Page 3 of Snowy Secrets

It's not just what he says, it'showhe says it. I feel like I've melted into a puddle, like everything else is a dizzy mess, and his arms are the only thing holding me together. The song ends, and he pulls me close, his lips brushing against my ear. "Thank you for the dance, Bella."

"Wait," I whisper back, tracing a circle on his chest tentatively. "Do you…do you want…" My words die in my throat.

"Yes?" His tone is low, sweet, thrilling.

"There's a little gazebo not too far from here. Would you like to walk with me?"

I half-expect him to refuse. Dad is inside the house, regaling guests with one of his many interesting war-time stories. We have the run of the place, but I'm not sure River shares my penchant for wild fun. To my surprise, he offers me a little nod. Minutes later, I walk away from the party, maintaining a respectful distance from him. My footsteps are light, and my heart beats quickly, knowing he's following me.

The gazebo is a cozy little spot, beautifully lit and slightly secluded from the main party. Twinkling fairy lights cast a soft glow over the snow-dusted structure, nestled among towering pines, their branches heavy with fresh frost. Icicles hang from the roof, glistening like diamonds in the soft light. Inside, plush blankets and cushions are strewn about. I sit down on one of the benches, the cold seeping through my dress.

"Mind if I join you?" River's voice breaks the silence, and I look up to see him standing at the entrance of the gazebo, his hands tucked into his coat pockets.

Heat erupts through me. I motion for him to sit. He joins me, and for a moment, we just sit there in comfortable silence, watching the snowflakes drift lazily to the ground.

"This place is beautiful," he finally says, his voice soft.

"It is," I agree, shifting so my face is turned to him. "It's like a little slice of magic."

River moves closer, his knee brushing against mine. "Bella, there's something I need to tell you," he says, his voice suddenly hoarse.

"What is it?" I ask, my breath catching in my throat.

He reaches out, gently cupping my cheek with his hand. "I can't stop thinking about you, ever since I laid my eyes on you at that party two weeks ago. And tonight…seeing you here, like this…"

I feel my heart racing, his words sinking into me like a sweet melody. "River…"

Before I can finish, he leans in, his lips capturing mine in a kiss. It's passionate and intense, filled with the longing that has been building between us. His hand slides to the back of my neck, pulling me closer as our mouths move in perfect harmony. I melt into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I lose myself in the kiss. The rest of it happens just as it would in a perfect romance.

My hands undress him, and his find their way through the soft fabric of my dress, seeking until they touch the heated, wet spot that is aching for him. Moments later, his hardness is buried inside me, and I am on his lap, moving in tandem with his thrusts, whispering his name in his ear as his eyes burn into mine and his desire courses through me in a river of stiff, hot need. It is everything I thought it would be.

I orgasm faster than I ever thought I would. He calls out my name quietly as his thrusts become increasingly fast. My nails dig into his back, and I bite down on his shoulder as he joins me in tumbling over the edge. As he finishes, I hold on for dear life, raising my head so I can look into his eyes once more. They’re an ocean of midnight blue. Damn Millie for being right.

This is more than a crush. It's clear as day. This is the kind of thing you get to experience once in a lifetime. I smile slightly as he shivers in my arms. I'm not about to tell him what's going on in my head. That would ruin the intrigue of it all, make me seem needy and silly.

"What are you thinking?" he asks as he helps me climb off him and picks up my coat.

"Nothing." I smile and point to the house in the distance. "I'm thinking we should go back and get some food before it all vanishes."

He dips his head like a chivalrous knight. "Your wish is my command."

We get up, and River helps me put on my coat. He takes my hand so we can walk together, just for a little while. Once the house is close enough, we separate. I watch him go in first, to where my dad sits in the living room with his buddies from service gathered around him. He sees River approach and waves at him to come closer. I watch the two of them laugh about something.

I'm not okay with this being a one-time thing. His eyes land on mine, and he smiles. I think he feels the same way.

2

RIVER

Six months later

I run my hand through my hair for the hundredth time, my feet wearing a path in my backyard as I circle.Fuck.

My chest aches, and I jam a knuckle against it, stopping beside a white Rhododendron bush. It smells sickly sweet and spicy without Bella's scent attached to it. Her vibrant green eyes flash in my head, her freckled nose scrunching as she smiles. God, I love her smile.

Another wrench twists in my chest. I love her. And the realization couldn't come at a worse time. My team is about to deploy overseas on a mission that I can't exactly tell her about. I can't even tell her dad about it, but I can hint enough for him to understand.

I start pacing again. My hand is in my hair, and I squeeze the strands. The small pain relieves so many others right now. How did I get myself into this position? I'm in love with my best friend's daughter like some pervert. It doesn't matter that she's in her twenties, that we're not that different in age. There isn’t a decade between us or anything.

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