Chapter 6

EMILIA

The first week at my new job flies by in a blur of paperwork and learning the ins and outs of Bearly Frosty Snow Removal. I'm in love with this place—its natural beauty, the quiet pace, and most of all, the sense of belonging it gives me.

Every morning, I wake up to the sight of birds chasing each other around the gorgeous backyard, and every night, I fall asleep to the sound of the wind rustling through the forest. It's a stark contrast to the constant hum of New York City, and I feel like I can finally breathe.

But amidst the contentment, there's a pang of longing. I miss my sister, Wrenlee. Our bond has always been strong, and being apart from her is harder than I anticipated. We text constantly, sharing snippets of our days, photos, and inside jokes. It's a lifeline that keeps me connected to the city and to her.

As we're finishing up Friday evening, Dillon surprises me with a plan to celebrate my first full week at work. "How about we go to the movies tonight?" he suggests, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "I'll even let you choose the movie."

"I'd love that," I reply, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my chest. Dillon has been a rock these past few days, helping me acclimate to the job and the town. The intense feelings for him I felt the first moment we met have grown stronger with each passing day.

We leave the office together, stepping out into the cooler evening air. The sky is a deep indigo, and stars are beginning to twinkle overhead. "There's a charming little theater just up the road," Dillon explains as we walk to his huge black SUV. "They show a mix of classics and new releases. I thought it might be fun."

The theater is indeed charming, with its vintage marquee and cozy interior. "What movie do you want to see, little goddess?"

"The new action flick. Duh." I can't believe I'm already picking up Gianna's favorite term.

Leaning closer to his warm, muscular body, I breathe in his deep woodsy scent.

"I knew you were perfect." He kisses the tip of my nose before walking up to the window to buy our tickets.

After buying us a huge tub of popcorn with extra butter and a large soda to share, Dillon leads us to a pair of seats near the back.

As the lights dim and the previews begin, I feel a rush of excitement. It's been a long time since I've been to the movies, and there's something magical about spending the evening in the darkened theater with my hot polar bear shifter.

Partway through the film, I feel Dillon's hand brush against mine on the armrest. My heart skips a beat, and I fight the urge to look at him, afraid he'll see the desire in my eyes. Oh, man. Can't shifters smell our emotions, too? I'm in so much trouble here.

His fingers curl around mine, warm and firm, and a shiver runs down my spine. The dark theater feels intimate, almost as if we're cocooned in our own little world. I try to focus on the movie, but it's impossible with my hand in his, our fingers intertwined and electricity swirling around us.

Heat pools low in my belly, and I'm acutely aware of every point of contact. The way his thumb gently strokes my palm, the warm weight of his hand, the simple yet electric connection between us. I shift in my seat, feeling slightly breathless, my mind racing and my girly parts tingling.

When the credits finally roll and the lights come up, I'm both relieved and disappointed. Dillon releases my hand, and I can still feel the ghost of his touch lingering on my skin. We gather our things and head out into the cool night, the crisp air feeling refreshing against my overheated body.

"How about a late dinner at the diner?" Dillon suggests, his tone casual, but the flames swirling behind his dark brown eyes tell another story.

"Perfect," I agree, my heart still pounding from the intensity of the shared moment in the theater. I could use a pitcher of water right now to cool off my overheated body.

The diner is a quaint spot I've come to love, with its flickering neon sign and cozy booths. We take a seat by the window, and I order a hot chocolate, craving its warmth and comfort. Dillon gets a water and immediately downs it before we both order cheeseburgers and fries.

As we wait for our food, I glance at the messages from Wrenlee on my phone. She's been holding up well, managing her classes and college life, but I can sense her loneliness. It mirrors my own, and I know it's time to address the elephant in the room.

"I need to go back to New York," I say softly, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

Dillon's eyes meet mine, and there's a flicker of surprise. "You're not leaving, are you?" he asks, his voice tight with concern.

"No, not at all," I reassure him quickly. Being this close to him has turned my mind to mush, and I'm having trouble articulating what I mean. "I just need to pack up my things, tie up some loose ends. And of course, spend some time with my little sister. She's been really strong, but I know she's missing me as much as I miss her."

Dillon's expression softens, and he reaches across the table, taking my hand. "We'll arrange to get your things moved here."

The sincerity in his eyes makes my heart swell. "I really need to pack it myself." I can't stomach the thought of strangers touching my things. "I just need a few days to pack everything up."

"We'll work on it," Dillon says, his gaze steady and reassuring as our food arrives, and we dig in, the conversation shifting to lighter topics.

After dinner, Dillon drives us back to his home. The streets are quiet, the air filled with the crisp scent of pine. He insists on walking me to my door, even though his property is locked down like a freaking fortress.

When we reach my apartment door, I turn to him, feeling the intense pull that's been growing between us since we met.

"Thank you for tonight," I say, my voice soft. "I had so much fun."

Dillon smiles, a heat shining in his eyes that makes my girly parts wake up. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

There's a moment of silence, charged with unspoken words and feelings. I lean in slightly, drawn to him, wanting to close the space between us. Just as I'm about to step back, Dillon reaches out, his hand brushing my cheek softly.

"Goodnight, little goddess," he says, his voice a husky whisper as his lips cover mine. I groan in the back of my throat as his tongue slips into my mouth to tangle with mine.

He drags me against his muscular body and kisses me to within an inch of my life as our hearts beat in synchrony.

When he pulls back and lays his forehead against mine, I look up into his deep chocolate eyes and whisper, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, little goddess." He runs his nose along the side of my neck and takes a deep breath before stepping back.

Reluctantly, I turn and head inside before I'm tempted to jump his bones. I close the door behind me and lean against it, my heart racing. The night has left me with a heady mix of emotions—love, longing, and excitement for the future.

As I prepare for bed, I text Wrenlee, letting her know my plans and promising to see her soon. Her response is immediate, filled with excitement and relief. I can't wait to hold her and reassure her that everything will be okay.

Climbing into bed, I think about Dillon—the way he held my hand in the theater, the way he looked at me tonight. My feelings for him are growing stronger, and I know that whatever happens, Glacier Pass is where I'm meant to be.

With a smile, I close my eyes, drifting off to sleep with thoughts of the mountains, the stars, and the warmth of Dillon's hand in mine. This place, this life, and this man—they all feel like home.