Page 30 of Ice Melts

“But you weren’t there in the morning.” She leaned her head back up on his shoulder.

“No, I was having a hard time sleeping for some reason.” He groaned. “And so I snuck out when I knew I wouldn’t wake you.”

She sighed next to him and he would have given a lot to see the expression on her face. But he waited. Maybe she would say something.

“There are a lot of guys who would have taken advantage of that situation.”

He considered her words. “Maybe. But you wouldn’t have offered such an opportunity to any of them.” He nudged her.

“True, but really, you impress me, Travis.” She sat forward again. “But I’m not saying that means I never want us to um…you know…if the timing were right kind of thing.” Her face turned the brightest pink he’d ever seen it.

His smile grew and he soaked in her beauty, her tentative acceptance of him, all of it. “I’m not sure what’s talking here, the snowed in cabin, our growing up memories, or something funky you slipped into the cocoa, but I’ll take it all.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Sarah, I’m ready for something here. I’d like to give it a try, if you would.”

She shifted. “What does that mean?”

He groaned.

“What? Do you want to talk or not? You did bring it up you know.” She poked his shoulder.

“I know. I’m sorry. I just don’t have all the answers, Ok. And I’m afraid to tell you everything.”

“Afraid?” She opened her mouth to say more and then shut it, nodding. “That’s fair. I’m pretty terrified myself.”

He shook his head. “Now see, we just need to tell ourselves that we are the safest people we know. It’s going to be okay.”

“Better than ok.”

He nodded. “Yes, absolutely, the best ever thing. If we can just let it happen.” He studied her.

“And we keep ignoring the world.”

He closed his eyes. “Yes, and that.”

“Totally do-able.”

“You think?” His linked their fingers together in the most natural easy way.

“I do.”

And then she surprised him by sliding down onto the couch so that she was laying on her back. She pulled at the front of hissweatshirt, tugging him to follow her down. “Come on you. Let’s see what this is like.”

This time he didn’t resist the invitation. He lowered himself gently down mostly next to her, his arms holding his upper body above hers, his face hovering right near her face. “You. Are so beautiful.” He lowered his mouth to hers, as close as it was possible and said, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” Then he closed the distance softly, gently, carefully, tasting her lips. And he was lost. She was everything he’d been hoping. She responded immediately, lifting her head for more contact, for more, moving her mouth over his with a hunger that he completely matched. So thrilled to discover this secret she’d been hiding as well as he’d hid his own, he set about setting the record straight, telling her in every way he knew how that she was wanted and loved by him, but without words. They weren’t ready for words. He demanded the same of her, begged for, tugged, nibbled the same confessions in return, a soft groan, a demanding kiss, everything that said, “I love you too–without words.” He kissed her and loved her and played with her hair and held her close until he knew things would go further than he wanted on their first night together if he kept going. He slowed their kisses, lengthened their in-between-cuddles and eventually just created some space between them and said, “We’re going to have to do that again.”

She giggled into him. “You think so?”

He nodded, running his hand over her soft hair. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. After this, I will never ever get enough of you, ever.”

She nodded against him. They were tentative. He knew that. No words had yet been spoken, no promises, except physical ones. He had some catching up to do if he wanted anything really special with Sarah and if he wanted it to last, which he did.

The fire had long since settled into a soft glow, casting shadows on the log walls, but neither of them moved to add more wood. Wrapped in the comfort of shared warmth, Travis and Sarah stayed tangled on the couch, his fingers lazily combing through her hair, her head resting against his chest. The snowstorm outside had quieted to a gentle hush, the kind that blanketed the world in a silence that begged for secrets.

For a while, they just listened to the rhythm of each other’s breathing, hearts beating in quiet sync. But there was an energy buzzing between them now, something that went beyond the kisses they’d shared, beyond the years of friendship and hidden glances.

It was the need to truly know each other now like they had when they were younger.

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