“Is this a thing?” Ryder asked. “Boulder bowling?”
“In bowling you try to hit the pins. I think they’re trying to miss them.”
A solid crack of rock hitting tree broke through the rest of the growing noise.
“So much solitude,” I said, following our previous footsteps back to the cabin.
We made it to the door, and yep, there were huge footprints left on the deck by the hot tub, but it seemed like most of the commotion was out in the trees and down in the glade.
I opened the door, and Ryder followed me into the warm, cozy space.
Even though the Bigfoots were making a hullabaloo below us, even though we’d need to lock the door and secure the hot tub and maybe the truck, even though this middle of nowhere somehow meant we weren’t alone, or really, monster free, it was amazing.
This was amazing.
“If I’d known they were meeting here,” Ryder peeled off gloves and coat, and secured his firearm and flashlight, “I would have picked one of the other half-a-dozen cabins I was looking at.”
He threw little glances my way, worried, as I stripped off my outer gear.
“So, um…” he started. “I don’t think we can get back over the pass. But I can drive out and find cell reception and maybe see if another—”
I took the few steps that separated us and kissed him.
His response was instant and hot, his hands clutching at the long sweater I still wore, tugging it away from my back slightly, then smoothing it against my back, my hip.
I took extra time with his lips, not trying to bruise, but not being overly careful. He pressed for me to open my mouth, which I did, letting him in willingly.
The kiss went from hot and passionate, to soft and drugging, to slow and languid as we pulled apart and drew back together again, once, twice, three times.
When I finally pulled away, his eyes were glassy and unfocused, his lips swollen, his cheeks and neck flushed. “Um… What?” he said, blinking slowly.
“Solitude,” I said, walking backward. I caught his hand.
“Just the two of us.” He wove our fingers together, moving with me now.
“Heaven.” I guided us back and back, past the heat of the fireplace, through the warm glowing hall, and finally,finally, to the private, cozy bedroom.
“Let the perfect vacation begin,” I said.
Ryder gave me a wicked smile and locked the door behind him.
