Falling into Mr Winter

By L.S. Phoenix

In the wake of a disappointing relationship that shook her confidence, Quinn takes a girls' trip to a picturesque New Hampshire Ski Resort. As fate would have it, her penchant for clumsiness leads her to an unexpected encounter with Austin Winter. A tumble down a snowy slope knocks the wind out of her and stirs a flutter of emotions within. In a

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.S. Phoenix
• Release date: Oct 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798868909054

Book preview

Falling into Winter

Seasons of Love - Book One

Written by LS Phoenix

Dedication

To my wonderful family who put up with my nonsense and to all the curvaceous queens out there just remember…you’ve got this!

Happy reading everyone!

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Dedication

Table of Contents

PlayList

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Epilogue

Prologue for Love Blooms in Spring

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Book

In the wake of a disappointing relationship that shook her confidence, Quinn takes a girls' trip to a picturesque New Hampshire Ski Resort. As fate would have it, her penchant for clumsiness leads her to an unexpected encounter with Austin Winter. A tumble down a snowy slope knocks the wind out of her and stirs a flutter of emotions within. In a chivalrous gesture, Austin takes it upon himself to ensure her well-being, steering their paths toward an unexpected rendezvous at his cozy chalet.

With each moment spent together, sparks of attraction ignite like the crackling fire in the hearth. The frosty air outside contrasts with the warmth building between them, kindling a connection that neither saw coming. As they navigate their time together, sharing stories and laughter, they find themselves drawn to one another in ways neither of them anticipated.

But could this encounter evolve into something more? In the midst of snowy landscapes and shared moments, Quinn and Austin are faced with a choice: embrace the new feelings between them or let them slip away like snowflakes on the wind.

Join Quinn and Austin in a heartwarming story of unexpected connections, second chances, and the enchanting magic of a wintry rendezvous that might just thaw them out. Will their encounter in the mountains lead to a love that withstands the chill of life's uncertainties?

Suggested Playlist

The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks

I’ll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga

Best Worst Ex by Julia Cole & Alexandra Kay

Flowers by Miley Cyrus

The Sun is Rising by Britt Nicole

Never Til Now by Ashley Cooke Featuring Brett Young

Bed on Fire by Teddy Swims

Falling by Harry Styles

Lose Control by Teddy Swims

She Likes It by Russell Dickerson & Jake Scott

Brown Eyes Baby by Keith Urban

Enough by Alex Roe

You Didn't by Brett Young

Rock and a Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman

Love You Again by Chase Matthews

Mine by Kelly Clarkson

Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis

Thank God by Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown

Listen Here

Prologue

Quinn

Shattered Illusions

My boyfriend Chad and I have been together for two years now, and I think I’m in love, but I'm not entirely certain. I mean, I’ve never actually been in love before so I don’t know what it feels like. He’s a great guy, he checks off most of the boyfriend material boxes, he has a great job, he’s handsome, and…well all right there are some things he doesn’t check off or always show me. At times I feel like I’m doing something wrong, in his eyes at least. According to him, I wear unacceptable clothing, I say things he doesn't approve of and I embarrass him. I also do things that he doesn't consider proper. Each time he tells me one of these things he makes me feel like I’m a child, almost as if he’s scolding me. Despite all that and even though he has never explicitly said it, I'm pretty sure he loves me too. He’s just trying to make me the best me I can be, right? Isn’t that what you do for the person you love?

Today is absolutely stunning, with the temperature hovering in the mid to high 70s all day long. After some gentle coaxing, Chad and I decided to take the week off and head to the beach. His work has been keeping him busy, but I’ve managed to persuade him that he deserved some rest, and what better place than the beach? Finally, he relented, realizing a break was long overdue.

We rented the most enchanting little cottage, nestled along the extraordinary coastline of Maine. From the moment we arrived, I fell head over heels for this adorable little waterfront property. Its pale sea foam blue color perfectly mirrors the ocean's color, and the white raised panel shutters add a touch of classic charm. A small, immaculately groomed yard graces the front, boasting beautiful Hydrangea bushes underneath the windows. Even the crushed white rock pathway leading to the front door exudes quaintness.

I'm bubbling with excitement and eagerly awaiting the start of what is sure to be a perfect week in paradise.

But the true gem of this little cottage is its back deck, facing the endless expanse of the ocean. The sight that greets us is simply breathtaking. The cushions on the seating are in a deeper shade of ocean blue, beautifully complemented by accents of vibrant reds and dark navy blues. It feels almost magical as if the deck itself is floating on the soft sand.

As the sun dips below the horizon, I'm eager to light up the deck with the little twinkle lights strung along the outer edges. It's going to make it look like a fairytale oasis. Tonight, under the shimmering glow, the deck will be the perfect place for us to talk and laugh, and perhaps even add a little romance. If I’m lucky!

To my delight, this quaint retreat also has a private pathway leading directly to the beach. I can hardly contain my excitement at the thought of capturing the most captivating views of the ocean through my camera lens. My girlfriends back home will be envious when they see these postcard-perfect snapshots I’m going to take. I can already see the countless oohs and ahs that will escape their lips when they lay eyes on this piece of heaven.

After we chat for a while, we decide today is going to be a beach day. I find it hard to contain my excitement as I unpack my latest purchase, a sultry hot pink two-piece suit. I’m confident that Chad will love it just as much as I do! The top offers decent coverage, which is crucial for me, given my curvaceous figure and generous D cups. I playfully think of them as my girls and have a love-hate relationship with them at times. Keeping them in place is a top priority, and this suit seemed up to the task.

As for the bottoms, they are undeniably more seductive, featuring strings on the sides and a sprinkling of shimmery accents covering them. I can’t help but hope that this suit will ignite a spark in Chad, leaving him hot and bothered, unable to keep his hands off of me.

With our belongings settled in, I slip into my new suit, feeling the soft fabric against my skin. Giddy with excitement, I emerge from the bedroom and do a playful spin in front of Chad, holding a cover-up in my hands.

What do you think? I ask, twirling in a circle again, a huge grin on my face. Chad gives me a questioning look, his eyebrows scrunching together in the center of his forehead, and it's evident that he does not approve, causing my grin to fade.

Is that the only suit you brought? he inquires, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval.

No,...I also brought my one-piece suit, I answer, trying to suppress a slight grimace. The suit I'm referring to is far from my preference. Last year, Chad insisted on joining me when we went shopping, and he picked out this drab one-piece. It offers more coverage than someone my age should ever consider wearing. The front boasts a high, scooped neckline, devoid of any embellishments, and comes with an attached skirt that seems excessively long, especially on my short frame, hitting me lower than mid-thigh.

Reluctantly, I wore it last year to please him, plus I didn’t want to feel guilty for not wearing it. However, I absolutely hated it, and the thought of wearing it again is unappealing. Not only does it resemble something a woman much older than me might wear, but it also left me with horrendous tan lines that took forever to fade away. I had to keep myself covered for at least a couple of months to avoid people staring at the weird tan lines it created. The audacity of some people just amazes me, it's downright rude, to tell you the truth. Lost in my thoughts about that ugly bathing suit, Chad's voice breaks through my inner monologue, snapping me back to reality.

"Great! You should change into that, the bathing suit you have on is just not suitable for someone your…size," he tells me, curling his lips slightly and giving me an appraising look that seems to hint at disgust.

I frown, feeling a pang of hurt and disappointment. Oh, okay, I reply, trying to hide my emotions but failing to mask them. I had hoped my new suit would ignite a fire in him, but it's clear that it didn't have the intended effect.

Sensing I’m upset, Chad comes over and envelops me in his arms, murmuring in a fake, sweet voice, Hey, no frowning. I like it, I really do, I just don't think it's appropriate for the public. You don’t exactly have a bikini body, babe.

I nod, feigning agreement to appease him, even though his words sting. I retreat to the bedroom, pulling out the other suit from my luggage and changing into it. Doubts creep into my mind, does he really not like the way I look? I thought I looked really good, but maybe I don't.

Once fully changed, I step back out to face Chad. Much better, he says, but confusion soon clouds his expression as he pinches his brows together again. Where's your cover-up? he asks, seemingly puzzled by my lack of it.

It's in the bedroom. I didn't think I'd need it with this suit, I reply, my confusion evident as I gesture toward the ugly one-piece.

I think it would be best if you did, he insists, raising an eyebrow once more. Internally rolling my eyes, I hold back my frustration and return to the bedroom to grab the cover-up. Silently, I slip it on, complying with his request, though I can't help feeling a sense of disappointment and maybe a little resentment.

Together, we gather our necessary beach items and eagerly head toward the crashing sounds of the ocean. As we reach the bottom of the path, I pause for a moment, closing my eyes to savor the peaceful and serene sound surrounding us. It feels like time is standing still, and I wish I could capture this moment forever. Taking a deep breath, I take in the scent of the ocean, letting its calming aura envelop me before resuming our walk.

Arriving at the beach, we notice the area is relatively uncrowded, which is perfect for a more relaxing day. Finding a spot to set up our chairs, I can hardly contain my excitement. Eager to bask in the sun and embrace the cool ocean breeze, I start removing my cover-up, ready to embrace the beautiful day ahead of me.

Chad asks with a strange tone in his voice, Are you removing that? Then he glances around the beach, checking both ways as if to ensure no one is watching.

I thought I could enjoy the beautiful weather and get some sun, I replied, feeling puzzled by his inquiry.

Your skin is extremely fair and sensitive. If you don't take care, you will get burned. It is important that you keep your cover-up on, he insists firmly, with what appears to be genuine concern etched on his face.

Oh, all right, I respond, feeling a bit defeated. I had genuinely wanted to soak up some sun today and achieve that kissed-by-the-sun look. It's frustrating because I know I'm not that light or fair, I tan rather well. Nonetheless, I decide not to engage in a discussion about it with him right now and comply with his wishes.

Despite the disappointment at the beachwear situation, the remainder of the day goes fairly well. We create some great memories, share laughter, and enjoy the food I packed. Strolling along the water's edge, I relish in the sublime feeling of the water rushing up the sand and washing over my feet. I'm tempted to take a dip in the ocean, but I don't want to do that while all covered up.

As the warm, golden sun slowly descends below the horizon, we carefully gather our belongings and leisurely stroll back towards our cottage, relishing in the day we’ve just spent together.

As the sun starts to set, I say, Hey, how about dinner and drinks on the deck tonight? The sunset would make it perfect. What do you think?

Chad seems a little distracted but manages to reply, Yeah, that's a great idea... sure... we can do that. He leans in to kiss my cheek, but I can tell his attention is still fixated on his phone. Despite his response, I sense that something might be bothering him, and concern flits around in the back of my mind.

I playfully bat my eyelashes at Chad and ask, I'm going to take a shower, do you want to join me?, ready for a quick cleanup and change from my beachwear,

He dismisses my suggestion with a quick glance at his phone, replying, No, I'm all set. You go ahead, I'll take one when you're done.

His response leaves me feeling a bit disappointed, as I had hoped to have some fun and enjoy each other's company in the shower. Nonetheless, I decide not to dwell on it and head to the shower, trying to keep my spirits up for the evening ahead.

After showering separately and still disappointed he didn’t join me, I realize that tonight might require some extra effort on my part to set the right mood. So I take charge of the kitchen, determined to make the evening special. I prepare a scrumptious dinner of grilled chicken, accompanied by fresh vegetables from the local farmers market, seasoned basmati rice, and a delightful side salad. The aroma fills the cottage, and I'm grateful for the spices I brought along from Joselin.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over everything, I set the table on the deck facing the ocean. The twinkle lights strung along the edges create a magical ambiance, promising a romantic evening under the stars. I pour us hearty glasses of wine to complement our meal, hoping that this effort will make the night unforgettable, in more ways than one.

With our plates filled with grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and rice, we head out to the deck. The weather is simply beautiful, and as the sun starts to set, the sky transforms into a stunning canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples. The picturesque view takes my breath away, and my heart races at the sheer beauty of the moment.

I must say, dinner turned out quite delicious. We've truly outdone ourselves, I remark, even though he only threw lettuce and pre-cut veggies in the salad bowl.

Yeah, you're right, it’s pretty good, he says chewing his bite while distracted by his phone again. Just make sure you don’t eat too much, you don't want to get too full. I nod at him, unsure of what to say back. It’s not as if my plate has a lot on it, I have less food on my plate than he has on his. I’m sure he's only concerned that I could be uncomfortable later. I smile thinking about tonight and how wonderful it is going to be, we don’t make love too often, so I want tonight to be exceptional, perfect! I feel like we need to spice things up a little, it's starting to get not so much boring, but monotonous, and quick!

After capturing some insanely beautiful photos of the gorgeous sunset, I can't help but share a few with my girlfriends. They adore the beach and sunsets just as much as I do, and I want them to see the majestic view here.

As the night draws near, I feel a mix of nervous excitement and anticipation. I'm glad I brought a sexy negligée with me, one that has soft, stretchy black lace that molds to my curves perfectly, giving me just enough lift in the boobs to feel confident. I decided to pack something sexy to add a little spice to our evening. My desire is for Chad to be so turned on that he can't keep his hands off me.

As I wait for him to finish in the bathroom, I wonder what's taking him so long. My mind starts to wander, contemplating different possibilities. I want tonight to be special, and his prolonged absence makes me hope that he might be preparing a surprise of his own. I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with curiosity about how the night will unfold.

I slip into the sexy negligée, feeling a surge of confidence as I admire myself in the mirror. I decide to fluff up my hair, giving it a playful tousle, and apply some lip gloss to enhance my smile. Pinching my cheeks lightly, I create a rosy glow, adding a touch of seduction to my appearance.

Feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, I lie down on the bed, attempting my best sexy pose. I want to make sure Chad knows how much effort I put into making tonight special. As I wait for him to enter the room, my heart races with anticipation, hoping he'll be just as thrilled by my appearance as I am.

Finally, Chad walks back into the room and catches sight of me lying there in the sexy negligée. I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction, hoping to see lust and appreciation in his eyes.

Is that new? he asks, his tone devoid of emotion as he stops to observe me. His facial expression remains neutral.

Yes, it is, I bought it just for you, I state confidently, with a smile and a playful wink, trying to be flirtatious.

That wasn't necessary, he says with a serious expression, his tone almost chilly.

As I nervously run my hand over the delicate lace at my cleavage, I look up at Chad with a mix of hope and uncertainty in my eyes. Do you like it? I ask, trying to entice him with a hint of playfulness in my voice.

Chad