Page 44 of Snug in Iceland
“I was being flippant. I’m sorry. I do like you Jonas, I have from the first time we met and all the time we’ve spent together has been wonderful.”
It felt so easy to be completely honest with him.
“But I’m scared about getting involved with you when I’m leaving next week.” She was scared because she knew it would never be enough time. It ought to be because it was too soon after Adam to start something new but it didn’t feel like something new. It felt like something that had been there all the time and the most natural thing in the world.
“It’s completely up to you, Rachel and I understand if you say no, but I think if we both feel the same, we could explore whatever that is while we can and after that, well, let’s worry about that later.”
Jonas squeezed her hand again and went to get another round from the bar.
“Let’s do it,” she said when he came back. “If I’ve learned anything from coming here it’s that life is out there and we should take every chance that comes our way.”
He smiled and clinked his glass against hers.
“To us. For as long as we can have,” he said.
Thinking about what might happen when it was time for her to go home was something that could wait until some other time.
“So, what will our next adventure be?” asked Jonas
“If by adventure you mean finding ourselves in mortal danger again, then count me out,” Rachel said, trying to sound serious.
“Oh, come on! That was the real Iceland, not many tourists are lucky enough to have that experience. It will be the best story you tell when you get home.”
“Well, I still haven’t seen the Northern Lights,” she pointed out.
“That’s true. We have to see the aurora. Next time it is a clear night we will go. We could have gone tonight, except now,” he said, gesturing to their drinks.
“Never mind. I’m sure there will be another chance.”
“Yes, even in winter there is a good chance of clear sky more than once in two weeks,” he said drily. “Let’s drink to that, Skál!”
The rest of the evening was light-hearted and good fun. After another gin and tonic each, they wandered back to the hotel. Jonas, ever chivalrous, kissed Rachel on the cheek but she took both of his hands in hers and kissed him gently on the lips.
“Thank you for tonight,” she whispered as they drew apart. He didn't say anything, just squeezed her hands and began to kiss her, properly. The pit of her stomach ached with longing and she kissed him more fiercely. His hand cupped the nape of her neck and gently drew her in closer if that was possible. Without saying anything to each other, a knowing look between them saying everything, they broke apart and still holding hands went into the hotel where she led him to her room.
They stood across the bed from each other, looking with intent and desire at one another as they peeled their various layers of clothing off in silence. Jonas knelt on the bed and held his hand out, beckoning her towards him. It was the first time she’d seen him naked. She knew he was toned from seeing him in his thermals when they were snowed in together but he was lean and subtly muscular probably from being so active rather than from going to the gym.
As Rachel made her way onto the bed, he laid her down beneath him and started gently kissing her face, not her lips, working his way down with feather-light kisses across her breasts, down her stomach then back to her breasts, teasing her until she had her fingers in his hair trying to bring his mouth to hers but he resisted and all she got were more kisses on her cheek. She nuzzled into his neck, arching herself towards him, feeling the hardness of him for the first time. He put his hands on her hips and took his kisses downwards, sending her to somewhere she hadn’t been for the longest time. She could feel the beautiful wave of pleasure starting to surge within her. At just the right moment, he slid upwards, filling her with the warmth and firmness that her body craved. They clung to each other, urgently pressing together as if they weren’t close enough, moving together as if they had made love a hundred times before and reaching the pinnacle at exactly the same moment.
It was complete perfection.
But it had also made everything a while lot harder for both of them.
23
RACHEL WOKE TO find Jonas lying on his side watching her.
“What are you doing?” she asked sleepily.
“I’m watching you sleep,” he smiled. “Not really, that soundsskrýtið.”
“I hope that means weird,” she said, turning to face him.
He grinned, telling her that she was right. “I was waiting for you to wake up,” he said. “Are you free today? I have an idea.”
He was so much perkier than she felt.
“What time is it?” She snuggled further under the duvet and wished he would do the same.
