Page 28 of Snowbound Lovers
“Okay, who was the comedian?” Blake asks, and Jasmine instantly pops her hand up. I knew it.
We take some time to look at each other’s gifts, trying to guess each time who bought it. I have Bec to thank for my new double thickness gloves. These would have been helpful on the mountain yesterday; nevertheless, I can’t wait to try them out later. Scott also looks happy with his new neck warmer, which is already around his neck.
It takes us until midmorning to finally make it to the slopes, all of us again except Cassie and Luke. But now that we know why, after last night’s special announcement, we’re not surprised. It’s a bluebird day with the only trace of yesterday’s snowstorm being a thick, fresh layer of snow.
We don’t waste any time getting a couple of runs in before lunch. Then, after the break, Jarrod and I skip off to spend some time together. He patiently follows me down the slopes at my pace, always checking that I’m doing okay, and each time he asks, my heart swells. I’m in so much trouble. Or maybe I should say my heart is in so much trouble. I would never have thought that in such a short time, I could have such strong feelings for a guy, but I do.
I stop halfway down the next run, flopping back onto the soft snow, panting hard, and Jarrod stops a little below me. When I’ve caught my breath again, I smile down at him. I’ve found myself doing that a lot today, and while the view of the village is pretty, it pales in comparison to the man leaning back on the snow. My lips feel dry, and I take my lip gloss from my pocket and swipe it across my lips.
Jarrod unclicks a boot from his board and hops up the slope toward me. Thethwack, thwack, thwackof his board slapping against the snow with each step up. My reflection in his goggles getting closer. I wish I could see his eyes. The dark depths are like a window into his soul.
He zeroes in on my freshly glossed lips, and as he tries to kiss me, our helmets clash together, keeping us apart. A bubble of happiness bursts from my lips in a giggle, and I fall flat on my back on to the snow. He follows me down, determined to get his kiss, tilting his head one way while I tilt mine the other. It’s a hot kiss filled with laughter and the smearing of clear gloss across my chin and his cheek.
We make out on the slopes, caught up in our own little world, until a group of skiing Santas pass by, whooping and hollering at us. And we break apart, laughing so hard my stomach hurts.
Chapter 17
Jarrod
“Itlookslikeagood night for the hot tub,” I whisper into Madison’s ear as we make our way into the boot room with our gear, and I’m rewarded with one of her especially cheeky grins. It’s been the best day.
Madison delves into a jacket pocket, pulls out a small tube, and begins to trace the clear glossy contents over her lips. She knows what this does to me. I watch on, mesmerized, my cock twitching in interest as I think about sucking it straight off.
The little minx is deliberately teasing me. She’ll pay for that later, but my first priority is to get this gear stowed in the heated room and then get my ass out to the hot tub with my lady.
A little later, holding her hand, I lead her outside to the darkened deck. Tonight, there are no stars, but we do have candles and bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles, and not the drinking kind. More the bubble bath kind. Klaus’s idea of a joke. Bubbles ooze onto the surrounding decking from the whirring tub like it has a life of its own. I look at Madison, and the merriment dancing in her eyes is matched only by her bright smile. It is pretty funny. Klaus and I have been playing practical jokes on each other ever since I was a kid and he was a newly qualified chef.
We quickly discard our outer layers and step down into the tub, nearly disappearing into the foamy layer that sits at least a foot above the swirling warm water.
We settle on the seat beside each other, no distance between us like last time. Not that we’d be able to see over the bubbles if we were in the same spots as before. My arm stretches behind Madison, and she leans into me. I like her using me as a headrest.
“This is how hot tubs should be enjoyed,” she admits, her head flopping to the side like she’s lost the ability to hold it up. I have to agree. I used to enjoy being in the hot tub alone. Now I wouldn’t want to be here without the woman beside me.
“How are your muscles feeling?” I ask, drawing the words out as I relax into the pleasant pummeling of the water jets on my back.
“Hmm … weak. You may have to carry me out of here.”
I’m okay with that idea, but right this minute, I only want to think about the here and now. I long to touch her exposed skin, and this time, I can. My hand dips below the waterline to stroke her shoulder, and Madison wriggles closer, tucking in under my arm. It all feels so right, and I realize I don’t want Madison to leave tomorrow.
“Mads?”
“Hmm,” she murmurs lazily, and it reminds me of how she sounded last night after I’d given her the second orgasm. That one single thought making my cock flex for attention, but I try not to let it distract me from my question.
“Can you stay longer?” I shift to look at her. “I want to spend more time with you. We could watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks.” I twirl one of her glossy brown curls around my finger, then let it spring free again.
She lifts her head and tilts it toward me. “Jarrod, I can’t.” I try to hide my disappointment with a casual nod.
But then she surprises me by sitting up to throw her leg over my hips and straddle me. “I’m sorry. I wish I could but … a friend is looking after my dog … and he’s going to be going away for New Year, so I need to be home.” She sounds nervous, and I’m not sure why.
Until it suddenly hits me. “Is the friend your ex?” My hand stops stroking her back as I wait to hear her answer.
She takes my face between her hands. “Yes … but Jarrod, I told you; he is just a friend.” Truth shines in her beautiful eyes, but the thought of her going feels like I’ve pulled a muscle in my chest.
“I understand.” I hold her close, vowing to at least enjoy this last night together.
“Thanks.” She wiggles about on my lap, or maybe I should say over my cock. Then, with her head resting on my chest, she says, “Maybe you could come and visit me in Florida. You know, when it gets too cold in New York.”
I release a deep sigh on the breath that had been stuck in my chest. “I’d like that. You could teach me to surf.”
