took Gracie with her into the bathroom to have a sink wash. She’d love a shower, but it was probably better to wait until the electricity was back on.
She braided her hair, meeting her own gaze in the mirror. She was buzzing with tiredness and a bit of excitement. Last night with Chay…it had been perfect. Who’d have thought thatsheltering in a blizzard would be her dream date, but there it was.
Gracie continued her babbling as Ava took her back into the kitchen and got her high chair set up and fed her. She noticed that Chay had the makings of a breakfast casserole, and that would be something they could eat for lunch if they needed to, so she quickly pulled it together and put it in the oven.
She went to the garage once she had Gracie playing on her blanket and noticed that there was a slight path cleared form the side door. There was so much snow she wasn’t sure if Chay was going to make much progress. He came back in on a gust of cold air, snow in his hair.
“Might have to try again later,” he said.
“I think so. I’ve got a egg dish in the oven. Come in and warm up. What’s your hurry to get out?” she asked as they went into the mudroom.
Chay got his outerwear off and then padded in his socks down to the kitchen, where he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Not every household has generators, and some of the domiciles are older. I need to be able to check on everyone. The radio isn’t going to work in this weather.”
“Okay. After breakfast if you want I’ll try to help you clear more snow.”
“Thanks. How’s the bug this morning?”
“Good. She ate well and now she’s playing. How are you today?” she asked. “Last night…”
“I’m good. What about last night?” he asked.
“Just really enjoyed it,” she said after a few moments. “I wouldn’t mind being snowed in with you longer.”
