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As we turn back onto the private road that leads to the cottage, Lila breathes an audible sigh of relief, her body beginning to soften, releasing its rigid posture.
The trees on either side swallow the road like a tunnel. The headlights catch the frost on low hanging branches, the glint of icicles dripping off them like crystal daggers, both beautiful and menacing at the same time.
The cottage lights come into view up ahead, warm and golden and safe.
As we pull into the drive, my shoulders drop down from their heightened state, the sanctuary of the cottage steadying my breath.
But even as the engine quiets, I can’t help one last glance in the rearview mirror, searching the darkness behind us for the ghostly glow of headlights.
I turn to Lila.
“Are you alright?”
“Yea,” she says, her voice low. “I just don’t know if this threat is ever going to end.”
I take her hand. “It will.” I try my best to sound reassuring. “They’ll find him.”
“Do you really think we’re safe out here?”
I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead. “We’re safer here than anywhere else right now. But I’m not taking anything for granted.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything else.
The cold starts to wrap around us as the heat from the car’s engine dissipates into the air outside.
“Ready to go in?”
Lila nods, giving my hand a quick squeeze before climbing out of the car.
She leans into me as we walk to the door, and I slip my arm around her.
The moment we’re inside, I flick the lock shut behind us, then check it again. I cross the room to double-check the patio door and peek out through the shutters at the front window.
Nothing but trees. Stillness. Dark.
I turn to look at her, standing by the door, watching me.
No words pass between us. We don’t need any.
I walk up to her and kiss her – slow and firm. Her hand curls into my shirt like she’s anchoring herself to me, her other hand gliding up my chest until her fingers brush the stone around my neck.
The onyx feels warm between us, her fingers wrapping softly around the stone that’s been a part of me for my entire adult life - holding on to it like she’s trying to absorb some of its power.
Everything it stands for – Protection. Strength. Peace. I’d give it all to her in a heartbeat. Iamgiving it all to her.
I pull her closer, until there’s no space left between us.
She’s mine to look after now. No matter what comes.
Her body radiates heat, grounding and electrifying all at once. Her lips break apart from mine and she takes off her boots and coat, hanging it on the banister, before taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.
In the bedroom, she turns and pushes me gently down so I’m sitting on the edge of the bed. My hands settle on her hips as she steps between my legs, her fingers sliding through my hair.
I close my eyes, pressing my face to her chest, breathing her in, letting the scent of her erase everything else in my mind.
My hands slide lower, gripping her arse as I pull her closer, my mouth grazing the soft fabric of her top.
I stand, stripping off my coat and letting it fall to the floor without a second thought. My hands find the hem of her shirt, and in one smooth motion, I’m tugging it up over her head and tossing it somewhere behind me. I turn us around, guiding her down onto the bed, and her hands reach for me, dragging my mouth to hers with a need so desperate, as though my lips can unravel every ounce of tension coiled up inside her.