Chapter 7

They should've sat down with some hot cocoa and had a conversation. But Ash's shock at seeing Nova standing before him pushed all rational thought from his brain.

He was without human contact for so long that feral urges came first. He had to satisfy that hunger to possess her—to claim her. He would make her his. They had a lifetime for conversation after.

Ash watched Nova's round ass and long dark hair fluttering like a ribbon behind her as she ran. There was no need to rush after her.

"Follow her, make sure she remains safe."

The mighty buck bowed his head in understanding before leaping out of sight, and the cardinal chirped and rose above the trees.

After waiting a few minutes, he followed the path Nova had taken—the path through the boundless wood curved back toward the cabin. It wasn't long before he came upon her, hiding behind a boulder.

"Gotcha," he said and scooped her in his arms.

Though her heart beat furiously, she didn't struggle against him. He smiled as she snuggled against him.

"Now that I've caught you, I'm claiming my prize."

He returned to the tree in the front yard and pointed to the spot where their initials were carved in the bark. "You see, Nova. You belong here with me. Don't forget that again."

Ash set Nova on her feet and grabbed her hands. He unwound a few feet of the cord and tied her to the branches above her head.

He stepped back to admire her naked body. Her arms stretched above her head, leaving her entire naked torso open to his eyes. He walked around her, not touching, simply looking.

"I've been stuck inside that snow globe for 10 goddamn years. I've watched you dither about your life. Did you ever consider my feelings when you gushed about other men to your girlfriends? Did you pause to think about me before fucking another man?"

Ash pulled the tinsel from her mouth so she could answer.

"I've never…"

"Good, because I'm claiming my little witch tonight."

His lips fused to hers. He groaned as their tongues tangled. Her body trembled against his as he caressed her lower back. He freed her hands and pulled her into the snow with him.

Ash rolled Nova beneath him. He fervently kissed her body, leaving love bites along her neck and chest.

"Ash," she whined.

He silenced her by possessing her mouth once again.

"It's called Silent Night, Nova. I love those sexy noises you make. But if you can't keep quiet, I'm going to gag you again."

Ash cracked an icicle from the tree and bit the pointy end off, crunching it with his teeth. Unlike the powdery snow beneath them, it was ice cold to the touch.

Nova gasped as he touched it to her chest. She bit her lip to keep quiet.

"Good little bunny."

Her nipple puckered tightly as he circled it with the ice. Ash licked the melted droplets from her goose-pimpled flesh. She writhed beneath his tongue's heat and the cold sensation. He slowly moved the icicle down her belly, stopping to watch drips fill her belly button. His tongue flicked against her, and he sucked the water out.

Nova squealed as he parted her pussy lips and pressed the tip of the icicle against her clit. He clamped his hand over her mouth.

"What did I tell you about being quiet?"

Water dripped from the icicle between her folds as he rubbed it back and forth. Ash probed her gently for a moment before pushing past her boundary.

He lowered his head between her thighs and nuzzled her with scratchy chin. He licked around the icicle, tasting her warm juices in sharp contrast to the cold liquid.

His eyes rolled back as he savored her sweetness. Food hadn't satisfied him as much as one lick of her nectar. He flicked his tongue against her clit. Ash added a finger alongside the icicle to stretch Nova further. Her heat was quickly melting it down to nothing.

Nova screamed as she fell apart, melting the remainder of the icicle within her.

"Fuck, Nova. You are so beautiful. You teased me with glimpses of this pussy for years. I imagined all sorts of things I would do with you as I jerked off. But now that I have the real thing, I'm never letting you go."