Authors: Renee Matteo
Grant’s Suburban struggled to cut through the mass that lay on the unplowed roads below its tires. He dropped the truck into four-wheel drive, gripping the road beneath.
Gina locked her eyes on the blanket of white that lay across the windshield in front of her, holding her breath as Grant managed the drive.
He watched her face clench and her jaw widen. “What’d you get me?” He asked. Distracting her, he decided was the best idea.
“I’m not telling!”
“Well, then I guess I can keep a secret too,” he winked.
“What if I told you?”
“Then I would know what you got me.”
“Very funny. Would you tell me then?”
“Nope.”
“Fine.”
“Shit!” The truck hit a sheet of ice that lay undetected under the snow. They jolted quickly to the right, sliding into the lane next to them. Grant calmly pulled the wheel back regaining their position on the road. He squeezed her hand in his.
“It’s okay, babe. We’re okay.” He leaned his head closer to the windshield struggling to see through the flying snow. “It’s getting pretty rough out there. I think we should wait it out for a little bit.”
“Really?” Can’t handle it?” She teased. “You think four-wheel drive makes you invincible.”
He shot her a half-amused, half-annoyed look. “It does, most of the time.” Grant slowly moved lanes, merging to the right. He could feel the snow pulling his tires as he fought the wheel to turn into a rest stop. The truck jolted as he moved it into park.
“Well,” he turned to the window watching the blizzard, “I think it is safe to say we will be stuck here for a while.” The wind picked up kicking around the snow, sending the sounds of a dull whistle into the air. He looked over to her and watched her face as it appeared to be sorting the events. “You okay?”
“Yup.”
“We’ll be fine here for a while. The snow should let up soon and we’ll be home safe before you know it.”
She felt calm and collected realizing he was in control of the situation. “Okay.” She let out a little sigh, “so, I guess we have some time to kill then, huh?”
“I guess we do.”
“Remember that night we met in Kipshaw?”
“Uh, huh.” He smirked as he took note of the raise in the corners of her mouth.
“Still have those sleeping bags?” She lifted her eyebrows and pressed her lips together tightly with a subtle smirk sneaking through.
“Uh huh.”
Gina unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the front seat. She slid her body sideways into the back seat feeling around in the dark for a lever. The long plastic rod lifted with ease leveling the seats to make a large flat area in the back of the truck.
Grant sat motionless in the front seat watching her execute her impromptu plan. He watched her backside blend into the darkness as she slid into the far back returning only a few seconds later with a sleeping bag.
She unzipped the bag, fluffed it open, and laid it flat over the now smooth surface.
He smiled lightly, “so little Miss Gina, what’s on your mind?”
She sat on her knees, staring back at him silently as she slowly pulled her sweater off over her head, along with the long sleeve shirt she wore under it. Her black lace bra perfectly pressed her breasts against her chest leaving his eyes with much to look at.
He could feel his blood flowing quickly and a bulge growing below his belt. “Oh, so that’s what’s on your mind.”
She continued staring him down as she worked off the latches of her bra and tossed it at him.
He began to chuckle to himself as he watched her with disbelief and anticipation. “I’m actually not really in the mood,” he began, “but thanks, anyway.” He turned his body back to the front and looked out the windshield as his ears stayed with Gina.
“Oh really?”
“No, not really!” He frantically moved into the back of the truck meeting her with his lips.
She raised her hand to his chest and forcefully pushed him back with her best effort. “Its okay Grant. If you’re not in the mood I totally understand.” She pulled back dramatically, wrapped her arms around her chest and titled her head to the side peering at him with her large brown eyes.
Grant took in a deep breath as he matched the intensity of her stare in return. “I am always in the mood for you,” he whispered. He pushed back into her and pressed his lips against hers once again, trailing each kiss he offered down her neck and to her breasts. He cupped his hand on the back of her head as he slowly lay her down on the make shift bed. Undressing almost simultaneously, Grant fixed his attention on Gina as he attempted to contain the blood rushing through his body.
“I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
He took in a long deep breath as he moved himself into her. “I love you too,” he replied in a whisper so low it was barely audible.
****
Forty-five minutes later Gina and Grant arrived at the Foster home rushing into the side door in a hurry to gain relief from the cold air. “Hey Momma,” Grant shouted as they walked into the mudroom.
Mrs. Foster was standing in the kitchen looking into the mudroom, apron on, dishtowel in hand.
“Hi!” Gina’s eyes grew large as she took in the warmth
and delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
The pair kicked off their shoes, hung their coats and simultaneously grasped Grant’s mom in a tight embrace as she made her way into the mudroom.
“Glad to see you’re home safe.” Momma said with a sigh of relief. “How were the roads?” She turned back to Gina and Grant as they followed her through the kitchen and into the family room.
“Not so great. We had to stop for a little bit.” He looked over to Gina with a wink.
Momma looked over with her brows lowered and her eyes squinted. “I don’t want to know,” she rolled her eyes, took in a breath and then settled a smile on her face. “I’m glad you’re home safe. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes so go get washed up and settled in.”
“Is there anything we can help with?” Grant asked. He walked back into the kitchen, picked up the bags they had dropped and looked in her direction as she approached the stove.
“No sweetheart. You kids go relax.”
Gina followed Grant as he walked up the wood stained stairs to the top of the hallway. They made a left and walked into his room.
“I’ve got to get over to my parents at some point while we are in town.”
“Whenever you want. You can take my car or one of
my parents.” He walked over to the bags he had dumped in the corner.
“My brother actually said he would come out here and pick me up. I think he wants to spend some time together during the drive.”
“Oh, ok.” Grant unzipped his duffle and pulled out a black hooded sweatshirt and threw it on over his shirt.
“It will be nice to see my parents. I haven’t seen them since the semester started.”
“Babe,” he looked back to her as he rummaged through his duffle bag. “I want to spend all this time with you as much as you do with me. Being in Chicago while you’re at a school six hours away from me isn’t easy. But, I want you to see your family. I want you to spend time with them.”
“I know. Me too. Maybe I will go spend a few days with them but spend the majority of the time here? But, I am spending the holidays here. I want to fall asleep with you Christmas Eve and wake up with you Christmas morning. Plus, I am so warmed up to the idea of not having to see Aunt Miranda this Yeahr!”
Grant laughed and shook his head from side to side. “Whatever you want. We have no solid plans. We can do whatever makes you happy.”
“Thanks love.”
“Grant!” Ashley came barreling through the doorframe and straight into Grant’s arms.
“Ash!” Grant picked up his little sister squeezing her tight in his arms. “How is the coolest ten Yeahr old I know?”
Eight
After dinner was finished, Gina rounded up the dishes and walked them over to Momma who was standing in front of the sink, elbows deep in a heap of bubbles. Gina returned to the table with a hot soapy rag, wiping it clean before drying it down with a fresh towel. She retrieved the bowl of fresh fruit off the credenza under the large bay window and centered it back on the table.
“Dinner was great Momma.” Grant said as he walked through the kitchen, kissing the top of her head as he passed her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, turning to Gina, “Thank you for your help honey. I’ve got the rest.”
“It’s no trouble, really.” Gina replied as she walked over
to the counter with the towel from the table and picked up a freshly washed dish to dry.
“I know, honey. There is only a little left. I’ll finish.”
She said as she took the towel and plate from Gina
.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”
Gina turned from the kitchen and walked into the family room, taking a seat on the couch next to Ashley.
“This is one of my favorites,” Gina told her.
“Me too,” Ashley replied as she kept her eyes closely fixed on the mermaid and her prince. The two cuddled up quietly on the couch getting lost in the music of the movie.
“Who is your favorite character?” Ashley asked.
“Hmm…I would have to go with Sebastian.”
“I like the Prince.”
“Good call,” Gina laughed.
The pair sat snuggled into one another peering into the technicolor magic of the large plasma screen in front of them.
“My two favorite girls,” Grant said, breaking the
silence as he came darting down the stairs and into the family room.
“Ready?” He asked, holding her coat and hat along with a backpack.
“Where are we going?”
“For a walk.”
“Grant,” Ashley mumbled from the couch. He walked over to his little sister, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“It’s too close to bed time for you to join us. Tomorrow we will do something just you and I. I promise.”
She nodded with contention and turned her head back to the movie.
Gina and Grant walked to the mudroom where she grabbed her scarf wrapping it tightly around her neck before bundling up under her coat and hat. Taking Grant’s hand, she followed him out the door where the cold air smacked into their bodies bringing a bitter sting to their faces.