Page 332 of Screwged for Christmas

There was a double meaning to that statement. She knew it now like she knew it when Mrs. Mason had said the same exact thing yesterday.

She narrowed her eyes on him. “What are you planning, Aspen Kennedy.?”

“I want to know how much time I am working with, Ivy Sunday. To convince you to stay.” His voice did that funny thing again where it pitched low and grabbed onto her senses, not letting go. It made her shudder and want to know the answers to those pesky what-if questions that bothered her more and more lately.

“You don’t hold your punches, do you? It will take more than sex to keep me here. Best you know that.”

He gripped her hips and moved her over him. Despite the cold, warmth bloomed over her. Damn he made her so wet, so...vulnerable.

“Now that you’re here, you can’t blame me for wanting to do everything I can to convince you Dixen is your home.I’myour home.”

But why? “I already told you, Aspen. Dixen is nice, and I did miss seeing you but...”

His piercing eyes saw right through her. “But you’re leaving. Yeah, I heard. Job in New York. Yep. Heard that too. But there’s one thingyoufailed to hear.”

What did that mean? “Aspen. There’s nothing here for me. I don’t think I’ve failed to hear anything.”

An odd look came over him. One of determination she hadn’t seen in a very long time. Not since that day. The day she walked away from him. Her plans had been so different back then.

“There’s still a little time. Give me a chance. Let me show you Dixen again. Remind you why you love this place.”

She smiled. “I don’t think there’s anything to re-see, Aspen.”

“Trust me. There’s is.” Something about his devilish smile said she was in for a wild ride.

Aspen looked like he had a dirty idea in mind but before she could ask, he took her hands in his and stood. “It’s getting colder. Ready to go back inside?”

What did she just do? “Umm…yeah.” She swallowed, a little nervous now. “Thank you for doing this again. My nerves were a little frayed, you know."

“Understandable, but you’re not alone. Come on, baby, let’s get you inside and warmed up. Change is never easy, I should know.”

“Are you sure you’re the same fun-loving, wild boy I grew up with?” She gave him a side-eye.

He smiled. “Indeed, just a little wiser. When Jace died it took me almost six months to put the suit back on and even then it was a rocky road back. So rocky, in fact, I had to make a tough call. Continue on, swallow the pain or change. I knew I could end up just like him and that would have hurt my parents and my brothers and sister.” Aspen looked out into the distance as if seeing the horror of losing his brother all over again. The past ghosted in the depth of his eyes and she squeezed her hand over his in support.

“I hear you.”

“Change isn’t always the easiest of decisions and it sure the hell doesn’t show itself in flashing lights and cue cards.” He shrugged and looked around. “Or, maybe it does.”

She narrowed her eyes and nailed him with a pointed stare. “Like stolen moments in my bedroom?” Her voice took on a high pitch and Aspen laughed softly.

“Indeed.”

An instant sparkle glittered in his eyes and she hefted a heavy sigh of relief at steering the conversation back to happier ground.

“Just following the rules of the season.”

Aspen put his arms around her and pulled her into a long, hot kiss. He was a tough, sensitive and serious guy who didn’t pull any punches. She appreciated his sincerity and the way he devoured her mouth with so much passion she felt it in her toes.

He leaned back on his heels and pointed to the mistletoe above as a sly all-too-knowing smile chased away the somber mood that had hijacked their conversation.

Ivy let out a puffy breath of surprise. “Dirty tricks. I bet Mrs. Murphy hung that up there,” she said playfully and pushed at Aspen. “Or was that you?”

He sealed his lips with an imaginary key and laughed as if he knew a secret.

Winter in Dixen was only for the hardy. Darkness had already settled in and the fire dwindled. “I hear the kids clapping over something and I promised a tree.”

“You did. I would love to know what trick you have up your sleeve short of stomping off into the woods with an ax, but I think I’ll just leave this one Christmas miracle your own little secret.”

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