Snowed In With The Billionaire

Episode 4

Breaking the Ice

The fire crackled quietly, the only sound in the room save the roaring wind outside. Snow battered mercilessly on the windows, locking us in this home together. My eyes landed on Rory, cuddled up on the couch, her auburn hair glistening in the firelight. She seemed so serene, although I knew the storm inside her was considerably more intense than the one outside.

I leaned against the mantle, observing her as she stared at the snow with a worried face. “You’re not getting out of here tonight, you know?” I attempted to seem nonchalant, while my heart raced. Every second with her seemed borrowed, and I didn’t know when my loan would come due.

Her hazel eyes flashed to me, wary. “I didn’t ask to be stuck here with you, Cole.”

A smirk flashed across my lips. “I didn’t say you did.” I stepped closer, the air between us sparking with an unsaid intensity. “But you could try to enjoy it.”

She rolled her eyes, yet her cheeks burned, betraying her. “I’d rather freeze outside.”

I took another step, near enough to see the sparkles of gold in her eyes. “Liar.”

Her breath caught, her body stiff as she glanced up at me. “You’ve always been arrogant, you know that?”

“Confident,” I corrected, my voice falling. “Because I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

Her jaw stiffened. “You don’t know me anymore, Cole. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

I fought the impulse to reach out, to touch her, to console her. But I understood Rory too well. She would distance herself from the minute I showed her how much I still cared. "I know you more than you would believe. I also know you still hurt.

Her eyes wavered, the barrier splitting for a brief instant before she turned aside. You are not entitled to do this. After all these years, you are not allowed to return and behave as though you care.

My chest clenched. "I never stopped being in care."

Her voice shook as she laughed bitterly. Therefore, why did you go? Why did you say nothing and leave?

I turned aside, my hands tight. "I had reasons."

"Coward's reasons," she said sharply back-off. "You ran away since facing the truth seemed more difficult."

My jaw locked. "You consider it to be simple? My voice was low and deadly. "I witnessed you tie Rory's marriage together. I saw you choose him and stroll down the aisle. What do you suppose that was done to me?

Her eyes opened and agony swept across her face. "I chose him since you left me without options! Cole, you disappeared. You said nothing about saying farewell.

I backed off, her comments striking me like a gut strike. She said exactly. I fled since facing my own issues made me too afraid. "I thought... I thought it was the right thing to do."

She shook her head, tears shining in her eyes. You thought incorrect.

The room went quiet; the only sound audible was the crackling fire and the wind screaming outside. She had created barriers designed to keep me out, and I could see them. And I detested being the reason they were there.

I started to swallow forcefully. I apologise.

Her head went up, astonishment flashing over her features. "What?," asked

"I'm sorry," I said again, my voice lower. "For departing." For injuring you. For I felt too much of a coward to confront what I felt.

Her lips opened, the fury washing from her face leaving only raw hurt left. "You broke me, Cole."

Slice into me, more precise than any knife. I said, "I know," in whispers. I also despise myself for it.

She turned aside, her shoulders shaking. I put my confidence in you. more than anybody could possibly know And you disappeared without even saying farewell.

"I thought you would be better off without me". Confession came out before I could stop it. "If I stayed, I would ruin you."

She looked at me, burning eyes. You ruined it for me. And Derek completed the work at last.

An icy sensation slid down my back. "Rory..."

She got up fast and encircled herself with arms. "Your belief in love inspired me. You then tore away that delusion. Though it only made things worse, I reasoned that marrying Derek would help me to heal.

Guilt slammed down on me, weighty and stifling. "I was unaware."

You didn't, of course. You were far too preoccupied fleeing. Her words faltered, then she turned away with quivering shoulders.

This time I failed to stop myself. I went across the room and turned her to face me by laying my hands on her shoulders. "I was incorrect, Rory." I was afraid and I was dumb. Still, I always loved you.

Her eyes opened and tears flowed down her face. Do not mention that.

The truth is as stated above. I caressed her cheek, my fingers wiping aside her tears. "I never stopped either." Not even one day.

Her body shaking, she closed her eyes. You cannot simply come back and say that. Not following all the rules.

Know. My voice was wheezing and begging. "But I cannot go away once more. Not at the moment. Not after seeing you, being close to you. For torture, Rory, is it not?

She opened her eyes and locked them with mine. "Cole, you hurt me." More than anybody has ever known.

I bent forward, my forehead pressing against hers. And, should you let me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

Her lips parted, her breath stopped. You're brutal.

I gritted grinned. Only because you make me insane.

She didn't, although her hands sliding to my chest, resting there as though to push me away. Her fingers hooked on my shirt. "I hated you."

"No, you do not," I said, lips touching hers. You detest that you still adore me.

She started to cry, then her lips opened fiercely and desperately on mine. With my arms encircling her, I drew her closer and planted a kiss on her using all I had stored bottled for years.

She felt like snowflakes and heartache, delicious and bitter all at once. In us, in her, I was drowning. The outer world vanished from view.

But she withdrew, her face pale, eyes wide with fright, just as fast as she kissed me. "I am not able... I am not able to perform this.

"Rory:"

"No!!" Her hands shaking, she moved back. "This is excessively much. I need some room.

I went for her, but she turned away shaking her head. "You are not allowed to come back and treat me, Cole. You are not able to once again flip my reality.

Her words faltered, then she fled from the room, her footsteps resounding down the corridor. Her bedroom door closed firmly, and the sound echoed around the house.

My heart thumping, my body yearning for her, I stood there. Though I knew better, I wanted to chase her and make her listen. She required time.

The window shook with a chilly blast of wind, and my eyes turned to the whirling snow outdoors. Which storm, the one outside or the one I had just unleashed between us, was worse?

My phone buzzed in my pocket suddenly, just as I looked away. I took it out and read the message as my blood ran cold.

Cole, you ought never to have returned. She is mine. And I don't share as well.

Jeremy.

The p

ast did not only linger over us. It was on its way to us.

And this time it wouldn't allow us to go so readily.