The tour was living up to everything that had been promised. The dining area set up for groups like themselves was a magical place of carved ice and walls surrounding them. Wearing lighter warm clothing as the place didn't have heaters that would have melted everything around them. Jun still managed to make her evening clothing look attractive. Tight winter white pants, and long creamy boots, and a fitted jumper, that sparkled in the light. Her long dark locks caught up in a casual bun, with loose strands, she was beautiful.
The groups were on tables of four, allowing for more intimate conversations as they were served a three-course meal on clear glass plates adding to the wintery atmosphere of the hotel.
He was trying not glance in Jun's direction across the table too much, she was seated opposite Shaun and was absorbed in conversation with him and a lot of flirting between them.
Suppressing a surge of jealous feelings threatening him to blow his stoic cover of appearing to not be concerned about her battering long eyelashes at the guy and warm smiles as she leaned forward taking in every word the man was saying.
"The entrée was divine." Lisabeth was doing her own flirting job on him. Normally he'd be taking mental notes, and of her curves. Soft blue eyes, observed him from across the table. Warming to her, she was attractive and did enjoy her intelligent conversation. She turned out to be a scientist, not the kind he was used too.
The dessert eventually arrived, and later dancing with soft music, the whole time Jun was completely focused on Shaun.
He tried to forget it, and asked Lisbeth to dance, as the music slowed down he could appreciate the woman in his arms. From the corner of his eye, he watched Shaun pull Jun in closer until they were almost at a standstill.
He knew that move.
Turning his side glance away as Shaun whispered in her ear, he could almost feel her catching her breath as he led her out of the room. He understood the place they were going too. He wondered if it would Shaun's bed or hers.
Until that time a man paying Jun attention wouldn't have bothered him, he'd have been busy assessing his own situation, especially with a woman like Lisabeth. She had the makings of woman who'd give him a good night of loving.
He was a focused man, he could switch off emotions when it was needed to get on with the job. Closing his eyes for a moment, and drawing in a sharp breath, he turned his full attention to Lisabeth. The scent of her perfume, and husky voice. Tuning into the feel of her soft breasts against him, and inviting bare neck. It was to be their last evening with the group. Indicating his intentions, she didn't need encouragement.
Grasping his hand, they left for her room. Closing off all images he had of Jun as they stumbled into the small space shedding clothing as fast as they could, hot kisses all over each other's, bodies seeking the warmth that a few hours of lovemaking gave them. The sex was incredible, she had skills of an experienced woman who liked sex. He focused on pleasing her like he did any of his other lovers, she indicated through her responses and moans, cries of more, she was more than pleased with him.
A while later, as she cuddled up to him, warm and naked he lay there staring at the ceiling. After Rumi's death he had sworn he couldn't love anyone like he had in that short time with her. It was his fault she died, and had spent the last part of the war trying reconcile powerful feelings of guilt and loss of the woman he loved. Over time they had softened into the place grief resided, and he come to terms with it.
Gently untangling himself from her arms, she softly moaned as he threw an extra blanket over her. He was going to spend the night sleeping in her arms. He didn't wake up with a woman he'd made love too, it would mean that she'd expect from him. Quietly dressing again, and leaving her room. He quietly said to goodbye to her. He wasn't leaving contact details, and a chance for them to meet again.
Walking down the corridor he stopped in front of Jun's door. He wanted to knock, and see if she was alone. His fist was poised, hesitating he lowered it. The sounds coming from the room stopped him in his tracks. She was with Shaun and it was getting heated in there from the moans and whimpers.
Balling his fists, and the clenching inside of him, for a flash of second he wanted to change places with the man in there making to love to her. Despite her skills in bed Lisabeth was a lusty moment of emotional release- not love.
With Jun it would have a different meaning. They'd known each other from childhood, it would be because of deeper feelings and more intimate. That was the reason he had try and quash those runaway thoughts and feelings.
He didn't want to lose her because of a brief affair in a moment of surrender. That's even if she looked at him the same way… He thought.
Racing into his room, Ken grabbed his warmer jacket and riding gear. The night would be freezing and he had to be prepared as he pulled on the thick gloves and balaclava before walking out the main entrance of the ice building.
He found the snowmobile in the shelter. Checking the fuel before he leapt onto it, gunning the engine, he guided it out into the open air.
Allowing the speed and challenge of navigating into the darkness swerving through the forest into the clear passageway, cresting a hill he drew the machine to an abrupt halt from the elegant natural show before him.
The royal blue velvety skies, and a galaxy of diamonds was the perfect backdrop for the ribbons of colours adorning the openness ahead of him.
Alone in the forest his breath was taken away by the Aurora Borealis before him. Never in his life had contemplated he'd see Jun in a different light, like the ribbons of colour showing their beauty he hadn't stopped long enough to appreciate the planet he had fought within an inch of his life to save.
He remembered a time on the God Phoenix when she commented on an Aurora Borealis, sighing at its beauty, and telling them to slow down for a moment.
He scolded her instead, snapping at her to focus on the mission and give him an update on the position of the enemy ship they had been searching for.
In their darkest hours she'd had a different focus and reasons for fighting. She saw what they would lose if Galactor and the alien creature won the war. It was her drive to fight, and what made her special on the team. She reminded them to live.
Moved beyond his imagination he wanted more than anything for her to be sharing the moment with him. Hold her hand and thank her for reminding them even the most dangerous moments the world surrounding them and its depth.
It was a planet worth saving, even if it was riddled with good and bad. He was beginning to see it life was worth living.
Recalling her words when first began to introduce her to a single life. They stung him like a bee as the coldness crept in around him.
He was lonely. He had to admit it, and it wasn't reason to start a relationship that would end in hurt. He'd wanted love and family, a warm place in a home with a loving wife, and the sounds of children- messy toys and laughter. The painful price he paid from the hypershoot, was more than he could bare if he gave it too much thought.
Turning on the engine he rode back to the hotel, and eventually found his bed shrouded in furry blankets. Sleep would take care of it, he was tired enough not to dream.
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Later the next day they finally arrived at their next destination. The area was filled with igloo's that had glass panels allowing for a magnificent panoramic view of the winter skies.
"These places are magical." Jun Dreamily sighed. "A winter paradise."
He had to agree. They'd finished dining at the restaurant while the porter had taken their bags to the small igloo. Trudging through the soft snow to their accommodation, he warmed at the sight of her pinked cheeks from the crisp night air.
"Let's get inside." She said, opening the door. They both hurried into the single room igloo.
"Oh." She placed a hand over her mouth seeing the king bed in the middle of the room covered in golden creamy plush blankets." I'm sorry, I did request two singles."
"Looks big enough." Folding his arms, standing at the foot of the bed. He drew an imaginary line down the middle of it. "Your side, my side."
"Deal." She giggled. "I need to get my pyjama's on, turn around."
He did as she asked, pulling off his warm jacket, and opening his suitcase. Finding his wintery sleepwear, he pulled them on while she was distracted.
Turning of the lights they both laid down on the bed, watching the evening skies.
"It's so clear and rich, like your eyes." She breathed wistfully. "How can I describe this moment."
Placing his hands behind his head, he turned his face to observe her.
Softening at the loveliness of her wonder and the intimate moment between them. Swallowing hard he tried not to notice her curves and desire to move closer. He wanted to hold her in his arms as they stared at the Aurora Borealis breaking through the blackness above them. Hearing her drawing in a breath of wonder, he was filled with overwhelming warmth from sharing this one with her.
He wondered what was more beautiful. The night of translucent ribbons of colours or the woman next time admiring its beauty and uniqueness.
"It is amazing." He whispered. "Unique." Like you are he thought.
"Yeah." She warmly breathed and turned to face him, glittering greens meeting his eye. "Thank you for sharing it with me."
In that moment he wondered about the undercurrent, between them, was a like one of the light ribbons had dropped from the sky into the space between them. Creating a newly awakened connect of electricity. It was like his heart had stopped, and not through her gentle smile he had a pulse again. Was it one sided? He asked himself. Did she feel it too?
"Anytime." He replied warmly. Turning his gaze back to the openness above, he couldn't think of any place in the world he'd rather be than in that moment watching the Aurora Borealis, with Jun.