Tarquin didn''t dare admit that it was his idea for Winona to bring dinner over-and that things had gotten awkward because of it.

    After all, he was the one who''d set up the whole meal delivery thing.

    And Keaton? Well, his reputation wasn''t exactly great, and Elysia''s feelings about him were pretty clear.

    She was fine being friends with Keaton, but the moment romance came up, she''d scrunch up her nose and roll her eyes.

    If she found out that the Huber family had gotten the wrong idea because of that dinner that they wanted Winona to be their daughter-inw-who knows if Elysia would me him?

    So as far as anything between Keaton and Winona went, Tarquin figured it was best to just y dumb.

    He quickly switched the subject.

    "Don''t stress about Keaton," he said. “I heard from Lowell you guys are going skiing tomorrow?"

    "Yeah... The kids are excited, and my parents are into it. We''re all nning to go," Elysia said.

    "What, you''re not inviting me?" Tarquin teased.

    Elysia shot back, "Didn''t you say you were busy?"

    "Who told you I was busy?"

    Elysia blinked, surprised and suddenly hopeful. "Wait, you''re free?"

    Seeing the excitement in her eyes, Tarquin felt a warm flutter in his chest. He shot her a crooked smile and gently pinched her cheek.

    "You want me toe that much?"

    Elysia nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely!"

    "And why do you want me there?"

    "Because when you''re around, I have more fun," she said, not missing a beat.

    When Tarquin was there, she could just rx and be yful, like a kid again-she could lean on him and let go.

    But when he wasn''t, she had to be the grown-up, thinking about the kids, her parents, keeping everything together.

    It wasn''t about being forced to act a certain way-it just happened naturally, depending on whether Tarquin was around.

    Sotely, she''d gotten a little clingy.

    If they were heading out to have fun, she honestly hoped he''d be there, too.

    Tarquin just melted, looking at her with nothing but warmth and affection.

    "For you, babe? I''m at your beck and call, twenty-four-seven. Not going anywhere."

    Elysia grinned, cupped his face, and gave him a quick, sweet kiss.

    Just a brush of the lips-she meant to pull away, but Tarquin wasn''t

    having any of it. He slipped his

    behind her head, holding herclose, turning the tables.  fo

    The kiss deepened, the air shifting from light and yful to something much more heated.

    Tarquin''s hand slid beneath her pajama top, his fingers tracingzy circles at her waist.

    Elysia knew exactly where this was heading. Her heart raced as she pushed at his chest, trying to protest.

    "Cut it out, we''ve got skiing tomorrow!"

    He grinned, voice low and rough with want. "That won''t slow us down tomorrow."

    With that, he popped open the top few buttons of his shirt, revealing a hint of tanned, toned chest-impossible to ignore.

    Still holding her close, he leaned in, continuing to kiss her, his hand never leaving her waist.

    Elysia, thoroughly trapped, pped a hand over his mouth.

    "You-you haven''t even showered yet!" she blurted, desperate for

    distraction, hoping he''d take the

    and cool off.

    Tarquin looked down at her, eyes dark with mischief.

    hint

    A heartbeatter, he scooped her up and headed straight for the bathroom.

    "Let''s

    together," he said with

    rin. "And while we''re at it

    let''s

    about those TikTok videos

    watched today."

    Elysia''s eyes went wide. "Hey! You-mmph-!"

    ...

    The next morning, Elysia was woken up by Evan bouncing on the bed.

    "Mom! Get up! We''re going skiing today!"

    Elysia''s eyes flew open. She tried to sit up, but Tarquin still had her locked in his arms, holding her tight from behind.

    She sighed, still lying down. "Okay, okay, I''m up."

    "And Dad, too! Grandpa already made pancakes. You two are the only ones still in bed!"

    Elysia blushed. "Alright, alright, we''reing."

    Once she heard Evan''s footsteps retreat, she tried to pry Tarquin''s arm from her waist. "Let go!"

    Instead, Tarquin just pulled her closer.

    She wriggled around in his arms, like a little caterpir, turning to face him—