Winter (Not Edited)

Chapter 21

Winter pulled her face slowly away from Emerson's.

They sat in silence. There bodies were heaving from the kiss. Winter couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

It was her first kiss. As the thought popped into her mind, her cheeks inflamed with a rapid blush.

Emerson watched her fiddling with her hands, in truth he was tired. Standing up, he reached for her hand. Winter stood up with his hand wrapped around her small one.

He led her back to her room. Once inside Winter got under the thick covers and snuggled into the warmth.

"Winter." Emerson whispered as he sat beside her on the bed. She hummed waiting for whatever he wanted to say.

His warm hand rubbed circles on her back, sending her closer to a deep sleep.

"Thank you." He whispered. She could only nod as he continued to rub her back. He loved how she needed his touch, she loved how gentle he was with her. Only her.

Once she was fully asleep he went to bed himself. For once more peace surrounding the air he breathed.

Morning came and Emerson awoke and began getting ready for work. He grabbed his suit jacket and pulled it over his tone arms. As he bent to pick up his shoes, a small piece of paper laid upon the flooring.

He picked it up and opened the folded paper. The gift had fallen out of Winter's hands before she gave it to him.

Before their kiss.

He studied the small hand drawn flower and words that were in perfect cursive. An apology gift. His heart hurt at the way he had ignored her.

Winter had put a sweater over her arm, she didn't like seeing that ugly bruise. Stupid ladder, she thought.

While she was making breakfast, the sound of footsteps entered her ears.

She turned around facing in the direction of the loud footsteps.

As they locked eyes, the night before flashed through both of their bodies. Winter's cheeks tinged with a rosy blush as she turned back around to grab the utensil.

Winter's careless hand wondered too far and grazed the pan. She hissed as she pulled her hand away from the pan.

Emerson instantly moved closer at the sound of her in distress. Her eyes pricked with tears she quickly turned off the stove and moved the pan across to the burner that was off.

Her small hand was throbbing and was redden with heat.

Emerson quickly turned the water on cold and reached for her wrist careful to not disturb her fingers. He gently pushed her hand under the cool water.

After an intake of breath a small tear leaked out of her eye. She quickly wiped it before apologizing. Her pain tolerance was usually high but this hurt.

"Winter." Emerson whispered softly.

She looked up at his sculpted face. He moved her hand out of the running water.

"You are okay." He said to her and she nodded. Her heart was pounding as his hand grazed her skin as he lead her to the bathroom.

She stood for a second before she was being lifted in the air. A gasp escaped her mouth and she giggled softly as warm hands unwrapped from her narrow waist.

Winter watched as he began to dry her hand and then proceeded to slowly wrap it after applying burn cream.

Her heart felt as if it was drumming against her rib cage. She felt overwhelmed with the care she was receiving. It didn't feel real. How could someone be so utterly pure and caring as Emerson, she thought.