Her Runaway Prince

Chapter 5

Amanda took a deep breath and entered Peter’s room with the tray in hand. She’d decided that she was being unreasonable and the connection that they shared was too special to just throw away.

“Peter, Peter. Wakey wakey.” She smiled warmly atPeter as he opened his eyes. He stared at her for a bit, as if still in a daze before he realized what was happening.

“Amanda! Hey.” He sat up and smiled at her.

“Here, a peace offering.” She handed him the tray filled with coffee, French toast and bacon.

“A peace offering?” Peter asked in a confused manner as he took the tray into his hands. Amanda sat down next to him on the bed and took his hand into her palms. She squeezed it softly and looked into his bright blue eyes.

“What happened the other night… I’ve been unfair about the whole thing. You misread the signals and made a move you shouldn’t have, sure. But you still apologized. You still admitted you were wrong. And you never tried to force anything. And I mean, we both had quite a bit to drink. I guess what I’m trying to say is… I was too hard on you and I’m sorry. I’m just… I’m honestly not ready for something like that.” She hung her head slightly yet continued to hold his hand. Peter squeezed her hand.

“Thank you Amanda, the breakfast looks amazing,” Peter told her and then paused as if he was going to continue but didn’t. She looked at him quizzically for a few seconds before she understood what he was doing. She felt a sudden flush of relief as it washed over her. She felt so grateful that he didn’t dwell on the subject.

“Oh, it’s nothing fancy. Just figured that it’s the least I can do. Now come on, eat up. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” She smiled and stood up, straightening out her pyjama shirt.

“Oh really? What are we doing today?” he asked with an amused expression as he took the bacon immediately.

“Well, it’s nearly Christmas. And since it’s only us two, I figured we can take a hike to my nana’s old cabin by the lake. It’ll be a nice place to just relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

“We’re gonna hike in this weather?” Peter raised an eyebrow at her jokingly.

“Oh don’t be a scaredy-cat,” she laughed at him. Peter started chewing on a piece of French toast.

“Well, just don’t come crying to me if you catch a cold,” he grinned, his mouth still filled with French toast.

“It’ll be fun, don’t worry your soft, little head.” She brushed his hair playfully.

“Well, this place is already so relaxing. So I imagine that the cabin must be like Heaven.”

“Oh, it’s certainly close to it. Definitely worth the two-hour journey.”

“Two hours?” Petro asked, astonished. Amanda burst out laughing at his expression.

“Oh come on, it’s not that bad.”

“Lady, you’re writing checks that my body can’t cash. Jeez, you’re really overestimating my fitness.” Amanda felt warmth flow through her as she she realized how he was holding himself back from blaspheming. He was so understanding. Suddenly, the attraction reared its head once again. Amanda had managed to push it back, but it just didn’t want to stay buried.

“Okay, well, finish up. If you get tired, I’ll carry you.” Amanda flexed her muscle jokingly. Peter laughed so suddenly that he nearly spat out his food.

“Yes, yes, Mrs. Amazon Warrior. I’ll feel much better knowing you have my back. Now let me just shower first then we can prepare to go,” Peter laughed as he quickly swallowed his breakfast followed by his coffee. Amanda left him to get ready as she walked off towards the other shower to get ready as well.

The rest of the morning was uneventful. Both Peter and Amanda showered and dressed warmly enough for the chilly road leading to the cabin.

“I really should have waited until we were outside to put on the extra jacket. I feel like I’m boiling alive now,” Peter remarked as he tugged at the collar of his jacket. Amanda laughed at him and shook her head.

“The coldest part is over. The temperature has already started to rise, so I have no idea why you decided to dress for a trip to Antarctica,” she joked with him. Peter gave her a sarcastic glare and mockingly puffed out his chest.

“Now see here, young lady. I happen to like my nip*les attached to my body, so I’m not too keen on freezing them off.”

Amanda erupted with laughter. She kept forgetting that Peter wasn’t used to their cold winters. That was why she was so surprised to see him putting on a second jacket when she was only wearing one along with her jeans. She grew up with the cold and so she was more than just accustomed to it. However, it still made her feel a prideful being able to one-up Peter.

“Hey, don’t laugh at me. If you had glorious nip*les like these, then you’d protect them at all costs too.” Peter tried to hold back his laughter but still a chuckle or two escaped. Amanda just stared at him as he stood there and pointed at his nip*les. She couldn’t stop herself from laughing. During the few days where they didn’t really speak she’d missed his company more than she ever thought she would. She felt so secure around him. She was so grateful to be able to share moments like these with someone again. Just the pure act of a simple joke between them quickly became an experience she treasured dearly.

“Oh yeah? How do you know that my nip*les aren’t glorious too, huh?” she smirked and raised her eyebrow.

“Now, I never said that. I simply said they aren’t as glorious as mine,” Peter replied with a grin and a wink.

“Oh, shut up and let’s get ready,” she chuckled and left to get her bag. Peter grabbed his own and brought it to the living room.

“So, pack for how many days?” he yelled out.

“Well, we’re only going to be there for tonight. So sleeping clothes and clothes for tomorrow,” she replied as she came back into the living room. She took one look at Peter’s massive and over-stuffed backpack before breaking out into laughter again.

“What? I want to be prepared.” He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

Amanda pointed to her backpack, which was much smaller than his.

“It’s one night at a cabin. This is what preparation for one night at a cabin looks like, Peter. Pyjamas, a blanket, clothes for tomorrow and a book. That there looks like preparation for a doomsday shelter,” she remarked as she pointed to his backpack.

“I’m just trying to be properly prepared is all. I got my two pairs of pyjamas, clothes for tomorrow along with some backup clothes, two blankets and a towel,” Peter tried to justify. Amanda just continued to chuckle.

“I told you, it’s only one night.” She shook her head.

“One night, yes. But you never know what might happen,” he replied with a bit more of a serious tone to his voice.

“Well, I suppose that’s fair. Just don’t expect me to carry you when you get tired of lugging that massive bag around,” she said with a mocking stern voice.

“I won’t, just don’t come crying to me when you realize you weren’t prepared enough.” He playfully patted his backpack.

“Oh trust me, I won’t. Now come on, are we ready?” she asked eagerly.

“Wait, let’s just be one hundred percent about everything.”

“Argh, you’re so high maintenance,” she remarked, exasperated, and sat down on the couch.

“Hey, most great things in life are,” Peter smirked and winked at her.