Chapter Twelve
Aspen
“Frosty, go get the ball!” I called out.
Frosty was a puppy, but he was not interested in the ball at all.
What he was interested in was frolicking and romping in the snow, sometimes to his detriment.
Once he leapt into some deep snow and Ragnar had to dig the little guy out, which was a task considering the little guy was the same color as the white flakes blanketing the grounds.
I walked out to an empty spot and lay on my back, making a snow angel.
I’d always been jealous of those Christmas movies on TV where people were in love, playing in the snow, and having a picture-perfect Christmas, and here I was, smack dab in the middle of my fantasy.
With a cute puppy and a sexy-ass man to boot.
I was one lucky omega.
“What is that smile for?” Ragnar stood above me, one hand on his hip and the other holding Frosty like a football. The little guy looked so small in his beefy hands.
“I’m so damned happy,” I said, being completely honest. “Genuinely happy.”
Ragnar nodded. “I’m so glad, Aspen. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“So do you.”
The alpha helped me up. “Let’s get you two inside. I can make some peppermint hot chocolate, and we have those vanilla scones from earlier. I snuck in and started the fire while you two were playing.”
“You are amazing, Ragnar,” I said and, while I had complimented him plenty of times before, he stopped walking and turned to face me.
“I think you are amazing.”
I winked at him. “I know.”
“So damned sassy. I love it.” Before I knew what was happening, he picked me up and put me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I squirmed, trying in vain to get him to put me down, but instead, I got a swift slap on my ass.
“That did nothing to make me behave, for the record.”
He growled and did it again. “That’s good to know. We can test that theory out after you’ve warmed up.”
“You want to spank me?” I asked. I’d never been spanked before, but the thought of my big man laying one of those strong hands across my ass sent a thrill through me.
“If you like that. Sounds fun to me. And if you’re good, I might let you reciprocate.”
I would feel totally safe experimenting with Ragnar. I had never felt like this before. He would never in a million years hurt me. He was the only alpha I’d ever put my complete and total trust in.
We got to the apartment and I lay on the floor with Frosty in front of the fireplace on the fuzzy rug. I listened to him bustle around in the kitchen until the smells of peppermint, cocoa, and milk filled the air.
“That smells divine.”
“You smell divine but yeah, this does too.”
“What do I smell like to you?” I asked him. Frosty nuzzled under my arm and fell asleep quickly.
“Christmas,” he answered. He came over with a plate of scones and two mugs of piping hot chocolate.
“Be more specific, Ragnar. Christmas is a lot.”
He leaned forward and put his nose into my neck.
He moved back, his eyes still closed, a soft smile on his face.
“Pine trees. Gingerbread. Faint peppermint. Orange. Cranberries. Clove. Sometimes, when you’re happy, there’s a hint of cinnamon.
When you’re needy, it’s more like mulled wine and balsam trees. Like I said, you’re Christmas, baby.”
“This time with you has been a dream.”
I noticed him stiffen beside me. “You are my dream, omega.”
I sipped on my hot chocolate and, again, that déjà vu feeling washed over me. “I don’t ever want to leave.”
“So don’t.”
Frosty perked up and curled up in my lap. “It can’t be that easy, Ragnar.”
“But it is. You told me your job isn’t that great. You said something about not even liking your apartment.”
“I can’t just live here with you.”
He took my hot chocolate from my hands and turned me so that I was facing him. “Why not? Tell me the real reasons why you can’t live here with me, omega.”
I thought it over. He was right. I had complained about my job and my shitty apartment. I had only a few friends and it was the kind of relationship where I had to reach out first or there was zero communication.
“Because we have only known each other for a few days. It feels too easy. Too good to be true. I’m afraid I’ll move here and you will change your mind.”
“I would never. Gah, I wish we were marked, and that way you could feel the depths of my love for you.”
“Love?” I gasped. “You love me?”
“Of course I do. I haven’t said it because I was afraid it was too much too soon, but I do with all my heart. I want you to live here with me and run this place with me and be my mate and my partner for the rest of our lives. Nothing about you is temporary for me, Aspen.”
“But this is your family history. Your legacy.”
Ragnar huffed out a laugh. “You don’t get it, baby. You are my family now. You are my life. What’s the point of this place if I don’t have someone to share it with?”
“I love you, too, and I want to stay here with you and Frosty.”
“Say it again.”
“What part?” I asked, laughing.
“All of it. Hearing you say that feels like a dream. Please.”
I climbed into his lap and cupped his face with my hands. “I love you, Ragnar, and I want to stay here with you. Forever.”
Like my words were a magic spell, I felt something click into place inside me. This was right. All of this was right. The alpha. This place. Even Frosty. My destiny was happening here and now.
“I want to mark you, mate. I’ll wait if you want me to, but I want you to wear my mark and be mine.”
I tipped my chin up and kissed him. “I was hoping you’d ask me. Take me to bed, alpha. Make me yours.”