One Winter's Day

Chapter 4

The trail that Mikkel led me on circled the whole ski complex, so the horseback ride took about two hours. We had both grown up riding horses because he was a natural on the saddle, and he complimented my skills as well. 

"I wonder where you got those set of skills from," he said, winking. I drew back from him, playfully aghast.

"Well, aren't you dirty!" I said, pulling my horse up beside him and smacking his arm. I was surprised to feel a bulge of muscle where my hand came in contact with his arm and had to resist touching it again. 

"I got it from my mother," he said jokingly. I gasped.

"I should hope not, my knight!" Mikkel took a quick peek around before encouraging his horse into a gallop. He was already about ten feet in front of me before I let out a big whoop and set out after him. 

"Come on, boy, let's catch up to Mikkel!" My horse let out a loud whinny and launched into a gallop. I felt free, for I was going too fast for the snow to land on my face. The icy breeze stung my face and turned my cheeks red as I galloped after him. When I finally caught up to him, we were back at the cafe and I was breathing just as heavily as my horse form all of the excitement of freedom and speed. 

"Hi, Knight," I said shyly. He turned to me and smiled.

"Hello, sweet thing," he replied softly. Mikkel helped me to dismount and he tied the horses to the pole. 

"Someone will come and get them later," he said, "Shall I walk you back to your living quarters, madame?" He asked, offering me his elbow. I took it graciously. 

"Thank you, sir knight, and yes, please walk with me," I replied, sounding all-to-much like a princess. But instead of walking with me, he scooped me up in his arms and spun me around. 

"Oh, my god! Ah! Put me down!" I shrieked through my peals of laughter. He laughed as well and set me down. It was getting dark, and I could see my breath in the cold air. 

"We should seriously start heading back now," I said, getting lost in his baby-blue eyes. Before I could protest, he gently lifted my chin to meet his and kissed me softly.

All the alarms went off in my head, telling me to pull away, that it was only the first date, that I should stop him. 

But my heart said yes and my brain said no and I've always been one to follow my heart, so I pushed myself up onto his body and kissed him with a desperation I hadn't felt since Darren cheated on me. I pulled out of the kiss, staggering backward. Mikkel looked at me with a question on his face.

"Are you alright, sweet thing? Was it something I said earlier?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm alright, Mikkel. It's just... memories.," I sighed out, grudgingly proceeding to tell him all about Darren and how he wanted to break up and then we did and how he cheated on me. Mikkel stayed attentive and patient throughout my whole schpeal, which I was grateful for. When I finally finished, he pulled me into his chest and gave me a bear hug, enveloping me in warmth and appreciation. I hadn't felt something remotely like it since, well, you know. 

"That man--no--that boy sounds like an asshole," Mikkel remarked. I sighed in relief that he hadn't gotten mad at me for talking about my ex, especially right after we had kissed. Then I giggled because he sounded funny saying asshole since he still had a slight Swedish accent. 

"Thank you for understanding, Mikkel. I appreciate it," I said, hugging him back. He planted a kiss on my head and rubbed my back, then released me from his warmth. As he started to kiss me on the cheek, he said,

"You're right, you know, we should get you back to your cabin." I nodded, sad to have to end the date, but happy it was so fun. 

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Walk me back this time?" He laughed and took my hand. 

"Of course, sweet thing, anything for you."