Page 25 of The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down
And knowing that, feeling that down to my core, was everything.
My eyes watered a little as the hug continued.
It felt so good.
It felt like it was something I needed as much as air.
Something I hadn’t had my entire life.
Something that only this man was willing to give me.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” Winter whispered against my hair. “You’re safe with me.”
I nodded against him, hiding my face because I didn’t want him to see how emotional such a simple gesture was making me. “Can we… can we go inside?”
“Only if you’ll let me hold you once we’re in there?” He said it with a smile—I could hear it in his voice—and I knew he wouldn’t force me to cuddle with him, but knowing he wanted to melted me a little more.
“Maybe we can watch an episode of that show before I cook dinner?”
He kissed my temple. “That sounds perfect. Come on, lovey.” I kinda loved when he called me that. He used it less than sugar butt—something that made me smile despite myself—and that made it even more special.
Unwrapping his arms, he kissed my forehead, then laced his fingers with mine and tugged me along. I had to unlock the door with my key, and as soon as I opened it, Sola swooped through the doorway, and Odin came running, meowing loudly like he was yelling at us for leaving him alone for so long.
“Oh, poor baby,” I said, dropping my keys and wallet on the little side table by the door. I scooped Odin up into my arms, cuddling him to my chest and giving him lots of kisses.
He purred, rubbing against my chin and cheeks and giving me affectionate headbutts. I loved his little headbutts. They were so cute.
Winter came in and set up a water and food bowl for Goliath, and I smiled in his direction even though he wasn’t looking at me. I should buy a set of bowls to keep here for the dog.
I gave said dog some attention since I hadn’t yet, and he licked my face, then licked a stripe up Odin’s back, and the cat gave me alook. He wassonot impressed.
I couldn’t help but crack up, and luckily, Winter was close enough to see the whole thing, so he cracked up too. Freaking hilariously cute.
“Oh, you poor kitty. Are you all slobbery now?”
He meowed, sounding completely put out.
“Poor baby,” Winter muttered, giving Odin some scritches. “Want me to save you?”
As if understanding—which I knew he didn’t, but the timing was priceless—Odin crawled across my arms toward Winter. He laughed and pulled the kitty out of my arms, cuddling him tight.
I laughed and kissed Winter’s cheek. “I need to change. I’ll be right back.”
“No problem.” He sent me a wink.
I glanced at what he was wearing to make sure he was in lounging clothes—he wore sweatpants and a t-shirt—so I rushed upstairs to put on my own sweats and tee. I was glad he was okay with wearing comfortable clothes because I hated lounging around the house in jeans, and I would’ve felt obligated to dress up if he had.
After I finished changing, I headed back downstairs and couldn’t help but pause on the steps, staring at Winter.
He was sitting on the couch surrounded by animals. Sola was on his shoulder, pecking at his hair. Odin was in his lap, purring so loud I could hear it from here as Winter petted him. AndGoliath was sitting on the floor, pressed against his legs with his head on his thighs, right next to Odin.
It was adorable, and a smile spread over my face. My heart was happy that my animals seemed to like Winter as much as I did.
Before I could second-guess myself, I whipped out my phone and snapped a couple of pictures before Win could see me.
As I shoved my phone back in my pocket and walked down the rest of the stairs, Win glanced up, offering a smile. “Hey, handsome.”
For some reason, that made me blush, so I glanced down at my feet as I made my way into the living room. When I was close enough, Winter reached over, grabbed my hand, and gently pulled me into the seat beside him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side, and I sighed as I snuggled in.
