Page 60 of Snowbound with the Santas

I clutch at my coat. “In there?”

“It’s warm, I promise.”

A hard promise to believe because while the air in this half-cavern nook does feel warm, the cold isn’t far behind and each gust of wind brings the chill.

“What is this?”

“It’s a natural hot spring,” Nick explains. “There’s quite a few of them all over the mountain, but this is the only one that’s accessible. Mostly because I’ve been working at it for a few years to smooth out the rocks and make the place safe.”

“You… made this?”

“I aided it.” Nick chuckles as he moves through the water. His motion causes the candles and flower petals to move around him, and he holds that smile as he reaches toward me with one hand. “It’s perfectly safe.”

It’s such a surreal thought. A hot spring in the middle of frozen mountains? Not unheard of, but knowing this one is natural and not pumped by motors like the ones down at the ski lodge warms my heart. Can I really pass up a beautiful sight?

No. I really can’t.

I undress quickly and pile my jacket and boots next to Nick’s, then I sit down on the rocks and slowly dip my toes in.

“Oh, my God,” I gasp, withdrawing my toes immediately. The water is so hot that it’s almost shocking. Nick wades closer and places his warm hands on my calves.

“I’ve got you.”

With his encouragement—and another rush of cold air behind me—I slide off the rocks and into the hot water. A shudder moves through me as I find smooth stone beneath my feet and the scent of jasmine fills my nose. Above me, the rippling water creates a beautiful pattern across the ceiling as it reflects the candlelight.

“This place is beautiful,” I gasp, keeping one hand on Nick’s arm. “And you just… found this place?”

“We’ve explored a lot of the mountain,” he explains in a soft voice. “This was a treasure to find, though, and a good place to ease aching muscles after hiking and working. A godsend too, during the times our water pump has frozen up completely.”

“I bet.” I sink down until the hot water washes over my shoulders, and Nick guides me back to a shelf of rock that acts like a seat. “People would fork out thousands for this.”

“Just as well it’s our secret.” Nick smiles and settles next to me. “I wanted to treat you.”

“As if saving my life and giving me a place to shelter out two storms isn’t enough?” Resting my head back on some of the warm rocks, my eyes flutter closed.

“That’s true but… Rayne. We’ve spent a lot of time with each other, and I know that you’ve uhm…” He pauses, and I open my eyes. “I know you know we are all interested in you, but part of me was concerned that maybe we had come on too strong, and I didn’t want you to think we were just horny men interested in sex.”

I lift my head and watch as an array of emotions dances across Nick’s handsome face. He strokes one hand through his beard and smiles nervously.

“Which, don’t get me wrong, we are. But we care about you too.Icare about you and… well, Frankie told me what you told him.”

There it is. I stiffen slightly, unable to help myself.

“So the last thing I want,” Nick continues, “is for you to feel like we’re taking advantage or that we don’t appreciate you for who you are because believe me… you’re like the first breath of air coming up from water, or the first touch of comfort under ten weighted blankets. I don’t know how you do it or if it’s just your natural aura, but you are a blessing, Rayne.”

As he talks, my heart swells fuller and fuller. This may be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, and I’m reeling from every detail. Warm tears spring into my eyes, and I reach up to cup his face.

“Nick,” I say, and my voice trembles. “You’re too good for me. You all are.”

“Nonsense,” Nick says softly. “I just want you to know you are insanely appreciated and adored—even by Archer.”

I huff out a soft laugh, gently rolling my eyes. “Are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely.”

As Nick smiles warmly, the love in my chest is almost overbearing, so I lean forward suddenly and catch his lips in a deep, needy kiss. His damp beard tickles my chin, and my fingers slide through the curls of hair on his chest as he leans in closer.

I have no words other than, “I adore the hell out of you guys, too.” I murmur them against his lips, Nick chuckles, and then the kiss deepens.

---