Kai showed her the entire ‘cabin.’ It was bigger than she’d originally thought. It wasn’t just the amount of rooms; it was the size of each of them. There was a laundry room with three washers and dryers, a sink the size of a tub, and counters that ran around the room. The pantry was about the size of her bedroom in her loft and was fully stocked with anything imaginable.

Aside from the library and study there was a formal dining room that could seat twenty people, more if she was right and the table extended. There was a game room with another huge T.V., a pool table, and various board games.

Then there was the basement which was another room that could be used for pretty much anything. Amelia couldn’t believe there were seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. The master bedroom though was a work of art. It was so big the king-sized bed almost looked small. There wasn’t much furniture other than the bed and a chest of drawers, but there could be a sitting area, or a little vanity.

Amelia shook her head. She was getting ahead of herself. There was no way she’d ever live here with Kai, at least, not anytime soon. She’d made that mistake before with David and she would never make it again. Until she was absolutely sure about Kai she’d stay on her own, though the distance was starting to worry her. Amelia didn’t like the way her chest ached at the idea of not seeing him every day.

It was weird, the way she felt about him. Amelia was constantly aware of Kai, where he was, how close he was, and when he touched her. It was like fire when his hand brushed her lower back to direct her and she still blushed to think about how she’d taken him in the library.

Normally that wasn’t her, but something about him made her want nothing but him. Kai was a drug and she was definitely addicted. Even though she’d made him come, Amelia wanted more. She wanted him to say her name like he did in the library at least another hundred times.

And it wasn’t just lust. She felt it in her heart. She felt the strange way she was drawn to Kai. He took care of her. The way he looked at her, like she was something precious. The things he said about how he wanted it to be her choice no matter what…it made her melt inside.

It was all Amelia had ever wanted in a man, and because Kai was so fucking perfect, she was wary. Something had to be wrong. Nothing ever worked out this well for her.

“So this is the main house,” Kai explained. “And all the other houses have a similar set up even if they are smaller, but once a week everyone stays here after a night of good cooking and food. I told them to make other plans this weekend, but I just got a group text agreeing to come over tomorrow to meet you and Bonnie. They’re all excited. We don’t get newcomers very often.”

Kai led her into the mudroom and she was glad for her fleece-lined leggings under her jeans. It would be cold outside and the wind would only make it colder. As she laced up her boots she watched Kai. God, he was gorgeous. Over six feet tall with rippling muscles and so many abs. When he put on his coat his shirt lifted and she caught a glimpse of his gorgeous skin.

All she wanted was to taste more of him until he had to take her. Kai’s level of control was impressive, but it also made her want to challenge it – to see when she could make him give in.

“What dirty thoughts are you having?” Kai asked, giving her a wink as he tied his hair back.

Instantly her cheeks heated. Was she really that obvious? Amelia shrugged and put on a second sweater. “I don’t really want to drive my own ATV,” she told him, directing the conversation away from her dirty thoughts. There had already been enough driving for the day.

Kai sobered and considered her for a moment. “You can ride with me. It’ll help you stay warmer too.”

That she could definitely agree with. Amelia zipped up her heavy coat, wrapped her warmest scarf around her neck, and then put on her beanie. It wasn’t about being cute, it was about staying warm. Her phone said it was barely fifteen degrees Fahrenheit outside and it was midday. It would only get colder, and it was supposed to snow later in the night, getting down to the negative temperatures.

She avoided Kai’s gaze though she could feel it like a spotlight. Amelia was embarrassed, but she was also not sure how to deal with all the emotions she could feel swirling inside. She’d never felt this way about anyone, not even David. It wasn’t normal, or at least it didn’t feel normal.

No one fell in love in a matter of days, at least not in real life.

It was like Kai knew her thoughts. His brown eyes watched her with a wary resignation as he opened the door for her. “We won’t be able to see the entire property, but we can see most of it. I’ll take you to some of my favorite places.”

It was easy to nod and follow him out into the biting cold. The sun shone and the sky was blue. It made the snow glitter like diamonds and Amelia breathed the perfect, clean air deep and slipped on her gloves. It really was beautiful and it felt strange to know there was no one around for miles and miles, but it also felt safe.

It wasn’t a sensation she’d expected. Amelia had been worried the isolation would scare her. But away from all the people and noise it was like magic among the trees and snow. There was only wildlife and a strange quiet that only snow could create.

Kai opened his barn-like garage and flipped on the lights. It was way bigger than she’d thought. It went back into the trees and there were six different cars in various stages of repair, a few motorcycles in the same state, plus the ATVs. There were seven of them in total and Amelia couldn’t help but look around and inspect everything, curious at this peek into Kai’s professional life.

“Which one do you want to take?” he asked, waving at the seven different four-wheelers.

Amelia wasn’t a fan of adrenaline inducing activities, but Bonnie would love something like this. She’d talked Amelia into a Segway tour of Portland once, and it hadn’t gone smoothly, but she’d enjoyed the time with Bonnie. It was probably the only reason her friend was able to convince her to do so many things she normally never would.

All her life she’d been told ‘no’ and Amelia was terrified that she would waste her hard-won freedom by staying in her comfort zone. So Bonnie was the perfect friend, adventurous and fun. Never had Amelia even considered something as outrageous as paddle-boarding but it had been one of the best days of her life.

This could be like that too. If she took just one step out of her comfort zone, maybe she would find something amazing. Kai was at her side, he would keep her safe. Amelia didn’t know how she knew that, but it was a bone-deep truth.

“That one,” she said, pointing at the blue and burgundy one. “Burgundy, Bordeaux, wine, whatever you want to call it – that’s my favorite color.” Amelia smiled at Kai, proud of herself for sharing something so stupid, yet personal.

He grinned back at her. “If you like it so much, it can be yours to use when you visit.”

Amelia laughed as he pulled it out and turned it on. “I don’t know about that. I don’t like to drive.”

Kai leaned against the ATV and crossed his arms, studying her. “The engine has to warm up a bit. Why don’t you tell me about this issue with driving while we wait?”

Amelia crossed her arms too and glared. She wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. It made her feel stupid every time, and she hated to remember how much of a victim she’d let herself be. “Or you could tell me why your eyes turn silver.”

It was something she hadn’t been able to forget about. Her mind gnawed on it for days. Amelia had even researched it, but there was no genetic condition that caused eyes to change like that. “Are you like the Hulk or something?”

Kai’s face closed off again and he went to pump some gas from a can. He topped off the spare gas can on the ATV and shook his head with a frown. “Can I tell you tomorrow?” he asked. “I just want one day with you where we can enjoy ourselves.”

Every part of her wanted to scream ‘No!’ and demand answers right then and there. Amelia took a moment to try and figure out why, why was she so impatient?

It was because she knew she was falling in love with him. Her emotions gave zero fucks about the length of time she’d known him. Something about Kai just felt right, like two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.

Bonnie’s voice in her head told her she should just take it slow and enjoy him, let her heart lead her, but Amelia could only let her heart decide so much. Instead she would compromise to ease that incessant anxiety. “Fine, but you tell me tomorrow or I leave.” Ultimatums never worked with David, but that was the real test wasn’t it?

If Kai could take it, then it would work out in the long run. If it pissed him off they really weren’t meant to be, because Amelia gave ultimatums left and right. She didn’t have time to mess around with people who couldn’t fit into her life.

To soften the harsh statement she took a step forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was time for the truth. “I really like you, but I don’t want to go into this blind. Tell me everything or I have to walk.” She pulled back and saw the silver in his eyes again, just like she had when she’d taken him in the library. Amelia shrugged one shoulder, enjoying the way he felt against her. “I know I’m not perfect and I have a lot of weird shit going on, but my trust issues require that I know everything before committing to something…big.”

And that’s exactly how it felt. They’d only been on two dates technically if she wanted to count the night at the restaurant, and already Amelia felt like this was far more serious than a simple dating situation. These four days felt like a trial period for the rest of her life.

“Agreed,” he said; voice husky. “After the barbecue tomorrow, I’ll tell you everything.” Kai wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

It felt amazing and warm in the cold barn. Amelia rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in that pine scent of him. Now she knew why he always smelled so good. “Why did you become a mechanic, or rather the owner of a garage?” she asked.

Kai climbed up on the ATV and offered her his hand. Amelia could do it herself, but Kai liked to do things for her. It was strange, but she took his hand. If it made him happy, it was easy for her to accept the assistance. Once she’d settled behind him, he made sure her arms were secure around his middle.

His hard muscles made her mouth water and Amelia scooted even closer so she was completely flush against his back. Kai muttered something under his breath but when he turned back his eyes were practically glowing, intensifying the starved look he had; for her.

It made her feel powerful and Amelia could easily get drunk off that power. She grinned at him and then quirked an eyebrow for him to answer her question.

“It was very natural. I’ve always liked cars and bikes and have worked on them my whole life. It wasn’t hard to go one step further.” Then Kai took off and Amelia clutched onto him as she nearly flew backward.

He laughed as they left the barn. Amelia ducked her head into his back to hide from the freezing wind. They weren’t wearing helmets which was probably stupid, but for some idiotic reason with no substantial evidence she trusted Kai with her life. She knew nothing would happen to her as long as she could hold on.

She turned her head so she could look as the trees whipped by. It was absolutely beautiful, and for the first time in her life Amelia wished she could stop time so they could enjoy this moment together among the beautiful, winter wilderness forever.