Page 114 of The Heart of Winter

"Rider."

The conversation was embarrassing, but at the same time… exciting. The change in mood was so very welcome. From rather unpleasant to a bit technical, then to more playful?

I tilted my head slightly, almost slyly.

"So… are you volunteering to take a ride on my… uh… horse?"

Winter was struggling to hold back laughter, just like me. "Heat lasts a bit. You never know what mood we’ll be in."

For a moment, he seemed to be debating whether to say something. Then, suddenly, he added, "You know… I’m not overly experienced in this. I only bottomed for Finn before, and that wasn’t on a regular basis. In all the other relationships, it never happened."

For some reason, it didn’t surprise me, I wanted to know his explanation. "Can I ask why?"

Winter scratched his chin, his gaze drifting toward the cave’s entrance, where the sun was hiding behind the horizon.

His free left hand lifted, and he absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, which was tied back in a loose ponytail, though a few strands had come loose. It made him look far less stiff, polished, and formal than usual. Now he seemed more human, almost approachable.

"The people I was with just kind of… assumed I was a top. Finn was more of a top than a bottom. And we always clashed over that."

"So what do you prefer?"

Winter sighed. "It’s not about ‘preferring’. Both roles can be enjoyable. I think it’s about energy… about what feels right in a particular relationship. It just sort of happens naturally."

"I’d like to be inside you," I said, letting out my natural honesty.

I saw something flicker across Winter’s face, like a small twitch.

"Wow, you’re quite direct. But I like it, you…" he hesitated, "seem more real, more alive, with this openness."

I had no idea how to interpret it—a proxy confession that he liked me too? Maybe I shouldn’t get so ahead of myself. But there was something that needed to be cleared up.

"So… you’re saying no?"

"I’m not saying no," he murmured, not looking at me, his gaze fixed on the fast-moving stream.

A wave of heat rolled through me. Having him beneath me? Making him submit? Almost as tempting as submitting to him. I didn’t know what was more enticing. One thing was certain, I wanted to see his face when he came, lost in pleasure, dropping his guarded demeanor, position not important.

Along with this vision, I could feel the heat building inside me, like a tsunami gaining momentum.

"Alright… I think we really should try to bathe. But first, maybe we should eat something? I’m getting kinda hungry. Heat’s gonna drain a lot of energy."

Winter nodded.

We grabbed the last two fruit bars and opened a can, splitting its contents in half. Luckily, the nuts were relatively filling.

Once we finished eating, in complete silence, I handed him half a piece of chewing gum I’d found in the toiletry bag of that older omega. I had one more in my bag, along with a box of mints. He took it with a small nod, and I could tell he appreciated the gesture.

Just to be sure, I also took another painkiller.

"So… should we get undressed? The big reveal, huh? You’ll probably have to help me get my pants off."

I gestured toward my injured leg. Winter scratched his chin.

"I’ll have to untie the splint first. There’s no way I can get your pants off with these sticks in the way."

"Um. That’s probably… not a great idea, removing the support?"

He hesitated for a moment.

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