Page 124 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

“What are you doing?” he called, stepping out closer to see her.

She bent, scooped up a handful of snow, and flung it at him.

He spun, catching it on his back. “Snowball fight!” she yelled, loading another handful.

“This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when you said we’d make use of our alone time,” he called back, grinning, and took off after her.

He didn’t care that he was still in sneakers, or that the snow soaked through his socks.

He reached her, grabbed her around the waist, lifted her off the ground, and then gently sent her down on her back. She landed with a squeal, snow going under her parka, but laughing harder than he’d ever heard.

She flopped, arms and legs spread wide, making the perfect snow angel.

He knelt beside her, brushing snow off her hair, and laughed along with her. “You’re ridiculously happy right now,” he said.

“I am. Do one with me. A big bear and a little bear angel.”

“You’re ridiculous,” he said, smiling down at her.

“Me?” she shot back, grinning. “I think you’re the one who started this snow war.”

“I don’t think so. You threw the first one.”

“But you picked me up and tossed me to the ground.” She leaned up with her lips puckered.

“Fair,” he admitted, leaning closer. “But now you’re soaking wet and shivering. I think you owe me a truce.”

“Oh, I’ll consider a truce,” she said, lifting her hand out for him to help her up, “but only if you promise to warm me up.”

“You’ve got a promise,” he whispered, yanking her up so hard that she landed into his chest. Then he kissed her again. Soft at first, teasing, testing.

She laughed into the kiss, her hands tangling in his jacket. “Oh, I see. That’s the best way to warm up.”

“That’s what I thought you wanted,” he said, pressing closer, letting the cold snow melt between them.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the garage, then into the house, the door shutting behind them.

A few steps inside her warm entryway, their laughter faded into heavy breaths. His hands found the zipper of her jacket, undid it and pulled it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. The bottom of her shirt was wet, her leggings with it.

“I think,” she murmured against his lips, “we should continue this somewhere warmer... and wet.”

“Agreed,” he replied, leaving his outerwear on the floor next to hers, then leading her toward the bathroom.

The door closed behind them. Clothes went the way of the snow outside, discarded carelessly as they explored each other. Every kiss, every touch was deliberate, drawn out, urgent and soft all at once.

He flicked the faucets on, letting the shower run hot with steam curling around them as they pressed close. Together they stepped in, the water pouring over their skin, mingling with laughter and whispered words, every movement a continuation of the teasing and longing that had started in the snow.

He backed her against the tiles, her shriek echoing in the small space.

“What?” he asked, looking around.

“They’re cold. You said you’d warm me up.”

He put his hands on her ass cheeks, hitched up until she wrapped her legs around his hips.

“You like this position.”

“I do,” she said. “You haven’t done it again.”