College student, Hope Camden, is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy and in complete need of taking a walk on the wilder side. At least, thatâs what her sister tells her when she drags her off` for an impromptu Christmas getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Hopeâs plans to keep her nose in a book the entire vacation are thwarted when she meets Jack Freeman, the gorgeous and enigmatic Army helicopter pilot staying at the same resort. What was supposed to be a quiet Christmas holiday turns into a life changing event for Hope and Jack. The only problem? Jack is headed off to war, and there is no guarantee he will come back.
I look up at Jack as we are walking, his hand tightly gripping mine. The sun is brilliantly shining and his eyes are sparkling sapphires today. âSadly, Iâm a snow virgin. This is my first time.â
He stops walking and just looks at me with astonishment. âYouâre kidding?â
âNope. We donât get snow in Florida, in case you havenât heard that news flash.â
He rolls his eyes at me. âWell, there are certain things that a snow virgin has to try, and I list these in no particular order. Letâs see... thereâs making snow angels, and we have to build a snowman, and of course, who can resist a good old-fashioned, snowball fight... and last, but certainly not least, you simply have to try this really cool trick of sticking your tongue to a flagpole.â
I start laughing and playfully punch him in the stomach. âI canât believe youâd try to get me to fall for the âstick your tongue to a flagpoleâ trick.â
He shrugs his shoulders and puts a mock look of shame on his face. âWhat? I thought a Florida girl wouldnât know about that dirty trick.â
âWe do have TVs in Florida, you know? Iâve seen A Christmas Story only about a million times.â
âDamn. Caught me. No matter. I have better uses for your tongue.â Jack steps in close to me and grabs hold of my hips. My breath comes out in a rush, pluming white in the cold air.
âYou do?â I say, my voice shy and husky all at the same time. âLike what?â
âWell... I was holding out on you, but the actual very best thing to do in the snow is to kiss.â His head lowers toward mine but he just stares at me.
âYou donât say?â
I anticipate his lips touching mine but he doesnât move. âItâs the truth. But before we do that, we have to make quick snow angels first.â
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