Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
OLLIE
SNOWED IN
The world is quiet, covered in snow. It’s still coming down, the windows frozen over. The road out here still isn’t plowed.
It makes it even better.
Curling up into my oversized armchair, I sip my coffee, feeling better than I ever have in my life.
Hunter and I had sex last night. It was perfect. I never imagined my first time would be that good. I should have known that Hunter would make sure it was great.
I’m a little sore, but a good sore. I don’t know if it’s going to slow us down, because there’s still plenty we can do.
“Morning.”
Tipping my head backward at the scratchy voice, I see Hunter in a pair of low-slung sweatpants and nothing else. My eyes trail his movement as he pads into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee before dropping onto the sofa.
“Hi.”
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Great.”
“Yeah?” He kicks his feet out, resting them on the side of my chair. “I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t there.”
I laugh. “That I was going to run out on you in my own house when there looks like a foot of snow outside?”
“Fair point.” He snorts.
“Don’t worry, Hunter. I woke up early and wanted to come watch the snow fall.”
He stares outside, the bright white light shining in his eyes. “It is pretty peaceful.”
“You were pretty peaceful too. I didn’t want to wake you up.”
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, even though he doesn’t look over at me. “What can I say? I was pretty spent after last night.”
“You weren’t the only one.”
“Think you’d be up for doing more of it?”
This time, Hunter turns a heated gaze toward me. A shudder racks my body. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the way Hunter looks at me.
I was always shy when the guys talked about sex in such a casual way. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have the right person in my life.
Hunter? He’s the only person I’d have felt comfortable doing that with.
“Maybe some fooling around, but I’m a little sore.”
“C’mere.” He wags his finger at me.
It’s like a string is tied from his finger to me because I move immediately, plopping down into his lap.
“Hi,” I say again.
Pillow lines crease his cheek. His eyes are still sleepy. In a word? Sexy.
“We have all the time in the world. We’re not going anywhere.”
“What you’re saying is you don’t want to have sex today?”
He laughs, putting his coffee mug on the table and wrapping his arms around me.
“Not at all. But what I am saying is we have all day to do nothing. We could watch more Christmas movies. Make hot chocolate. Fool around in the shower if we want. Eat lunch then eat each other.” He shrugs a shoulder. “Really, anything we want.”
“Anything?”
My thumb traces his mouth. I’m trying to decide where I want to kiss him. Kissing Hunter might be my favorite thing. That flash of want right before our mouths collide and everything slows down and settles around me as we connect in the most visceral of ways.
“If you wanted to have a naked snowball fight, I might have to stop you, but really, anything within reason. I really don’t want to freeze my balls off today, Ollie.”
“You know, I can’t tell you the last time I had a day like this.”
“A snow day?”
I nod, taking the last cold sip of coffee and setting my mug next to Hunter’s.
“Yes. I mean, when it snows, I’m usually at home by myself. It works for me. I can catch up on projects at work and not feel like I’m getting behind. But for once?”
“For once, it’s nice not to have to worry about work,” he finishes for me. “I get it.”
“I feel like you’ve been taking a lot of time away from the Naughty Pine.”
“Honestly? I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t have Brooks. He’s been picking up the slack for me.”
I smile at him. “I guess it’s easy when he lives with Charlie and can see him whenever he wants.”
“Are you suggesting we move in together?” He quirks a brow at me. “Because last I checked, I didn’t think that was our plan.”
“Right.” I clear my throat, trying not to let that thought grow claws and sink in. “But I can always come hang out with you while you get some work done.”
“Hanging out with you is way better. Everything that needs to be done is getting done. Everyone deserves a break now and then.”
“As long as you’re not getting in trouble because of it.”
Hunter brushes his fingers along my jaw before cupping my cheek. “It’s a good thing I’m the boss and can make the rules.”
“And what rules are you making now?”
He kisses me. The bitterness of his coffee lingers on his tongue. It’s better than any shot of caffeine at waking me up.
“If I want to leave to hang out with you, I can.”
“What about the trees?”
“The trees will forgive me. I’ll play them some Celine or Mariah and they’ll be happy.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want them to die on us.” I laugh.
“I’ve got good people. Trying to be in a relationship around the holidays is never easy.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Hunter grabs the blanket from the back of the couch and wraps it around the two of us. “This is one thing you don’t have to take my word for. Falling asleep together on the couch while watching a movie? Pretty damn good.”
“Let’s do it.”
Even though he only woke up a little bit ago, curling up with Hunter under the thick, plush throw is heaven.
Falling asleep in his arms?
It’s the only way I want to sleep from now on.