Page 10 of Flames of Desire

“Guess I never took no for an answer,” I replied, my voice equally soft.

Our eyes met, and my breath hitched. I looked away, the intensity of the moment almost too much to bear.

Alex picked up the remote and started flicking through the channels. “What do you want to watch?” he asked, his voice softer now.

I thought for a moment, trying to focus on something other than how close we were. “Anything light, maybe a comedy?”

“Comedy it is,” he said, stopping on a movie that looked promising. As the opening credits rolled, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. The flickering light from the TV played across his features, highlighting the strong lines of his face.

We settled in and watched the movie. I kept stifling my laughter at the scenes, but Alex had such a wholesome laugh. The rich, deep baritone of his voice kept sending shivers down my spine, and I repeatedly had to steel myself to stop from inching even closer to him.

Suddenly, the lights went off, and the cabin immediately became dark. My heart quickened, unsure of what was happening, but Alex groaned in frustration, and he pulled out his phone from his pocket, turning the flashlight on.

“I'll go check the breaker in the back and see if I can get the lights back on,” he said, his voice calm but determined.

“Okay, just... be careful,” I replied, my voice a bit shaky, hoping he didn't notice.

With that, he wriggled out of the fort and disappeared, leaving me in the darkness. I checked my phone and found out that it was barely noon. Yet, because of the snowstorm outside, the cabin was dark and empty. I glanced at the fireplace, grateful for the fire that kept us warm.

Minutes later, Alex reappeared, his flashlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.

"Looks like the power's out indefinitely," he said, sounding more frustrated than worried. "I couldn't get it back on."

"Oh, great," I muttered, trying to process the new information. "So, what do we do now?"

He paused, then a slow smile spread across his face. "I found quite a few candles in the cupboard. We could light them up for now."

"Alright," I said, not wanting to stay in the fort alone. "I'll help."

We got to work, lighting candles around the cabin. Alex handed me a box of matches, and as I struck one, the tiny flame flared and then steadied. One by one, we placed candles on every available surface—the kitchen counter, the coffee table, and the mantel.

The warm, flickering glow seemed to transform the cabin, casting everything in a soft, golden hue. The shadows danced on the walls, and the light made the wooden beams and rustic furniture look even cozier, creating an intimate ambiance that made my heart flutter.

As we placed the last candle on the mantle, I couldn't help but feel the butterflies beginning to fill my stomach. The cabin looked like something out of a romantic vacation brochure. The kind you'd see in a magazine and daydream about, never thinking you'd actually be there.

As Alex rummaged through a cupboard, his eyes lit up, and he pulled out a deck of cards. But then, as if struck by a sudden idea, he set the cards aside and turned to me with a mischievous grin.

"How about something a bit more interesting?" he suggested, eyes twinkling with excitement.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

"Truth or dare," he declared, the words hanging in the air between us.

I laughed, the sound echoing in the cozy cabin. "Truth or dare? Are we twelve?"

He leaned in, a playful glint in his eye. "Come on, it’ll be fun. Besides, it’s better than staring at a blank TV screen."

I considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, you're on. But no crazy dares."

He chuckled. "Deal."

We settled back down in the fort, the dim candlelight casting a faint glow over our makeshift haven. The fire crackled softly in the background, and the storm outside raged on, but inside, it was just us. Alex took a deep breath, clearly plotting his first move.

"Alright, I'll go first," he said, his voice low and teasing. "Go ahead and ask me."

“Truth or dare?” I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Alex grinned, leaning forward. "Dare."

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