Snow Bound: The Complete Story Read Online Free Page A

deer.
    I stared at her for a moment. At first I wasn't sure what to do, then I slowly lowered myself to my knees and started at her feet. "Please forgive me."
    I watched as she calmed down while staring at me.
    "You didn't do anything wrong," she said. "Please get up. Please don't burn dinner over this. It smells so good, and I'm starving."
    I watched as she retreated to her side of the island. I climbed back to my feet and immediately stirred the dinner. She was right; it did smell good. I hadn't burnt it yet, but it was a close thing.
    "I'm a little broken," she said while I was occupied with the food.
    "Everyone is a little broken," I replied. "Just in different ways."
    I let her think about that for a while.
    "Sarah," I said. "Are you on any medications?"
    "You're not my doctor," she said immediately.
    "No," I replied. "It was a clumsy way to ask whether it was okay to open a bottle of wine."
    "Do you think I'll be more pliable with alcohol in me?" she asked.
    "No," I said. "But I may be."
    I looked at her and she was smirking. "I don't even take aspirin," she said. "A glass would be nice."
    * * *
    She was clearly hungry, but she ate in a dainty style. I spent more time watching her than I did eating my own food. She noticed, but didn't seem put off by it.
    We didn't talk much over dinner. She meticulously cleaned her plate, then waited patiently for me to finish eating. We cleared the table together and she insisted on washing the dishes while I put the leftovers away.
    She asked me questions about my job and how long I had owned the cabin. I asked her where she liked to take photos and where she was from. She talked about the photos but wouldn't answer any questions about her past.
    Finally she turned to me and snapped, "Don't you take a hint? Do you think if you keep prying eventually you'll get your own way?"
    She stormed out of the kitchen and out to the laundry, cycling her clothes into the dryer. She came back and packed up her computer and camera. "I'll be out of your way as soon as my clothes are dry. Thank you for dinner, a soak in the tub, and clean clothes."
    "Sarah, wait," I said.
    "You're doing it again," she said. "Trying to order me. Trying to get me to conform to what you want. You're not going to get what you want. Deal with it."
    "I want to apologize," I replied. "I'm sorry. I have certain behavior patterns. It's taking me time to realize some of them are inappropriate with you."
    I watched her posture soften. "I'm broken," she said again. "I have certain coping mechanisms. None of them are compatible with someone else who needs to be in control all the time."
    I walked over to her, watching her. She didn't back away. "I like you," I told her. "I don't understand you well enough to know what you want or whether your behavior earlier is healthy. I don't know whether it's something I should encourage or if I should keep my distance."
    Sarah stared into my eyes. "Why would you encourage it?" I asked. "Why would you encourage me to dominate you?"
    I liked my lips. "Because you tasted amazing, and because I don't remember when it was the last time someone made my heart beat like you did." I paused. "But I fear that is a coping mechanism, and perhaps not a healthy one."
    "It's a pragmatic coping mechanism," she replied, "one that enables me to do this." She reached out and grabbed the back of my head, pulling my lips to hers. She ravaged my lips with hers for a moment, and I had to wrap my arms around her as my knees grew weak. Her tongue slipped into my mouth, and I could taste a tantalizing combination of dinner fused with her unique flavor.
    Her other arm went around me, then she was bending me back and slowly lowered me until I was on my knees in front of her, clutching at her.
    She broke the kiss and stepped away, panting.
    "Back straight!" she ordered. "Head down!"
    I immediately complied, helpless to resist her demanding tone. She walked around me, studying me. I felt like I were being studied by a