The Winner Is Love

  Chapter 10

  They sat on the couch watching the fire crackle. Both of them slipping in and out of sleep. The warmth of the fire and the baths had made them pleasantly relaxed. When Stacy woke up, the light was quickly fading in the room. The sun was going behind the mountain. She stood up and stretched. Slade looked up and noticed the waning light.

  “I’m starving. I definitely will have to do some major working out after this trip.” He got up and headed to the kitchen. They found the dinners that were premade. “I think if we transfer them to metal pans we can warm the pasta and vegetables. Put the slices of pie on plates in front of the fire.”

  “Ok, you get the pans and I’ll get our drinks.” Stacy walked to the cabinet, thinking about the fact that they were headed toward night and bedtime. She shook her head and tried to clear that thought. “I’m going to run upstairs to the rest room. I’ll be back in a moment.” She knew she needed the cool air.

  While she was gone, he found tapered candles and matches. He set up a candlelight dinner in front of the fire. When Stacy came back down, the den was transformed into a romantic little bistro.

  Slade held out her chair and she sat down. He sat down across from her. They ate their salads and waited for the main course to get warm. It was delicious and the pie would melt in your mouth. They were quiet during the meal. It was as though no conversation was needed. They kept looking at one another. The looks were heated and full of desire. This was going to be a long night.

  They cleared their dishes and moved the small table back to the dining area. She sat down on the hearth and enjoyed the warmth. Then she heard soft music. She turned to see he had an mp3 player sitting on the table.

  “I thought we could use some entertainment. Would you care to dance?” He held out his hand and Stacy walked into his arms. They danced slowly in front of the fire. It would have been apparent to anyone looking in at them that they were totally aware of each other and nothing else. Slade held her close to his body as they swayed to the music. It was torture, but he would endure it. His body was so tightly wound that he thought he might explode.

  Her head lay on his shoulder. The feel of his body against hers was exhilarating. Her body was reacting in shivers. She was dizzy with the intense feelings running through her. Every nerve ending in her body was alive with electrical pulses. This was crazy.

  He could feel her shiver. He wondered if she was cold or if she was feeling the vibrations of his body. Looking down at her, she looked up into his eyes he knew he was lost, maybe forever. His heart did a flip and he thought it would slam out of his chest. Her eyes were wide with realization.

  Stacy rose up on her toes and kissed his lips lightly. That was his undoing. He pulled her to him in a tight embrace. The kiss was not light or meaningless. He meant to show this woman what he was feeling. When he pulled his lips from hers they were both breathless with desire.

  “I think I need some air.” He knew he was almost past the point of no return. He didn’t want her to think this was all he was after, but if he didn’t cool down he was going to push the point.

  “I will get some air too. It must be all the food at dinner and the fire. I’m a little dizzy.” She smiled and walked past him. He knew she was only kidding. She felt it too and it was only a matter of time before they both gave in to their feelings.

  They walked into the cold darkness and sighed. It was almost heavenly, the cold crisp air. The little creek behind the cabin was making a sound like it was caressing the rocks instead of running over them. She listened and the sound was soothing. It was so quiet here. Nothing but nature could be heard.

  Slade felt like he needed to lie down in the snow, but was afraid it would melt in a puddle around him. His body was overheated and it wasn’t from the fire. They only stood outside for about ten minutes until finally they were forced back in by the onslaught of snow and the wind.

  They were covered in snow when they walked into the cabin. Their laughter echoed through the quiet room.

  “Well, I guess I’ll get ready for bed. It’s getting late and I’m tired.” She grabbed a flashlight and he followed her up the stairs. They each went into their bedrooms.

  She met him on the balcony and they descended the steps together. They pulled the couch bed out and straightened the blankets. He put several pieces of wood on the fire and sat down on the side of the bed.

  Slade took a deep breath. It was going to be hard lying in bed so close to her. If it was anyone else it would be a no brainer, but she was special. He wanted it to be special for them. He knew deep in his heart that it was inevitable.

  She pulled the blankets up to her chin and laid her head on her pillow. She was a little chilled from their walk outside. She shivered and it shook the bed.

  He turned to look down at her. “Are you cold?”

  “A little, I got cold from being outside and getting wet from the snow.” She snuggled deeper into the covers.

  “Come here and put your back up against me.” He got under the covers and held his arms open. She backed into his arms. He felt warm and inviting. She could feel the warmth spread through her whole body.

  Slade felt the warmth spread too, but it was not his whole body, but mostly one area. He took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on getting her warm and nothing else. It was useless, because his body did not want to cooperate.

  He held her close and reveled in the feeling. He could get used to holding her every night. Her breathing became even and he realized she’d drifted off to sleep. She had been exhausted and he was tired too. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.