He opens the passenger door for me, and the truck’s warmth immediately greets me.Blade reaches out, taking my hand gently as I climb inside, and I can’t help but notice how his touch feels just right—steady, reassuring, as if he’s there to catch me if I fall.
“Thank you,” I say quietly, settling into the seat, the warmth of the truck wrapping around me, fighting off the cold that doesn’t seem to bother Blade.I’m pretty sure it’s why he left it running, so I’d be warm.
Blade shuts the door behind me, and I watch him walk around to the driver’s side.
He climbs into the truck, shutting the door with a solid click.“Warm enough for you?I could turn it up,” he offers, glancing over at me.
“Any warmer, and I’ll be stripping,” I joke, leaning back into the seat.
Blade barks out a laugh, the sound rich and genuine.“Well, if that feeling washes over you, I vote you go with it.”His voice carries a hint of mischief.
The truck pulls away from my house and onto the road as we head toward his place.Settling back into the seat, the truck’s warmth and the steady rhythm of the drive puts me at ease, at least for a moment.
“What’s it like here in winter?”I ask, my voice breaking the comfortable silence.
Blade glances at me, his eyes flicking over for just a second before returning to the road.“Lots of snow.But it’s beautiful.The lakes freeze, the trees get covered in white, and the roads get icy.You’ll need better tires or, better yet, a truck.”
It sounds so different from what I’m used to, and I can’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the idea of being surrounded by so much raw beauty, even if it comes with its own challenges.
“Well...”I say, a little smile tugging at my lips, “...a truck sounds good to me, but it has to be as cool as my Mini, and I’m not giving her up.”
Blade glances over at me with a raised eyebrow.“Your Mini is cool?”
I lean back into the seat, crossing my arms and giving him a playful look.“Have you seen it?Yes, it’s cool!”
He chuckles, shaking his head in mock disbelief.“Right.Sorry, it’ssocool.”Then, as if on impulse, he reaches over, grabbing my hand and placing it on his leg.“I could ask around for you...see if anyone has acooltruck for sale?”
My heart skips a beat, not expecting him to offer.“You’d do that for me?”
“Better than having you drive around in your little car.”
I don’t know what to say to that.It’s such a simple offer, yet it feels as if he’s already thinking ahead for me, looking out for me.I can feel the pull between us growing stronger, more undeniable.
“Thanks,” I say quietly, squeezing his hand just a little tighter.
Before I can say anything else, we pull up to Blade’s cabin.The place looks more welcoming than last time.There are fairy lights strung across the front of the cabin.It looks almost magical, picture perfect, as if out of a dream.
“Are they new?”I ask, my voice full of surprise and delight.
Blade looks a little embarrassed, rubbing the side of his head as he glances at the lights.“I thought you might like them.”
Without waiting for him, I open the door and step out, a grin spreading across my face.“I don’t like them...Ilovethem!”I gush, unable to hold back my excitement.
The warmth in my chest grows as I look at the lights twinkling in the night.It’s small, but it’s perfect.
“Wait!”Blade calls out, rushing around the truck to take my hand firmly in his as I take another step toward them.
Smiling up at him, my heart races a little faster.
“You really did all this?”I ask, my voice soft, the question slipping out before I can stop it.
“For you,” he answers.
His words cause a blush to creep up my neck, and standing out here in the cold, I suddenly feel warm, warmer than I probably should.I glance up at him, catching the intensity in his gaze, and for a moment, it feels as if time stands still.Blade pulls me toward his home with a gentle yet confident tug and opens the door for me.
“It wasn’t locked?”I ask, surprised.
Blade shakes his head, a slight grin tugging at his lips.“No one would dare break in.”
