Page 45 of Always Be Mine
Craig had never wanted to kiss a woman more than he did at that moment.
Their faces were only inches apart, and lying that way in the snow with her in his arms, it was damn near impossible to remember that their relationship was strictly professional.
“I win.”
“You…Craig…I…”
“Daddy wins!”
Meri’s cheer jarred Craig from the moment and brought him back to stark reality. He leapt off Lucy, putting much-needed distance between them.
“You won, Daddy!”
He nodded at Meri before offering Lucy a hand up out of the snow. “Looks like I won.”
“I give.” She released his hand the moment she was on her feet. “You win.” Lucy turned and brushed the snow from her as best she could before turning to Meri. “You know what I think? I think some hot chocolate is in order. What do you think?”
“Hot chocolate!” Meri didn’t need to be asked twice. “Yes!”
“Hold on.” Craig stopped Meri before she could take off. “Before we go, let me get a picture of you two with your snow princess.”
“Oh no.” Lucy stepped toward him. “Let me take one of the two of you instead.”
“I insist.” Craig held his phone out of reach. “You two did this together.”
She hesitated for a moment, and Craig was sure she was going to protest again, but a small smile crossed her face. “Okay.”
“Hold on.” He pulled his glove off and used his thumb to wipe snow from her cheek. Lucy stilled under his touch, and her eyes snapped up to meet his. “You had a little snow…got it.” He let his touch linger, before almost reluctantly tucking his hand back into his pocket.
“Thank you.” Her smile faltered a little, but just as quickly, it was back in place before she turned to Meri. “Let’s pose with our princess.”
Ten minutes later, Lucy set two mugs of hot chocolate on the table. “Here you go.” She turned to Meri. “Such hard construction work deserves a treat. Good work on the snow princess, kiddo.”
Meri beamed and wrapped her little hands around her mug.
“Congratulations on winning the snowball fight,” she said to Craig. “I’ll be more prepared next time.”
“If there is a next time. The snow will probably melt by tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this weird snow in the spring thing.”
“I think I take it for granted that I’m used to the crazy mountain weather.” He laughed. “But I have seen it snow in almost every month up here. So there could be another chance to beat me.”
“No offence to the snow, but I’m hopeful for some warm weather and I’ll have to accept that you’re the snowball champ.” She winked at him before retreating to the counter to clean up.
“I do like my prize.” Craig took a sip of his drink. “Where’s your hot chocolate, Lucy? You have to join us.”
“Oh no.” She waved away his request. As much as she’d love a cup to warm up, she was still figuring out her role in the house. She didn’t want to impose. “It wouldn’t be right.”
“It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.” Craig stood from the table and moved past her in the kitchen to fetch another mug, along with the kettle that still had hot water in it. “You worked way harder than I did on that princess. In fact, I’d say that you were the chief engineer…wouldn’t you, Meri?”
The little girl looked up from her mug and nodded seriously, making Lucy laugh with her chocolate mustache.
“Have some, Lucy. You have to.”
She looked between the two of them, still uncertain. There were lines between a boss and an employee, and Lucy had no intention of getting anywhere near them, let alone crossing them.
“Please.” Meri pressed her hands together and batted her eyelashes.
