AllFreeNovel
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A snowmobile was parked outside. “I figured we’d be taking the truck.”
“Why would we do that?” Scooping her off her feet, Tanner lifted her onto the sled. “This way’s more fun.”
Gliding across the powdery snow, she held onto him. Pressed against his back, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, Arien breathed in the crystal air. Subtle, yet visceral, the dark and smoky, muted scent of winter tickled her nose. Sweet sap, evergreen needles, and manly musk.
Even with all the bulky layers, her body molded to his, and in spite of the cold, especially the biting wind as they whizzed through the trees, she felt warm. Sheltered. Safe. Smiles from the inside, fuzzy socks, a gently burning fire. That was Tanner. Tender and sweet, he was that familiar feeling she wanted to hold onto forever.
Leaning with him as he navigated the trail, his hand came down to hold hers.
And she found herself wishing for things that could never be.
On the far side of the ranch, past Brooks Lake and close to the edge of town, sat a big, old, red barn. A bonfire blazed in front of it, sparking embers shooting up into the black velvet sky. People came in and out. Congregating around the fire. Drinking. Dancing. Kissing.
Lots of kissing.
She recognized some of the faces from school. “Who are all these people? The entire junior and senior class must be here.”
“Probably are.” Helping her off the sled, Tanner chuckled. “Everyone fifteen through twenty-five is more than likely here. Unless they’re hitched. Those folks got better things to do at home.”
Huh? Ohhh.
“And this’ll be the last party ’til spring, I reckon.”
“Why?” Arien wondered out loud, slathering some balm on her lips.
“Winter, pretty girl.” He curled his arm around her. “We’ll have a good eight feet of snow dumped on us before it’s through.”
Keeping Arien close to his side, Tanner led her toward the barn. Everyone stopped to say hello to him. But not her. The guys would tip their chins in acknowledgment, nothing more. And she could have been in the dining hall at school, considering the looks she got from the girls.
Emily, Billy, and Jake stood waiting, drinks in hand, by the open barn doors. Griffin, with Shiloh pinned to the wall, making out beside them. That didn’t shock her anymore. PDAs were commonplace and those two were always going at it.
“Hey, Cuzzy.” Emily, who was leaning back against Jake, pulled Tanner in for a smack to the lips. Not that Arien was spared the same attention. “Hey, babes.”
“Emily.” She giggled, wiping the slobber from her mouth.
Tanner rolled his gorgeous eyes, but he was grinning. “You drunk already, Ems?”
“Nooo.”
“She’s cut off,” Jake asserted. His arm coming around her front, he kissed the top of her head. “How’re you doing, Arien?”
“Better than the last time you saw me.”
Tanner squeezed her side. “I’m gonna get us some hot chocolate, okay?”
“Hot chocolate?” Scrunching up her face, Emily blew a raspberry into the air. “Party pooper.”
“That sounds perfect.” Arien rubbed her hands together. “It’s cold out here.”
“Tanner’ll keep you warm, won’t you, Cuzzy?” she called out to his retreating backside.
“God, Emily.” Heat rising to her cheeks at the thought, she brought her hands to her face. “Everyone can hear you.”
“And?”
“And they’ll think—”
“They already think it.” Emily pulled her in close. “Why do you think the girls are all bitches and the boys keep their distance from you?”
