Hunting Ice Castles

Chapter 21 - Ice Capades

Galen

We took the garbage inside to the bins and I changed my sneakers for my snow boots so we could return outside and trudge through ankle-deep virgin snow.

I have no idea where we're going, but Hunter doesn't miss a beat. She is cheerfully pointing out one building after another, saying things like: "That is where you'll have your normal school classes, try not to drool on your desk when you fall asleep. The teachers don't like it when that happens. That is where you'll watch videos of sexy guys doing fancy tricks during games; it's part of your training, though you probably don't need any training in being sexy. That is where they will torture you with exercise devices to make you fast and strong."

"Ah, I have an MMA coach back home who is big on using torture devices to make his trainees fast and strong," I tell her, enjoying the sound of her laughter. "I'll feel right at home then."

I think I might be making the lass a wee bit nervous. She often giggles randomly when I'm not making jokes and stares at me in open-mouthed wonder when I do make one. I'm not sure what to make of her, but one thing is becoming very clear to me, no matter how hard I try to ignore it. I like her.

I think I like her a wee bit too much.

I constantly shift between feeling extremely comfortable with her, joking around and chatting and actively having to stuff my hands deep into my pockets not to grab her. Seduction and flirting come naturally to me. I learned to do it when I was still too young to understand what I was doing, and now it just happens all the time. No matter how forcefully I tell myself not to try it with the girl, I cannot stop doing it.

For the first time, I actually enjoy it and she is not shy about responding to it in her own impish way that hits me pretty hard.

I am no stranger to girls and to the effect their anatomy can have on guys, but there's something about Hunter that keeps me on edge, half off-balance. She is a startling blend of shy and forward that makes my head spin. I feel completely out of my depth. I love it, and I hate it.

It scares me.

Right now, hearing her laugh and seeing her eyes sparkle in the light of a tall decorative garden light we're passing, I love it again. She's probably not the most beautiful girl in the world, but her beauty is deeper than just skin-deep. It falls in the approachable category rather than the glamorous one. I'm not a fan of glamour. Added to her beauty is a glowing joyfulness that makes her irresistible.

Here in the fairytale gardens, with snow sifting like powdered sugar from fir trees and the white world sparkling in the scattered lights, looking as if it were decorated with glitter, Hunter is a splash of lively colour that makes my heart beat faster each time I look at her.

Her kindness touches me deeply. There is no reason for her to look out for a stranger like me, and yet she does. I don't think it's just because that is her designated role at the house. Hunter cares. She cares a lot.

She shouldn't care this much about me.

"Aren't ye cold, lass?" I ask, looking at her bright skirt and black leggings. "Yer not wearing thick pants."

"Oh, don't underestimate these leggings, Gan," she smiles. "They're lined with fleece, and I'm wearing thermal underwear under them. I'm quite warm, thank you."

I'm glad to hear that. I'm also surprisingly warm in my jacket, longjohns and jeans, probably because there's no wind right now. It's pleasant to walk around with the snow crunching under my boots. Doing it in the company of the girl playing a weird tour guide is extra fun.