Page 69 of A Snowy Escape

We have those damn gingerbread houses, but those don’t really count as a dessert.

“How about a bowl of ice cream?” my brother offers. “I know we have vanilla and chocolate.”

“Do you have milk?” Abby asks, pulling her head off my shoulder as she perks up. “I can make a milkshake by hand. I don’t need a blender. I promise I won’t make any extra dishes.”

“We do have milk.” Luka chuckles, sliding off the bench and standing. “Keep your butt right there. One chocolate milkshake, coming right up.”

“Thank you. That sounds great,” Abby says, nodding vigorously.

Goddamn, she’s cute.

Bryant comes back around the counter from clearing some of the dishes and glances between us. “What did I miss that has you so excited?” He leans over, grabbing Abby’s plate before collecting mine.

“A chocolate milkshake,” she says.

“Ice cream during what amounts to a blizzard? You’re definitely an omega.” Bryant laughs, taking off with the dirty dishes.

“Did you like your gifts, sweetheart?” I ask, trying not to let myself get distracted by how excited the dogs sound.

That fucker.

He knows better than to feed Shadow table scraps, but Abby had half of her chicken breast left. It probably is better to split it between them. That way, they won’t try to dig in the trash for it later. Although Shadow knows better, sometimes he thinks he can get away with it when no one is watching.

“I did,” she says. “Now I just have to figure out what you guys want for Christmas. Maybe you can give me ideas for the other two, then I’ll ask them for ideas about what to get you.”

I chuckle and wrap my arm around her from where it was lying on the back of the booth. “I can do that. Give me some time to think about it, and I’ll make you a list.”

Her small hand comes to rest on my pec as she leans up.

I just so happen to be in the process of tilting my head down to look at her, and our lips brush. Abby releases a soft gasp, but instead of pulling back, she presses her lips to mine even more firmly.

My hand moves to cradle her back and side as she sweeps her tongue over my lips. Her raspberry and lemon scent is all I can process as I open for her. She brings her hand up, burying it in my beard, causing a low growl to rattle from my chest.

Luka and Bryant had better read the room and not interrupt our first kiss. All thoughts of them fade away as Abby’s tongue teases mine. She melts into me even farther, and I love how soft she feels pressing against me.

I’ve never experienced attraction the same way my brother or even other friends did in high school. That’s a huge reason why I was so taken aback by my reaction to Abby. It was a surprise, but not unwelcome, to experience the instant attraction that so many others have described.

I’ve always taken a while to warm up to people, and even when sexual attraction bloomed, I didn’t have much interest in acting on it. That absolutely does not apply to Abby.

I’m drawn to her in a way I’ve never been with another human being, and that tells me I should pay attention.

My hand slides up her back, and I cradle her skull as I take the lead, kissing her with a fervency I didn’t know I was capable of. Her fingers twist in my beard, and she pulls back, heaving in deep lungfuls of air.

“Whoa, Lawson,” she whispers. “Your lips are really soft. You’re a really good kisser.”

“You too, sweetheart.”

She pulls her fingers free of my facial hair as she settles back against the seat, and I have the overwhelming urge to pick her up and slide her onto my lap.

Even though I’m a big guy, she’s small enough that I think we could both fit without her pushing against the table.

Maybe I should get a smaller table to match the booth? Then she could sit directly on one of our laps during all meals moving forward. I add that to my mental to-do list.

Luka comes around the cabinet, and the smirk on his face says he watched our entire encounter. He’s probably judging me for my lack of kissing skills. He really shouldn’t be so jovial. I’ve been able to kick his ass our entire lives, and I’m not afraid to remind him of that fact.

* * *

The sectional is technically large enough to fit all three of us. We picked it because it has two loungers, plus a long middle couch. However, the dogs were already on my spot, so I took one of the club chairs and dragged over the ottoman.