Chapter Two
Imakethefirstmove.
The car door swings wide as the wind wrenches it from my grasp.
“Jesus!” I yelp as the whirling snow whips my face and clings to my jacket, which I hurriedly pull on.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Ethan’s question catches on the wind and is sent out into the abyss.
“I’m okay!” I yell back, steeling myself to get to that front door. We made it this far, and god damn it, I’m not turning back now.
I don my bobble hat, dip my head like a bull set to charge then barrel through the storm, not stopping until I reach the cabin steps.
Ethan calls out, “I’ll get the bags!” then casually strides to the back of the car, carving an easy path through the storm as if it’s nothing but a light breeze. God, I love that man.
I get to the base of the building and am forced to wade through the steadily rising snow to reach the first step. If it continues settling like this, we won’t even be able to see the car by the morning.
I shake my head, banishing the thought. But then I smile, chasing up the steps in my brand new snow boots. Would it be so bad if we got snowed in?
I reach the top deck and am instantly drawn to the warmth tucked behind the impossibly large windows. Huddling by the Christmas tree, I peer through to the perfectly cosy yet totally open-plan living space. I try the door handle, but it’s locked.
Shit. If Willow isn’t here …
I rap on the door and wait.
Moments later, Ethan sidles up behind me, his reflection eclipsing my own. He places both suitcases at our feet –because of course, typical man, he only makes the one journey, even if it means battling through a fucking blizzard with a hefty suitcase in each hand.
He wraps his burly arms around me, holding me tight, then dips his head to plant a kiss on my neck.
My breath fogs up the glass in front of us.
“Mmm.” I buzz with pleasure, closing my eyes and melting into the warmth of him, until— My eyes spring open. “I didn’t pack a scarf!”
Ethan chuckles, backing up then turning me to face him.
I simper as he adjusts the collar of my coat. Then he swiftly unwinds his scarf from around his neck and places it lovingly around my own.
He tips my chin up and presses his lips to mine, and before I know it I am lost in his deepening kiss, our hot breaths steaming into the cold storm as if we’re twin flames burning in the snow.
“Erm … Do you guys need a minute … or?”
We startle and break apart at the unfamiliar voice.
I didn’t even hear the door open.
My cheeks burn as I turn to find—
“Juniper, I take it?” Ethan recovers before I do.
“Yeah.” She grins and stands back. “Come in, come in! It’s fucking crazy out there!”
I dart inside. “You can say that again!”
Ethan grabs our luggage and shuts the door behind us, and in an instant a beautiful quiet settles over the room, the storm shut firmly outside.
I haven’t had a whole lot of contact with Willow since booking this place, but from her social media presence—and her politely formal and definitely not sweary emails—I pictured someone very put together. Someone older, wiser perhaps; someone who had their ducks in a row. Overall, an entirely different host to the one standing before us now.
Her blue eyes are sort of dazzling. I dip my gaze to stop from staring. Her chestnut brown hair falls in soft waves to just above her shoulders, and her fringe perfectly frames her face. Then there’s the septum ring. I very much doubt Willow would have a septum ring.
