AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thankfully, when I get up the next day, there are enough coals left from my fire that I don’t need to start a whole new one. All I need to do is put a couple of small logs on top, blow some air, and it’s burning again.
Breakfast consists of eggs and toast I bought on my way to the cabin yesterday. I cook the eggs on the wood stove, just for the novelty of it, even though the cabin has a kitchen and electricity. It makes me feel rustic.
Then I drive out to town to buy some winter clothes. I’m not used to driving in the snow, or on rural roads like this, but the truck handles it well.
“I’m looking for cold-weather gear,” I tell the employee who greets me as I enter the sporting goods store.
“I can imagine,” she chuckles, glancing me over. “You must be freezing. Where are you visiting from?”
“Bo—Boise, Idaho,” I tell her, correcting myself quickly from sayingBover City. I’m sure it would be fine either way. But there’s no sense giving more information than is necessary.
When I leave the store, I’m bundled up with a big ski jacket, warm gloves, a scarf, a hat, and a pair of new snow boots.
Alessandro wouldn’t even recognize me under all this gear.
I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of it.He isn’t coming, Ava.Stop trying to convince yourself he cares about you.
And even if he does come, there’s no guarantee his feelings will be any different than they were before.
Wait, is that him?
My eyes land on someone in the distance wearing a dark jacket. His broad shoulders certainly remind me of Alessandro. Is he looking at me? It sureseemslike he’s looking at me. I don’t know if I want to go closer, or to run away.
I settle for walking slowly back to my rental truck, giving ample opportunity for the figure to approach me. He doesn’t. Sighing, I throw my bag of purchases into the back seat and search my phone for a coffee shop to hunker down for the afternoon.
***
90 minutes later, the snow is falling harder outside. I realize that if I don’t head back to the cabin soon, it’s going to be dark, and I’ll be driving through thicker snow than I’m comfortable with. So I pack up my stuff, thank the barista, and go back to my truck.
I picked the right time. The weather is getting more intense, and there don’t seem to be many people on the streets now. It feels like a storm is brewing. As Iexit the city proper and get onto the rural road that leads to the cabin, the flurrying snow gets thicker, sticking to the pavement. I slow down, worried about losing traction and spinning out.
By the time I near the cabin, I’m in a full-on snowstorm. I drive as slowly as I can, breathing a sigh of relief as I see the structure getting bigger in the distance. When I park, I take a moment, breathing heavily. That was some sketchy driving. I’m lucky I left Fairbanks when I did.
At least I have snow gear. The way the weather is looking, something tells me I won’t be driving anytime soon.
***
That night, I lie awake in bed, watching the snow fall. I can hear the wind outside, and see the flakes in the moonlight flurrying outside the window. It's peaceful. The fire has died down, but the cabin is still warm. I probably won’t be able to get to town tomorrow, but I have at least a week's worth of supplies with me here, maybe more.
Under the covers, my hand slides between my legs. I haven't come in days, not since my last time with Alessandro. As my fingers circle my clit, I can't help but picture my husband, even though at this point, the memory is more bitter than sweet. His last words to me left such an ache in my stomach. But it's hard to fully accept that he meant them. There were too many signs, too many looks, too many moments. Too many things that indicated he had feelings.
If I felt what I felt, I can't believe it only went in one direction.
Right?
My mind flashes to theone scenario that truly does scare me. What if hedoescome to claim me, and there's no more warmth in his heart? What if he never changes, but he also never lets me go?
Squeezing my eyes shut, I do my best to perish the thought. He feltsomethingfor me, even if he doesn't want to admit it to himself. Hehadto. And if I'm wrong, well, I'll escape from him again. I'm good at that. I'll be prepared next time. Not so easy to catch.
Escape. Our time on the island looms fresh in my mind, especially the utter, deep loss of control he created after he caught me the second time. I was completely under his power then, with no agency of my own.
Fuck, something about that felt so free.
As my orgasm approaches, I imagine asking my husband for permission, and him making me beg. Finally, he grants it, and I tumble headfirst over the edge, pussy throbbing against my fingers.
Sadness hits me as my climax fades. What I just came to, I might never have again. If Alessandro can't show me that I matter to him, I won't be begging him for anything, whether he tracks me down or not.
***
