Page 34 of Christmas for Keeps

“That’s cute, but why? St. Nick?”

Grinning, Zach said, “No. We’ll name him after Nick Johnson. He’s my favorite player, captain of the Bethesda Barracudas.”

“God, how could I forget? He’s the gorgeous one.”

Zach dropped his arm and gave me a cross look. “Why would you say that?”

“Um… because heis?”

“Keep your focus right here, in this house, on me.”

I chuckled. “I’d never touch, sweetie, but surely there’s no harm in looking.”

He took a few steps away and bent over to scoop up some snow. “Now you’ll get it.”

Laughing, I tried to run-hop, but a snowball plopped against my back as soon as I took a step. The game was on, and we played and hooted like kids on Christmas vacation. I accidentally hit him in the face with one, but he only laughed harder.

All at once, he ran straight at me and grabbed me in a hug, knocking me off balance. We both went down. He fell to the side, then crawled on top of me. Gazing into my eyes, he brushed snow across my lips, then warmed them with a kiss that soon had us grinding against each other. I couldn’t feel much through all the layers we had on, but the friction was great. Knowing Zach wanted me was even better.

An engine roared in the distance and came closer, accompanied by a loud scraping noise. Zach drew away from my mouth, and we both looked to see what was making such a racket. “Shit,” he said.

“What?”

“Down, quick.” He kissed me again, and I lay back. No reason to keep looking at the road if Zach wanted to make out.

The noise kept growing louder, then stopped. When the engine cut out, Zach broke our kiss and looked across the yard. “Fuck!”

A huge pickup with a snowplow attached to the front was in the driveway. I understood Zach’s reaction when Emory got out and started in our direction. By the time Zach stood and helped me up, Emory was a few feet away. He spoke in a clipped voice. “Didn’t expect to find you outside.”

“We built a snowman.” Zach waved a hand toward Nick.

Scowling, Emory gave our creation a once-over. “Nice job.” Glancing toward the house, he asked, “Aren’t you cold out here? Why were you lying in the snow?”

Like you don’t know, moron.

Zach grinned. “We were keeping each other warm.”

“So I saw.” Emory nodded at me and practically spat my name. “Connor.”

I nodded back. “What are you doing here?”

Glancing at Zach, Emory said, “They only plowed the main roads. I thought I’d come over and clear yours so you could get out.” He threw another disparaging look in my direction. “Thoughtyoumight need to go home.”

“Wasn’t that considerate of you? But I’m staying at least a week.”

Zach slung a possessive arm over my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “I thought you were staying until you had to go back to school, yummy lips.”

“You’re a student?” Emory screwed up his face like he’d stepped in a pile of crap.

Trying not to laugh at the ridiculous nickname Zach had called me, I took a breath. “I teach second grade, but we’re on holiday break.”

“Con’s the best teacher in Boston,” Zach said, looking at me. “Babe, please stay until you have to go back to work.”

Though we were having this conversation for Emory’s benefit, something in Zach’s eyes told me he was serious. I nodded. “If you can spare the time, I’d love to.”

Turning back to Emory, Zach smiled proudly. “Thank you for plowing the road, though. We’ll need to do a little shopping before Christmas.”

For a moment, Emory looked like he wanted to spit at our feet, but he settled for a simple, “You’re welcome.”

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