Page 55 of All We Need

My hand drops to rest on hers. “I’mnot sureIcan, unless you give me reason to.Doyou not have an answer, or do you not want to share it with me?”

Give me something, you stubborn, stunning creature.

Maybe it’s the confines of this tiny cabin and the proximity we’ve been forced into.Whateverit is,Iwant to crack her wide open to see all the beautiful, dangerous, secretive thoughts she keeps inside spill out.Iimagine it would reveal bold colors and moody strokes, like the paintings she creates.

Her lack of response leaves the air between us void of color.

She slips her hand out from under mine, spine going taut and eyes narrowing.Icurse myself for pushing her too far.

IfIwere to venture a guess, her reluctance to open up has nothing to do with me, but trust.SomethingIdon’t think she gives out freely.

And suddenly,I’mdesperate to earn it.

She stands and returns to her book beforeIcan change the subject.Thepages flutter open as she cracks the spine.

With the snow having stopped,Iescape and clear my truck before the sun sets.Aly’scar is a short walk down the hill, andIclear it enough to drive it up to the cabin.Forevery secondIsit in her car and breathe in her intoxicating perfume, the angrierIbecome thatIdidn’t get a taste.Fuck,I’dwitnessed her spread out delectably, watched her come undone, came in my pants, and we didn’t even kiss.

Thank god it looks like we can leave soon, otherwise the temptation to press my lips to hers will drive me into a frenzy.

“Good news,”Icall asIenter the cabin and shake the snow from my boots. “Weshould be out of here by tomorrow evening.”

Silence greets me.

My head snaps around, searching.

It doesn’t take me long to find her.

Standing at the floor-to-ceiling window,Alyis wrapped in a white fluffy towel, hair hanging heavy as it drips onto the floor.HadIreturned minutes earlier, would she have been hidden under a cascade of bubbles?

Pale skin flushed from the hot water, and face bare of makeup, she looks out at the wintery landscape.Thewhite glare of the snow through the glass has her appearing gossamer.LikeifIreached out and touched her, she’d float away.

All the more reason to hold her.

JesusChrist, what is happening?

I need a stiff drink.

Or an intervention.

Coughing,Iavert my gaze. “Ican give you some space if you want,”Isay, louder this time.

She spins, lips parted as if she forgot she wasn’t alone.

“Oh, no.It’sfine.Sorry, thoughtI’dtake advantage of thetub while you were out.Thanksfor moving my car.”Shetugs at the towel. “Sotomorrow?”

“As long as the storm doesn’t return, the roads should be safe.”Istep closer until our shoulders are inches apart. “I’dfeel better ifIdrove you back into town.Ican bring you to get your car afterChristmasor take you to the airport.”

“I don’t thinkI’llmake it back in time.”Thesadness in her voice digs into my sternum.

Is she close to her family likeIam with mine?

Not wanting to rub salt in the wound,Ipoint to a tall conifer overshadowing the cabin. “Seethat tree?Mybrothers andIdared each other to climb it one year.Imade it about fifteen feet beforeIfell, smack into the snow, and snapped my clavicle.”

Her airy laugh bounces off the glass. “Yourpoor parents.Howthe heck did they handle three unruly boys?”

I puff out my chest. “Oh, this was three years ago.Iwas a big, brave boy.Didn’teven cry.”

“Oh my god.”She’sfull on belly laughing now, bent at the waist as she tries to catch her breath.

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