Eve laughed. Surely there was something more entertaining for Aspen to do than watch her wander around with her camera. “You really want to watch me take pictures?” When Aspen nodded, she asked, “Why?”
Aspen pursed her lips shyly and lifted her right shoulder in a small, lopsided shrug. “I want to see the world the way you do.”
Eve’s stomach fluttered as she drank in the warm, open honesty that softened Aspen’s voice and shone in her beautiful brown eyes. That was, beyond a doubt, the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her. Her hands trembled as she carefully set her camera bag onto the snowmobile seat before she stepped into Aspen and captured her lips in a kiss that she hoped conveyed just how touched she was. Her eyes drifted shut at the heavenly feeling of Aspen’s arms wrapping around her waist to hold her tight, and she looped her arms around Aspen’s neck as she surrendered to the perfection of the moment and melted into her. One kiss became two, three, four, each somehow deeper and more electric than the last, and while the view might have been breathtaking, it was Aspen who left her literally breathless.
She blinked her eyes open slowly as their kisses slowed to a string of gentle, lingering pecks. “My god.”
“Indeed,” Aspen hummed, her eyes crinkling with her smile. “I’m definitely not complaining, but can I ask what brought that on?”
Eve kissed Aspen again softly. “You did.”
“But…” Aspen’s brow pinched slightly as her eyes swept over Eve’s face. “I didn’t do anything.”
It was clear Aspen meant it, and affection bloomed in Eve’s chest as she shared, “You said you want to see what I see.”
“Well, yeah, but—”
Eve silenced her with a kiss. “I’ve never been with anyone who was actually interested in my art.”
“Oh, my beautiful girl,” Aspen exhaled. Tears sprang to Eve’s eyes at the emotion in Aspen’s voice, and there was no holding them back when Aspen continued ardently, “Of course I’m interested in your art. It’s part of who youare. And I am fascinated by you.”
Eve’s voice trembled as she whispered, “Yeah?”
Aspen nodded. “Very much.” She sniffed and pressed a kiss to Eve’s forehead before pulling her into a crushing embrace. “God, you have no idea.”
Eve buried her face in the crook of Aspen’s neck as the conviction in Aspen’s words settled inside her chest, warming her from the inside out. She’d never felt more seen and appreciated in her life.I wish I could keep you.
Though she knew she hadn’t spoken the wish aloud, part of her wondered if Aspen heard it all the same, because Aspen slid a hand up her spine to press between her shoulder blades as if trying to push their hearts together. Or, at least, that’s how it felt to her, as hers swelled until it strained mightily against her ribs.
“I’m fascinated by you, too,” Eve confessed.
A puff of laughter caught in Aspen’s throat. “That’s really good.” She ducked her head to kiss over Eve’s forehead, and when she pulled away, her expression overflowed with tenderness. “Because I’d hate to be in this alone.”
“You’re not,” Eve whispered.
A beatific smile lit Aspen’s face, and she chuckled wryly as she said, “I’m gonna need you to stop saying stuff that makes me want to kiss you, okay? Because otherwise you’re never gonna take any pictures.”
Eve laughed. “You started it.”
“Me?” Aspen’s eyes danced with laughter. “You kissed me first.”
Eve marveled at the ease with which the mood shifted from deep and emotional to light and playful. The change could have been jarring—should have been, really—but it wasn’t. Like everything else with Aspen, it simply felt like the most natural thing in the world. “Because you said the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“What can I say?” Aspen smiled. “I guess you just bring it out of me.” She dropped a light kiss to the tip of Eve’s nose before stepping away and lifting her arms in acome on, alreadygesture. “Will you teach me how to take pictures some time?”
Eve shook her head fondly at Aspen’s playfulness. “Yeah. I’d love to.”
“So, I’m realizing that I’ve never asked,” Aspen started as Eve unzipped her camera bag. “But, like, what’s your thing? I mean, I know Lydia said something about a volcano, and you mentioned orcas and the northern lights, but… Are you a nature photographer?”
Eve considered how to answer Aspen’s question as she unscrewed the protective cover from the back of her favorite utility lens. “Sometimes. I don’t actually have athing,” she shared as she snapped the lens into place. She draped the camera strap over her neck and, as she turned to look at Aspen, explained, “I just photograph whatever catches my eye.”
“Whatever catches your eye…” Aspen echoed as a mischievous smirk spread across her lips. “Is that, like, artist speak for nudes?” She waggled her eyebrows. “Do you take pictures of naked women, Eve?”
Eve huffed a laugh, and shook her head at the way Aspen’s smirk morphed into a full-blown grin.Yeah, well, two can play this game.“Is that your way of offering to model for me?”
A measure of pride mixed with surprise flashed across Aspen’s face at the quip, but she recovered quickly. “I mean… It’sa little cold, so we’ll need to be quick.” She tugged the zipper on her jacket down below her breasts. “But I’m game if you are.”
“Oh my god, Aspen,” Eve snorted. “No.”
