23. Holly

Chapter 23

Holly

We lay wrapped in each other’s arms for the longest time, the soft crackle of the flames in the stove downstairs the only sound. I cuddled into Lucas, pressing my face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. He smelled like apples from the shower gel he’d used, and the scent mixed with the warmth of his body—it was comforting in a way I hadn’t expected.

“You smell like a fruit basket,” I mumbled against his skin, half teasing.

Lucas chuckled, his chest rumbling under me. “So do you.”

“I’m not complaining,” I murmured, nuzzling him. “It’s nice. Calming.”

“Apples calm you?” he asked, amusement clear in his voice.

I smiled. “Apparently.”

He shifted slightly, tightening his arms around me. “Well, next time I’ll pick something more… manly. Maybe pine or something.”

I snorted. “You? Pine? Nah, you’re more of an apple guy. It suits you.”

Lucas laughed again; his breath warm against my hair. “You’ve got me figured out?”

I shrugged. “I’m good at reading people.”

“Uh-huh. So, what does me loving snow say about me then?”

I lifted my head to look at him, raising an eyebrow. “Snow?”

He nodded, glancing out of the window where the snow was still falling, slower now, soft flakes drifting down to settle. “Yeah, like if you could tell something about me just by how much I love winter and the snow.”

I grinned, playing along. “The snow says… you’re patient, steady, but you can also be overwhelming when you want to be. Oh, and soft and fluffy sometimes.”

“Oh, overwhelming, but also soft and fluffy?” Lucas smirked, brushing his fingers through my hair.

I laughed and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “Yeah, but in a good way. I kinda like it.”

We stayed there like that, talking about random things—the snow, the shower gel, even debating whether apple or pine was better. It was easy, light, and for the first time in forever, I didn’t feel the need to be anywhere but here. We lay wrapped in each other’s arms for the longest time, and I cuddled into him, relaxing into the warmth of being held, which, of course, turned into more kisses.

As we pulled back from the deepest kiss yet, on the edge of something more, a sudden realization hit me.

“You okay?” Lucas asked, his brow furrowing.

I nodded, still processing. “I haven’t… I didn’t take any extra anxiety meds on top of my normal dose yesterday.” I waited for my monster to grab at me.

Nothing.

Lucas tilted his head, confused. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No, I mean… it’s not bad. It’s just… weird. Usually, I’m popping them like candy when things get overwhelming, but yesterday, just the normal dose. That’s it.”

He studied me, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “And how do you feel?”

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I feel… at peace. I don’t know how to explain it. Usually, I’m on edge all day, but here, with you… I’m just… okay.”

Lucas’s smile widened, his hand squeezing mine. “Maybe you don’t need the meds as much as you think. Maybe you just need some quiet.”

“Or maybe I just need you,” I blurted before I could stop myself, and Lucas chuckled, pulling me closer.

“Healed by my magic cock, you mean?”

“Asshole.” I launched myself at him, and we wrestled until I gave in and wriggled under him.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice soft, and kissed me. “So, let’s see how long we can keep this peace going.”

We woke up to sunshine, the light streaming through the windows, casting a warm glow over the snow-covered world outside. We ran the generator and had power again, and the soft hum of the refrigerator in the corner reminded us that, at least for now, we weren’t completely cut off. The main power was still out, but this was the middle of nowhere, so that wasn’t a surprise. What did surprise me was how much I liked it—this quiet, this isolation.

I looked out of the window, but all I saw was snow—no sign of the road, no sign of anything except endless white. Still sleepy, Lucas stretched beside me and casually said, “Road’s probably not cleared yet. Maybe later today or probably tomorrow.”

And that was the moment it hit me—anxiety creeping up from the pit of my stomach. The snowplows coming meant the road would be open. Open roads meant we’d be digging the cars out, which meant… Lucas could go home. The idea made my chest tighten, a prick of something uncomfortable, something I didn’t want to face.

I tried to keep my voice steady, “Cool?”

It was so not cool. It was about as far from cool as possible.

He nodded, sitting up and running a hand through his messy hair. “Depends on how much snow is still blocking the mountain roads.”

I didn’t respond immediately; I watched the sunlight dance over the snow. This peaceful, quiet bubble we’d been in was about to burst. And I wasn’t sure how to handle it.

Because out there might break me when reality hit home.