I looked around, taking in the evergreens, their color standing out amidst the other trees stripped bare of their leaves. A layer of snow blanketed the landscape. The mountains loomed in the distance, and the view was so familiar, my heart almost ached for it. Even if I had come home under not so ideal circumstances, Alaska was home for me and would always hold a piece of my heart. The beauty was truly spectacular. Nature threw all her tricks at you here. Mountains, the ocean, dark winter nights, the sky painted with the northern lights, sunsets to make you forget everything but the beauty of the universe, and sunrises that took your breath away, calling for you to forget your petty worries.
“Do you think of Willow Brook as home?” I asked. As I slid my eyes sideways briefly, my belly did a little flip at the glancing contact with his.
“Always.”
A few minutes later, he rolled to a stop in the little circular drive at my childhood home. I still thought of it as my parents’ house even though my father had passed away several years ago. It was a square two-story home with two dormers upstairs, looking like cute square eyes to the house.
I almost laughed when I belatedly realized Holly had left me behind at Wildlands without a ride home, considering she’d picked me up earlier. I was relieved my mother wasn’t home for now. I wasn’t quite up for her to react to seeing Caden. I climbed out quickly, and my hands were actually sweating as I walked up the steps to the front door. Caden was right behind me. I turned around abruptly on the top step when he was still one step below. He stopped there, and our eyes were almost level. He was so tall that he still stood a shade above me.
My heart took up its clanging rhythm, and I tried to get a breath to tell him this kiss thing was crazy and stupid. But I couldn’t seem to speak with his eyes locked onto mine.
We stared at each other, and just when I thought I couldn’t take it, I recognized an old glimmer in his gaze—the boy I’d known before flickered there. It was different than the careful, guarded look held in his eyes only seconds earlier.
Impulsively, I stepped closer. I didn’t know who moved first, but our lips met in a brush. That subtle touch was searing hot, a contrast to the biting cold air outside.
“Again,” he murmured, his lips moving against mine. Then he stepped closer, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me flush against him. He palmed my cheek with his other hand, his touch gentle but commanding and assured.
Brynn
A piercing shock of pleasure rippled and bloomed through me the second I felt Caden’s body against mine. Another brush of his lips, and then he angled my head to the side and claimed my mouth.
This wasn’t a kiss from a boy. This was a kiss from a fierce man. My youthful memories blew away like tumbleweeds in this kiss—masterful, devouring, and turning my entire body molten.
When Caden’s tongue glided against mine, I couldn’t help the little moan that escaped. I felt the press of his fingers as his palm slid to curl around the back of my neck. The low groan from his throat in return vibrated through me. His body was warm, and I craved the feel of it. One hand slid around his back, feeling the corded muscles there as my other palm unfurled over his chest, feeling the thump, thump, thump of his heartbeat.
He was both familiar and new at once. I lost all sense of time and had no idea how long that kiss lasted. His lips were warm and mobile against mine as our tongues teased each other. By the time he lifted his head, I was breathless and ridiculously needy.
I was grateful for his strength with his arm holding me firmly against him. My breath came in ragged heaves, misting in the cold air. I tucked my head against his shoulder as I scrambled for purchase inside, trying to gain some semblance of control.
Because right now, I wanted to lead him by the hand inside and take things to the next level with him. All those years ago, we’d only had a few encounters that moved beyond kisses and touches. We’d been each other’s first, and everything since then had been a letdown. I never could tell if it was me, or if I’d magnified the memories to an unrealistic pinnacle. I was home in Alaska, feeling burned and cynical about love. Along came a rock star, my old boyfriend, and he kissed like a hot, hazy dream.
I was relieved to feel the rapid beat of his heart. I couldn’t imagine he was as undone as I was, but at least his pulse was racing. After a few moments, I lifted my head. His eyes met mine. We stared at each other quietly, and I wished I could read his mind.
I expected him to say something suave and smooth. He startled me when his hand slid from my nape, cupping my chin as his thumb traced my lips. I could feel a subtle tremble in his touch.
“Well, then,” he finally murmured.
“Where are you staying?” I heard myself asking.
“At my father’s old house. Have dinner with me tomorrow.”
“Like a date?”
His lips twitched before curling into a slow smile. Butterflies spun, tickling my belly. I hadn’t fully recovered from our kiss, and my knees were still wobbly.
“Yes. Like a date. I’ll pick you up and everything.”
I suddenly felt nervous and anxious. “Caden, I’m terrible at dating.” I surprised myself with my blunt honesty. “You’re a rock star,” I added as if that was somehow relevant.
He blinked, his eyes searching mine, something flickering there that I didn’t know how to interpret. “Who broke your heart?”
Emotions wound inside. My throat felt tight, and tears stung the backs of my eyes. I hoped he couldn’t tell. Because, good Lord, he was not uncomfortable with eye contact. He never once looked away.
I swallowed and managed a shaky breath. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Have dinner with me,” he repeated quietly.
“Okay,” I whispered, wondering if I’d completely lost my mind.
The last thing I needed was to have a fling with my old high school boyfriend who’d broken my heart once before. Because I couldn’t imagine he wanted anything more than a fling with me.
He smiled again, sending the butterflies in my belly into a tizzy. He left me at the door on the heels of another breath-stealing and mind-melding kiss. After I watched his headlights disappear, I walked inside and collapsed against the door. My hips slid down to the floor as I rested my elbows on my knees and took a deep, shuddering breath. I’d come home to lick my wounds and because I had no other choice.
Dinner with him was a bad idea. I told myself I would text him and cancel tomorrow.
Caden
Caden, it was really great to see you. I need to cancel our dinner date. I’m glad you’re doing so well.
What the fuck? Oh, hell no. Brynn was not canceling on me. I knew she was probably panicking and thinking I wanted a little fun for old times’ sake, but this was so much more than that. She was that girl to me, and Christmas was coming. Fame had hemmed in so many corners of my life, but I wasn’t going to let this one wish slip away.
I didn’t know who made her so cynical and guarded, but I was ready to slay her dragons. First, I had to convince her to let me.
With that in mind, I needed coffee. I aimed my SUV rental toward Firehouse Café. When I pulled up in front of the little café, it actually felt as if my body smiled at its familiarity. Before I moved away with my mom, she used to bring me here when I was a little boy. Then in high school, I worked here part-time and I’d meet Brynn here after school.