Page 100 of Ice To Meet You

The snow-laden trees protecting the lodge from avalanches complemented the view down the valley. I sighed. “This place is incredible.”

While Matteo showered, I’d warmed up in the kitchen in front of the fire, then explored the lodge. Six bedrooms, a sumptuous lounge and dining room, and even a gym and outdoor sauna later, I’d seen enough to convince me he had impeccable taste.

Every bedroom had its own open fire, stunning hand-crafted wooden furniture, and every bed was draped with thick furs—fake of course—and enough pillows to sink a yeti.

“I think I’m going to enjoy coming here,” I whispered.

He exhaled against my neck, his lips brushing my skin. “Oh, I know you will. As many times as I can make you. But first—a shower.”

I giggled. On a practical note, skiing was a sweaty business, and I didn’t want to mess up his new sheets in the name of spontaneity. “Does that interrupt your hot tub plans?” I asked, curling my lips into a smile.

He sucked in a breath, turning me around in his arms. “Definitely not, but I want you naked before then.”

Who was I to argue?

He walked me backwards to the bathroom and opened the door. “You’ll find everything you need in here, but I’ll fetch you a warm towel.” With one last grin, he kissed the end of my nose and shut the door.

“But I don’t have any clothes to change into,” I called through the door.

“You won’t need them,” he shouted, his voice distant, like he’d moved to the other side of the room.

With a smile, I slowly shook my head and reversed into the room. I let out a long whistle. If this palatial—but tastefully rustic—bathroom was alpine living, order me some lederhosen and an Alphorn.

I hopped to the shower, pulling one of my thick socks off, before removing the other and slipping out of my thermals. Removing them before Matteo put me in his hot tub was probably a good idea. There was nothing like a high-necked merino vest to kill a man’s ardour.

I turned on the water and waited for the resulting cloud of thick steam to fill the room. When I could hardly see my hand in front of me, I stepped in.

As the hot water cascaded over my body, my aches and pains eased, and I dreamed of what life might be like if we got snowed in here forever. I was sure Maurice could hold the fort at the gallery for a couple of years until someone could dig us out.

I chuckled, tilting my face into the shower jet, when a smooth, velvety voice curled through the mist and the rush of water.

“Anybody home?” Matteo opened the glass door and leaned against the tiles, a devilish grin on his lips. “Delivery,” he said. “I brought your towel.”

I glanced down at the one currently slung around his hips, noting the large bulge. “And I see that’s not all you brought me.”

His eyes sparkled. “Do you want me to scrub your back?”

I faced him, knowing exactly what would happen. As expected, his gaze raked over me, eyes blazing with heat.

“Only if you have the time,” I said. “I don’t want to distract you from your work.”

He shook his head slowly, straightening. “Oh, I’m happywith any distraction you can offer.” With a grin, he dropped his towel, stepping into the shower. “Besides, my to-do list is very long,” he said, tilting his chin lower, indicating the substantial “to-do list” between his legs.

When he moved to join me, rivulets of water cascaded over the olive skin of his chest, gathering droplets on the single white gold chain he wore around his neck. His hair was already damp from the steam, and it clung to his cheekbones in lazy curls. My breath stuttered in my throat.

“What’s first on your list?” I asked, knowing that whatever he said, I’d happily join the ride.

“This,” he whispered, leaning in and taking one of my peaked nipples into his mouth, rolling his tongue over my skin. I gasped at the bolt of pure pleasure his lips sent low to my belly.

“Then?” I ground out, my pulse throbbing in my veins.

“My speciality,” he said, bringing a hand to my buttock. With a shaky breath, he gently dug his nails into my skin. I pressed into him—into his hardness—and his eyes sparkled with delight at my reaction to his touch.

He pressed his lips to my neck, his free hand sliding over my hip before claiming the other cheek.

“A little detail, please,” I whispered, wondering when I’d lost the ability to breathe evenly.

His gaze met mine, blazing hot, and the corners of his lips danced. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you all the detail you need.” With those words, he sank to his knees in the shower.

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