Page 2 of Christmas with Hope

“You okay?” he asked.

I nodded then looked up to finally see the mystery man who had rescued me. My heart skipped several beats before racing and pounding like a drum.

The man was something out of a dream. He had a well-trimmed beard, cream-colored skin, and hazel eyes that made me swoon. I wish I could see his hair but it was covered by a black beanie.

“You okay, Hope?”

Him knowing my name made me nervous. I took several steps back. He looked at me and chuckled.

“I’m going to assume that Stefanie and Tim didn’t tell you that they invited me, too?”

“That girl,” I groaned. “Sorry. I thought you were some creep.”

“No worries. I understand.”

“I didn’t catch your name… I was too busy face planting and crying like a big ass baby,” I whispered.

“Relax,” he said, walking over to me. “I’m Colton Preston. Tim’s–”

“Best friend,” we said in unison. We looked at each other and laughed.

Why the hell hadn’t Stefanie told me that Tim’s best friend was a hottie? Stefanie had told me his name but never mentioned his looks. She was in big trouble for holding out on me.

“Nice to meet you,” I held out my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Hope Dawson,” he smiled and reached out to shake my hand. He pulled his hand away.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you didn’t like shaking hands.”

He gave me a funny look then laughed.

“I didn’t want to freeze you even more with my gloves.” He held up his gloved hands and wiggled his fingers, making me laugh.

Once his gloves were off, he shook my hand and frowned.

“I’m sorry. I probably froze you.” Embarrassment filled me.

“Relax, Hope,” Colton smiled.

He grabbed both of my hands and cupped them in his before he brought them up to his lips. He blew slowly into his hands. The warmth of his breath was heaven on my cold fingers.

“You don’t have…” I stopped mid-sentence when he blew again onto my hands. “That feels so good,” I admitted, making him smile.

“Good.” he nodded his head and took several more breaths. Each time, I held back a moan. I never knew that warm breath could be so enticing. It was simply warm air… coming from a sexy man who had piercing hazel eyes that could melt glaciers.

“Feel better?” he asked, lifting his head up and away from our hands.

“Much. Thank you,” I smiled, holding back a shiver from the coldness that was in the rest of my body.

“You should probably get out of those clothes.”

His words had the room suddenly feeling too hot. The images that ran wild through my mind were far from lady-like. They involved us both stripping off our clothes, laying under a blanket, kissing passionately.

“Ugh,” he groaned. “That made me sound like a horndog.”

“No worries,” I laughed. “I knew what you meant.”

He released my hands and smiled nervously.

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