5. Poppy
Chapter Five
POPPY
Blinking my eyes open, I’m conscious of a large, warm weight next to me in the bed. I stretch out my hand and encounter thick fur and a thumping tail. Scamp must have jumped up on the bed last night to keep warm.
I don’t blame him. Despite the fire, the temperature in the cabin dropped last night. Flint insisted I take the bed, grabbing a quilt, and heading for the tiny sofa. Our kiss last night messed with my head, so I didn’t argue. Part of me wanted him right beside me all night, his big body pressed against mine, his hands exploring my curves. And another part, the sensible part, was shouting at me that it was way too soon.
Flint is moving around in the kitchen. I stretch my arms out, bracing for the cold air to hit me when I get out of bed, just as he walks through the door.
“Morning, Pixie. Here’s a cup of coffee. You stay in bed. I’m going to recon the area. The wind has dropped, I want to see what the visibility’s like.”
“Thanks.” Scamp thumps his tail as Flint approaches.
“You think he wants to come with me?” Flint hands me the cup and our fingers brush, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.
“Ask him, see what he says?” I pet Scamp’s enormous head.
Flint smiles and puts on a serious voice. “Scamp, are you willing to accompany me on a dangerous mission?”
Scamp woofs in return, scooting off the bed.
Laughing, Flint looks at me. His eyes crinkle at the corner when he smiles. “I reckon that’s a yes.”
Once they’ve gone outside, I prop some pillows behind my back. It’s a luxury to be sipping hot coffee in bed in the morning. Usually, I’m up first thing, driving over to the shelter or to my parents, my coffee sloshing in a travel mug next to me.
I didn’t have any idea how tired I was. Tired of my relentless schedule. Too many things to do; too many commitments to fulfill. It’s taken being snowed in with Flint to understand how thin I’m stretched.
Last night, he had a brief conversation with his cousin in Ember Heart Ridge on the radio. His cousin agreed to try and get a message to Snowflake Falls Fire Department to let them know we’re both safe. I hope someone relays the message to Dean and my sister.
I flex my ankle. It’s almost back to normal, only slightly tender at the top of the foot. I get out of bed, putting my weight on it. There’s a residual weakness but nothing too painful. After I’m dressed, I walk to the kitchen. I strain to see out of the window above the sink, but it’s covered in ice.
I find eggs and bacon in the fridge and make a fresh pot of coffee. Once I hear movement outside, I start frying them up.
“Damn, that smells delicious. You want the good news or the bad news?” Flint and Scamp come inside, dusted in snow.
“Bad news first.” I hand him a fresh cup of coffee once he’s taken off his coat and stoked the fire.
“Couldn’t get a signal to Snowflake Falls. From what I could see, the road down the mountain to town is blocked. Heavy snow. It’ll need a plow.”
Putting a plate in front of him, I purse my lips. “Okay. What’s the good news?”
“Storm’s passed. Snow’s falling, but it’s light. I think we could manage to get back to your place if your ankle’s up to it.” He grins at me. His smile unlocks something inside me, something I’ve buried deep down. Hope.
“My ankle can cope! And we’re going to have to start rationing food if we stay here much longer. Scamp’s almost out of steak treats.”
Flint laughs, a joyful, rusty noise that makes Scamp wag his tail. “Well, that’s definitely an emergency! We can set out after breakfast.”
The world outside is a blur of white. Flint walks ahead of me with Scamp bounding alongside him. The drifts are almost up to my waist, but I follow the path Flint carves out in the snow. I’m just starting to recognize the trees when my ankle gives way. I nearly fall over, but Flint’s quickly alongside me, his arms wrapped around my body. Taking a shaky breath, I shake my head.
“I’ll be fine in a minute. It’s just weak.”
“No, it’s my fault. Too much, too soon.” He takes my backpack and slings it over his shoulder, then lifts me up in front of him, cradling me in his big arms.
I start laughing. “You have to stop picking me up like this.”
He smiles, shaking his head as he trudges forward in the snow. “You gotta learn how to let someone else take care of you, Pixie.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I think you’re used to being the one doing the caring. At the shelter, maybe with your family too. But everyone needs to be picked up occasionally.”
“ Literally , in this case.” It’s hard to admit it, but he’s right.
My place comes into view and Scamp barks, rushing back and forth. Flint sets me gently down on the porch and hands me my pack.
“No lights on. Looks like your power’s out. I’m going to chop some firewood so we can get warm.”
“I have a generator, it’s around the back. It doesn’t start up automatically when the power goes out, you have to–”
“Good girl. I’ll get it running. You go inside.” He doesn’t wait for a reply, moving confidently through the snow to the woodpile.
I let myself in. It’s strange to be back in my cozy home, like I’ve been away for weeks, rather than one night. I feed Scamp, then wash myself quickly in cold water, put on a clean T-shirt, sweater, and jeans, scraping my wild hair back from my face.
The lights blink on as the generator powers up and I make a pot of coffee, wrapping my hands around the cup. I start a fire with the leftover wood in the basket, the flames leaping. My abandoned Christmas ornaments lie on the desk.
Flint comes in carrying more firewood. I put a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies in front of him and hand him a cup. His fingers skate over mine, his gaze intense.
“Scamp and I are going to take a look down from the road, and see how blocked it is. I’m also going to try the firehouse again, see if I can get a message to them. Don’t want them thinking we’ve been buried in this snow, if Ember Heart didn’t manage to speak to them.”
I nod. I don’t want him to leave. I’m secretly wishing for more snowfall, or even another storm, so I can be trapped with him for longer.
“These the decorations you make? They’re lovely.” He walks over to the desk and picks an ornament up. It looks tiny and fragile in his calloused hands.
“Thank you. I’m behind on orders.”
“I guess we’re both in the holiday business. I pick up shifts at the Christmas tree farm sometimes. Tannen, the owner, was looking for decorations to sell alongside the trees, since so many people ask for them.”
“Oh, wow. Thanks for the tip!”
“My pleasure, Pixie. I can mention it to him. If we ever make it back to town, that is.”
I want to ask him if he’s desperate to get back, but I stuff a cookie in my mouth instead. Flint whistles to Scamp, grabs his backpack, shrugs on his coat, and quietly closes the door.
Sitting at my desk, I finish painting the ornament. What if he comes back and says the roads are clear? Will I ever see him again? I’ve managed to live in Snowflake Falls all my life unaware of his existence. Will we just pretend we don’t know each other?
After I’ve finished the final ornament, I make some chili. Flint and Scamp come inside as it starts to get dark, shaking off the snow on the porch before they enter.
“I could get used to this. Every time I go outside and come back, you’re making something that smells incredible.”
I smile. “Compliments will get you an extra generous portion.” Making the chili has made me hot, so I tug off my sweater.
“Can I freshen up a little? Scamp and I walked a long way and I have a change of clothes in my pack.”
“Of course. The bathroom is there and there are towels in the closet. The generator won’t stretch to a shower, but you’ll have enough water to wash. Food will be another fifteen minutes or so.”
I set the table. Flint emerges from the bathroom wearing a deep blue T-shirt and jeans that make his icy blue eyes seem even brighter. My stomach twists and heat floods my core. I want this man so badly. The fact that I’ve only just met him doesn’t seem important anymore.
As we sit opposite each other, eating the chili, I can’t tear my eyes away from his face. Having Flint in my house is both strange and familiar at the same time. It’s like he was always meant to be here with me, but I just haven’t got used to it yet.
He takes our empty plates to the sink and I walk over to sit by the fire to warm up. He joins me, his hand stroking my hair as he sits. Tingles run from the top of my head down my spine as his huge hand moves to the back of my neck and rests there.
“I can’t stop touching you, Pixie.” He says. “And picking you up.”
“You can pick me up again if you like. It’d be a novelty to be flung over your shoulder inside a house, rather than out in the snow.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “You better watch what you say. I’m ready right now.”
“Dare you,” I wink at him.
He stops my words with a kiss, his hand cradling my neck. His tongue explores my mouth as he presses my body into his. My panties are already soaked, I need him so badly. I moan, then stifle it.
“Don’t do that. I like hearing you.” His hands run down my arms. “Are you cold?”
“A little.”
Flint rises to his feet, pulling me up with him. His icy blue eyes are hot as he lifts me into his arms. “I can teach you my favorite way to keep warm.”
I giggle. “Now that’s a good line.”
“I have plenty of them.” He kisses me again, even deeper this time, as he walks into the bedroom, gently laying me down on the bed. I pull off my T-shirt as his rough hands roam my skin, unhooking my bra so my breasts fall free. He groans.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous, Pixie.” He sweeps his hands down to cup my breasts, his tongue moving on each peaked nipple in turn as I arch up from the bed. He tugs off my jeans, sliding my soaked panties down. We’re both panting, hot with desire.
“Spread your legs. I want to see you.” It’s a command, one that I’m glad to obey. He sucks in his breath as I open my legs. “You’re so wet.”
He kisses down my stomach, pauses, then licks me from dripping wet pussy to clit. The sensation is so overwhelming I almost scream, clutching the sheets.
“Too much? I’ll slow it down, gorgeous.” He licks around my clit, his fingers entering me as I arch up again. He starts to lick my swollen clit, as pleasure radiates from my core to every inch of my body. Delicious pressure intensifies as his licking gets faster and I can hardly bear it, my hands twisting against the sheets.
His big hands clasp mine, pinning me against the bed as his tongue moves relentlessly. Stars explode behind my closed eyelids as I come hard, shouting his name, my pussy pulsing over and over again.
My breathing slows and he releases my hands. I sit up, my hands scrabbling to take off his T-shirt. His chest is broad, his shoulders huge as I kiss his bare skin, my hands roaming over his muscles. I push him gently backward and he lets me, grinning.
“I want to feel you inside me,” I gasp, unzipping his jeans. His enormous cock springs free, pre-cum leaking from the tip.
“I’m ready to go, gorgeous.” He winks at me.
“I’m on birth control,” I say as I position myself over him. I don’t tell him that my last boyfriend was four years ago. I hope I remember how to do this.
Grasping onto his cock, I position it underneath me. I moan as I slide down onto him, his hands reaching up to cup my breasts, tugging gently at the nipples in a way that starts warmth pulsing in my core again.
He lets out a groan. “That’s it, Pixie. Fuck .”
He’s so deep inside me that I rest for a second, every inch filled up with his massive cock. I start to move slowly and he groans louder.
“You’re so tight.” His voice is rough, one of his hands moving to stroke my clit.
I arch my back, quickening my pace as he starts to meet my thrusts.
“Good girl. I’m going to fill you up with my cum. Do you want me to do that?” His voice is like a growl.
“Yes, please. Fill me up.” I slide up and down, every movement bringing me closer to the edge.
Flint pumps faster and harder, his hand moving to my waist to steady me as my breasts bounce up and down with each firm thrust.
“Tell me you’re mine,” he orders, his voice rough.
I’m so close to the edge that my orgasm overtakes me as I tell him I’m his, half-moaning and half-screaming as my body trembles with pleasure. His hot cum spurts up into me as he comes with a loud groan.
My thighs are shaking as I clamber off him and he spoons me, stroking my hair softly until I fall asleep.