Baylor’s jaw tics as he stares me down behind Henry’s shoulders, and I’m instantly reminded of the dull ache between my thighs.
6
Mountain Air
It’s been snowing for two days straight. The plows couldn’t keep up, so the five of us have been keeping ourselves busy while we’re snowed in.
I watched the boys play pool while sipping on one of Jesse’s famous hot toddies. Their competitive banter can be entertaining, especially when Luke is losing.
Henry took me on a quick ride on one of his snowmobiles after breakfast yesterday morning. I hadn’t ridden one since I was a kid.
We all watched a couple of hockey games together, and then I read a little while they soaked in the hot tub. Luke kept trying to get me to join them—my guess was, to get me in a bikini. But the snow was coming down too hard, and I didn’t want to catch a cold.
I took the bandage off my wrist when I was on the phone with my mom this afternoon. It’s still a little tender, but luckily, it wasn’t my dominant hand I fell on.
It’s been a fun couple of days, but even in a large cabin like this, I still can’t help but feel like the walls are closing in. I notice Baylor more than I used to, not that he has ever been the unobtrusive type. His piercing green eyes aren’t so cold anymore, and his presence doesn’t make me want to jump out of the nearest window. But that could just be my mind playing tricks on me after the day in the theater room. I keep replaying it over and over in my head, like a dream I can’t make sense of. Every lingering stare or subtle touch he’s given me since is a reminder of it too.
All of it makes me dizzy. If Baylor wasn’t trying to trick me, what’s changed since we’ve been here to make him suddenly want me?
I stand in front of the bay window, watching the snow fall on the ground outside. My hands squeeze a mug of hot cocoa, savoring the warmth it brings. The smell of pine from the decorated tree beside me dances between the notes of rich chocolate, and I breathe in deep as I shut my eyes.
“You know what would make this better?”
My eyes flutter back open when Baylor’s velvety whisper hits my ear. The heat from his chest covers my back, and I’m unable to stop myself from leaning back into him a little.
“Mistletoe.”
My pulse picks up.
“Henry’s gotta have one around here somewhere. Look at this place.” He glances around at the vast decorations covering the cabin from top to bottom.
There’s not a wooden post, railing, or mantel missing garland and twinkling lights. I think there’s a decked-out tree in every room here too.
Although Henry’s parents are halfway around the world, I know they still wanted to make sure this place felt like Christmas to him.
My friend’s laughter echoes up from the basement. Henry wanted to play a few rounds of poker with the guys to get in some practice before tomorrow. I thought Baylor was with them, too, but clearly, I was wrong.
Baylor’s hand skims my waist. “Should we go look for one together?”
“What?” I ask.
“A mistletoe. I thought I saw one above my showerhead now that I think about it.”
I look over my shoulder and up at him. “Why are you doing this, Baylor?”
“Doing what?” He steps closer, angling his head toward mine.
“Trying to fuck me, like the last two years of hating each other never happened?” I place my hand on his chest as he begins to lean into my words. “What if I were to say yes? What if I took your hand and let you lead me up to your bedroom? Would you really lay me down and strip me bare? What would you do?” I originally wanted to see what his intentions were, to see if he’d really go through with it. Now, it’s just fun, seeing him squirm. “Would you be sweet? Gentle? Or would you fuck me until I was on the brink of an orgasm, gasping for air, and then make me beg for it?”
His eyes pin me with a dark stare, filling me with anticipation.
Oh, he’s definitely the kind of guy who likes to hear a girl beg.
There’s a charge in the air. My nerves are on end. I can feel everything—from the way my hair floats along the side of my neck from the faint breeze of the ceiling fan to the fabric of my sweater rubbing my breasts over my mesh bra.
Something is going to happen.
Something isfinallygoing to happen if I don’t stop it.
