06

06

« I can be quite crafty with my hands. » He responded with a little grin.

Double meaning or too many erotica novels ? « I can’t believe you built that. Where did you learn to do it ? »

« Why don’t you come inside and I’ll tell you, » He offered and then shifted, gesturing to the small opening she’d have to crawl in through to get inside.

She stared at it for a little while, pursing her lips. « You know, my mom warned me about not getting into strange men’s vehicles, but strange men’s igloos… »

« There’s hot cocoa inside. »

« Well when you put it that way. » She started walking closer. She honestly didn’t understand why she was doing this. She came here to turn him down, and instead she was now crawling into his igloo.

So glad the roles aren’t reversed, otherwise that could’ve been one crafty pun.

Shaking her head, Summer looked at Jack as she came up to the igloo. How could he not be cold, seriously ? He always wore the same thin clothes ; that dark blue hoodie and those black jeans. As great as they suited him, none of them were warm nor waterproof. She didn’t get it.

He let her crawl inside first, then followed suit himself. As Summer emerged inside the igloo, she was surprised when she found the igloo had nice thick blankets laid out on the ground, cute little candles placed around the edges to illuminate their frosty cave, and last but not least, a thermo pot in the middle that was accompanied by two red Christmas mugs. She was speechless as she laid down on one of the blankets, looking around.

« So what do you think ? » He asked, laying down on the blanket next to her. He laid his cane down behind him, then turned and smiled expectantly at her.

Summer was still struggling to find words. This wasn’t what she had expected. This was… romantic. « I don’t know what to say. »

« Then let’s not speak, » He leaned up on his elbow and then reached for the pot of cocoa, pouring the hot chocolate up for the two of them. « Let’s get warm. »

She already was. Summer had read somewhere that the temperature inside an igloo could reach up to 16 degrees Celsius (61 °F). Now add a smoldering hot man with hypnotizing blue eyes and silver hair…

« Summer ? »

« Hm ? » She realized he had said something to her she hadn’t heard. « Sorry. I’m actually already quite warm. Can I take off my jacket ? »

« Certainly. I might just do the same. »

« But you’re not wearing a—« Summer froze up in the middle of her sentence when he unashamedly pulled off his hoodie and showed her the white T-shirt he wore underneath. It didn’t leave much to her already lively imagination.

As he curled his hoodie up into a pillow and turned to face her again, Summer saw the chiseled body she had suspected he had the first time they met, and now had to admit her imagination was boring. Jack was defined and muscular, but not pumped. Simply just lean and sculpted like his cheekbones. Mouthwatering.

« Uhh… » She cleared her throat when he rose a brow at her, one she was certain had a teasing edge to it. « Uh, won’t you be cold now ? »

« Highly doubt it, » was his mysterious reply.

Summer just shook her head, then finished taking off her own jacket. Jack then handed her the mug of hot cocoa and smiled. « Merry Christmas. »

« Merry Christmas. » They both drank and Summer who had tried a lot of hot cocoa in her life had to admit that this was one of the best she had ever tasted. So good it drew a small moan of satisfaction from her. « Oh wow, this is amazing. Did you make it yourself ? »

« Borrowed the recipe from a good friend, » He replied and sipped his mug own again.

« Tell your friend I want this recipe for Christmas, » Summer told, eagerly drinking more. She couldn’t help but moan a little again. It was dark, full and decadent, with just a hint of something spicy in there. Chili ?

Jack was watching her silently with a glint in his eyes and it made Summer self conscious. Gulping down the big mouthful of cocoa in her mouth, she looked back at him. « What ? »

« I brought you here to convince you, remember ? » He reminded her.

She had almost forgotten about that. « Right, about that… »

« I’m just getting started, » He whispered and then leaned in. Summer’s breath caught in her throat and she stared up at him as his lips came closer. She could see every crystalized little glint in his eyes as he looked down at her. « Let me kiss you, Summer. »

Swallowing hard, she nodded. Maybe there was something in the cocoa or maybe it was his eyes that compelled her into wanting it. But when Jack closed the space between their lips and she tasted the sweetness that was his lips, every doubt she had ever had about this ‘keeping-her-warm-during-the-winter-business’ melted away with the warmth he indeed provided her with.

Moaning softly, she set her mug down and then reached up to run her fingers through his frosty hair, just as she felt his cold hands grip on to her sides and then smooth over her sweater. Heat was spreading everywhere inside her.

Jack coaxed her lips into opening up for him, allowing him to explore her mouth to his heart’s content. His movements were slow, tender and melted every part of her until Summer felt as hot as… well, summer.

They laid there for a few minutes and he managed to draw two more small moans from her mouth with the delicate touch of his fingers and the languid sweeps of his tongue. Then, he finally drew back, both of them breathing harder than before. « How am I doing ? » He asked huskily.

Summer let out a half-choked sound. « Uh, good. Really good. In fact, if you keep it up, I might just… » Wait, what was she saying ? Did she even want this ?

« Might just what ? » He whispered, hovering just above her lips. « I’m not done convincing you, Summer. Not by a long shot. »

She swallowed a lump. Oh dear… « Jack… »

He pressed his lips to hers again and she shamelessly welcomed them with another moan, curling her fingers through his hair. She felt him move his own hand down her body, gripping on to her thigh before pulling her closer. They were now body to body, their heat combining. A drop of something landed on Summer’s cheek and had her drawing back with a little yelp. It was water.

Jack chuckled. « We’re melting my igloo. »

« Maybe we should get out then, » Summer breathlessly suggested, though she really didn’t want to. It was cozy in here and she rather liked whatever they were doing.

« Maybe, » He agreed, pecking another kiss to her lips. « Or… »

She liked that or. When their lips connected again, she let go of yet another small moan and arched into him. She was hot everywhere, nearly sweating, but the only place that truly felt on fire was the spot between her thighs ; Where his fingers so dangerously danced.

« I don’t go further than first base on first dates, » He murmured, pecking small butterfly kisses to her lips. « So we better stop this now before I declare this a second. »

« Wh-what do you do on second dates ? »

« You’ll just have to find out, won’t you ? »

Swallowing hard as Jack drew back, Summer looked up at him and then nearly swooned, looking at how his lips were swollen and red from kissing. She wondered if hers looked the same.

« Please accept my offer, Summer. Let me keep you warm this winter. »

She bit her lower lip and thought.

It had been so long. Maybe it was time to get out there again, time to dare to do things. Jack seemed like a nice guy. He wasn’t a playboy, she could tell. She didn’t know about the silver hair or why he had a cane, but did that really matter ? Besides, who the hell built an igloo for you these days ? That was good male material. Maybe… maybe she should accept and just see where it went. Be a little free this winter. Dare to… try.

« Alright, Mr Frost, » She finally said and placed a hand on his cheek. His eyes sparkled. « You can keep me warm this winter. »