#ramance

You could not look him in his lovely eyes at first when you turned to speak. After a few minutes of him listening to you, you felt much more comfortable. He really listened. He asked follow-up questions to let you know how much he was curious about things you were saying. Then you got around to asking him some questions. You were mostly curious about his envirmental adventures. He passionately explained his thoughts on climate change. You were just fascinated by his intelligence.  

“I can go on sometimes.” His hand in yours. “How are you enjoying Sweden on your holiday?”

“We really have not explored much.” Your eyes batted. “We just arrived late this afternoon.”

“Well, will you trust me to remedy that, Princess?” He got up, extended his hand and bowed.  

You took his hand with a giggle. “I do.”

While one of your friends had disappeared with Alexander, another was chatting up Bill at the bar and the other was snickering at whatever Valter was whispering in her ear.  

“Hey Valter, you cool with getting home tonight if I take off in the SUV?” He glanced over to Bill, but he knew he could take care of himself.  

“I think we can figure out something.” He grinned as your friend giggled.  

“Be mindful.” Gustaf reminds him. “You do represent this family. What one does, we all did.”

Valter rolls his eyes and mocks him to your friend quietly. Gustaf ignores this escorting you out. He always hopes Valter will listen to his wisdom but of course he cannot force him. He makes sure your coat and hat are on you snugly before you step outside and opens the passenger door for you helping you up into the large vehicle.  

“I will show you how special it is here during the holiday season.” He pulls out to the street carefully. “Then we will park where there is a perfect view of the fireworks tonight. I think you will love them.”

“Sounds fun.” You watch out the window at the lights.  

Gustaf gropes for your hand to hold as he drives. “Those girls over there are celebrating St. Lucia. The one with the candled on her head is the Saint and the others are part of her procession. She was a young girl Christian girl who was martyred in 304. She would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She wears candles on her head to light her way and have her hands free to carry thing the people needed. The procession is usually just on December 13th, but some do it throughout the holiday season.”

“That’s interesting.” You watch them as they walk towards a small church in the distance. What about the ice sculptures up there?” You point. “Is that a tradition?”

“Of sorts.” He pulled into a parking area. “It is an ice-skating rink. We all learned to skate here. Or learned to fall on our asses gracefully.” He chuckled. “Do you skate?”

“I have a long time ago.” Maybe you have and maybe you haven’t but the thought of holding on to him while skating is great. ”Can we go?”

“I have my skates in the back, but we are going to have to find you a pair at the Market.” He got out of the SUV and came around to help you out.  

“I can’t just rent them?” You shivered from the cold.  

He wrapped his arms around you. “We don’t do that here, Princess. It is free to skate here. You need your own skates. Good news is I am sure we can find a place that has them in the marketplace. It is a little touristy around here so call me Bob.”

You laugh. “Okay Bob. Let’s go shopping.”

You easily find the ice skates in your size. When a group of fans start flashing cameras Gustaf’s way, you grab his arm and loudly announce, “Thank You Bob Henry. This is such a fun vacation.” You could almost hear the frowns rise on the fans faces. Gustaf answering, “Yes’em” in an American southern accent that crushed their hopes he was him once and for all.  

You both laughed walking over to the ice-skating rink. He put your skates on for you tying the laces up snugly before putting his on. You wait for him to stand first because you are unsure of your footing once you stand. You take the hand he offers wobbling a bit as your ankles try to get used to the one blade. You take a few steps on to the ice and fall into his body.  

“Don’t worry, Princess, I got you.” Gustaf lifted you upright. He turned your back toward him and grabbed your hips. “Just relax while I push you. It will help you get the feel of the ice.”

Light music was playing. His hands on your hips. Your hands over his. You let him glide you across the ice. Your smile widens as he skates faster. There are only a few others on the ice due to the late hour. It is really exhilarating. When you slow down, he turns to skate backwards keeping his hands on your waist. You lean forward almost losing your balance.

“Upright, Princess.” Gustaf instructed. He took your hands as you straightened. “That’s a good girl”  

You get your bearings. When he slowly lets you go turning to face away you slide right up to his back laying against him. His hands move around to touch you. It is comforting and free as you skate as one. He turns easily keeping you close. You look at each other. He stops you both in the middle of the rink. Hands warm your freezing cheeks. He kisses you as the fireworks go off somewhere above.  

“That was nice, Princess.” He escorted you off the ice. “Let’s grab some warm glögg and gingerbread.”

You sit on the bench for him to take your skates off. “I never tried glögg. I love gingerbread.”

He ties your skates together to carry. “You will love it.” He took his skates off and carried both pairs while holding your hand to the nearest café. “Ska vi ta en fika?”

You tilted your head questionably.  

Gustaf looked at you, he smiled. “I’m sorry, Princess. Just asking you properly to have a break with me.”

“Of course.” You take his hand from across the table. “I should learn some better Swedish, so you are more comfortable.”

“That is nice of you, but I am comfortable speaking whatever language my friends do.” He patted your hand before going to get drinks and treats.  

He came back. You breathed in the steam from the heated drink. It smelled so good. When you sipped it, it was even better. You tasted the cookie. It brought joy to your taste buds. You talked more about the beauty of Sweden as his fingers fumbled with yours. You were so enthralled with his stories you barely felt the fidget air.  

When you were done with that little social break you headed back to the car. The music playing as you passed the rink inspired him to twirl you. You land back in his arms. His one hand cups yours while other rests on your lower back dancing slowly. For the most part the crowd ignores you as they rush around the “silly couple” in the middle of the walkway.

When the song ends, he rushes you to the SUV. blasted the heat which warmed up in minutes. You snuggled close to him, hand drifting between his thighs. His eyebrow raised inquisitively as you looked up at him for approval. He caught your chin to lay a passionate kiss on your lips. It is all the approval you needed so you undid his belt, unbutton and unzipped his pants to get to the gift you had always wanted.  

“You want to drink your fill from my cup, Princess?” He rasped as your hand brushed over his engorged member still hiding beneath his tighty whities.  

“You are so poetic, Gustaf and yes.” You lick your lips.  

Gustaf uses one hand to free himself as the other palms the pack of your head easing you to go down gently.

Part 3: Bill and Sweetheart coming soon