Merry Measure - Lily Morton Page 0,52

him along the winding path, and the park turns out to be beautiful. Trees line the pathways, shaking their bare branches at the grey sky. We pass a playground and a statue of the Dutch poet Vondel with snow gathering on his head. Finally, we reach a wide-open expanse that’s draped in snow like a wonderfully frosted wedding cake. There are no people around—they’re probably avoiding the snowstorm—and the snowy ground stretches ahead of us, untouched by anyone and an almighty temptation.

“Come on,” I shout, pulling Jack after me, charging over the snow, hearing the soft crump crump of my feet and Jack’s laughter. When we get across, I look back in satisfaction at the sight of our footprints.

Jack laughs. “Happy now?”

I nod. “Arlo was there.”

“Arlo, the three-year-old,” he says.

“Well, you know what three-year-olds do,” I say casually, trailing my hand along the fence next to the path.

“What?”

He shouts as I throw a handful of snow at him. I was aiming for his torso, but at the last moment, I slip, and the whole handful of snow hits him in the face instead.

“Shit,” I gasp, watching as it slowly slides off his face, leaving his stunned expression and a few clumps clinging to his eyelashes. He looks like a handsome snowman. “I’m so sorry,” I say, holding my hands up. “I was aiming for somewhere else.” I’m trying for contrition, but laughter ruins the effect.

Jack shakes his head. “Oh, you’ve done it now, Arlo Wright.”

“Now, Jack, let’s talk about this,” I say, still laughing. I shriek and jump a foot in the air as he comes at me. “Fuck off,” I shout as I make a run for it. I make it a few feet, and then he hits me from the back, taking me down to the ground in a controlled manner which shows off his years of playing rugby with Freddy. We land softly because of the snow, and I lie on my back laughing up at him as he brandishes a handful of snow at me.

“You can’t do it,” I gasp. “You’re such a nice person, Jack. Your sweet nature won’t let you be mean.”

“Why does that sound like an insult?” he says, laughter tugging at his lips.

“Would I do that?” I ask innocently. I shriek in disbelief as he rucks my jumper up and shoves the snow under it. “Oh my God, you wanker,” I gasp, laughing even harder. “That’s so fucking cold.”

“Alright, Arlo?” he says sweetly, settling heavier on me, so the snow squishes uncomfortably.

“You win,” I say, laughter making my words stuttery. “You win, you complete t-tosser. Get off me.”

He laughs, and I exhale in relief as he levers back and brushes the snow off me. He’s silhouetted against the yellowish sky, his face flushed and his hair wet and wild. He looks stunningly beautiful, and my breath catches.

“God, I want to fuck you,” I say without thinking. He stills, looking down at me, and I wriggle. “Sorry,” I say quickly. “I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m happy either way.” I pause. “Or not at all, if you’re not into that.”

“You mean you don’t want to fuck me?” he asks hoarsely, and he rocks slightly over my cock which has proven its eagerness by getting hard despite me lying in the snow.

“Oh, God.” I close my eyes for a second, and when I open them, he’s looking down at me. “Yes, I do,” I finally say.

He smiles. “Maybe later,” he says and gets to his feet, holding a hand out to me. “We’ve got a park to walk around first.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a gigantic tease, Jack Cooper?” I ask, letting him pull me up.

He brushes the snow off me, a thoughtful look on his face. “No,” he finally says. “Not usually. Maybe you just bring it out in me.”

I step into him. “I like that,” I say, reaching up and kissing him. His lips are cold and somehow vulnerable, and a strong surge of possessive heat roars through me. I pull back. He looks like he’s feeling awkward after his revelation, so I smile at him. “Let’s walk,” I say.

We walk a while, the snow falling around us, the only sound the crunch of our feet on the snow and our low voices and soft laughter. Something about the weather makes it feel like we’re all alone in this beautiful old park.

Eventually, though, I begin to shiver. Our parkas protected us from our roll in the snow,