“Well, let me help you escape. Come with me?”
It is earlier on a Sunday evening, so I have no reason to deny him. My shop is closed, I have nowhere to be. I was headed to my shop because after his flowers arrived, I was hit with inspiration. I have not seen him since leaving him in the woods. I find I very much want to go with him.
“You will get me out of here?”
“Honey, I would take you anywhere you asked me to,” he tells me, voice low as he steps close. “I have not let you down yet, have I?”
Smiling, I shake my head. No, he has not. That lunch was the most romantic thing I've ever seen. Even if he upset me by talking about Christmas, he gave me space once I demanded it. Those flowers were not just pretty flowers, he could have sent roses or any of a dozen other flowers. He chose those flowers to say what I wouldn't let him say—he saw my strength, he appreciated it…but maybe I don't have to be strong all the time.
Nodding, I follow him, lacing my fingers tighter within his. He lets out a chuckle that makes my heart twitter in my chest. Weaving through the crowd, he takes me away from the flowing festivities. Loading me into a big, black truck, he climbs in beside me and pulls from the street. He doesn't go too far as he winds through a low mountain range.
“This is my second favorite spot,” he tells me with a crooked grin, dimple flashing, as he backs up along a gravel plateau overlooking town.
Climbing from the truck, he jerks his head with another big smile, urging me to follow him out. Rounding the back of his truck, he pauses, both of us taking a moment to take in the view of True Ridge in all its' splendor. It is beautiful with the dusting of snow, with the bright twinkling lights of the festival and the many houses decked out for the season.
For a moment, I forget that I hate the holiday. That it has brought me so much pain. It once was my favorite time of year.I loved hanging lights and wrapping presents. Now, it just seems so pointless. To be honest, a lot of things seem pretty pointless to me since I have lost so much.
“Come here,” Niko urges gently, voice deep, soft, his hand reaching for mine again. I turn, almost laughing when I see what he has done.
Spread in the back of his truck are several blankets and a mountain of pillows. It looks absolutely inviting and all I want to do is snuggle in with him. I cock a brow at him, as if asking how he put this together. He flushes, his cheeks going pink as he rubs the back of his neck shyly.
“Well, I was on my way to your shop, honey. I hoped if I could not have brunch or dinner with you, maybe I could talk you into some sweets beneath the stars. It is a perfect night for it. I reckoned you wouldn't want to entertain that festival so I might be able to convince you to take a drive with me.”
“I asked if you often do this sort of thing before. You said no…. how am I to believe that if you keep doing these…cute things?”
“Believe that I never thought to do anything remotely cute before I met you, Nova. I upset you last time, I had to pull out all the stops this time. Come on, honey. Let's just sit here for a little while.”
There is not a moment of hesitation in my head as I let him help me inside. It is cold out, but the bed of the truck is warm as we crawl to the very back, leaning against the pillows stacked there. I frown at how warm it is, my hand running over a thick duvet that must be a heated blanket.
“Pull out all the stops you did. This is divine,” I admit, snuggling into the warmth as he pulls me close to his side. “It's warmer than it has a right to be. Very cozy, Niko. If you do this again, don't change a thing.”
“I will do this again, if you want me to. Like I said before, Inever thought to do something cute before, but now that I have…well, I said I liked how your pretty eyes sparkle. To be the one to make them sparkle feels like I am winning something special.”
Touched by his sweet words, I sigh, lying back against his chest. He drags another stack of blankets up over us as the snow falls slowly. Niko smells clean and crisp like fresh laundry, and I love the warmth of his big body as I settle back against it. We don't talk for a long time. It doesn't feel to me as if we need to say anything at all.
I am good at pushing people out. Keeping them a safe distance from my heart so they can't hurt it. It's been pretty battered by life. Sitting here with him, I wonder if I am putting it on the line with him. If I am risking it being damaged in a way I have never known before. He is not the only one who has never thought of doing something cute with some, or for someone.
Romance was just never at the top of my list of things to do. I dated in high school before the accident, but it was impossible after that. It was too much of a risk, too much of a waste of time when I had my brother to take care of a life to hold together with no idea how to do it. I’ve often wondered if it would have been easier if I had just let someone in.
Could I let Niko, this sweet, cute, Peter Pan of man, in my life?
“It is beautiful up here,” he whispers as his arms close tight around me. “Even if you hate the holidays—which I aim to fix—you can’t deny that. True Ridge might be the prettiest place on the planet.”
Laughing softly, I nod. He is not wrong. With the snow dusted peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, the smokestacks reaching to the dim skies, and the twinkling lights of town below, itisthe prettiest place on the planet. I think that being up here with him, in this too-cute setting, is making it even prettier thanusual.
We sit in a comfortable quiet for a long time. There doesn’t seem to be a need for words. Watching the snowfall and the festival going on below is enough. I snuggle back against him, sighing as his arms tighten, the warmth of him flushing my skin beneath my coat, beneath my clothes. Turning my head, I smile up at him, surprised by the comfort, the familiarity we share.
Something darkens his eyes as he stares back at me. My heartrate skyrockets as his breathing quickens, my body rising faster with his. His hand comes up, warm against my cheek, fingers sliding into the hair at my temple. My eyes fall closed because I am welcoming what is coming.
“Nova...” his voice is hot enough to send warmth spreading through me.
His mouth brushes over mine as he twists me slightly. He is sweet, like butter mints, his tongue licking at my lips. I open to him, gasping at the heat that washes over me, pooling low in my belly. I turn more to press closer, almost straddling his lap as his tongue strokes mine, his mouth taking, taking, but also giving, giving.
Pressing against him, I slide my fingers into his thick hair, the waves silky as they tangle in my fingers. His hands slide beneath my coat, beneath my top, scorching my skin as he grasps me tight. Pulling me even closer, he tears his mouth from mine, both of us panting to catch our breath.
“Look at that,” he hums against my mouth, eyes searching mine. “Those eyes are sparkling so pretty, honey,” he teases, tracing his thumb over my brow.
“I wonder why,” I whisper back, biting my lip.
