Pennyroyal Christmas (A Ruthorford Holiday Story Book 1) by Shanon Grey Page B

barn for the haze of white. She curled up on the couch and watched the flames flicker and jump on the damp wood until Rowe stomped his way across the porch, shedding snow. She listened to him give a few commands to an exuberant dog and the dog opened and Tramp flew to her side, as if to tell her about his adventures.
    Rowe watched as she asked questions and listened to Tramps whines. If he didn’t know better, he would swear they were having a conversation. Hell, this was Ruthorford. They probably were.
    He shed his coat and plopped down beside her, drawing her into his arms. “I’m freezing.” He wrapped his cold arms around her.
    “You are.” She laughed. “We’ll have to fix that.” She tilted her head back, offering him her lips.
    His cool lips quickly warmed as their kiss deepened. Somehow, he had turned her around and she was lying across his lap, his mouth feasting on her breast. How had that happened? His tongue circled and her breath hitched. The hand that rested between her legs was not cold. It burned through her jeans.
    “Rowe,” she breathed.
    “Mmmm?” he didn’t stop the ministrations of his mouth on her breast.
    “Want to move this someplace more comfortable?”
    His hands and his mouth stopped completely. For an instant, she wasn’t sure if she’d said the wrong thing. Then he was up, lifting her in his arms and striding through the hall. Tramp jumped up to follow. Kat looked at him and whispered, “Not now, boy.” He went over and dropped down by the window, his head on his paws.
    Rowe eased her onto the bed and sat down on the edge. His eyes moved over the length of her and back to her face. “You sure about this?”
    “Oh, Rowe, I was sure a long time ago.”
    He lowered his mouth to hers. As the kisses deepened, their hands raced, determined to strip off the other one’s clothes, and before long, they lay naked, facing one another.
    “I’ve dreamed of you,” she said, running her hand down his chest and lower, exploring bands of muscle that trembled under her artist touch. She heard his intake of breath as she took him in her hand. His eyes stared into hers, darkening, becoming fathomless.
    His breath fanned her lips, hot, wanting. Rowe let his hand slide from her softness of her breast, down her hip to the mound of dark blonde curls. He eased his fingers between her legs, seeking her warmth.
    She shifted and lay on her back, spreading her legs.
    It had been too long—forever—that they’d waited for one another. It was torture to wait much longer. He eased himself over her and felt her shift her hips, welcoming him. He heard her moan as he slipped inside and she tightened around him, holding him to her. His mouth sought hers.
    Each stroke sent fire through her veins and the heat coiled and built. She heard him moan and rocked her hips up to meet his thrust. The world exploded and sent waves of sensation pouring through her body as his body tensed. He paused but a heartbeat, then pushed deeply into her one last time.
    ****
    Snuggled in the deep plush of Rowe’s maroon robe, Kat sipped the hot toddy and watched the crackling fire. Rowe had dressed, let Tramp out and gone down to the barn. He seemed full of energy, where she just wanted to curl up and snooze. Several courses of lovemaking and a hot shower probably explained her fatigue. She set the mug on the end table, snuggled deeper and pulled the blanket off the back of the couch, covering her feet. Kat hadn’t felt this relaxed in years, if ever. Feeling well and thoroughly loved, she stretched and smiled like a Cheshire cat.
    That was how Rowe saw her, as she walked back into the greatroom. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and, in the firelight, she glowed. He leaned over and kissed her love-swollen mouth, then placed the package from Elements on her lap.
    “Happy Holidays,” he said and went around to sit beside her. Flipping open his knife, he handed it to her handle first.
    “Thanks,” she said and