"Come on, let's get back to the coach."
I nodded in agreement, my body starting to feel like it was freezing.
"My hands are frozen!" I stated as we sat in our seats.
Without blinking Coach took my hands and placed them in between his thighs.
"That'll warm them up." He smirked.
My eyes darted around but no one was paying any attention to us.
"Don't worry, no one can see. You can always slip them in my pants if that'll warm them up quicker." He whispered into my ear. He was getting a lot bolder now that he knows we are attracted to each other. I was equal parts shocked at how brazen he was and turned on by his no-nonsense approach, I also knew that if we were alone I'd definitely be undressing him right now.
I pulled my hands away and sat back in my seat.
"We can't be like this when there are people around."
He shrugged in response.
"You've got it....but does that mean next time we're alone I can do what I want?" His face told me he was probably planning something, but I don't think he expected my response.
"Sure." I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Deal."
His shock turning into a look of joy. Joy tinged with a look of mischief.
"Just you wait." He grinned
I'll admit I was a little panicked, maybe I was too swift to try and match his confidence.
Coach took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. Our conversation was a little flirtier than previously as we headed to our next destination.
I found myself staring deep into his eyes or focusing on his lips, I wanted to lean in and kiss him.
He moved his head closer and whispered in my ear.
"I really want to kiss you." He looked at me, his eyes almost glossy as if he was in pain that we couldn't kiss.
Seeing his outer strength and confidence falter made my heart skip a beat.
How quickly he could go from a rugged, cocky giant to a sensitive, almost passionate man was jarring but drew me in deeper.
The next location on our itinerary was the Sólheimajökull glacier. It took us some time to reach the top, Coach kept pushing on my ass as if he was helping me up the incline, I kept swatting his hands away. The incline was so gentle he clearly just wanted an excuse to touch my ass. His cheeky grin every time I turned to glare at him also gave it away.
"We're not alone." I finally warned.
He groaned in acceptance.
When we reached the top of the pitch black mountain I was greeted by a stunning view. Crystal clear ice spread as far as the eye can see.
"You know how you said you find volcanoes interesting but really scary?" Coach whispered in my ear as his hand found its way to mine.
I nodded quizzically, wondering where this conversation was going to go.
"You do know we're stood close to two powerful volcanoes?"
My hand squeezed his as my body tensed in instant fear.
He pointed his arms out in different directions, with his left pointing Westward and his right facing North-Easterly.
"That one is Katla." He shook his right hand.
"And that is Eyjafjallajökull." He grinned while shaking his left hand.
I turned to look him dead in the eye.
"What?! They brought us between two volcanoes?! Two?!"
Beads of sweat started rolling down my face, from the ascent up the mountain or from fear I don't know.
"Yeah...and they're both about due to erupt." He looked at his watch as if he meant due to erupt any minute.
My eyes moved around frantically, trying to find any indication he was joking.
"Don't worry, we've not had any warning so they're not going to go off while we're stood here!" He laughed as if my fear was completely ridiculous.
"Don't do that!" I tried to sound authoritative but my voice cracked as I looked down at the floor.
"Aww I'm sorry." He pulled me into him, my head resting on his shoulder as he hugged me. I grunted into his neck. My fear and anger slowly changing into embarrassment. I could almost feel the eyes of the other tour guests burrowing into me.
I slowly pushed Coach away but to my surprise nobody was paying us any attention. I was thankful for that at least.
After taking some photos, with Coach once again playing director, we started our descent. On the way down I was shocked into freezing on the spot.
"Oh hey Scott." Adam's eyes meeting my own. He smiled, almost devilishly.
"Coach." He said coldly as he nodded in Coach's direction.
Coach beamed his usual large grin at Adam and waved. Was he oblivious to Adam's coldness or was he purposefully ignoring it and being overly cheery to prove a point?
"Hi.." I responded, unsure how to break the awkwardness.
"We've gotta go, don't want the coach leaving without us." Coach smiled, waved at Adam and took my hand gently before leading me passed Adam.
"Umm bye" I managed to say as we crossed.
My head span back to Adam as I felt his fingers brush mine, his little finger trying to interlock with my own, he looked me in the eye and grinned evilly before winking.
My body stopped momentarily, my eyes focused on the back of his head.
Why did he do that?
I was pulled forward by Coach's gentle tug on my hand.
"He looked happy to see you." Coach said without looking my way, but his voice didn't give any indication he meant this in a negative way.
I'll admit, I half expected at least a hint of jealousy but there was nothing.
I grunted and shrugged, unsure of how to respond.
I don't know why I shrugged, Coach wasn't even looking at me as I trailed behind him slightly. I guess I hoped he'd feel it through my arm or he'd sense my lack of interest in the situation. But truthfully there was a slight burn of interest in my stomach.
The small talk on the coach was a little awkward, Coach was his usual happy self but I couldn't help feel like I'd done something bad.
I tried to ignore the feeling but it was there nagging at the back of my head.
As I finally put the nagging to rest we stopped in the small town of Vik.
Stepping into a small, rustic restaurant and being embraced by the warmth was just what I needed. I settled down at a small table and waited for Coach to return with our lamb stew, the best in Iceland according to him.
Coach approached the table carrying a tray and his lofty smile.
He placed the tray down and looked so proud, almost as if he'd made the stew himself.
"Eat up!" He grinned as he forced the soup spoon towards my face, I knew there was no point arguing with him so I opened my mouth, it was flooded with a rich, flavourful stew. The chunks of lamb melted in my mouth and the vegetables had just the right amount of crunch.
While I couldn't attest to it being the best in Iceland it was definitely one of the best stews I'd ever eaten.
"It's good right?" He looked so happy that I was enjoying it.
"It's delicious! Did you cook it?" I smirked slightly.
"No..." he looked down at the table, giving an air of embarrassment. "It's just my favourite."
"Well, you have great taste." His hand slid across my leg up towards my thigh, hidden only by the table.
"I have the best taste." He looked me deep in my eyes before giving a cheeky wink.
"Eww. That was so cheesy!" I laughed, Coach forced another spoonful of the delicious soup into my mouth.
"Shut up!" He squeezed my thigh as he chuckled.
We sat joking and laughing as the hot soup warmed us up.
"Come on, there's something here I want to see." I grabbed Coach's hand and pulled him to his feet. I kept a hold of his hand as I dragged him behind me and out into the slowly falling snow. I stopped in my tracks, looking around. I realised I might have gotten ahead of myself marching out when I don't know my way around.
"Where's the statue?"
"For?" He questioned.
"To look at? What else?" I raised my eyebrow quizzically. What else would I do with a statue?
He laughed at me as if I was the weird one.
"No. The statue, it's called For." He said with a hint more of an accent this time, I'm sure he did that on purpose.
"That was a long way to go for a joke." I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile at what a dork he was.
He looked around, checking side to side, surely he knew the way to the statue?
After a few checks both left and right he leant in and placed a quick kiss on my lips.
"Come on." He smiled wildly as he pulled me along behind him.
I can't believe he'd kissed me like that! Just one small kiss, my body ached for more.
We made our way down towards the crashing waves of the ocean, a large pillar cut into the view of the ocean and the sky. As we drew closer the pillar began to materialise features, stood atop the pole was a person. The gentle curves of their naked body clashed with the rough, restlessness of the waves that flew into the air behind the statue.
"What made you want to see this statue? Not many tourists know about this unless they stumble on it." Coach seemed genuinely intrigued, his head almost cocked to the side like a confused puppy.
"The partner statue is located in my home city." I smiled.
"Oh! I'd heard there was another statue but I thought it was just a myth!" He looked up at the statue and seemed to be appreciating it in a new way.
I snapped some photos and brought up the statue in my city on my phone to show him.
"Another thing to link us together huh?" He ruffled my hair.
"Come on, let's hurry back to the coach. You're going to love the next stop!"
I looked up at the snowy sky trying to list the itinerary in my mind.
"Oh, the beach!" My face lit up with excitement.
We jogged back to the coach. Our hands still holding tightly onto each other, it felt liked we hadn't let go of each other for ages and I was happy with that.
I spent the ten-or-so minute drive from Vik to the beach staring at Coach, studying his face. He was talking, probably telling his corny jokes but I couldn't concentrate. I kept focusing on his lips, and how badly I wanted to kiss him, to suck on his lips and feel his tongue pushing against my own.
