Free Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken Page B

cold." Andi bounced on her feet and tightened the robe around her. 
    "I swear," Colin said. "It's beautifully hot in here. Come on." 
    "Sure, it's good when you're already in."
    Colin laughed and splashed some water in her direction. "I'll prove it to you," he said, and before Andi could say anything, he put his hands on the edge of the hot tub and launched himself out of the water. 
    "What are you doing?" 
    "I told you I'd prove it to you," he said. Colin flopped into the snow next to the deck and started making snow angels with nothing but his wet board shorts on.
    "You're crazy," she said and ran towards him. "Get up before you freeze to death." Andi reached out her arm to him but pulled it back before he could grab it. "I don't think so. You're not going to pull that trick again. 
    Colin jumped up from the snow and Andi took off running. She untied her robe and let it fall behind her as she leapt into the hot water. Colin was close behind, falling into the hot tub with a loud, clumsy splash. 
    "Oh," he moaned. "It burns." Colin danced around in the water. Andi was laughing so hard she didn't even bother covering her face from the splashing. 
    After a moment, Colin relaxed and sank down into the water next to Andi who was still laughing. "See, I told you it was hot," he said. 
    "You're ridiculous," she said when she was finally able to take a breath. "Are you okay?"
    Colin wrapped his arms around Andi's waist and pulled her close. His wet chest pressed up against her body fired all her nerve endings and she pulled herself closer so every possible inch of their wet skin was touching. 
    "I'm just fine now," Colin said. His lips met hers and maybe it was because of the fact that only scraps of bathing suits were between them, but the sweetness of their earlier kiss was replaced with fire. Andi let her body relax and wrapped one hand around Colin's back. She let her fingers slide over his muscles before squeezing tight. A sigh escaped her when he moved from her mouth, trailing kisses down her neck. Her body responded to every touch, with bold sensation. But when he reached the swell of her breast, she reluctantly pushed Colin away.
    "I'm sorry," he said and stepped back putting distance between them. "You did say that you liked to take things slow, didn't you?"
    Andi nodded, not trusting herself to speak. 
    "Well then," he said. "Why don't we have a drink?" Without waiting for an answer, Colin leaned out of the water to a side table where he produced a bottle of wine and two glasses. He handed her a plastic glass full of red wine. "It might be a little chilled," he said. 
    Andi swallowed hard. It took everything she had not to throw her glass down and press her body up against him again. It felt good to be close with a  man again and with Colin, it felt like she'd known him forever. So maybe it wasn't really breaking her own stupid rule if she slept with him. 
    "Cheers," Colin said. He held his own glass of wine aloft and waited for her to connect.
    She cleared her throat and said, "To new friends."
    "Friends?" He cocked his head.
    Andi ignored him and continued, "And Christmas." 
    They clinked glasses and took hearty swallows. 
    "I thought you didn't like Christmas," Colin said when he put his glass down on the edge of the tub. "In fact, wasn't it only a few days ago that you were trying to convince me how much you hated it? Don't tell me my Christmas Conversion plan actually worked?" 
    Andi laughed. "It did," she admitted. "It's still not my favorite holiday, but I think the company I've had has a lot to do with me enjoying myself this year."
    Colin put his hand to his chest in mock surprise. "Who, me?" 
    She flicked him with water. "Yes, you." Andi slid down, letting the bubbles flow over her and release some of the tension in her shoulders. She tried to keep her mind off the half naked man sitting across from her and the kiss they'd shared, which left promises of much more to come. 
    "Can I ask you a