Jack Frost

As the first snowflake settled, it whispered secrets of a winter tale waiting to unfold. I listened carefully to the peaceful silence that ensued. The wind howled in rebellion. The snow responded in kind by dancing with the wind. It swirled and fluttered to the ground.

I looked up at the sky, watching the flakes get larger and heavier. They gathered on my coat and melted on my face. I carefully inspected a snowflake that landed on my gloved hand. The intricate formation sparkled in the sunlight.

More snow landed on my cheeks and eyelashes. I didn’t mind their cold kisses on my skin though. Because I knew, to my very core, that there was magic in the snow.

I found myself following the siren call of the freshly fallen snow. As it collected on the ground I felt a satisfying crunch with every step I took deeper into the woods. The snow creaked underfoot, urging me forward.

When I had started walking that morning, I had felt the snowfall was imminent. I walked for hours waiting for it to come to me. By then the sun was setting on the horizon and I had long lost my original path. But I wanted, no I needed, to go wherever the snow led me.

I watched as snow covered everything in a heavy, white blanket. It clung to the trees’ bare branches like a desperate lover who had been reunited after far too long a separation.

It began falling so fast that I could hardly see the trees in front of me. But I knew the snow wouldn’t steer me wrong, so I pressed forward. As I traveled deeper into the woods I knew that something extraordinary was going to happen. I could feel it in my soul.

Just as the chill in the air started to seep through my winter wear and settle in my bones, I found myself at the edge of a small clearing. When I stepped into the clearing a log cabin came into view. There were no vehicles parked in the clearing. There were no footprints leading to or from it, aside for my own. In fact, there hadn’t even been any snow removed from the walkways. Assuming there were walkways hidden beneath the snow.

I studied the small cabin. There were five steps that lead to a wrap around porch. Two chairs sat near the front door, piled high with snow. Smoke rose from a chimney in the back of the building and light spilled into the clearing from the windows, suggesting that someone was home. The prospect of a warm fire was enticing.

Shivering, I made my way toward the front door. I was so relieved to have found shelter that I didn’t question why I hadn’t seen the smoke from the chimney or lights in the windows until I was in the small clearing. Briefly I wondered what sort of person would let themselves be snowed in, but curiosity won me over.

I clamored up the steps and knocked on the door. As I was waiting for whomever might answer my knock, it dawned on me that I had just put myself in an incredibly dangerous position. But the snow had led me here. So, I had trusted that this was where I was meant to be.

When the door swung open I held my breath and my heart skipped. Standing in front of me was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.

He stood at least a foot taller than me. His broad shoulders and chiseled abs were on full display as he was only wearing plaid pajama pants. His dark hair was tousled and his strong jaw was covered in stubble. When I finally made eye contact with him, icy blue eyes pierced straight through me.

I felt heat rush to my face in embarrassment. I had just ogled a completely stranger in his own home.

The corners of his mouth lifted in an amused grin. He crossed his arms over his chest, causing his biceps to bulge, and leaned against the doorway.

“Can I help you?” He asked.

“Oh! I… uh…” I cleared my throat. “I’m… uh… I’m sorry to… um… bother you.” I stammered.

I took a steadying breath before continuing. “I know it’s late. I’m afraid I got turned around in the snowstorm.”

I looked into his crystal clear eyes pleadingly. His eyes glinted in the moonlight before he stepped into the cabin, gesturing for me to follow.

“Please, come in. You look like you could use some warming up.” He proposed.

Grateful to be out of the cold, I hurried across the threshold. But as I stepped passed him I shivered. The snow must have finally made it through my defensive layers.

“Let me take your coat.” He offered. “Would you like something warm to drink? Coffee, tea, hot cocoa?”

I shrugged my coat off and handed it to him. “Got anything stronger?” I half joked. But truthfully he made me nervous. Well, not just him specifically. But the whole situation was laughable.

This was like the beginning of a bad horror flick. Some dumb chick trusts a stranger in the middle of nowhere. No one knows where she is or who she’s with. The obvious ending is that she’s never heard from again.

“I have a full bar,” he replied, “Was there something you were hoping for?”

I could really use some liquid courage right about now. If I’m gonna die here, I’m gonna be drunk first.

“Captain and Coke?” I asked tentatively.

“You got it,” he said.

I must have been staring a little too long because a sly smile played across is lips. He looked me up and down and winked before turning towards his bar.

“Make yourself at home,” he gestured toward a couch that was arranged in front of the fireplace next to the bar.

To the right of the entrance were two closed doors, probably the bedroom and bathroom. And to the left was a open concept kitchen with a wood burning stove. The countertop curled around it, turning into bar seating that spilled into the living room. On one side of the fireplace was a small bookcase and the other, the bar.

The crackling of the fire drew me toward the couch and warmth enveloped me as I approached. I stretched and leaned into the cushions. I hadn’t realized how tired and sore my muscles were until I sat down.

I watched him from my position on the couch. His muscles flexed with every movement, as he collected the necessary items to make two drinks. A very heavy pour was added to each of the two glasses he had filled with ice. Then he grabbed a can of Coke from below the bar, opened it, and topped off each glass. He handed me a glass and sat on the other end of the couch.

“So, what brought you out into the storm today?” He inquired.

His ice blue eyes studied me as I took the first sip of my drink. I cleared my throat and placed it on the coffee table in front of me.

What could I say other than the truth? I could have told him that I love snow. Or that I didn’t realize how much snow there would be. Ultimately, I decided it would be easiest to just be honest. Even if it sounded insane.

“Well, there’s magic in the snow...” it sounded ridiculous as the words fell from my mouth. Even to myself. I had never told anyone this before. It was a feeling I didn’t really know how to express.

“Go on,” he said, leaning forward.

“Well… if you really listen, and you follow where it leads you, you’ll be in for something extraordinary for sure.” I replied.

“Is that so?” He asked, possibly to himself.

“Absolutely.” I answered anyway.

“And is that what you were doing when you found my house?” He pondered, leaning in closer to me. He placed his drink on the table next to mine.

“It is.” My voice came out breathy.

He leaned closer still. “Do you believe the snow led you here for a reason?”

His stared into my eyes with an intensity that stole the air right out of my lungs.

“Yes,” my voice caught in my throat.

“What’s your name, traveler?”

“Eira.” It was my turn to lean forward. I felt a pull in my whole body, drawing me closer to him like two magnets.

“A lovely name that suits its owner.” He affirmed. He placed a freezing hand on my cheek.

“What’s your name?” I heard myself ask as I leaned into his touch.

He chuckled before responding, “Jack.” His frosty eyes staring into mine, daring me to make the first move.

I inched forward, leaning the rest of the way to close the gap between us. I felt compelled to touch him. To kiss him. I pressed my lips to his, but the shock of his ice cold lips on mine started me.

I broke away from the kiss and leaned back. His eyes were sparkling like moonlight on freshly fallen snow.

“You’re freezing. I think you’re the one who needs warming up,” I stated before leaning forward again.

His lips crashed against mine, his stubble burning my face like sandpaper. I reached up to hold his face to mine. It was frigid too. I climbed into his lap and pressed my body against his. It felt like I had ice packs pressed against my body.

Moving of their own volition, my hips began to rock against his. Grabbing my hips, he pulled me more firmly against his hardening length. The gesture set my body ablaze.

Even fully clothed the friction was burning me up from the inside out. I arched my back and moaned into his mouth. His reaction was almost instantaneous. He kept lifting his hips to meet my rhythm, but he grabbed the hem of my sweater and pulled it up and over my head.

Then his wintry mouth was on my neck. He licked and sucked as he unhooked my bra before discarding it. Trailing kisses down my chest, he sucked one nipple into his mouth as he took my other breast in his hand, rolling my nipple between his fingers. The combination of cold and excitement had my nipples harden so quickly it hurt.

His touch sent shivers up and down my spine and goosebumps erupted all over my body. He used his free hand to grasp my hip firmly and grind against me, matching my rhythm.

I felt light headed. I had never been with a man who knew exactly what I wanted him to do when I wanted him to do it. I bit my lip attempting to stifle a moan. He brought his mouth back to mine and it escaped into his mouth. He groaned and pushed his hips harder against me in response.

Suddenly he lifted me from his lap and laid me back on the couch. I gasped at the sudden change of position. He leaned against my entire body. I reveled in the feel of his weight pinning me to the couch. His mouth met mine once again as his hands were deftly unbuttoning my pants. I lifted my hips to help speed up the process and in one shift motion he had my pants and panties down to my knees.