Marshmallows and the Snow [Sweet Snacks: 1] Read Online Free PDF Page B

would feel under his fingers while they bunched and corded. It didn’t have to be sexual. No. He’d settle for simply stroking this naked skin, maybe massaging the kinks out of Aleks’ shoulders later. Ruben longed for tenderness. Nearness. Cuddling. Was that asking too much?
    Maybe. After all, he’d had some time to think and understood it wasn’t entirely fair to seduce Aleks and leave him in four, no, three days. His tight time frame left him with one possible option. He had to convince Aleks to let him stay in Norway with him. Ruben didn’t even consider the other option. Namely to leave the man alone. Uh-uh. So not going to happen. He was falling hard for the reclusive Norwegian and wanted to know where the attraction could lead them.
    Ruben was independent. He could work from everywhere. So, why not work from a remote meteorological station in Norway, in the middle of nowhere? Okay, not nowhere. The town nearby where Aleks bought stuff, groceries and such, and where Ruben’s hotel was located had looked very nice. It wasn’t impossible for him to leave London and move in with the man of his dreams.
    He wasn’t a social person. He had a few, not very close friends. Question was would Aleks want him as a boyfriend or partner? For... always? Was Ruben ready for always? Sure, he was nineteen. Way too young to make such an important decision, most people would think. But he’d always been someone who made quick decisions and went after the things he wanted the most. Even though he was just nineteen he already had landed the job he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Next, he’d chase the man he wanted for the rest of his life.
    He’d asked his foster-mother once when she’d known she’d marry her future husband. And Ruben had been surprised when she’d told him she realized it immediately after looking into his eyes for the first time. And after five minutes, she’d been sure.
    When Ruben had asked his foster-father, he’d answered precisely the same. Love at first sight was possible. It was merely a question of persistence and faith if this love would grow into a relationship with the chance to last.
    Determined to show Aleks what he wanted, Ruben slipped into his warm jacket, placed the knitted cap on his curls and left the cabin to join the man. Sneaking closer step for step, Ruben bent down, scooped up a hand full of snow and formed it into a tight ball. He carefully approached, waited till Aleks laid the axe down and reached for the next piece of wood. He didn’t want to hurt the man.
    Ruben hauled, threw the snowball, and hit Aleks’ shoulder from behind. The man froze, then slowly turned and gave his best impression of a growly bear. Ruben giggled and stumbled backward. When Aleks gave chase, he turned and ran in earnest.
    “You little shit!” Aleks yelled but the joy was more than obvious in his voice.
    A snowball hitting his ass had Ruben squealing in delight. This was fun! Aleks chased him but let Ruben slip away again and again. Probably to prolong the whole game. Eventually, two strong arms wrapped around him and they fell into the snow, laughing and breathing hard.
    Aleks rolled them around till he was lying on top. Ruben opened his legs so he could cradle the man’s hips and held onto his broad shoulders.
    Glacier eyes gazed at him, warmer than Ruben had ever seen them before. Aleks raised his hand and gently brushed some wet curls off his face, then tapped the tip of Ruben’s nose. Ruben crossed his eyes, wriggled his nose and giggled again.
    Aleks joined in, shaking his head. When he cupped Ruben’s face, everything stilled.
    “You’re the sweetest thing since the invention of hot chocolate with marshmallows, Ruben.” Aleks’ whispered words created moist little clouds between them. “And much more addicting, I fear,” he added before he slowly, so slowly, lowered his head.
    Their lips touched for the very first time and Ruben was in heaven. Nothing registered but those soft