by CJ England
Amy turned and felt her whole body warm instantly. Givré was walking toward her, his eyes intent on hers. In his tight black jeans and form fitting black turtleneck, he was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. The dark shadow on his chin added to his bad boy appearance, and she didn't need to look around to know that all female eyes were focused on him.
And probably drooling.
"Oh, my God,” whispered Julie. “He is gorgeous!"
When he reached their table, he bent and kissed Julie and Sophia's hands, greeting them as if they were long lost friends. Then he slid into the chair next to Amy, scooting it close to hers. Leaning over, he bussed her lips with his. “Have you ordered yet?"
Amy forced down the knot in her throat at his gentleness. “No ... not yet."
Givré stared unabashedly around the room. It was like all bars he'd visited in the past. Dark, crowded and noisy. He wrinkled his nose. At least the jukebox was playing a better song now-Elvis’ Blue Christmas-and no one was singing. The room was decorated for the holidays and the scent of pine from the large pine tree in the corner filled the air. As he glanced around, he noted that he was the object of quite a few speculative looks, mostly from women.
"Why do they all stare at me?"
Sophia burst into laughter. “You're kidding, right?"
He gave her a quizzical look, and she giggled again. “Honey, you are the hottest guy they've seen around here in a long time. Amy better not go to the bathroom, or they will all swarm around you the second she disappears.
He felt Amy stiffen. “I am not interested in anyone other than my sweet Ami.” He bent and caressed her lips until she relaxed.
"Sharks don't care,” Sophia shrugged.
"Sharks?"
Amy snickered. “Sophia's name for those lonely women who troll the bars looking for prey."
"Ahhh” he nodded. “Sharks. In my tongue, we would call them mangeur d'homme ... man eaters.
They all laughed. A waitress wandered over and set down Amy's beer and the other women's mixed drinks.
"I thought you did not order,” Givré frowned.
"They're regulars,” the waitress answered. Her eyes swept over him and she smiled. “What would you like, sweetheart?"
He grinned up at her. “I would like...” He peered at her nametag. “Tammy, do you have a red wine ... rich in body and flavor? One whose taste will burst on my tongue?"
The waitress stared at him with her mouth open. “Uhhh, sure ... I'll ... umm ... bring you a menu.” She backed away, almost falling over another table.
Amy giggled even though the way the woman looked at Givré made her jealous. “You need a keeper."
He blinked. “Did I say something wrong?"
"Honey,” Sophia toasted him. “All you have to do is open your mouth. That accent is to die for."
Givré lifted his chin. “I do not have an accent. You all do!"
They all laughed again, then made small talk until the waitress brought Givré his wine. He tasted it and nodded approvingly. “Very good, Tammy. You have chosen well."
The woman blushed like a teenager. “Thank you. Anything else you need?"
Amy jumped in, shaking her head. Enough was enough. “No ... we're good.” Disappointed, the woman wandered to another table.
"You seem to be my keeper, Ami.” Givré's eyes twinkled at her as he kissed the lobe of her ear, making her shiver.
Julie stared at him. “I know this is going to sound strange. But ... you look very familiar. Have I seen you some place before? Not counting the other day."
"But of course,” he replied sipping his wine. “You were there when my body was formed, were you not?"
There was dead silence at the table, and Amy put her face in her hands. The shit was going to hit the fan now.
"I beg your pardon?"
Givré smiled. “You made les snowmen too, oui?” He turned to Sophia. “I must give you a special thanks, Sophia. I did not wish to spend my time here as a Ken doll."
"How could you know about that?” Julie asked, her eyes wide. She turned to Amy who was also now staring at Givré. “Did you tell him?"
Amy's whole body had goosebumps. How could he know about the Ken doll remark? “I didn't tell him anything."
"How does he know then?” Sophia's face was white.
"Because ... my beautiful ladies ... I was there."
"Stop joking around, Givré.” Julie's voice shook.
"I tell nothing but the truth,” he answered. “My Ami, she wished for a real man to take her to the ball and I was sent to do so.” He bent and kissed Amy's unresisting mouth. “And I am very pleased I was chosen. She is a very special woman ... no?"
"No ... I mean yes, she is,” Sophia managed. “But are you saying that ... you ... were the snowman?"
Julie gasped and all eyes were drawn to her. “Givré ... I never thought about it.” She looked at Amy and Sophia. “It means Frosty ... in French."
"You're Frosty ... the French snowman?"
Givré ignored Sophia's incredulous words. “Non ... Ami gave me that name. When she pulled me from the snow, she called me Frosty ... but she did not like that name, so she chose Givré instead. Christmas spirits do not have names."
Amy couldn't believe he was speaking so frankly to her friends. If he kept this up, everyone would know he was nuts. “Givré ... I think that's enough information for the moment."
"The hell it is,” Sophia downed her drink and signaled for another. “This is just getting interesting."
"But..."
"Hush, Ami.” Givré put a gentle finger against her lips. “These are your friends ... no? They deserve to know the truth.” He turned back to the other women. “Ami still has reservations about who I am and where I came from. But I promise you, I am not crazy. I am here because Ami needed me."
Julie chewed her straw thoughtfully. “You are a Christmas spirit who came and inhabited the body of the snowman that Amy built last Saturday?"
"Oui."
"Oh ... okay."
Sophia grabbed the new drink the waitress brought her. “Okay?” She took a healthy swallow. “He says he's a snowman and you're okay with that?"
Julie shrugged. “Stranger things have happened. I like to believe I'm open to new possibilities.” She smiled as Givré grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Besides, how else would he know about the whole Ken doll thing?"
Shaking her head, Sophia smirked. “So now we can tell a bunch of snowman jokes, huh?""
Amy groaned, but Givré looked intrigued. “Snowman jokes?"
Julie snickered. “Like ... Where does Frosty keep his money?” Givré shook his head. “In a Snow Bank!"
"Or what about this,” Sophia put in. “What do you get when you cross Frosty with a vampire?” She looked around at the others at the table. “Frost bite!"
Givré laughed good-naturedly. “Those are very funny. I did not think of it, but this form you gave me is full of amusement. I watched the video.” His eyes narrowed. I did not like the magicien, but the rabbit ... he was a good friend to Frosty."
"You are a very unusual man, Givré,” Sophia said thoughtfully. “Either you are a few puppies short of a pet shop, or you are the real thing. Either way ... if Amy says you're okay ... we'll give you the benefit of the doubt."
Amy's head whirled. Her friends were so accepting of Givré and his tale, that she was suddenly ashamed of her own suspicions. Even though she still had difficulty with the whole ‘came to life one day’ snowman thing, she had to admit, he sure didn't act crazy. And if he wasn't crazy ... what did that make him?
Givré thought he could almost see the wheels turning in Ami's head. He had deliberately spoken the truth to her friends, wanting to see how she'd react. She hadn't given him a whole hearted endorsement, but she hadn't called him a liar either. He took that as a good sign.
Suddenly, Bryan Adam's Christmastime, sounded on the jukebox. With a smile, he pulled Ami to her feet. “Dance with me, ma ange..."
&nbs
p; "He called her his angel,” Julie whispered to Sophia. “Isn't that sweet?"
Grinning wider, he slid his arm around Ami's slim waist. “Come ... let me see if we can dance as well as we can love."
She blushed rosily, making him chuckle as he led her to the floor. Once there, he pulled her against him, her warm body filling him with delight and the ever present need he always experienced in her presence. “Ahhh, this I needed."
Amy sighed as she put her arms around him and allowed him to move her to the soft music. “I don't know what to do with you."
Leaning back, he gazed down at her. “Do you not?” Lifting a hand, he traced her pouting lips with his index finger. “I think you know exactly what to do with me, if only you will let go and let your heart lead you."
She shook her head. “That's easy for you to say. You're in and out of people's lives all the time. It's easy for you.” Her eyes grew haunted. “But I'm the one you'll be leaving behind."
His face hardened. “You think the thought of leaving you is easy for me? Merde! It is not!” He cupped her face in his hands. “I have never felt for anyone, what I feel for you. No one has touched my heart this way."
Her hands went up to grasp his wrists. Neither noticed that they'd stopped dancing. “But we've only known each other for a week."
His head dropped and he kissed her hard, sweeping his tongue deep into her mouth. When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were smoky with desire. “Time matters not when it comes to love, cherie. I have existed a long time. I have met many women.” When her eyes narrowed, he grinned. “But I can say this to you with full truth in my heart.” His thumbs traced her soft cheeks. “You are more important to me than any woman ever has been. And I am beginning to believe...” he sighed and pulled her tight against him once more. “That no one else will ever take your place."
Amy sighed, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. He sounded like he meant every word, and the thing was ... she wanted him to. Holding onto him tightly, she realized something else.
She was falling in love with him.
* * * *
"Are you ready to go, Ami?"
They had stayed longer than she'd expected to. After their first dance, Givré had been nice enough to dance with Julie and Sophia, but Amy drew the line when the other women started his way. She'd pulled him back to her, warning the ... mangeur d'homme off with a heated glare.
All in all, it had been an enjoyable evening, but Amy realized that she wanted to be alone with her sexy snowman.
"What if we go for a walk along the footbridge,” she said. “We can clear our head before I have to drive home."
"You shouldn't have brought the car,” Julie rebuked her. “You never did before."
Amy shrugged. “I didn't want Givré to get cold."
Sophia laughed. “You're worried about a snowman getting cold? So what does Frosty the Snowman take when he gets sick?” She giggled again. “A chill pill!"
Glaring at her friend, Amy picked up her own coat. “If you'd seen what he looked like when I fished him out of the snow, you'd be concerned, too!"
"Ahhh, ma ange ... you are worried about me ... no?"
Glancing up into his dancing eyes, she felt her heart swell. “Of course I am. You know that."
"Oui. I do.” He bent and kissed the tip of her nose. “Where is this footbridge you speak of?"
"Just around the corner.” Amy wrapped her scarf around her neck and pulled on her gloves. “It's an easy walk.” She hugged her two friends. “Thanks guys, it was fun."
"I must add my agreement,” Givré pulled both women against him for a hard hug. “It was my pleasure to get to know you both."
"Well, we'll see you again,” giggled Julie, pink-cheeked from the hug. “At least until you melt in the spring."
Givré smiled, but it looked forced. “I would rather live for today, sweet Julie.” He gathered Amy against him. “But I will see you both at the Wonderland ball ... no?"
The women nodded. They all said good night and Amy led him out of the bar and into the cold night air.
"Will you be all right?” she fretted.
He laughed. “I am not as delicate as you think I am.” He held her closer. “But you have shown me that body heat does help."
Amy blushed. He'd teased her several times about how she'd warmed him from her insides out. They walked in silence for a while, each enjoying the quiet and each other's nearness. Crossing the main road, they ambled over to the area called The Footbridge that crossed over the Roaring Fork River. It was an old wooden structure, with criss-cross support beams and a plank floor that groaned when you walked upon it. It was one of Amy's favorite places to walk and she often came here to clear her head and think of sculpture ideas.
"It is a most beautiful place to live, Ami."
She nodded and leaned against one of the railings. “I love it here."
"You have lived here your whole life?"
"No. I moved here about five years ago. I wanted a fresh start and Aspen seemed the perfect place to start my business."
"A fresh start? Was it the man who hurt you?"
She stiffened. “I don't really want to talk about it."
"But Ami,” he growled in frustration. “I care for you. I want to know what happened. I must take care not to hurt you the same way."
She laughed bitterly. “Unless you plan on taking one of my best friends into my bed in the next week, you won't."
Givré snarled and pulled her into his arms. “He did that to you? Trou de cul!"
Amy buried her head into his chest. She hadn't meant to tell him, but it had just popped out. She had been ashamed for so long ... feeling like she wasn't woman enough to hold a man. The strength of Givré's arms around her, made her realize that she had been wrong in her thinking. She grinned, thinking she was definitely woman enough for him!
"Ma cherie, you cannot blame yourself. This man ... he was not a real man."
She giggled. “I know.” She lifted her head and kissed his bristly chin. “I know a real man when I see one ... now."
He lifted her against him, kissing her deeply. “I am glad, Ami. You are most definitely a real woman."
"I am, huh?” She unbuttoned his coat and wrapped her arms around his warm body.
"You still have doubts?” he chuckled.
Surprising her, he lifted her up to sit on the railing. She grabbed at his shoulders to keep from overbalancing. She glanced down at the ice covered river behind her. She trusted him, but it was a long drop to the water below. “Givré!"
"Shhh ... You must have faith in me, sweet Ami.” Stepping between her legs, he peeled his glove off with his teeth, stuffing the glove in his jacket pocket. His cold fingers traced up her leg under the short skirt she wore and she gasped out his name.
He grinned, his breath sending out puffs of white mist in the cold night. “Let me show you just how warm and loving a woman you are."
Chapter Seven
Our cheeks are nice and rosy, and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
'Sleigh Ride'
Amy whimpered as his fingers slipped under the tiny pair of panties she wore. “Givré!"
"Shhh...” his mouth brushed over hers. “I want you. Right here ... in this beautiful place. Let me love you."
"But, someone might see us!"
He looked around. “Non ... it is late and dark. We will not be seen.” With strong fingers, he ripped the crotch of her panties away and she gasped again. His index finger penetrated slowly into her tight channel.
She moaned and curled her fingers tighter into him. “You ... owe me a pair of panties."
White teeth flashed in the moonlight. “I will buy you a drawer full, just so I can rip them off of you.” He moved closer, caressing her clit with his thumb. “You are so lovely, ma Ami. You are already wet for me.” His lips moved over her cold face restlessly. “I wish I could taste the nectar that drips from my fingers.
"
"Givré,” she managed. “Please...” Her hips arched involuntarily, her body already pulsing with the desire he wrought in her.
"What is it you wish, ma ange? You wish for me to do this?” His finger moved in a circular motion inside of her and heat speared through her. “Or perhaps you would like this?” He pressed his large thumb against her swollen clitoris and rubbed gently.
Amy closed her eyes. It felt so good her body was already crying out for relief. She wanted to move with him, but the railing was so narrow, she was afraid she'd fall off. Her toes tingled and a warm wave of feeling moved up her body to her breasts, then back down to between her thighs. Unable to stand any more, she wrapped her legs around Givré's waist. “I need you in me ... please Givré ... I want you."
His black eyes shone like ebony stars. “Oui ... and you shall have me. Right now. Here in this winter wonderland."
With a shaking hand, he quickly undid his jeans. His erection swelled into view, and with a groan he pushed his way into her welcoming heat.
She gasped. As always, he was slightly chilled and the erotic feel of his cold cock inside of her brought her quickly to the edge. When he began thrusting into her, she moaned softly. It always felt so right, so arousing that she could barely think. She could only feel.
His hand moved to the small of her back to prevent her from going over backwards as he moved faster and harder, his breath panting in her ear. “You are magnifique,” he whispered hoarsely. “You feel like hot silk and you taste...” his mouth slanted over hers. “You taste of honey and spice."
Amy tightened her grip on him. His words, the feel of his cock moving in and out of her, plus the illicit thrill of making love in public suddenly were too much. Her yoni contracted violently, clenching down in a heart stopping-climax. She opened her mouth to scream out her pleasure, but Givré quickly covered her mouth with his own and smothered it. Instead, she sucked on his tongue, making him move even quicker within her.
He had started out just to tease her. Maybe touch her a little, to warm her for later. But Givré had forgotten how hot and loving she was. Or perhaps it was the knowledge that he loved her that made him so out of control. All he knew was that he had to have her. He needed to be buried deep within her, possessing her in a way he never had done with a woman before. He thrust into her, already feeling the quivers of her flesh that told of her impending orgasm. When she did finally explode around him, he couldn't stop his own climax. He stabbed himself deep into her spasming quim, and allowed his own to overtake him. Pulling her tight against him, they shuddered together, their lips caressing each other's as their heartbeats finally quieted.