One Shots
Matt Duchene
You shook, holding onto Matt for dear life as the gondola ascended. You never knew just how terrified of heights you really were until now.
"I-I really don’t like this, Matt," you whispered shakily and the lift trembled slightly on its cable.
He held you close, the comfort of his body easing your ragged breath for now. You could see the city lights of Denver in the distance as the sun fell slowly, and you smiled a little at the beauty of it for a moment.
The gondola shook to a stop at the station, and you shuddered as you got off, knees weak, though Matt still had hold of your arm. He guided you gently along the mountain. You wanted so badly to close your eyes, but that would only make you more scared.
"Couldn’t we have just driven up instead of taking that awful contraption?" you asked, voice shaky.
He grinned a little. “Nah, the view’s nicer in the air. All you’d be able to see on the road would be trees and rock.” You huffed your disapproval. “We’ll be there soon, anyways. It’s worth it.”
He led you along a private trail, despite your protests that you were cold, or scared, or both. At one point, where the trail narrowed against a rock face, you nearly started crying despite the steel railing on the other side.
"Shh, shh, we’ll be there soon, it’ll be okay. You’ll be okay," he murmured, holding your hand and giving it a squeeze. You appreciated the fact that he tried to rescue you from the terror that gripped you.
You didn’t realize you had been holding your breath until you sighed in relief and disbelief at the sight of a gorgeous, wooden cabin nestled against the mountain.
"Welcome to my private retreat, courtesy of Matt Duchene, yours truly," he grinned, fishing an ornate iron key out of his pocket and unlocking the heavy wooden door.
"It’s beautiful," you said in awe.
He glanced sideways at you, smiling proudly. “I knew you’d like it,” he said. “I really only ever bring very special people here. Like I said, it’s my private retreat.”
You smiled at him, then turned to stare out the window. The sky had greyed as the afternoon wore on, but the view from high in the Rockies was spectacular.
You hadn’t even noticed Matt was no longer beside you until he nudged your arm, a mug of steaming, rich hot chocolate in each hand. You sipped on yours gratefully, feeling the liquid slowly warm you inside.
"Thanks," you said, setting the mug down on the broad window sill, "for bringing me up here. And the hot chocolate, too."
"You’re welcome." He was silent for a moment, content. "You know, the view up here reminds me of you. It’s so beautiful, and I bet a lot of people don’t ever take the time to appreciate it."
Wrapping his arms around your waist, he kissed the top of your head.
"What do you mean by that?"
His hazel eyes twinkled. “Oh, nothing really. Just that you’re so beautiful, and I still can’t believe that you’re mine. Any guy who treats a woman like you with less than the best doesn’t deserve a woman at all, in my opinion. You deserve the best.”
"Are you trying to say that you’re the best?" you laughed, gazing at him adoringly.
"That’s your decision," he said, leaning down to kiss your lips warmly. "I might be trying to influence you just a little, though."
"You’re so cheeky," you smiled, kissing him back. You had even forgotten your phobia of heights in that sweet, little moment with him.
