Jessie seemed to stop him, if only temporarily. It was a small victory in her eyes, as indicated by the hands moving to rest on her hips and the way her chest puffed out a bit. She smirked at him, challenging him.

Probably a huge mistake on her part, knowing he was holding a snowball that was ready to be flung at any moment.

Niko approached closer. She didn't back down, only holding out her hand to push against his chest.

"You may make the rules. But I'm gonna break them and change them, Niko."

Not really, but it was fun to mess with him. She stuck her tongue out again before taking off into the house, squealing like a child.

That whisper sent shivers down her spine before she took off. The snow ball hit her in the back, and though it was gently thrown, Jessie had to be dramatic.

She fell to her knees, hands reaching in the air. One came to clutch at her chest.

"I've been hit! I'm going to die. All because of my traitorous tongue. What are you going to do to me?"

Of course, she couldn't help but laugh at herself.

Jessie allowed her body to go limp as he came to hold her by her shoulders. Her face was scrunched up in what would have been pain, and one of her hands reached forward to grab his forearm as she peered up at him with seemingly innocent eyes.

"Only a kiss under a mistletoe will save me now. Oh, the pain!"

She put a hand to her head for effect.

She terrible at playing a dying person, because the moment he picks her up to carry her away, she's trying to hold back more laughter. Her arms were clinging to his neck, her head tipped back and her eyes closed as he carried her off.

Only when they stop did she open her eyes again, meeting Niko's gaze peering down at her.

"Save me."

As if she was impatient, she reached up to pull him toward her.

Jessie was sure she had him in her grasp. He was going to kiss her, and she had won in her little game and theatrics.

But then he stopped. And she whined like a child who had gotten caught doing something wrong.

"Then what will you do? What's my consequence? No kiss?"

Jessica was a prisoner in his grip, only able to do as he commanded it seemed. And now, the mistletoe, which seemed to have been her salvation at one point, was just teasing her.

Like Niko was.

It was unfair.

"What makes you think that?"

Jessie tried to play cool and calm, but he knew better than that. He knew her desires by now.

His lips were a whisper against hers, leaving her wanting more. It left a pit of frustration brewing in her stomach, completely at his mercy.

Damn Niko Manner.

And his stupid, villainous charm.

"P-Please save me, Niko. Only you can save me."