Page 10 of Desiring Destiny

“Do you trust me?” I ask Destiny, nearly shouting to be heard over the storm.

“Despite evidence to the contrary, yes, I trust you, Griffin.”

Her answer makes me grin, which feels so damn good after a tense search and rescue. “Good, sweetheart. That’s good. I’m going to take us somewhere warm to wait until the worst of the weather passes.”

I glance at the satellite GPS attached to the snowmobile and get my bearings. There’s an old ranger’s cabin nearby from before the land was purchased for the resort. We’ve kept it stocked with blankets, clothes, food, water, and all kinds of emergency supplies for just an occasion like this.

Less than two minutes later, we’re pulling up to the cabin which is almost entirely covered in snow. I bundle Destiny up in the Mylar emergency blanket and tuck her into my side before grabbing the travel-sized shovel attached to the side of the snowmobile.

I dig my way through the snow and up to the cabin, clearing a path for Destiny to follow. The door is unlocked and I push my way inside, ushering in my woman behind me. I’m in survival mode at this point. My only goal is to warm Destiny up and make sure she’s not injured or frost-bitten.

The small fireplace already has dry logs in place as well as a box of matches and kindling sitting nearby. I remember setting everything up at the beginning of the season like I do every year. The goal is to have the fire all ready to go in less than a minute. While I don’t love the circumstances that brought me out here, I’m pleased to know everything works.

I remember the two-way radio set up in the kitchen and I take a second to turn it on and make contact with the lodge. Mrs. Reinhold answers and I update her on my location and the situation with Destiny. She lets me know the storm will be over in an hour and the resort will be shoveled later in the evening, so we should plan to come back in the morning.

With that settled, I turn my attention back to Destiny.

“Strip down,” I order as I start peeling my own clothes off. Destiny’s wide blue eyes capture mine, her mouth dropping as I tear off my sweater and long-sleeved undershirt. “Gotta get you warmed up,” I offer as an explanation. Her gaze slowly slides down my bare chest, then drops to where my hands are undoing my belt. “Come on, Destiny, skin-to-skin is the quickest way to transfer body heat.”

She snaps into action, tossing her soggy hat and gloves aside and stripping off her jacket and other outer layers. I leave on just my boxer briefs and grab a giant wool blanket from the basket next to the fireplace, placing it on the couch before sitting and opening up my arms for Destiny.

I try not to look at her generous curves and creamy skin on display in just her bra and panties, but I’m only so strong. Thankfully, she crawls up next to me without any prompting, and I wrap the blanket around us before adjusting her so she’s straddling me.

Is this a compromising position? Yes. Is it a monumental struggle of willpower not to touch her everywhere and give in to the lustful thoughts I've had about her for days now? Also, yes. But it's necessary for her survival, so I'll put my dirty desires away for the moment and focus on Destiny's safety first.

“I’ve got you,” I say softly. “You’re safe now. Just let me warm you up. That’s it. I’ve got you.” I continue whispering soothing words while spreading my hands out over her back and pressing her closer to me. When she stops shivering, I finally ask the question that’s been on my mind since I realized she was missing. “Why did you go out skiing on your own?”

6

DESTINY

Iknew this question was coming but I haven’t thought of a satisfying answer yet. Truthfully, I’m still reeling from everything - the disastrous attempt at skiing alone, the realization of being lost on a mountain during a blizzard, and then the absolute relief when Griffin showed up only a few minutes later.

“I… I, um, I…” I take a cleansing breath and try again. “I’m sorry,” I finally say, nuzzling into the side of my savior’s neck. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way out here to save me. I’m sorry I was stupid and didn’t tell anyone what I was doing. I’m sorry for everything,” I finish pitifully.

Griffin continues to hold me, his hands stroking up and down my back as he heats my core with his own warm body. “There’s no need to apologize, sweetheart,” he soothes. “None of that was an answer to my question, by the way.”

I sigh and lift my head up, peering into those green irises I’ve been dreaming of the last several nights. I don’t have a good answer but I somehow find the words anyway. “I needed to prove myself to… I don’t even know anymore. My grandma? You? Myself? I think I wanted to show everyone I’m not a coward.”

“Sweetheart…”

“It was dumb and risky and obviously I failed miserably, but–”

“Hey now,” Griffin says in a stern but kind tone. “First of all, you’re not a failure. You’re not dumb, and you’re certainly not a coward. I’m not mad at you, Destiny. I was worried sick when I realized where you ran off to, but I was never upset with you.”

"You have every right to be," I tell him. "I got caught up in my head about wanting to go on an adventure and I felt like I was playing it safe by taking private lessons with you. I put myself in danger and made you brave the storm just to come to rescue me."

I look away from Griffin, but he cups my chin and draws my attention back to him. “I willalwaysbe the one to rescue you, whether from the snow or from the tangled mess of emotions you’re dealing with. I want to be the one who grounds you and keeps you safe. I can’t do that if you don’t let me in.”

I nod, still not believing he found me so fast and that he still is so sweet and caring even after I made a fool out of myself.

“My grandma was my best friend,” I whisper, giving him more of my story. “She was always in good health… until she wasn’t. She…” I hiccup, holding back the emotion threatening to crack my voice. “She didn’t tell anyone about her colon cancer diagnosis. It wasn’t until she collapsed in the bathroom one day that I knew anything was wrong at all. By the time she was rushed to the ER, she had already slipped into a coma. She never woke up.”

“Destiny,” Griffin rasps, his green eyes searching mine. “I’m so sorry. That must have been traumatic. Were you the one who found her in the bathroom?” I nod, blinking back tears. “Oh, sweet girl. I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

He presses a kiss on my cheeks and forehead.

“I can’t help but think… What if she didn’t tell me because she thought I couldn’t handle it? What if she thought I was too weak and shy to take care of her when she needed me the most? If I had been braver and bolder, she might have told me and I could have convinced her to get treatment. What if it’s all my fault?”

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