Chapter Five
Dax
Her frosty and pale face terrified me. I would have fought Morty for her. She’s mine, at least for now. I need to warm up the cabin before I wrap her bruised and swollen ankle. The satellite phone doctor said she’d be in extreme pain if it were worse.
Her skin has a lovely flush to it now. But when I saw the red frostnip spot it made me want to panic cuddle her. We need a fire.
I stare at the hearth as if it will tell me how to fucking do this. There’s no switch like in our Vineyard house. Privilege doesn’t work for me this time. I turn to her for guidance, but she’s asleep. She needs to sleep to regulate her body temperature. There’s no power, and the room is getting critically cold. I know five phone numbers by heart and I think Colt was a boy scout. I text from her satellite phone I took from the cabin.
DAX: It’s Dax. Need help starting a fire. 911.
COLT: I’m going to need the others in on this.
DAX: Life or death. This is real. Limited battery on this Sat phone. Not fucking around.
COLT: Shit. What can I do?
DAX: You’re kidding, right? STARTING A FIRE!
COLT: Matches. Crumple paper and put smaller wood on top of lit paper. Use a lot of paper.
I’m remembering all the YouTube videos I watched about this now.
DAX: I only have my manuscript.
COLT: Is it really dire?
DAX: Chapter two: already crumpled. I’ll burn chapter one last.
COLT: Can I send help?
DAX: Rugged, Maine. Rental cabins by Loon Lake, Parks Dept knows, and can’t get to us. Get your father to get us the fuck out of here. A tree crashed through her cabin. SHE’s here with me.
COLT: Monica?
DAX: How did you guess that?
COLT: Everyone knows she’s there. You never asked. Slowly feed larger dry wood as each layer catches. Fuck, you’re in the storm. Dad’s on it. Be safe. Call when you can. Just keep burning things.
DAX: Thank the Colonel.
I shove paper under the wood and layer it up. I light all of it. The fire crackles and smoke billows in my face. Monica moans and I rush over.
“You ok, beautiful?”
She says weakly, “Damper. Pull the metal lever. Did you use the Sat phone to text those assholes?”
I grin at this woman as I yank it. “Yes, but we can split the pot of the bet.” Her lips curl up. “Precious girl. Please be ok.” I whisper into her neck as the fire roars to life.
“I am, Dax. I’m with you.”
The wood pops and hisses, as I feed the fire the book I came here to read, edit and perfect. I watch as my words go up in smoke. Monica’s shivering so I whip off my hoodie and put it on her. I’m shirtless as I tuck her back in and she touches my stomach. Her fingertips are chilly and slightly discolored. I kiss her gently, then swiftly rearrange all the furniture.
“Stay still, my brawny lass.” She’s only letting me kiss her because she’s scared. I move the bed closer to the fireplace for warmth.
Jesus those dark eyes and the way she’s looking at me it’s like I can see our entire timeline in one gaze. The little points of data that define a lifetime. Love, partnership, children, adventure, and companionship. I see it all so clearly it nearly knocks the wind out of me.
Once the bed is by the fire, I gingerly lift the covers and the left ankle is definitely fucked up. Playing sports in the Common as kids often led to ankle wrapping. This, I’ve got. “Stay still and I’ll get you a present.”
She sleepily says, “Can I have an island?”
I grin. I have more money than I’ll ever spend. Even if she never speaks to me again, I’m still buying her a fucking island. “SweeTart, I’m happy to promise that and more.”
I wrap her ankle; she winces and I mutter. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t.” I nestle her in and swear my heart’s going to explode. The phone flashes red.
COLT: Update.
HAYDEN: Idiot. Why are you in woods? Save her. You ok?
TONY: Driving with Mom and Dad. No planes in this fucking mess. Jesus, Brother.
LAW: Do you need me?
ROBBIE: We’re in Jersey. Meet you in Boston. Claire’s driving so it will take us like twenty minutes. She’s scaring the fuck out of me. Love you, brother. And you should love Monica.
DAX: Love you. Stop texting. We’re ok. And you all knew she was here?!
COLT: Dad said Forestry might need daylight. Sit tight for morning.
TONY: Hold that firecracker of a girl tight.
DAX: I’m trying.
I’m overwhelmed at my ‘brothers’ stepping up. Tony’s probably pissed our billions can’t save us. Pulling in the Vice President is probably my most clutch move. Thanks Colt. I slam a bottle of water, then get her one. Pulling her up to my chest, she sips and takes more Advil.
“Sweet girl, hold on. Everyone’s helping us.” She cuddles into my chest and I hold her. I whisper as I stoke her back. “Baby girl, do you want some dry soup? Or tangerine goop?” She doesn’t answer, but it’s not like I offered her a dragon roll. I’m so tapped and can’t keep my eyes open.
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My skin prickles with the cold as I pop my eyes open in panic. Her chestnut hair falls off my lap as I ease her to the side.
The embers of the fire are still red but no flames, I feed it more paper. I toss on my other shirt, which is a button down. I chose manuscript and jerky over more clothes. I sit against the edge of the displaced bed and read what’s left. As the fire cracks to life, my heart eases. Perhaps you have to burn it all down to find that spark again.
“Whatcha reading?” My head jerks up to the edge of the bed.
“Your color is back.” She’s leaning over the bed and she’s gorgeous. Her long hair hangs from the hood of my sweatshirt. I stand and she watches as I hike up my sweats.
The flickering light softens her pure and confident face. I want her, but not in the same way that I did that first night. I don’t want to tear into her, jam my tongue down her throat, cuff that gorgeous neck as I toss her against the brick wall outside of the hotel where we started. I want to hold and savor her. Or maybe I want both. I’m standing paralyzed, holding wood, sporting wood, remembering the SweeTart taste of her.
She whispers, “You have the best ass, Dax. Why are you wearing an oxford? Do you have a meeting later?”
There’s an irresistible small smile on her rosy lips. I gently roll her onto her back. Despite the comforter, I can still reach her lips. I brush her hair away and smile. “How are you more stunning?” Her breath catches, but before she can take another full one, I’m kissing her.