He nods thoughtfully, as though he’s considering my words carefully.

“True. Plus, there’s this new technique I’ve wanted to try with you.”

“Oh? And what is that?” My body begins to hum as he slides those hands under my shirt and over my skin, up my back, around to cup my breasts.

“Dirty Fireplace At A Lake Cabin Sex.” He gives me that seductive smile and I giggle down at him.

“Oh, please, by all means, give me a demonstration.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice, baby.”

Chapter Five

Thunk

I wake slowly, disoriented as I push my hair out of my face and look about the spacious bedroom. Shit! Sophie hasn’t woken me up this morning! Then it dawns on me that I’m not in my own bedroom.

That’s right, we’re at the cabin. I smile as last night’s events of making love by the fire flash through my mind. I glance over and frown at the empty bed.

My phone vibrates on the table next to me. It’s a text from Gail; a photo of Sophie curled in her grandpa’s arms, drinking her bottle and looking up at him while he reads the morning newspaper. We’re all fine. Don’t worry. Enjoy yourselves.

I smile and respond. Thank you. We are. Love you guys. Will text later.

I drop the phone to the bed and scrub my hands over my face and then hear it again.

Thunk

What the…?

I cross to the sliding door that leads out to the deck and pull the sheer curtains aside and gasp.

Snow! It freaking snowed! There must be six inches of soft white powder covering everything. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

It never snows in Seattle, my ass.

Of course, we are up in the mountains, so Seattle might very well just be wet today.

Thunk.

What the hell is that?

I pull on my jeans and sweater, socks and shoes, and search the house. Isaac is nowhere to be found. I peek out the back door and find him near the lean-to by the house, splitting firewood.

Holy shit!

His faded blue jeans mold around his perfect ass and long legs. He’s wearing a black t-shirt, and his fleece Northface jacket is lying over the railing nearby. The hair at the nape of his neck is dark with sweat.

He props another log on the stump, raises the axe over his head and brings it down with a loud thunk, sending the two new pieces flying in either direction.

God, the man is strong, and can do amazing things with tools.

I stand and just watch him for a moment, enjoying the view. The muscles in his shoulders flex and move with each swing of the axe.

I take a deep breath enjoying the scent of the pine trees and cold snow. It’s not unbearably cold, just enough to make my cheeks pink and I can see my breath with each exhale. The snow has hushed everything around us, and it feels like we’re the only two people for miles and miles.

Thunk.

Okay, time to get his attention. I grin slyly and gather a large hand full of snow, forming a ball, and take aim. I hit Isaac right at the back of his neck, sending cold snow down his shirt.

“What the hell?” He spins and glares at me. “Did you just throw snow at me?”

“Me?” I widen my eyes innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Uh, huh.” He sets the axe down, removes his gloves and eyes me speculatively. “I’m not buying the innocent act.”

I can’t keep a straight face and I start to back up as he slowly advances.

“Really,” a giggle escapes me. “I didn’t do it.”

“There’s no one else here, baby.”

“Maybe it fell out of a tree?” I ask hopefully and continue backing up. He bends down and gathers a large ball of snow in his hands, grins, and throws it at me, hitting me in the shoulder.

“Hey!” We stand, panting, grinning, and then sprint into action, gathering snow and throwing it at each other. He hits me way more than I hit him because I can’t stop laughing long enough to really see where I’m throwing the damn snow.

“You’re not good at this,” he laughs.

“Shut up!” I throw another wad of snow, this time hitting him in the face. He shakes his head and brushes it off and glares at me.

“Now you’ve done it.”

“I’m not scared of you,” I taunt him and throw another handful of snow that lands nowhere near him.

“Nice try.” He grins widely, his blue eyes on fire and suddenly runs toward me.

“Shit!” I squeal, my heart in my throat, and run away from him. I’m so about to get it.

He catches me easily, wraps an arm around my waist and tackles me to the ground, cushioning me against the hard ground with his own body, then rolling us so he’s on top of me, pressing me into the soft, wet snow.

“You’re in so much trouble,” he murmurs.

“I swear,” I giggle and twist beneath him, trying to get away. “I didn’t do it.”

“You are such a bad liar. You just threw about thirty snowballs at me.”

“I didn’t throw the first one.”

“Uh, huh.” He laughs and grabs a handful of snow and holds it over my face.

“Don’t you dare!”

His eyes are dancing menacingly. “What’ll you give me if I spare you?”

“A hug.”

“Lame.” Snow is smeared into my hair.

“Damn it!” I giggle and twist some more, but it’s no use against his strong body.