“Gotta keep up with what my girl likes.”
Once we arrive at the hotel, the world is blanketed in thick piles of snow. I check over my stock packed up in the back while he texts Dad and gets our bags.
“It’ll be okay out here overnight,” he says.
“You’re right.”
The room is nothing fancy. It’ll do as shelter from the storm tonight. After setting our bags down, Cole’s arms slip around my waist from behind.
“Should I put a pillow wall between us?” He kisses my cheek. “Or lay down some ultimatum about not touching each other?”
I play along. “Don’t look into it if you wake up with me snuggled against you. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“We can’t fight these feelings,” he rasps, imitating the narrator for the hero. “I can’t resist you anymore. I need you, even if it’s only for tonight.”
I spin in his embrace, winding my arms around his neck. “I’m glad I get you for more than one night.”
“I’m not going anywhere. You get me forever.”
I play with his hair and kiss his jaw. “Then that’s how long I’m holding on.”
“Good, because I mean it.”
A chill wracks me. “I’m going to warm up in the shower.”
“I’ll join you.”
We strip down in comfortable silence. Steam fills the bathroom by the time we step in. The hot spray feels good against my muscles. Cole helps by massaging me until I’m pliant.
“How are you feeling?”
“Okay. I wish this didn’t happen, but I’m hoping we can make it tomorrow at least.”
“I know it sucks right now, but this isn’t a setback. It’s like I say to the guys after a loss, you just keep going. That’s how you turn it around. And you will, Evie.”
I trace water droplets on his skin as he caresses my back. “You always know what to say to get my gremlin brain to stop being such a jerk to me.”
“Because I love you,” he says simply.
My heart skips a beat. Hearing him say it stokes an ember that echoes throughout me. I meet his warm gaze.
“I love you, too,” I murmur.
He presses a smile to my wet hair. “I know.”
“You do?”
“You’re always showing me. The things you make for me, or when you bought me that dog figurine. How you melt against me when I have you in my arms. The way you smile at me is different. Like you’re so happy you can’t contain it.”
I nuzzle into him. He’s been telling me he loves me the same way, with his caring gestures like checking in to remind me to eat and always needing to touch me in some way.
His caress skims up my spine. I match him, shifting closer. His arms lock around me.
It’s more about intimacy and our connection than seeking anything out of it other than enjoying being pressed together with nothing between us.
“Thank you for being you,” I say against his shoulder.
He responds by holding me tighter.
