Page 15 of SnowBound

“Or else?”

“No gifts for you.”

“This is ridiculous. Not doing it,” I argued just for the sake of it. She was breaking my walls, but I refused to acknowledge it and give her power over me.

The glint in her eyes magnified.

“I won’t be naughty, I promise. Your honor is safe.” She winked. “I’m always on Santa’s nice list.”

“Tell me, what’s my present if I win?” Even though I acted as if her little game didn’t appeal to me, deep inside I was curious to know what she would come up with.

Abby smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. I already have ideas.”

“And if you win? What will you get?”

She shrugged. “I’ll think of something.” Her voice dripped with lust as her eyes blazed. Just for a second. I ran a hand over my face. It was late. I was now imagining things that weren’t real. Great.

I tried to find in myself the reasons to walk away from Abby’s silly challenge, but my curiosity got the better of me. And that ass of hers too if I were being honest. Sitting on the chair, I had the perfect view. No, I wouldn’t complain. I huffed. An hour ago, I believed I would spend the night here by myself. And then I had the most unexpected encounter I could have ever imagined and someone to call a partner in crime. Maybe I could let go for a couple of hours and just savor the moment. I had nothing else to do anyway. And Abby was turning out to be quite entertaining. And very gorgeous without even trying to be.

I studied her features, how she nipped at her bottom lip, waiting for me to agree to her rules. I tried to come up with dozens of reasons why I should refuse and stay away from her but found none.

Perhaps this could be entertaining. Her energy could rub off on me. I needed to add spice to my life. Joe would agree. He always complained I was too serious and obsessed with my goals and had forfeited the fun side of me and that he missed it.

This was my chance. To prove to myself I still could let loose sometimes. And forget about everything for a night.

I rubbed my stubbled jaw, then raised my hands in front of me.

“Okay, girl. This is my offer to you. I’m all yours. Do what you want to me. All of me. For tonight only.”

A red flush spread on Abby’s cheeks. She didn’t miss the innuendo. My words affected her, and I kinda relished the fact. With this small detail, I loved the challenge a lot more. From the looks of her, all adorable and flustered, Abby was right. This would be a fun night. Or at least an interesting one. “This chair is my throne. Show me what you’ve got. I’m pretty sure you’ll give up first. The real question you should ask yourself is, are you ready for the night to come, Abby?” I teased her with a wink and the huskiest voice I could muster.

Sparks returned to her eyes. They shone brighter than before. Her lips stretched into the widest smile I’d ever witnessed. Her cheeks blushed darker. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m a tough girl. Be prepared to be amazed. I’d like to see the day I surrender, Aaandy.”

She held out her hand, and we shook on it. Tingles awoke where our skin connected. My heart skipped a beat, but I put my best poker face on, not willing to reveal her touch had aroused me.

“Game on,” I said with a nod.

“First stop.” Abby entered a gift shop and came back minutes later with a Santa hat, a pair of elf ears on a headband, and a bag.

She put the hat on my head, but I removed it as fast. “Not in the mood to wear this,” I said, pushing it into her hand once she finished adjusting her fake ears. “Don’t push your luck. I agreed to your little games, but this is a firm no.”

“Aaandy, are you forfeiting?” My dick twitched at the way she rolled my name on her tongue and watched me.

I cursed under my breath and put the hat back on. “No, I’m not. Happy now?”

She giggled and gestured to the length of me. “You’re dressed in all black. That doesn’t say Christmassy. A little color would add magic to your life. You’ll thank me later.” She tilted the hat on my head, giving me a rakish look. I lifted my eyebrow, and she giggled. Again. Her closeness, the sweet smell of her—peach and spice—her laughter did funny things to me. I was doomed. I should forfeit before this thing between us got out of control because I could feel my resistance slipping with every passing minute.

Abby wheeled me toward a Christmas display and removed a bright pink and silver garland from one of the trees. She wrapped the tinsel snake around my neck like a scarf, stepped back, and grinned. “Now you almost look the part. You’re like my own personal Christmas tree. That’s a good look on you.” She opened the bag hanging from the crook of her elbow and presented me with a bottle of whiskey. “Oh, and I bought a booze bribe in case you were tempted to walk away.”

“How did you get away with this? I’m pretty sure you’re not twenty-one. Didn’t the cashier ask for your driver’s license or something?”

She gave me a smile that suggested mischief and innocence. “I told her I was an assistant to a big country music star and that you were throwing a tantrum about not getting your whiskey. I begged her to give me the bottle as I wanted to keep my job. She was more annoyed about your childish attitude than my age.” With that, a loud laugh escaped her, and her cheeks reddened. Wow, I couldn’t believe she used me like that. Okay, I had to admit, this girl was innovative and much more fun than I pictured her to be at first. I admired her.

This night should be interesting.

“Oh.” My lips couldn’t help joining her in this humor. “Gimme some,” I demanded, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. “Since it was bought for me, I deserve it.”

“Only if you are nice to me. And stop trying to charm me, it won’t work.” She winked and reached for my hand. Her palm fit perfectly in mine. Without even realizing it, I intertwined our fingers before she let go. The simple gesture had woken up something in me.

I was hooked. Abby possessed some sort of power over me. Raw and intoxicating. Even my body agreed.

And I had one certainty. I was screwed because I’d never be able to walk away from her silly game.