Love Story for a Snow Princess

by Beth D. Carter

  Caleb took her home at midnight, and she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. He thanked her for not only being his date, but for having the courage to tell him that it was okay for Claire to always be somewhere in his heart.

  Thea undressed and folded up her pretty blue dress, burying it back in the bottom of her luggage. The shoes she carefully placed on the dresser. She performed her nightly ablutions, slipped on her flannel pajamas, but as she pulled the blankets up to her chin and closed her eyes, she still couldn’t get Paden out of her mind.

  She kept seeing the young boy he once had been. She then pictured herself, taking Paden’s place. What would she have done? What horrendous nightmare would she have had to live through the rest of her life? She had lost her family in an accident and it almost destroyed her through grief and depression, but Paden…he lost even his sanity. Thea sat up in bed as a thought suddenly popped into her head.

  She rose, slipped on a robe and went into Miki’s study, turning on the computer. It took only a moment to find what she was looking for, the website on Paden’s family yacht making. The boats shown on the web were beautiful and luxurious as the proud heritage of Navires Yachts was described in detail. Then she researched the psychology of cutting, reading why people cut themselves and how to treat it.

  It was hard to live just as it was hard to keep on living in sadness. Paden had found a way to survive but he hadn’t found a way to heal. His parents had treated the voice inside his head, his “monster”, as the disease. They had thrown medication at him, therapy, but perhaps they were only treating the symptom instead of the root of the problem.

  And what if the problem wasn’t even inside him at all?

  Thea turned off the computer and rushed to her room, dressing quickly. As she hurried to the door that led down to the garage that housed the snowmobiles, Miki called out to her.

  “Where are you going, Thea?”

  Thea turned, her heart racing at being startled. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

  “Sorry,” Miki mumbled as she pulled her robe closer together. “Where are you headed?”

  “Can the snowmobile go on the slushy mud piles the snow left behind?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Miki answered. “Why haven’t you answered my question?”

  Thea hesitated for a moment more before answering. “Paden’s. I have to tell him something.”

  Miki sighed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Thea.”

  “He won’t hurt me, Miki,” Thea said softly. “He doesn’t even want to hurt himself.”

  “And what? You think you can help him?”

  Thea took a deep breath and then shrugged. “I don’t know. But he’s dying inside. How can I walk away when he needs something? Someone.”

  “You’re too nice for your own good.”

  Thea smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Well, all right. But if you need me again, you call me.”

  “Will do.”

  ******

  It was plain to see he’d been asleep when he opened the door to her pounding. The suit was gone and he wore flannel pajama bottoms with a tight t-shirt. His hair stood up in all directions as if he couldn’t keep his fingers out of it. There were no lights on, only the glow of the fire that had been banked for the night.

  He stood back and allowed her to come in.

  “What are you doing here, Thea?” he asked, and the weariness in his tone almost broke her heart.

  “Who was the man who abused you?”

  His mouth flattened. “Why?”

  “Tell me his name.”

  He was silent for a moment. Then, as if the name had been pulled from the blackest part of his soul, said “Cale Kritchkofen.”

  “Did you ever confront him? Or your parents?”

  He shook his head. “No. I never told them the real story of why I started cutting myself.”

  “Look him up.”

  “What?”

  “You said you have satellite internet. Go ahead. Find him.”

  “And why the hell would I do that?”

  “Because he’s the monster. He’s the one you need to cut out of your life. And you’re only going to do that by confronting him.”

  Paden shook his head, as if hardly able to believe it. She could see the wheels turning in his mind. He walked into the kitchen to grab a beer.

  “I guess I never gave it much thought if he was still alive or not,” Paden murmured. “To me he was this...”

  He trailed off.

  “Monster?”

  He nodded.

  “He’s the monster in your head, telling you to cut him out. I think everything got all jumbled in there, trying to forget and heal at the same time.”

  “So you’re a shrink now?” he said sarcastically. “What about you, Thea? Wasn’t it only two weeks ago that you were ready to marry a stranger?”

  She took a deep breath. “Of course, when you psychoanalyze someone it’s not that much of a stretch to start thinking of your own decisions. I admit I came out here to try to replace a family for the one I lost. And you know what? I did find a new family. Miki, Toothless Jim, Caleb. You. But you know what else I learned? My family is still there, in my heart, and yes, sometimes I miss them so much it’s hard to breathe. But I’ve learned my soul didn’t die with them.”

  That shut him up. He stared at her with watchful, carefully blank eyes.

  “Paden,” she continued. “I think it’s clear that you’ve been treated for a symptom, instead of being treated for the cause.”

  “Of course I know my assault is the cause of my cutting-”

  “No,” she interrupted. “Not just the assault. The man.”

  He frowned. “Is there a difference?”

  She sighed and leaned into him. She placed her hand directly on the spot where he had sliced. His breath hitched in his throat.

  “Kiss me,” she ordered.

  “What?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Hesitantly, slowly, he leaned into her. Their lips touched, melted, and her tongue touched the seam of his lips. It didn’t take much for him to capitulate, opening under her pressure and sweeping inside. He reached for her, pulling their bodies together as the haze of desire swept over them.

  She started backing away, holding onto him and pulling him along with her. She kept sweeping kisses over his mouth, like little entices for him to follow. Up the stairs into his bedroom, where she finally broke the kisses so she could pull back and undress. He watched her, green fire burning up his gaze even in the dim light.

  “Are you sure, Thea?” he growled deep in his throat, need burning in his voice.

  For an answer, she crawled onto the bed and slid her hands over her body. She watched him as he watched her, saw his eyes follow the movement of her own hands upon her body. One hand trailed down her shoulder and chest, across one breast to her stomach while the other hand continued toward her pussy. She kept herself trimmed so it was easy to slide her fingers in until they brushed over her clit. She could feel his tension, saw him tenting the front of his pajama bottoms, and ran her tongue over her bottom lip. This was different for her, playing the seductress, but in front of him it felt quite easy to beguile.

  He took off his t-shirt, slithered out of his pants, and knelt on the bed at her side. He still watched her, not doing anything as she gently played with herself. It wasn’t enough to ever get herself off, but enough to tempt him. She withdrew from her body, reaching out to take his hands and bring them to her breasts. She manipulated them up and down, lightly over her nipples until they puckered into hard little nubs of need.

  With a moan Thea arched her back, offering herself to him in a seductive submission.

  Paden leaned over her and took her nipple in his mouth, teasing it, nipping it slightly, not enough to cause extreme pain but hard enough to heighten the underlying pleasure. He kissed and licked his way down her body, over her stomach, his hands gripping her hips to hold her steady.

  “Spread
your legs,” he ordered in a rough, raspy voice.

  She obeyed, bending her knees before moving them widely apart. He settled his face in her feminine folds and she felt him smell deeply before using the first swipe of his tongue. Thea inhaled sharply at the feathery lick and reached up to grip the headboard as she pressed her head deeper in the pillows, waiting for the next pass over her sensitized nub.

  Again he took her with a slow drawl of his tongue as he started as far back as he could reach, up the slick opening dripping cream to the swelling bud of her clitoris. She moaned as his long tongue slid over her slick walls.

  Two of his fingers found her center, sweeping in and out in a circular motion as he pressed in. The unexpected feeling of having something in her vagina, as well as manipulating her clit was too much of a shock, and she came suddenly, crying out as waves crashed over. She arched her back as Paden didn’t relent, even pressing harder as she rode the crest of her orgasm.

  And when she finally shuddered on the last wave of excitement, he withdrew from her, wiped his mouth on the comforter and settled his body on top of hers, in the open juncture of her thighs. She could feel every bit of him against her; muscle to muscle, chest on chest, hip to hip, his legs rubbing along hers, and his heavy cock nestled flush against her slit. He was big and hard and heavy for her.

  His mouth settled on hers and she opened, allowing him in. She tasted herself on his lips. Thea let go of the headboard with her arms and encircled his neck, hugging him tightly.

  He didn’t press to enter her, he only moved his hips to rub a little, up and down.

  Her hands gripped the sides of his face and she pulled back from his kiss. They looked at one another, memorizing and committing to detail every single expression. Thea raised her hips. She felt the fat head of his cock nudging past her swollen pussy lips to bury deep. For a second they didn’t move, only savored the feeling of skin to skin.

  “You are so warm,” he whispered.

  Then his hips pulled back before plunging forward. She gripped his shoulders as the tension inside her rose. He paused for a moment to stare deeply into her eyes and a quiver rumbled inside her as she began to lose control. Then he started to move again, harder, faster, deeper. She reached with her free hand to grab his hard ass, feeling his muscles clench each time he thrust, slamming into her until the bed rattled.

  The world splintered apart as bliss exploded within her. How long she shuddered in ecstasy she didn’t know, but slowly she drifted into the hazy world of exhaustion. Paden pulled out of her and realized that he was still hard, still pulsing in his own need for satisfaction.

  “I forgot to put on a condom,” he rasped, his voice filled with unfulfilled longing.

  She forced her eyelids open. “That’s not why you didn’t come.”

  He shifted until he lay beside her, his hard cock lay against the outside of her thigh.

  “I know,” he whispered.

  Chapter Eighteen

  They lay facing each other. Paden had brought the fire back to life and the light cast a lovely glow in the loft. They stared at each other, and though Thea hadn’t a clue as to what he was thinking, she couldn’t help but think about their lovemaking. One of the most amazing experiences of her life. The only glaring exception being the fact that he hadn’t been able to fall off the precipice with her.

  “I’m leaving, Paden,” she told him softly.

  A frown appeared between his eyes. “When?”

  “Hank is expected Tuesday or Wednesday.”

  He didn’t say anything but she could see he struggled with something. “Are you going back to Malibu?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  She thought about how she wanted to answer. “I’ve never visited their graves,” she finally said, her voice somber. “In the year they’ve been gone, I’ve not stood at their gravesites and said good-bye to them. Now I feel like it’s time.”

  “I want to come with you,” he told her in a slightly unsteady voice, unblinking.

  That surprised her. “What? Why?”

  “Because,” his voice broke. She could see tears swimming in his eyes. “After visiting your family in Malibu, I want us to go to Florida.”

  Finally, she moved closer to him, hugging him tightly. His arms went around her as he buried his face in her neck.

  “I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice shaking.

  “He can’t hurt you anymore,” she told him. “And I’ll be with you.”

  He fell silent. They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, simply holding each other tightly.

  Just when she was almost dozing off, he said one last thing.

  “What did I ever do without you?”

  ******

  She went back to working for the last three days she was in River Ice, helping Miki out. The Suinnak was busier than ever since most of the town was stopping by to say good-bye to both her and Paden. Paden had finished on his deadline and sent everything off to his editor, with instructions he’d be out of reach for a few weeks. He had since spent all his time sitting at his table, drinking cup after cup of coffee and talking with just about everyone.

  She didn’t go back to his house, however. There was no way she would subject him to the same torture as the day she had seduced him to prove a point. So each night he kissed her and left at closing, showing up the next day to while away the hours.

  Miki was sad to see her leave. Truth be told, Thea was sad as well. Miki had become a very good friend, her best friend, and since she wasn’t sure where she was going to end up, leaving was slightly bittersweet.

  When Hank arrived on Tuesday, he brought with him supplies as well as the mail. People gathered around the post office excitedly, gathering up letters and packages. And a fair number of people showed up at the airport to say goodbye. Even Thistle Vann came out, as well as Mr. Quinn, who wanted to know what to do with her bank account. She told him to keep it open for now.

  As Paden helped Hank load up their luggage, Thea gave Caleb a tight hug.

  “So you did find someone in River Ice after all,” he teased.

  Thea flicked her gaze over to Paden’s sturdy frame for a brief moment. She felt a heat steal into her cheeks. “I suppose Aurora Partnership Services did make their money.”

  Caleb chuckled.

  Thea felt Paden’s arm slide around her waist. She looked at him who was staring pointedly at Caleb. “See you around, Caleb,” Paden murmured.

  It was an obvious hint of his status in Thea’s life. Caleb chuckled again and nodded. He gave Thea a wink and walked away.

  She slapped his stomach with the back of her hand.

  “What?” he grumbled.

  “No He-Man stuff, okay?”

  He only kissed her forehead.

  And then Miki was giving her a hard good-bye hug as Hank urged her into the plane. “You take care of her!” she told Hank.

  “Thanks for your sisterly concern for my own welfare,” he teased her.

  She punched him on the arm.

  The door shut behind her and Paden double checked her seat belt.

  “Last chance to run,” she told him.

  He shook his head. “Actually, there’s no chance, Thea.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was a two hour flight from Nome, Alaska to Anchorage, and then a nine hour flight to Los Angeles. By the time they touched down, all they both wanted to do was collapse in exhaustion. Thea actually did conk out in the half hour taxi ride from LAX to her house in Malibu. Paden roused her and she paid the driver as he unloaded his trunk. When he sped off, Paden whistled as he took in the large house.

  “Are you telling me you’re, like, super rich?” he mocked, using her own words.

  “Well, not yacht status rich,” she teased back.

  The home was a two story, five bedroom, rancher nestled over a private bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and it had been a year since she’d been back. Thea had hired a company to pack up the house, either moving thi
ngs into storage or dispersing them. She had donated a lot but it still held a California King which was all that was going through Thea’s mind at the moment.

  But Paden stood in front of the wall of windows, looking at the waves crashing against Point Dume and shook his head.

  “I never imagined you living in a house like this,” he said.

  “What do you mean? What type of house?”

  “It seems very sterile.”

  She frowned and looked over the kitchen and dining room. Everything was white and stainless steel, and without the warm accents her mother had added, it did look slightly cold. “It used to be really nice,” she finally said. “There was always noise. We all lived at home- me, my brother and sister- so there were lots of activity.”

  “Are you going to keep it?”

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “This is the house I grew up in. All my family’s memories are here. But it’s not a home anymore, is it? At least, not my home.”

  He put his arms around her, holding her tightly. She leaned against him for a moment, taking his strength. “The one good thing is that I never got rid of the bed. Come on, I’m about ready to drop.”

  ******

  The next day, feeling refreshed, they headed to Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. The drive took over an hour and for most of it Thea sat in the passenger seat staring out the window, letting the GPS guide Paden. She saw the same landscape she had seen all her life, the bumper-to-bumper traffic moving at times quickly and other times at a snail’s pace. She couldn’t help but contrast the openness of River Ice to the claustrophobic feel of Los Angeles.

  Paden didn’t say much as he drove through the cemetery’s black gates, winding up the drive through the pristine lawn meticulously maintained. All the gravestones were flat, flush against the grass and soil. Thea directed him which way to go to reach her family’s plots.

  They were up on a hill in the sun. The first thought Thea had was that her brother would have liked that. He had been a swimmer and loved the sunshine. She carried two bundles of roses as did Paden, and she laid one on each grave, brushing away dead leaves and grass.