Snowed In For Christmas: A Fun Feel-Good Holiday Romance Novel - Kimberly Krey Page 0,33
him, he had different urges. The desire to love and care for a woman in ways he never thought he’d know. He wanted to keep her safe too. Perhaps the protective inclinations stemmed from his initial rescue efforts as he searched for her in the storm, perhaps they stemmed from something more, he wasn’t really sure. One thing he was certain of was that he was pleased they had more time together.
As the music rang out, the flames doing a dance of their own, Easton flattened his hand along Ivy’s back, willing her to feel what he was feeling. The heat, the connection, the…the joy the song filled in for him.
Yes, that seemed fitting. He did feel joy, and peace too. It was different from the kind of solitude he sought when stepping onto the open land, ready to be at one with nature and his surroundings. Because feeling, in a way, at one with her…nothing compared to it.
When Easton sensed the song was coming to an end, he moved a hand slowly down the length of her back, enjoying the way she curled into him beneath his chin as they rocked gently back and forth. Back and forth. Loving the warmth of her in his arms. The feel of her against his palm.
Gently then, he moved his hand smoothly up the length of her back, lightly massaging her along the way, and rounded her shoulder next. Softly, he traced his fingers over the covered and bare parts alike, backing away just enough to cup her elbows. He couldn’t help but set his eyes on her, testing the thoughts in his mind. The energy in the charged space. Was what he was feeling real? Was she feeling it too?
She glanced up at him shyly, blinking twice before curling into him once more. And then her hands were moving up and over his shoulders, caressing his neck, the broad span of his back, pulling him closer as a sigh passed through her lips. “I’m glad we got stuck in the storm,” she admitted, so softly he almost missed it.
Every part of him seemed to register that tidbit in some way. His pulse rushed, his lower belly went fire hot, and his mind scattered like ashes in a windstorm. He cradled her closer and smiled. “Me too, Ivy.”
The next song came in with a bit of a ruckus. “Jingle Bells.” The cheery sound and familiar beat took them from the quiet, rather intimate moment to a more playful feel. He cupped her hand and moved into a jive dance with her.
“Did you know Jingle Bells was originally meant to be a Thanksgiving song?” he asked, giving her a twirl.
“No.” She giggled as he pulled her into him once more. She moved her feet to keep up while wrapping her hand around his back.
“Apparently, the composer had it played on Thanksgiving Day in Sunday school. It was supposed to commemorate the Medford sleigh races.”
“I didn’t know that,” Ivy said. “Did you know that it was also the first song broadcast from space?” she offered.
Dang, he liked this. Liked having somebody one step ahead of him. “No,” he lied. “I didn’t know that.” A rush of anticipation stirred within him as Easton contemplated the hours ahead. Sure, Ivy might have been a mere stranger to him just days ago, but somehow, being stuck in a yurt with her seemed like the best thing ever. And, he mused, the perfect way to spend Christmas Day.
Chapter 11
Ivy lay on her belly before the fire, Easton at her side. “Okay,” he said, “you ready for the next one?”
She’d been propped up on her elbows, but at his prompt, Ivy flattened herself and rested her cheek on the floor. “Ready.”
Easton propped a finger at the upper right side of her back, looped it up and around, then came down in a long, straight line. Easy. “A candy cane.”
“Nope,” he said. “A shepherd’s hook.”
Ivy reached out to give him a playful swat on the leg. “Same thing.” She rolled onto her back then and propped the back of her head with her hands to look up at him. Easton’s expression shifted as she held his gaze, his smile replaced with…well, she dared say adoration.
“I could stay here with you for another week,” he said. The comment ignited a delicious fire within her, the heat sizzling all the way down her back. “I almost wish we would be stuck here a little longer.”