Chapter 2
The entire drive home I found myself fantasizing about a stranger. Winter Scott. Me. I never fantasized about anyone. Okay, again exaggerated a bit but whatever. Medical school was hard enough with distractions so I chose to limit them. I haven’t been in a relationship with a guy for three years. And for good reason too.
But his beautiful face, sculpted by Donatello himself if he created another masterpiece. And that tanned skin, sun kissed from years of exposure to the outside. They contrasted perfectly with the whites of his teeth.
I squeezed my legs tightly, trying to will away the warm sensation pooling between them. My mind was running a frenzy, imagining him on top of me, in me, holding me. Focus on the road, Winter.
I idly tried to change my train of thoughts. The trees stretched down on both sides of me, their branches fraying softly in the wind. Orange burnt leaves flew in my direction and then behind, as I zoomed past them. Fall was my favorite time of year, which was ironic since my name is Winter. But I was a sucker for the cozy weather. Plus Fall signaled Halloween which was definitely my favorite part of the year.
Turning a corner, I pulled up to the only house I’d known and love. I had the opportunity to move on campus when I found out I got accepted to medical school, but I wasn’t ready for that. My house was pristine clean and stark but it’s all I’d known and too many memories in it’s life formed most of mine but it still had a lot of character and for that I appreciated it. Plus it was the house my dad and mom started up and it was the only thing I had to hold onto the woman who birthed me. The woman whom I never got the chance to meet.
“Dad? Meredith?” I shouted, while unpacking the white plastic bags. I jumped, as something furry scurried across my feet.
“Hey Spinks,” I said, as I patted our 8 year old cat. She was a grumpy old thing, but she was obsessed with me and me alone.
“That damn cat has been giving me allergies all morning,” Meredith entered the kitchen, rubbing her red, blotchy nose, “Did you get the stuff for me?”
“It’s all here,” I said, motioning at the kitchen counter.
“Good, I need you to be ready for 5, my brother’s coming to stay with us for a little while,” she said nervously, as she packed things into the cupboard.
“You have a brother?”
She rolled her eyes, “yes Winter, I told you this several times. He going to be in town for a few days. He has...a few things to work out.”
I ignored her strange, vague reply. I couldn’t care less to learn about the random man who was unfortunately going to be my new temporary roommate.
“Okay whatever, where’s dad?” I asked.
“He’s in his office working on one of his projects. Do me a favor and tell him to come downstairs and get ready, it’s almost half four.”
I signed, and walked to up the east wing stairs towards his workplace. My dad you could say was a big shot. That being one of the most successful plastic surgeons in the whole state of Pennsylvania. Most of the time he was stuck up in his office doing 3D models or writing the next best research paper. He was obsessed with success you could say. I didn’t know how Meredith tolerated and adjusted to it so quickly. Maybe because having a lot of money wasn’t half bad but I don’t think she was that conceited. I’d been dealing with his antics for so long and even I still hadn’t gotten accustomed.
“Dad?”
I heard a bang, followed by a groan, “I’m here Winter.”
“What in heavens earth are you doing?”
He motioned to some hunk of human plastic sitting in the middle of his table. Were those boobs? I didn’t even want to know. He really loved what he did and because of that he put me in Medicine. His prodigy, he called me when I got accepted. Don’t get me wrong I like medicine but was it my calling or passion? I thought about that daily.
“What you think?”
“It’s lovely dad,” I lied, avoiding eye contact. He smiled down at his masterpiece in satisfaction, two hands on his hips.
“Anyway Meredith wants you to go get ready, something about her brother coming in at 5,” I said, while leaving the office. Behind me I heard a shit, followed by another set of ruckus.
I headed upstairs the west wing to bathe, and changed into a cute little sundress. Then applied a little mascara and lip gloss. I didn’t really care how I looked but I knew Meredith would not be impressed if I rolled downstairs in a sweatpants, hair tied up and no makeup on.
Voices echoed into my room downstairs, and I took it that our guest had arrived.
“Winter, come down here please!” My dad hollered from downstairs. Right on cue.
Let’s get this over with. “Coming!”
“Yes I’m so proud of her. Can’t believe she’s in fourth year already...” I began hearing my dad tell the stranger.
Until I saw who he was. It was the same guy from the grocery. The douche bag who kept smirking and calling me tostito.
Right on cue, he smirked as his eyes locked with mine.
“Ah Aspen, meet my daughter Winter,” my dad said, motioning towards me, “wow, the irony of your names.” He chuckled, the only one in the room who thought the joke was even funny.
“We alr-” I began as Aspen cut me off and ignored my father’s silly comment.
“Nice to meet you Winter, I’m intrigued to get to know you,” He purred, outstretching his hand. I physically forced myself to swallow. Vaguely, I noticed a sudden rise in temperature of the atmosphere. With a trembling hand, I shook his back. I felt suddenly lightheaded from the warmth that his hand seemed to emit.
“You have a lovely place here Mr Scott, I’d love to take a tour of it,” He said in awe as he surveyed the foyer.
“How about after dinner I show you around? I have the best man cave, pool table equipped and all. If you’d want to give it a shot. But just a warning I’m the best there is. Isn’t that right Winter?” My dad winked at me.
I rolled my eyes simply groaning in response. Turning my attention back to our visitor, I realized his attention was on me. His eyes boring into mine, heating up my core.
Fuck, this was going to be hard.
“How was your flight Aspen?” Meredith asked, taking the grocery bags I assumed he rested down.
“Well they couldn’t find my luggage so they told me to come back . I went to the grocery and a bit of sightseeing to kill time,” He then looked towards my direction, watching me up and down slowly. This man was going to be the death of me, “I liked what I saw.”
“That’s good honey,” She continued to him, and then to me,” Winter, be a dear and show Aspen the guest room so he could put his suitcases down.”
Hell no. “Sure.”
