Troping Through the Snow by Alexa Riley

The man that walks out of the mayor’s office is almost as tall as me and just as wide. He’s a big son of a bitch, and the way he’s scowling between Joy and me makes me think that he doesn’t like how close I am to her desk.

“Just looking up an old friend,” I say and keep my pleasant smile in place so I can get the damn piece of paper and leave.

The mayor looks me up and down as he comes closer. “I don’t believe I know you.” His eyes narrow a little, and I think my time might be running out.

“It’s fine, North, he’s—”

Before she can finish her sentence, I snatch the paper out of her fingers and start backing up. “Thanks so much for the help. Have a great afternoon.”

They both start to say something, but I’m already out the door and to my car that’s parked out front. The sheriff is usually parked close by, but thankfully, I don’t see her and make a quick getaway. Once I’m a few blocks away, I check the address and make a turn in that direction.

My heart is hammering against my ribs as I make another turn down a tree-lined street. In the distance, I spot the sheriff’s car and scowl. How is she always popping up? Pulling over, I check my watch and decide to wait it out. She’s clearly parked in Caroline’s driveway, and I don’t need an audience for what I’m about to do.

Time ticks by at a snail's pace, and finally, I see the front door open. The sheriff and another woman exit Caroline’s house, and I think it’s the woman from the bakery. Is the whole town against me?

I can’t get a glimpse of my girl because I’m parked too far away. All I see is her hand waving, but even that small amount of skin has me hard. Fuck, I’m so close.

Years go by before the sheriff finally pulls out of the driveway and goes in the opposite direction. Thank god, because I have a feeling if she had seen me, she would have taken me to jail. Something about the way she scowls at me makes me think she’s always ready to arrest someone.

Once I see them turn at the end of the road, I drive the rest of the way to Caroline’s house and park my car. What I want to do is run up the steps and kick in the door, but I don’t want to scare her either. I need to take things slowly and explain why I’m here.

My hand is shaking as I form it into a fist and gently knock on the door. I can hardly think straight as the sound of her feet coming closer fills my ears.

“Did y’all forget somethin—”

For a brief moment her eyes widen, and it’s not shock but relief when she sees me standing there. It’s only for half a second right after she stops talking, then it turns into a glare.

“What are you doing here?”

I should be gentle and soft as I explain how I found her. I should softly take her in my arms and whisper how much I’ve missed her. But I don’t do any of that. In fact, I do the exact fucking opposite.

“You thought you could run from me?” I take a looming step into her house, and she backs up as I slam the door closed behind me. “You thought there was a place on this earth you could hide?”

Her breathing is heavy as her mouth opens but no words come out. I shake my head as I move closer until her back hits the wall.

“The night you got in my bed was the night you sealed your fate.” My arms move fast and then they’re around her and lifting her off the ground. “Now this is right where you belong.”

My mouth comes down on hers in a hard kiss, and there’s a moment of hesitation from her. I hear the whimper in her throat as her lips part and my tongue sweeps inside to taste her. My hold on her is possessive, and I hitch up her knees so she puts her legs around my waist. I grind my throbbing length against her core and ache for relief inside her pussy.

“Mine,” I say before I bite her bottom lip and then kiss my way down her neck. She gasps when I graze my teeth over the tender skin, and it’s like a drug shot straight into my veins. “All fucking mine.”





CHAPTER 5





CAROLINE





My body melts into his, and still I can’t believe he’s here. My heart flutters with excitement, but at the same time, tears roll down my cheeks. Colden pulls back, and I watch his eyebrows furrow.

“Sweetheart.” His voice rumbles across my skin, but he doesn’t loosen his hold on my hair or his tight embrace. How can someone's eyes be filled with both compassion and anger? “Don’t kiss me like you’re sad to see me.”

Slowly he begins to run his fingers through my hair, and I want to lean into his touch. I know I’ve missed him, but seeing him in the flesh makes it ten times worse. I was sure in my mind I made Colden out to be more handsome than he really was. Yet here he stands in all his handsome glory, taking my breath away.

“Why are you here?” He must have found out that I’m pregnant. How did he pull that off unless he got some sly information from his wife? Which is messed up on so many levels.

“Why am I here?” he repeats, and when I step back, he matches it until I’m pinned to the kitchen counter. “You left me without a trace.”

“It was a one-night stand,” I blurt out, and his nose flares. I can tell he’s trying to keep his anger in check, but it’s so close to the surface. Why does that turn me on? Stop it, Caroline. He’s a married man! He’s not mine and I shouldn't want him.