CH 15

Nikolas slowed his Jag down to a stop as he pulled up to the cabin that they were directed to. He looked over at Gia who was still pouting in her seat. “Come on lets go.” He said impatiently. “It’s cold out there.” Gia mumbled. “No shit.” Nik breathed. Gia shook her head and quickly got out. Nikolas did the same and opened up the trunk of the car for her to get her bags out. Gia immediately got her coat out and put it on, and then grabbed her bags. “Where’s all your stuff?” she asked. Nik opened up the back door and pulled out a small duffle bag. “Right here.” He said as he grabbed his leather coat and put it on. “That’s all you brought with you?” Gia asked. “I don’t need that much. We’re only here for the night.” Nik said. “Whatever.” Gia muttered as she pulled out her heavy suitcase and sat it on the ground. Nikolas saw her struggling and quickly walked up and took it for her. Gia mumbled a thanks and they both walked up to the cabin.

When they opened the door, Nik stepped in and put Gia’s bag down, and then flipped on the light. Gia looked around when she walked in; there was a fireplace with a small sitting area to their right, a small kitchen on the far wall, and a bathroom to their left. She stepped in farther to inspect the place more closely and saw that there was a door to the left of the kitchen, she opened it and saw that it was a rather small bedroom, with one queen-size bed in it. She quickly walked back out and placed her hand on her hip. “We can’t stay here Nikolas, there’s only one bed.” Gia stated. Nikolas looked up from checking the fireplace. “You can go look for a Hilton Gia but you’re not going to find one. It’s a room with a bed in it, be happy. Will you just chill? God!” He said in annoyance. Gia glared at him. “Fine. But if you think that I’m sleeping in the same bed as you forget it. I’ve read enough Harlequin romance books and watched enough soap opera’s where the love scene starts off just like this. So don’t even think about stripping down until we’re stark naked and cuddling together to ‘conserve heat’. Not happening!” She said, her head jutting forward with attitude. “Where do you come up with these things Gia?” Nik started to smile. Gia shrugged, trying not to smile back. “I’m just saying…. we sleep separately.” She said softly. “Fine by me, I’ll sleep on the little couch over there so that the diva can have the bed all to herself.” He said. Gia rolled her eyes. She went into the bedroom and put her things down. She rubbed her arms, it was freezing and she wished she had packed warmer clothes.

“Well I’m going to go get some firewood for the fireplace.” Nik said as Gia came out of the bedroom. “Where?” Gia asked. “The cabin down the hill had a huge pile of it on the side of their property, I was going to ask if I could buy some from them.” Nik said turning to leave. “Wait.” Gia said quickly, grabbing his hand to stop him. Nik turned around and Gia quickly dropped his hand. “You shouldn’t go alone.” Gia said weakly. “I’m an adult Gia I don’t…” Nik looked at her closely, there was something pleading in her eyes. “Alright fine but don’t slow me down.” he pointed his finger at her and then turned. “Oh right because you’re SO fa…” Gia ran after him. Nikolas walked briskly in the snow; he had put a black knit beanie on his head to keep him warm. Nikolas didn’t pack much, but what he did was practical. He paid little attention to Gia as he walked, it was quite a hike and he wanted to move quickly to get out of the snow. “God, this isn’t a marathon you can slow down!” Gia shrieked as she climbed over the rather rough terrain that was covered in a thick blanket of slow. Nik sighed and stopped walking, it wasn’t snowing at the moment but it was still freezing out and he was mad that she was making him be in this weather any longer than he needed to be. He turned around to see her approaching him from quite a distance away from him. It was then that she noticed how poorly dressed she was. She was still dressed in a long skirt and a nice pair of boots, she had put a “coat” on but it was so thin that it probably didn’t do her any good, and her hair was still up in a bun. Her cheeks were pink and her teeth were chattering from the cold. “You shouldn’t have come with me Gia.” He shook his head as she walked up to him. “Well it’s too late now.” Gia said irritably. “Fine come on.” Nik turned around and kept walking.