“These last two days you've given me everything,” I said.
He grinned. “I will say you touched me in places no one's ever quite gone before.”
“You begged for it.”
“All too true.” He shook the globe and watched the snow fall all around the trees and the reindeer’s body.
When he was finally done admiring his gift, he set it carefully on the coffee table and said, “Let's go eat before I faint from hunger.”
Sparks of warmth tingled inside me at his response to my gift. At the time I bought it I thought I would never get to see him open it, never see his reaction. It was good to watch him and know I'd chosen right.
When we got to the lodge, things were very busy. People were everywhere talking, laughing, looking like they we're having a good time. So much the opposite to the day we'd arrived. Friendships had been made. Christmas had been celebrated well, I assumed. I certainly had no complaints.
A stranger walked up to us, tipping his head. “I saw you two dancing on Christmas Eve. You make a nice couple.”
Without waiting for a response, he walked off.
Aspen and I broke into giggles.
“Whatever we did, it must show because other people are staring at us, too.” I held Aspen's hand tighter.
“They are shifters, remember? They can probably smell it.”
“I thought we showered quite well. You scrubbed my back and I scrubbed yours. With soap.”
“It's not just that they scent. They also sense our bond. It's new. I'm probably projecting a glow.”
“Like for real?” I glanced down at myself to see if I was admitting some strange alien light.
“No, but their beasts can see it in the air around us.”
“Like how some people can see auras?”
“I suppose." He scrunched up his face. “Can some humans actually see auras?”
“Not me. But there are claims.”
“Interesting.”
For me the world had grown a lot more interesting since I'd met Aspen. And my feelings for him made my vision clearer than ever. This was right. I knew what I wanted. I was seeing through the eyes of love.
We waited in line for the restaurant and ate a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, the weather had warmed, and the sidewalks were clear. We took a walk together over the entire grounds. We learned about each other. Our bodies already had an understanding, but now our minds wanted more. We asked each other endless questions. The day went by quickly and soon we were in bed again, hands all over each other. Neither of us could get enough.
We had until New Year's Day. Then the cute little one room cabin would no longer be ours. I dreaded that day. I didn't want this vacation to ever end.
Though we talked a lot, the future was still unresolved. We learned that we lived about half an hour apart and that our jobs we're in buildings only three blocks apart. It was a very nice coincidence, so I wasn't worried it would be difficult for us to maintain a relationship outside of Winter Wonderland.
Still, we had two different households. Two different lives. Entwining them together would be the start of a new journey.
During the day, we participated in some of the festivities. We did some cross-country skiing. We went to a wine tasting that was set up in the lobby. We even went swimming in the heated indoor pool. Everything we did together was fun because we were together. I didn't care what it was. Aspen could have read to me from a grocery list, and I would have found it fascinating.
Soon it was New Year's Eve.
Aspen was excited. “For the first time I'll have someone to kiss when the ball drops and the New Year arrives.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
“Don't get too riled up over there. You don't have to kiss me if you don't want to.”
