Page 127 of Paradox
Both our attentions are drawn away to a male Franklin's Grouse that just flew down from the bottom branches of a giant subalpine fir.
Jin raises the barrel, moves his head into position, and waits.
I’d have taken the shot by now, but he’s so eerily focused.
Still not having seen us, the grouse moves closer. And as it makes its way to a winterberry shrub, Jin pulls the trigger.
With a reverberating bang, the bird falls to the compacted snow.
“Fuck, that was hot,” I say without meaning to as he stands up to collect his kill.
"I’m so gone,"I say to myself like a fucking simp as he walks back towards me, grouse in his hand like I didn’tjustteach him how to hunt.
“Here.” He tosses it beside me. “That’s one meal. How many more do you think we’re gonna need?”
The snow came, and it’s refusing to leave. It’s that vicious, imposing kind of relentless white that doesn’t seem to possess any intention of stopping.
It’s been days, but exactly how many, I don’t think I could tell you because they’ve all blurred into one. There’s no day or night. Hungry or full. There’s only being beside Eden, or feeling like part of my body is missing.
“Were you reading Danielle Steele?”
I look up from the latest book I’ve been reading and to my left where Eden is crouching in front of the bookshelf he made me. “Yeah. And maybe you should, too.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I smirk, "Oh, nothing,” then go straight back to a serious face like I’m really concentrating on the words in front of me.
Eden stands abruptly. “Listen here—”
“I will when you’ve got something good to say.”
Somewhat surprised, but also expecting a reaction, my sights follow the book as it’s swatted out of my hands and onto the adjacent side of the sofa. Standing myself, I attempt to retrieve it, but I’m pushed back onto the cushions just like I knew I would be.
“Stop ignoring me.”
From my position—pinned beneath him—I look at Eden with the most innocent expression I can. “I’m not.”
“Then tell me what you were talking about.”
“Hmmm.” I pretend to think. “It was nothing.”
He leans right down and talks so close I can feel his lips moving against mine. “I know you’re doing this on purpose.”
“But isn't that what you want?”
“No.”
I link my hands behind his neck. “I think it is.”
“Ah. Fuck you, you little prick,” he growls and kisses me. “You know I don’t actually care.”
“I just thought you could have gotten some tips, is all. Mom porn might give you some fresh new ideas.”
“You’re lucky I like you so much, or I’d throw you outside.”
“You sure you don’t want to? I’d enjoy the change in scenery.”
“Is that so?”
