Page 20 of Grouch-ish

Her heart? The thought is foolish.

“And it’s something over there?” I nod toward the closed work shed door where her eyes shift. A variety of tools are off to the right on a bench. However, I don’t think she’s looking to clobber me over the head with a hammer.

“Not exactly.”

“Something outside?” I question, slowly registering what she might be thinking as I step closer to her. “You wouldn’t?”

“A little snow might be a good way to cool you off, fireman.”

“Admit it, you have the hots for me, snowflake.”

“Oh, I have something for you, alright.”

With that taunt, she’s racing for the door. I drop the tools I’m holding, quick to chase her. With a hard push on the workshop door, the barrier swings open and a blast of snowy air hits us. Pear high-foot steps along the trail she shoveled earlier. In the warmth of the brilliant afternoon sunshine, the path she made has melted into a pebble and ice strip. However, she isn’t running for the house. She stops short near a pile of snow and cups a handful of the icy mixture.

“You’re looking at the snowball champion of Chicago, snowflake,” I warn her as I dip my hands into the snowy drift near me and masterfully form a solid ball. Before I’m finished, something hard and wet pelts my shoulder.

Pear’s mouth falls open when I look at her. Then her hands fist on her hips. “Well, you’re looking at the snowball champion of Paradise Farms.” Her arms spread wide, just begging for me to peg her with the snowball in my hand.

I have a better idea. In three long strides, I’m in her space. When she registers how close I am, she turns to run, but I’m quick to catch her by the cross-back of her snow bibs and tug her to my chest. She removed her knit cap at some point and pulled her hair into a long ponytail, high on the back of her head. With the icy ball packed in my hand, I rub it against the side of her neck to her nape.

“That’s so cold,” she squeals, delight mixing with irritation.

“You said my fire needs some ice.”

“I didn’t say—” Her breath hitches because my warm mouth is sucking at the icy mess melting against her skin and sliding down the back of her neck.

My teeth drag against the column of her throat in a playful squeeze. My lips close around her cold flesh, and I suck.

“Fuuudge,” she whispers, low and seductive, while bending forward which brings her backside against my front. Layers prevent us from meeting properly but the wedge in my pants rivals the strength of any tool in the workshop. I’m hard as steel.

With an arm around her waist, and my mouth suctioned to her skin, I travel over her neck, scraping and licking, rolling my tongue against her chilled flesh. I wrap her ponytail around my fist and tug her head back so I can get to the front of her throat. My hand cups her jaw, tilting her head even more. She gasps again.

My lips track her hard swallow, and I drag my teeth over the edge of her chin. My mouth is almost to hers.

Breathlessly, she whispers, “We shouldn’t do this.”

I freeze. Teeth on her chin. Lips eager to close the millimeters between our mouths. Her words weren’t coldly stated. Actually, the heat of her breath tickles my nose. But she’s right.

What am I doing?

Quickly, I stand upright and release her. Running my icy hand down my face, I close my eyes a second before turning my head away from her. Then I bring my attention back to her. Her blue eyes are dilated and wide. Her breath comes short and quick.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I’m not here to take advantage of you.”

“I know.”

“That was . . .” Uncalled for. Unexpected. Unbelievably fucking hot.

She’s already shaking her head, dismissing anything I might say. “It’s okay. I teased you to chase.” She pats my chest, patronizing and pathetic, as if I’m a silly child. Then, she circles around me and heads back to the workshop while I stand in the cold air, staring up a crystal blue sky that mirrors Pear’s eyes.

Cursing myself, I realize under different circumstances, I’d like the chance to chase her.

No teasing necessary.

Chapter 6

[Pear]