AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shared breath and skin on skin sensation, the intimacy of the moment was a silent promise, an unspoken understanding that whatever came next, we would face it together.
Lying there in the aftermath, our bodies tangled and sated, I found my mind racing, already contemplating what could be next for us. The cabin, filled with the sounds of shared passion only moments before, was silent. I could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing, a lullaby that grounded me in the moment. Beside the bed, on her blanket, a sleeping Sadie snored gently.
Jude was curled into my side, her body warm against mine. I traced idle patterns on her skin, her sighs of contentment echoing in the silent room. Our shared intimacy was a tangible thing, wrapping around us like a comforting blanket.
As the seconds ticked by, the future loomed large. We had fallen into an easy rhythm in the cocoon of the cabin, away from the pressures and expectations of the outside world. We had found a connection neither of us had expected. So much uncertainty swirled around what was going to happen when we stepped back into real life.
I wondered if she was thinking the same. I wanted to reassure her, to promise that what we had shared in the cabin wouldn't end the moment we left. But would I be able to keep such a promise? I had my own demons, and a past that I wasn't sure I could overcome.
There was a fragility to the silence that surrounded us, as if acknowledging the reality of our situation would shatter the magic of the moment. As the minutes ticked by, I found myself wishing for more time, more time in this little bubble where it was just the two of us.
Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I cleared my throat. "Jude?" My voice felt like an intrusion, shattering the peaceful stillness of the room.
She hummed in response, her fingers tracing my chest, grounding me. It was a simple gesture, but at that moment it was everything. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.
"About what comes next..."
She placed her finger on my lips in response.
“Later. Right now, let’s just enjoy… well, thenow.”
We kissed, sealing a silent agreement, that whatever would come next, would come.
Chapter 11
Jude
Iheaved another shovelful of snow away from my SUV, my muscles screaming in protest. The workout was intense, more grueling than any Pilates workout I’d done before. Tony worked beside me, his face set in concentration as he diligently cleared the snow, his breath coming out in visible puffs in the chilly air. There was something incredibly attractive about his focused determination.
Sadie, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. My playful black lab was bounding around in the snow, her tail wagging so hard it seemed to propel her through the fluffy mounds of white. She would disappear into the woods nearby, only to reemerge moments later with her nose covered in snow and her eyes sparkling with joy.
A pang of guilt surged through me as I watched her. She deserved more than the small, confined yard at my house, more than the brief walks around the neighborhood. I could see the happiness in her eyes, the pure joy of exploration and freedom. She was a creature of nature, and I had confined her to an artificial environment.
I made a silent vow to myself then and there that I would take Sadie on longer walks, letting her explore and sniff to her heart's content. I would take her to one of the state parks where she could run and play freely, far away from the confining concrete mazes of our neighborhood.
My hands were starting to go numb from the cold, but I continued to dig. The sun was shining brightly, the snow melting ever so slowly in its warmth. The storm had left a pristine blanket of sparkling white in its wake. Everything looked fresh, untouched, and full of possibilities. A fitting metaphor, I thought, for whatever lay ahead for Tony and me.
Finally, the last shovelful of snow was tossed aside. I straightened, rolling my shoulders to relieve the tension, and surveyed our handiwork. My SUV was free at last, the promise of the world beyond the cabin within reach once more.
I glanced back at the cabin, the warm light spilling from its windows promising comfort and refuge. I had found more than shelter from a storm there. I had found a connection, a spark that I hadn't anticipated but now didn't want to let go.
I looked at Tony, his cheeks flushed from the cold, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he looked at the cleared path. Whatever the future held for us, I was ready to face it. The storm had passed, and now it was time to explore the beautiful aftermath it had left behind.
Tony's arms encircled me, pulling me close to his warmth. I was already missing him, the cabin, the incredible closeness we'd shared during the last few days. His lips brushed against mine in a soft, lingering kiss, the tenderness in it tugging at my heart.
"I won't forget your promise," he said, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "We'll be celebrating your new job before you know it."
A hopeful flutter stirred in my chest at his words. "I hope so," I replied, letting my hand slide down his arm to squeeze his reassuringly.
"Sadie," I called, turning to my beloved lab. Sadie immediately perked up at the sound of her name and trotted over to us. She pushed her head against Tony's legs, wagging her tail enthusiastically. The sight brought a smile to my face. My ex-husband, Andrew, had never managed to elicit such affection from Sadie. She had always been lukewarm toward him at best, as if she’d always known what kind of man he was deep down.
"That's new," I mused aloud, my gaze softening as I watched Sadie. "She never did that with Andrew."
Tony stared at me, his brow crinkling in surprise. "Andrew?" he echoed, tilting his head like a curious puppy.
“My ex-husband.”
"I had no idea you had been through the whole ‘until death do us part’ trauma."
