Running into the Fire

Chapter 20 : Snowed In

The news wasn’t kidding that it was going to be a bad storm.

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Snow slammed against the windows in thick waves.

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The world outside had disappeared.

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White.

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Endless.

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Ava stood near the window, her arms wrapped around herself as she tried to make out anything beyond the glass.

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Nothing.

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The wind howled loud enough to rattle the walls.

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Behind her, Ethan moved through the living room, glancing out once before shaking his head slightly.

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“It’s getting worse,” he said.

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Ava nodded.

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“I can’t even see the road anymore.”

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The lights flickered.

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Once.

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Twice.

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Ava turned.

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“Is that normal?”

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Ethan barely had time to answer—

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The power cut.

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Everything went dark.

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The silence that followed felt louder than the storm.

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Ava froze.

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The darkness—

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it hit her all at once.

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Sharp.

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Heavy.

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Like a brick wall.

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Memories rushed in—

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Adrian.

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The closet.

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The way he used to lock her inside to “teach her a lesson.”

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The darkness pressing in.

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The air feeling too tight.

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And what always came after.

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Her breath hitched.

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Before she could think—

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she turned.

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Closing the distance between them.

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Her hands grabbing onto Ethan.

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Tight.

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Like she needed something real.

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Something solid.

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Ethan stilled for a second—

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then slowly, carefully, he put his arms around her.

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Not rushing.

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Not overwhelming.

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Just there.

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Holding her.

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He felt it then—

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the way she was shaking.

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Small at first.

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Then harder.

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“Shh,” he murmured softly.

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“You’re safe.”

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A small pause as he held her closer.

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“I’ve got you.”

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Ethan’s hand found hers.

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He gave it a gentle squeeze.

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“Come on,” he said softly.

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Together, they carefully made their way through the darkness.

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Slow.

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Measured steps.

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Until they reached the propane heater.

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Then—

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a click.

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A soft glow filled the room.

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Warmth slowly followed.

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Pushing back the cold.

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Pushing back the dark.

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Ethan guided her to the couch near the heater.

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He let go of her hand as they sat down, only to reach his arm out for her, an unspoken invitation. Ava didn’t think twice. She moved closer, settling beside him right where he was waiting, her legs folding beneath her on the couch—her knees resting lightly over his lap. Ethan smiled at that, something soft and almost relieved in the expression, before his arm wrapped around her.

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Another gust of wind rattled the windows.

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Ava flinched slightly.

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Ethan noticed.

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Without saying anything, he pulled a blanket over both of them.

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The storm roared outside.

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But inside—

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the world had narrowed.

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To warmth.

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To quiet.

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To him.

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Ava tilted her head slightly.

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Looking up at him.

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Ethan was already watching her.

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Concern still in his eyes—

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but something else now.

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Softer.

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Deeper.

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Ethan leaned in slowly.

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Giving her time.

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A chance to stop him.

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Ava didn’t.

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Their lips met—

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soft.

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Careful.

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Ava felt it instantly.

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Warmth spreading through her chest.

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Chasing away what was left of the cold.

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Of the fear.

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Ethan’s hand moved gently against her side

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steady.

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Grounding.

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The kiss deepened.

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Ava leaned into him.

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Closer.

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Her hand lifted—

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hesitating for just a second—

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before moving to the side of Ethan’s neck.

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Their foreheads rested together.

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Both breathing a little heavier.

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Neither moving away.

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Neither wanting to.

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Ethan’s hand deepened on Ava’s side.

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They couldn’t get close enough.

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Ava moved her legs where she could sit on him. Face to face.

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Ava couldn’t believe she was being so bold. She didn’t care though. She didn’t want it to stop.

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Her hips moved against him.

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Ava paused this kissing to pull her shirt off over her head. Ethan followed her suit not wasting any time.

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Ava gazed down to admire his physique. She could feel his muscles when she held on to him earlier, but wow.

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Ava locked eyes with him once more before moving her hands behind her back to unclasp her bra.

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This time Ethan stared.

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Ava noticed his pupils grew larger. Her heart rate spiked.

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Ethan’s ran his hand along her skin until his thumb rubbed over her n****e. He grasped her breast firmly, yet gentle.

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Ava felt his erection beneath her twitch.

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Ava gasped as Ethan leaned forward taking her n****e into her mouth sucking hard. Her head fell back when she felt his tongue move across it.

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Ethans’s free hand moved between them.

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Down.

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Ava tried to say Ethan’s name, but her mouth had went dry.

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Ava raised her hips up when his fingers reached the hem of her underwear.

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Ethan smirked releasing her n****e from his mouth. He held her gaze as his fingers reached their destination. He moved them back and forth from her c**t to her entrance.

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“Please.” Ava begged

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Ethan slid his finger inside her as their mouths crashed back together.

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His finger moving was driving her crazy.

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“Ethan, I need you. Please.”

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They broke away to take off their remaining clothes. They couldn’t seem to move fast enough.

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Ethan picked her up and laid her gently on the couch.

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He moved on top of her kissing her as he adjusted himself at her entrance.

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He slowly pushed inside of her making sure not to hurt her.

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She was so tight it was making Ethan’s head spin.

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He started to move.

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The sound of their bodies coming together along with their moans was intoxicating.

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He moved faster.

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Deeper.

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Ava leaned up needing his lips back on hers.

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Ava couldn’t hold it back anymore once she felt Ethan’s thumb rubbing across her c**t.

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The orgasm was so strong she thought a bomb went off inside her.

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This made Ethan reached his climax and then crashed on top of her.

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The sound of heavy breathing filled the air.

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Ava could see the living room window over Ethan’s shoulder and smiled.

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For once, she was glad to be stuck inside.