Snowbound Hearts

by Benjamin Kelly

  His face suddenly lit up. “You’ll do a strip tease for me?”

  I’m not much to look at, Stephen. “No, but I’ll fix lunch for you. What do you have to eat?”

  ***

  Stephen slowly got dressed while racking his brain for another way to get Audrey naked. She stood gazing at him as if waiting for an answer. The ring on her finger caught his eye, making him question his morality. She was bound to another man, and he had no right to pursue her, but fate had dropped her on his doorstep. That had to mean something. Every detail about her fit the description of his dream girl, from her looks to her personality, with one glaring exception: that damn ring.

  She glanced toward the kitchen, then back at Stephen. “Well, should I make lunch for us or not?”

  He plopped onto the sofa and pulled on his socks. “I’m sort of hungry, but I was really hoping for some nudity.”

  She sat beside him and patted his thigh. “There’s more to life than naked women, Stephen.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. There’s more to a meal than food, but without it what’s the point?”

  She huffed loudly, flopped against the backrest, and sat staring upward. “Why do guys always believe that if they’re alone with a woman, she should have sex with them?”

  He followed her gaze to the exposed beams crossing the high ceiling and leaned back beside her. “I don’t know anyone who believes that. A guy may hope, but...” Stephen gave her a hopeful glance, but she wasn’t looking his way.

  “Fair enough. Let me spell it out, so there is no misunderstanding.” She held up her left hand and conspicuously thumbed her ring. “I can’t have sex with you, Stephen.”

  “Yes, of course. I know you can’t. I’m acting like a total ass. I’m usually not this big of a jerk, I swear. It’s just, for a moment I thought...” Don’t tell her she reminds you of someone you dreamed, idiot. She’ll think you’re a psycho.

  “You thought what?” She rolled her head toward him, and he turned to face her for an instant.

  Stephen sat up, raked his fingers through his hair, and took a deep breath. He extended his hand for her to shake. “Hi, I’m Stephen. It’s really nice to have you here keeping me company during the bad weather.”

  She huffed, rolling her head around as if completely annoyed with him. “We don’t have to start over. I’m not pissed at you. I gave you the wrong impression when I made the dumb joke about playing with me.”

  “Yeah, and when you made that crack about warming you up. And the way you asked me what I wanted, all pouty and sexy. And what about that hug? You can say that it wasn’t romantic, but the way certain body parts got pushed together, what guy wouldn’t get the wrong idea?”

  Audrey pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes for a moment. “Okay, I admit I’ve been a little flirty, and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. I suppose I should have shown you my ring right away. When you opened the door, if I had held out my left hand and said, ‘Hi, I’m Audrey. I can’t have sex with you. May I come in?’ would you have slammed the door in my face?”

  Stephen put his elbows on his knees and head into his hands. “Of course not. Sex is not a requirement for me to let someone in so they won’t freeze to death.”

  She sat up beside him and rubbed his back. “So, if it had been warm out, would you have sent me packing?”

  He groaned loudly and glared at her.

  Audrey chuckled and gave him a little hug. “Sorry, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. Now that we’re clear, do you have a problem with me staying here?”

  He stood and turned to face her, more to get her arm off him than anything else. He tried to tell himself that she wasn’t sending mixed signals, he was misinterpreting her actions, but that didn’t keep her touch from making him want to devour her. “Not at all. I’m truly happy to have the company. I would be much happier if you ripped off my clothes and jumped me, but I’m glad you’re here just the same. I can’t promise that I’ll stop saying stupid stuff like that. Apparently, my mouth has a mind of its own.”

  Her gaze slid down to his crotch for a moment. She sighed, grasped his zipper, and pulled it up, holding on to his pants just a little too long. “Well, I’ll do my best to ignore your mouth.”

  Audrey stood and strutted into the kitchen, swaying her hips as if she were intentionally trying to torture him. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her supple curves, even though staring at her unattainable body left him barely able to breath. At the moment she stepped into the cabin, his world came alive with hope, but now all hope was dead.

  She opened the cupboard and stood shaking her head. Dead hope didn’t equate to dead desire. His groin tingled as he watched her bounce up and down on her tiptoes, shuffling the foodstuffs around, apparently trying to find something appetizing. The sensation of her body pressed tightly against him came rushing back. Had she really gotten so close only to help him get warm? He doubted it, but he didn’t get the impression that she was anything less than genuine. Maybe she had come to him simply to feel the touch of a strange man for comparison or reassurance to stave off a case of cold feet. Regardless of her reason, he wanted more, and the prospect of getting more was grim.

  “What’s up with so many cans of beans? Were you guys planning on blowing up the cabin? If you had eaten all these and there had been a spark...”

  Stephen chuckled in spite of the gloom enveloping his heart. “They’re quick and easy to fix.”

  She closed the cupboard and opened the refrigerator, bending at the waist rather than squatting to see the bottom shelves. “It looks like you’ve got breakfast and dinner covered, but I don’t see anything for lunch.”

  Stephen licked his lips. “I see what I want for lunch,” he mumbled under his breath.

  She withdrew her head from the refrigerator and turned around to face him. “What was that? I didn’t quite hear you.”

  “There’s some deli-sliced turkey in one of the drawers. A grilled turkey and cheese sandwich would be nice, or we could just crack open a couple cans of pork and beans.”

  “I think we had better wait until the honeymoon is over before we get into the beans.”

  An image of standing on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, holding Audrey’s hand, flashed into his mind. “Honeymoon? Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Audrey stood holding the refrigerator door for a moment as if deciding what to say. “It was just a silly joke, Stephen.” She opened the crisper drawer and pulled out the package of turkey.

  “I know it was a joke. Ever been to Niagara Falls?”

  She turned around to face him, as pale as if all the blood had rushed out of her head. “Why did you ask me that?”

  “Audrey, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

  She took a few steps toward him but stopped in the doorway to steady herself on the frame. “Why did you ask about Niagara Falls?”

  Stephen went to meet her, worried that she might faint. “I was just curious.”

  “Curiosity, are you sure that’s all? You didn’t see us—never mind, forget it.” Audrey wavered, and Stephen grasped her arm to hold her up.

  “See us what, Audrey? Holding hands, staring at the Falls?”

  “Where is the restroom?” she asked urgently. “I’m feeling sick.”

  Stephen pointed toward a closed door. She dashed off and slipped inside. He went on into the kitchen, got out the griddle, butter, cheese, and bread.

  ***

  Audrey closed the door behind her, rushed to the sink, and twisted the handle. Ice-cold water flowed from the tap and helped to calm her nerves as she splashed it on her face. An image of holding hands with the beautiful stranger in the next room while gazing at the Falls was still fresh in her mind. It had come to her like a memory rather than a daydream. Déjà vu. That’s all it is. She had never been to Niagara Falls, but she had imagined herself there with Daniel so many times the image had ingrained itself in her mind. Why Stephen had so easily replaced Daniel in that image and why he
had spoken what she had been thinking were mysteries. I must be going crazy. No. I’m having a nervous breakdown. And why shouldn’t I after everything I’ve... Stop freaking out, it’s not helping.

  Audrey turned off the tap and clasped her freezing hands to the back of her neck. She pressed her eyes tightly closed for a moment, then popped them open. Sparkles floated through the air in front of her. The frosty white reflection staring out of the mirror at her could have been a ghost.

  That’s it. I’m a ghost. I wonder if I’ll make the news? “Audrey Whitmoore, age 22, froze to death after crashing her car during this week’s freak blizzard. And now the five day forecast...” I wonder how long it’ll take them to find me.

  She took a deep breath and glanced around the room. The breath felt real, her surroundings looked real, but something was wrong. I am not dead.

  There was another, more plausible, explanation. She could have lost consciousness, either from the crash or the cold, and been dreaming that she’d found her Stephen from so many years ago, waiting for her right where he was supposed to be.

  I haven’t lost consciousness, I’ve only lost my mind. No, I’ve just temporarily misplaced it. The eerie sound of her own laughter echoing in the small room startled her.

  She clearly remembered getting out of her car after driving into the ditch. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she trudged up the driveway toward the cabin, wondering who was inside, had been too nauseating not to be real. Everything made sense right up until a man who couldn’t exist had opened the cabin door.

  Okay, calm down and think rational thoughts. He’s in the next room, and I’m pretty sure he’s real. Maybe if I tell him everything, we can figure out what’s going on together. Yeah, right. If I do that, he’ll think I’m nuts.

  ***

  Eventually, Audrey came out of the restroom. Stephen gazed at her pale face as she wobbled his way. He took a step toward her and grasped her arm to steady her. She sighed deeply and leaned into him.

  “Are you feeling better? You’re awfully shaky.”

  “I think I need to eat. Maybe I’m having low blood sugar or something.”

  Stephen escorted her to the table and held a chair for her. He grabbed two grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches he had made for them.

  Audrey shrugged and frowned. “I was supposed to do that, you know, for your consolation prize.”

  “Eat. Just having your company is enough of a prize. Do you mind telling me why you ran off?”

  Audrey clasped a hand over her eyes, and for a moment he thought she wasn’t going to answer him, but she finally took it away and gazed down at her plate. “It’s silly, Stephen.”

  “I like silly, so you have to tell me all about it.” Stephen sat across from her and took a big bite of his sandwich.

  “Okay, fine. You’ll think I’m nuts, but I don’t care. My uncle Lenard claims that my father is a little bit psychic. He knew my mother’s name and that she would be his wife before they met. I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I inherited my father’s sensitivity. Most of the time, I don’t believe it. I’ve had things put over on me that anyone with even a little psychic ability would have known about. Things that anyone with a brain should have known about. But every once in a while, something happens that makes me wonder.”

  “So you did imagine us at the Falls?”

  “Yes, just like you said.”

  He leaned back in his chair and interlaced his fingers behind his head. “There’s a perfectly rational explanation. A psychic connection isn’t necessary for two people to have the same thought at the same time. If you mention the word honeymoon in a crowd, most everyone would think of Niagara Falls. That’s because it’s a popular honeymoon destination. Try it the next time you have the chance.”

  “There are other things, a lot more intriguing than us having the same thought, that have been going through my head. Things that can’t be real.”

  “Okay, please tell me because I rattled off all that crap to convince myself more than you.”

  “If you hadn’t been here, I’d probably be an Audrey Popsicle by now.”

  Stephen couldn’t help but let his mind run with that imagery. He would have loved nothing better than letting her melt in his mouth. “That’s definitely intriguing, but not in the context that you meant.”

  “You can’t be here, Stephen, you can’t be real.”

  Stephen patted his cheeks and hair, then raised his chin and turned his profile to her. “The ladies all tell me I’m dreamy, but I assure you I’m real.”

  Audrey flopped her head down onto the table, groaning loudly. “I’m beginning to think that I might have gotten knocked out when I crashed my car. I’m probably still sitting behind the wheel, sucking exhaust fumes, slowly suffocating. You’re just a fantasy, Stephen. There’s no other way to explain you.”

  The words she spoke echoed his thoughts about her. His heart raced at the implications. There had to be something more to their meeting than mere coincidence. Some cosmic force had brought them together for a purpose. The utter stupidity of the ideas running through his mind made him cringe. He was clearly losing it. Snowed in for half a day and I’m already stir crazy. “So, I’m your fantasy man? Tell me something else intriguing.”

  Audrey raised her head and rolled her eyes at him. “This is like trying to communicate with a two-year-old.”

  “Sorry, I’m genuinely interested to know why you think you’re dreaming.”

  “I’ve said too much already. I have a commitment to keep. On the off chance that you’re real and I’m not dying or insane, I can’t let my imagination run away with me.”

  “Yes, you’re right, of course.” He raised his hand and wagged a finger at her. “Please keep those fantasies in check, young lady. Now, eat your lunch before it gets cold and no whining.”

  She shot him a smirk. “Thanks, Mom. So, I’m just one of the guys, right?”

  Stephen sighed heavily and slumped down in his chair. He knew that he should humor her, just say yes, and pretend that his heart didn’t feel like it was ready to implode, but he couldn’t let the conversation end without expressing at least a little of his true feelings. “I’m sorry, Audrey, that doesn’t work for me. How about I agree to respect you as a woman who is engaged to be married? I can’t help finding you attractive, but I’ll do my very best to reign in my out of control hormones and refrain from making any more suggestive comments. Does that work for you?”

  All the joy drained from her face. She didn’t answer, just nodded and took a bite of her sandwich. Stephen had given her what he thought she wanted, but something was obviously wrong. Her bubbly personality turned somber, and she ate in total silence. It could have been that she wasn’t feeling well, but he knew in his heart there was more to her sudden change than a queasy stomach.

  If the woman sitting across from him had been his girlfriend, he’d believe he had done something to hurt her feelings, but there was no emotional investment between them. They were two total strangers in an awkward situation, nothing more. Still, he could hardly resist the urge to go to her side and put his arm around her as an apology for whatever he had done wrong. Audrey glanced up from her plate. A look of longing flashed across her face, and in that instant, he knew what he had to do.

  Stephen stood and slowly stepped around to her side of the table. She didn’t openly acknowledge his close proximity, but he could feel her watching him out of the corner of her eye. He pulled out the chair beside her and took a seat. She sat motionless as if waiting to see what he would do. Stephen’s heart beat wildly. Instinct alone told him what she needed, but it went completely against all logic. He knew that things could go horribly wrong in the next few seconds, but sometimes the payoff for a long shot was worth the risk. He scooted his chair directly against hers and slipped his arm around her waist. Audrey released a long breath that she had apparently been holding and rested her head on his shoulder. She took his other hand and intertwined her fingers w
ith his.

  “Audrey, I don’t understand what’s happening between us.”

  “I don’t understand it, either, Stephen.”

  She stood and faced him. The color her face had regained had once again drained away, leaving her pale as a sheet. She straddled him and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Stephen stroked her hair and gently brought her head to his shoulder, reveling in her embrace.

  “Audrey, you’re trembling.”

  “I’m nervous,” she whispered. “Please just hold me. I don’t want to have a discussion.”

  “Okay. One word of caution and I’ll shut up. The way you’re sitting, I might get...”

  “Shh!”

  She adjusted her position slightly and allowed herself to sink deeper into his lap, leaving little doubt that he would become aroused. Stephen put his face to her neck and inhaled her perfume while soaking up the soft sensuousness of her crotch crushing down on his. Nothing about her made any sense, but everything about her felt absolutely right. There was no awkwardness in holding her. She was as familiar to him as if she had been in his arms a thousand times before, as if she were right where she belonged. He felt that even more clearly than he felt her erotic gyrations on his engorged groin. There were many unanswered questions, but he was confident that they’d sort everything out when she was ready to talk. For the moment he was satisfied to hold her close and take things at her speed.

  ***

  Her heart trembled even more violently than her body. Nervous didn’t begin to cover what she was feeling. For the second time in little more than an hour, she had her crotch against Stephen’s swelling organ, and this time her will power was running too low to back away. She had only been that close to Daniel, and only after he put a ring on her finger, but she had never been as drawn to him as she was to Stephen. She had made a commitment and having an orgasm from grinding in Stephen’s lap would violate her vow, even if they were both dressed. Pangs of guilt from her blatant indiscretion coursed through her, further heightening her state of arousal. Her skin tightened until it felt a size too small, with every inch growing hyper-sensitized and amplifying the touch of his fingertips as he stroked her.