44
There are very few things in life I can recall without thinking too hard. One was moving to Colorado when I was just ten years old—it felt like home after everything with my parents’ divorce. Another was the first time I laid eyes on Ayden.
I’ve said it before, but it really was love at first sight. At that age, it might’ve felt like just a crush, but I know that if fate had been different, I’d already have a ring on his finger.
Now is about to be another one of those moments. He’s simply sitting across from me, finishing up a bowl of ramen, but it’s the way his eyes light up when they meet mine. Like my life does when I look at him, they brighten when our gazes collide.
I’m hopelessly love-sick for him. I’ve fallen, and fucking hard.
“You’re staring,” he says, slurping the last of his noodles. “I don’t know why Xeraphine complained about Kai doing it. I fucking love it.”
He’s been on about that vampire book for days. I still can’t believe the amount of consoling I had to do after he finished. It wrecked him.
Leaningback, I rest my elbow on the arm rest of my chair and press my cheek against my fist. “I’m making up for lost time. Plus, you’re cute when you eat.”
He rolls his eyes, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “You stare all the time.”
“You’re cute all the time,” I say matter-of-fact.
He shakes his head, biting down on his bottom lip in the process. Fuck me—I’m starving for him.
It’s New Year’s, and this is our first night alone since Alysa came over a week ago. I’m thrilled she’s here, but I’m also needy for my man.
“You ready to go?”
“Mhmm,” he hums, waving down the waitress.
I pay, and we head out to the truck. We’re about an hour from Maple Falls, in a town known for its outdoor activities. Downtown is packed tonight—they’re holding a midnight parade with fireworks.
I’d have taken him, but I’m being possessive and want him all to myself. Tonight especially, but truthfully, that’s how I feel every day. If I never had to share him again, I’d be happy. I know that isn’t realistic—we can’t lock ourselves in the cabin forever, tempting as that sounds.
“So, what’s the plan?” he asks as I turn onto a one-way road lined with trees. String lights hang all the way up, so we aren’t driving through the dark with just my headlights.
“You’ll see.” Pulling over, I flick on the cab light and reach under the bench seat. “Do you trust me?”
He nods without hesitation. “Always.”
I pull out a length of rope and a folded cloth. Undoing my seatbelt, I slide closer to him. “Lean forward. Hands behind your back, eyes closed.”
The way his neck flushes red, creeping up to his cheeks, has my cock stirring to life.
Slowly, he closes his eyes and tucks his hands behind him. I blindfold him first, then tie his wrists. “This is just to keep you from peeking. It’ll take me a moment to set things up.”
“I’d behave,” he says, shifting into a more comfortable position.
“You’d be tempted, sunshine. Anyone would be.”
I’m behind the wheel again, easing us back onto the road, driving farther down the path, past a small gate and a handful of campsites. The spot I’ve chosen is surrounded by mountains, trees pressing in, thick and endless. There’s no lake, but a frozen pond gleams faintly under the starlight. I remember reading on the website that people ice skate here, but we won’t be indulging tonight.
Tonight, I’ve got filthier plans.
Rolling up to the spot I rented for the evening, I pull the truck in and park, but keep it running. “I’ll leave the heater on and play some music so you can’t hear what’s happening.”
“You’re beingsocryptic…” He pauses, then grins. “I love it.”
I hum. “Hopefully you’ll love what I’m about to do, too.”
Tilting toward him, I take his chin and direct his face to mine. He leans in, already knowing what’s coming. I smile into the kiss—brief, teasing—before turning on the radio and slipping quickly out of the truck.
