Page 37 (1/2)

"Blah, blah, blah, heard that before," Saue out at hiet on the sleds!"

Maria finally peeked at Gabriel, a hot blush coloring her cheeks He winked at her, a devilish twinkle in his eyes He settled himself on the sled, and patted the space in front of hih space here"

Maria reluctantly settled herself on the sled, trying not to get too close to Gabriel But the sled, while roo close together, so she slowly backed up until she was nestled against hi her on either side Her botto the urge to shift around His arainst him and she nearly moaned at the how inti her everywhere their bodies were pressed together and she kneasn’t iainst her bottoainst her ear, and she shivered at the warm puff of air created by his words

She nodded, just as Sao!"

At once Gabriel pushed off and Maria gasped as they flen the incline, faster than she’d gone before It was because she and Gabriel together weighed ht di speed She could hear the other sleds behind them and she realized abruptly that they’d won the race Now if they could only stop the sled before--

Maria cried out as the sled suddenly flipped, and she found herself tu on top of her "Oof!"

"Ria, are you hurt?" Gabriel asked frantically, bracing himself on his arms as he hovered over her

"No, I’ sprained or broken, don’t worry"

Gabriel relaxed a bit, and then stiffened Maria realized that Gabriel was lying between her parted thighs She locked eyes with hi, her core suddenlyher eyes, he settled his lower body on top of hers and she nearly cried out at feeling his heavy weight there Her legs ca a bit, rubbing hercock

"Dad! Miss Maria! Are you both okay?" Elizabeth yelled to the their way through the snohere they lay was a huge shock, startling both of them out of the erotic spell they’d fallen under

Gabriel i that his erection wasn’t visible under the thick deniotten himself that completely before

"Don’t worry, we’re fine," he called out reassuringly "Maria lost her breath for aher over"

He nearly winced at how suggestive that sounded--he chanced a glance at Maria and she was suppressing a laugh, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes

"Yes, your father was being very thorough in his exa smile

"Wow, I can’t believe how fast you tere going," Sa that fast together?"

Gabriel chuckled "I’m not sure if that’ll be possible, but we can definitely try But first, is anyone ready for some hot chocolate? I see Mrs Phillips with a tray at the door for us, and I bet she baked cookies too"

"Aweso to eat" Sam beckoned for his sisters to follow and they took off for the house

Gabriel climbed to his feet and offered his hand to Maria "I feel like some hot chocolate too Shall we join them?"

Maria took his proffered hand and he pulled her up, feeling the solid strength of his fingers even through their gloves When she tried to drop his hand, his fingers tightened on her own before he finally let go

"Ria, about Olivia--"

She pressed a finger lightly to Gabriel’s ht now, okay? I’ht at this moment--I just want to enjoy today with you and the children, and not think about anything else"

At first it see look on Maria’s face, he slowly nodded and caught her hand as she withdrew, pressing a kiss on her gloved paliving hiether, they walked towards the house and the children

SEVEN

MARIA PAUSED IN THE GRAND entrance hall--she could hear so the piano in the ballroom After lunch, Matt had fetched Gabriel for a business call that Gabriel had said ht take a while--did he finish his call early?

As she walked closer to the ballroom she heard the familiar notes of Debussy--it was "Clair de lune," one of the pieces he played the night they met Her heartbeat quickened and she reached out and pushed the double doors open Disappointment settled when she realized that it wasn’t Gabriel, it was…Elizabeth?

Elizabeth looked up from the piano when she heard the door open and immediately jumped up from the bench "Oh, Miss Maria!"

Maria smiled at her, not sure why Elizabeth looked so anxious "I heard you playing in the hall--that was beautiful, Elizabeth I thought you were in thethe movie with the others and didn’t realize it was you on the piano You’re very talented"

"Thank you, Miss Maria, I haven’t had any lessons for a long tiood as I once was" Elizabeth hesitated for a moment then blurted out, "Please don’t tellthe piano in here!"

Maria was startled at Elizabeth’s request "I don’t understand--are you not allowed to play the piano?"

"No" Elizabeth shook her head vigorously "Dad hasn’t wanted anyone to play the piano since Mom died"