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.

“Try again.”

Because it’s my only defense, I grip his face in my hands and pull him down to me, kissing him thoroughly. His fingers burrow into my hair and he responds immediately, brushing his lips over mine, back and forth, then diving in deeply, his tongue dancing with mine.

I spread my legs, and he settles his hips between them, allowing me to cradle him, and I feel his erection against me.

“Mmm,” I moan and roll my hips, making him gasp.

He slows the kiss, so it’s lazy and unhurried, gently nibbling my lips.

“You’re so sweet.” He murmurs. “Look at me.”

I open my eyes to see him gazing down at me, his hands are rhythmically brushing my hair.

“I love you, Stace.”

“I love you too, Eyes.”

He smiles lovingly, kisses my lips chastely, then my forehead and pushes himself off me, pulling me with him.

“Come on,” he keeps my hand in his and pulls me toward the house, trudging through the slippery snow.

“Where are we going?” I ask breathlessly.

“Shower. I’m sweaty and I want you naked.”

Yes, please.

He’s in a hurry. He leads me through the house, heedlessly leaving a trail of wet snow behind us, to the master suite. “Strip,” he commands and leaves me to start the shower in the impressive bathroom.

I grin as I hear the water start. I love it when he gets all bossy and sexy on me. I quickly peel my wet clothes off and pile them at the end of the bed. I’ll wash them later. Isaac stalks out of the bathroom, all naked, his face still determined, and… all mine.

Instead of leading me back into the bathroom, he sweeps me up into his arms, startling me.

“Whoa! Someone’s impatient.”

He grins down at me and kisses me hard and fast.

“I’ve been waiting all morning for you to wake up. You were so tired, I wanted to let you sleep in, but I’ve been desperate to be inside you. So I decided to split the wood to relieve some of the energy.”

“You don’t seem to be lacking in energy,” I reply dryly.

“Yeah, it didn’t work.”

He carries me into the shower and gently sets me on my feet. This shower is freaking huge. The tile is dark brown and gold, and there are multiple shower heads at different heights, as well as a rain head directly over us. The water is hot and quickly fogging up the entire bathroom.

Isaac pushes me into the hot water and grabs my shower gel. He squirts it into his palm and rubs his hands together, creating lather. He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply.

“I love the smell of this. I love smelling it on you all day.” His hands glide over my torso, my breasts and arms. My head falls back on a sigh as I enjoy the gentle strokes of his expert hands.

“Turn around,” he murmurs and I comply. He lathers my back in broad strokes, massaging and kneading my muscles. “You are so fucking sexy, baby.”

I moan in response and lean back against his chest, lay my head on his shoulder. He wraps his arms around me as the water cascades down our bodies, rinsing the soap from my body.

“My turn,” I murmur and turn in his arms to face him. I mirror his movements from earlier with his body wash, lather my hands, and glide them over his wet, muscular body. He closes his eyes and sighs, enjoying my touch.

I wash every sexy, hard inch of him, trace the tattoo on his shoulder blade with my fingertip, rinse him thoroughly, and then drop to my knees.

“Fuck,” he whispers.