Page 76 of Aussie
“You look beautiful,” he said softly when he reached her. He leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against her lips, making her heart skip a beat.
“Aussie,” she started, still stunned by the sleigh, “this is amazing.”
“Just wait,” he said, his grin widening as he took her hand.
Ava let him lead her down the porch steps, her excitement bubbling over as they approached the sleigh. She recognized the driver immediately. It was a gentleman who Aussie had introduced her to earlier in town. “Hi again,” Ava said, smiling, and the driver tipped his hat with a chuckle.
Aussie helped her into the sleigh, his hands firm but gentle as he guided her up. Once they were seated, he pulled her close, draping a thick blanket over both of them. From beneath the seat, he pulled out a thermos.
“Hot chocolate?” he offered, winking at her.
She laughed, her cheeks warming despite the cold. “You thought of everything.”
The sleigh began to move, and the bells jingled softly as they glided over the snow. The world around them was quiet, the woods blanketed in white.
Ava leaned into Aussie, her head resting on his shoulder. Every now and then, she’d steal a kiss, and he’d laugh softly before kissing her back.
It was peaceful and magical, and for the first time in a long time, Ava felt completely at ease.
After about an hour, the sleigh slowed to a stop. Ava lifted her head, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. One of the barns on Aussie’s parents’ property was glowing with warm Christmas lights strung up along the roofline and windows. The scene was straight out of a Christmas movie. It looked romantic and breathtaking.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Aussie jumped down first, then turned to help her. His hands were warm as they steadied her on the snowy ground.
“Thank you,” she said softly to the driver, who nodded with a kind smile before steering the horse away.
Aussie retook her hand and led her to the barn’s front door. “My parents had this barn renovated a few months ago,” he explained. “It’s basically a second home now. I thought it’d be the perfect spot for the second part of our date.”
When he pushed open the door, the smell of spices and roasted meat wafted out, making Ava’s mouth water. Inside, the barn was transformed into a cozy haven. A Christmas tree stood in the corner, decorated with twinkling lights and ornaments, and the dining table was set for two, illuminated by candlelight.
Ava’s throat tightened as emotion welled up. “Aussie, this is incredible. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I wanted to,” he said simply, watching her reaction. “I know you’re not a fan of big, flashy dates, and I wanted this to be special. Something you’d enjoy and remember.”
Tears prickled her eyes, but she blinked them back, laughing softly instead. “You’re going to make me cry.” She reached up, pulling his face to hers for a kiss.
The kiss started soft and tender but quickly deepened, heat sparking between them. Ava’s hands slid into his hair as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. With a low growl, Aussie lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her against the wall.
Her heart raced the warmth of his body against hers, chasing away any lingering chill from the sleigh ride. She could feel the strength in his arms, the controlled intensity in his kiss, and it left her breathless.
When he finally pulled back, both of them were breathing heavily. His grin was lopsided and teasing. “We better eat before the food gets cold,” he said, his voice husky.
Ava laughed, her head resting against his shoulder for a moment before he set her back on her feet. “Fine,” she said, brushing her lips against his one last time. “But only because you worked so hard to put this together.”
As he led her to the table, she couldn’t stop smiling. This wasn’t just a date. It was a memory she’d treasure forever.
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A while later, the plates were empty, and Ava leaned back in her chair with a content smile on her face. “That was amazing, Aussie,” she said, her voice warm with appreciation. “I had no idea you were such a great cook.”
Aussie’s cheeks flushed slightly as he ducked his head. “Well, I had a little help.” He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “An elf may or may not have given me some tips.”
Ava laughed, the sound light and carefree. “An elf, huh? Does your mom know that you call her an elf?”
“She’d probably take it as a compliment,” he said with a chuckle. “But don’t tell her. She’ll start wearing one of those pointy hats and claim she’s Santa’s favorite.”
Their laughter filled the room, and Ava couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this light, this genuinely happy, yet even as she savored the playful banter, a warmth stirred inside her that had little to do with the food or the ambiance. Her mind wandered back to earlier and the way Aussie had kissed her against the wall, how his hands had felt on her, strong yet gentle, possessive yet tender.
