Page 22 of First Snow

Arttu just rolls his eyes.

Chapter 8

Arttu

Hewalksdowntheroad toward the B&B in a trance. He never expected that his little investigation would turn so personal, so fast. Seriously, what was he thinking, letting Faeling ravish him like that? Sure, it was his plan to seduce Faeling, but Arttu hadn’t thought he would be so affected by a simple fuck. But affected, he is. His skin tingles with the phantom sensation of Faeling’s touch. It’s selfish and reckless, but Arttu can’t wait to be close to him again.

The ringing of his phone pulls him out of his thoughts. Arttu takes a look at the display and smiles in surprise. Emily had asked if she could give him her number, she hadn’t said that she decorated her newly created profile with a hilarious photo.

“Moikka,Emily,” Arttu says as he picks up.

“Hey,” Emily sounds relieved. “Sorry to bother you, but I, well, kind of had to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m good,” Arttu hums, amused.

“Good-good?” Emily asks, her voice taking on a teasing quality. She’s a nosy one.

“Yup.”

“Oh, come on Arttu! Do I have to drag it out of you? What were you up to? Did something happen with Faeling?”

“We barely know each other and you’re interrogating me about my sex life,” Arttu chuckles. Emily is hilarious.

“Fine. I was going to ask you if you wanted to have coffee with me, anyway. Then you can spill the beans. And don’t play the stranger card with me, you owe me some juicy details after what we went through last night.”

Arttu sighs. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to get rid of Emily. He doesn’t want to, either. “Okay, you menace. We can get a coffee, but not right now.”

Emily lets out a delighted squeal that has Arttu’s ears ringing. “Oh my god, are you still with him?”

“No. I’m on the way to my hotel.”

“And you can’t meet because…?"

Arttu feels a blush creep over his face. “Umm—I’m getting my things. He, well, he invited me to stay, so…” Arttu trails off.

“Holy fuck!”

“It’s not a big deal, really—”

“How long?”

“Huh?”

“How long has he asked you to stay for?”

“For the rest of my holiday.”

“Jesus!”

Arttu feels a strange, fluttery feeling bloom in his stomach. It’s certainly not as big a deal as Emily makes it out to be.

“Okay, wow,” Emily says, probably realizing Arttu isn’t going to elaborate on the subject. “Now that you’re spending the holidays with your beau, why don’t you two lovebirds come out with me and my friends tonight?”

“I’m not sure if he’s into that,” Arttu objects. On the other hand, can it be worse doing something with Emily and her friends than being holed up with Faeling in his club for days? Arttu isn’t sure if he can handle the sexual tension. Or the actual sex. He feels like he’s already on the verge of a stroke.

“Oh, come on, just ask him. I’m pretty sure he’ll do anything to please you.”

“That’s not how it is,” Arttu grumbles.