Page 122 of One Foggy Christmas
She dives into me, looping her arm through mine and resting her head on my shoulder. “Now I’m all set.”
My head tilts, leaning against hers. I close my eyes and relish in the feel of Sadie cuddled up against me.
For an entire year, this is all I’ve wanted.
“Ouch!”I immediately pull my foot back from the steaming hot tub water.
“Did you get it too hot?” Sadie calls from the closet, where she changes into her swimsuit.
“No,” I lie, turning on the cold water to cool it down.
“I told you the windows were getting steamy in here.”
“No, that’s just from us. Not the water.”
“You wish the steam was coming from us.”
“You’re telling me,” I say under my breath.
But I’ve already given myself the gentleman’s talk. First- and second-date rules apply to this evening’s activities. Touching is only permitted in safe zones.
No. Matter. What.
That’s not the kind of relationship I’m here to build with Sadie. Physical chemistry has never been our problem. Even last December, when she barely knew me, we didn’t struggle with that. It’s a proven connection on both sides. It’s the emotional connection I’m interested in. I need to see if she loves me orcanlove me, and I don’t want anything confusing her or getting in the way of real, deep, and lasting emotions.
I test the water again and decide the temperature is cool enough to turn off the faucet. Slowly, I step into the tub, letting my body get used to it.
“How does it feel?” Sadie comes around the corner in her black bikini, and I shamelessly check her out.
So much for my gentleman’s talk.
My gaze slowly travels down every curve and exposed inch of her body, like a starved man.
“I think you like my swimsuit,” she teases as she steps into the tub beside me.
“No, I likeyouin that swimsuit.” I glance down at the black ruffles lining her cleavage. “You bought that suit last year, specifically for this trip, but I never got the chance to see you wear it.”
She wraps her arms around my neck, smiling up at me. “I hope it doesn’t disappoint.”
“It’s better than I imagined.” My hands go to her waist, deciding it’s part of the safe zone.
Molten fire flows through my body.
There’s nothing I want more than to pull Sadie to me. I don’t think she’d stop me, but I’m not an idiot. My future happiness is on the line, and I’m not going to screw it up by making things more intimate than they need to be right now.
So, I’m back to my motto of keeping things moving so I don’t get in trouble.
“We should sit.”
Her lips curl in amusement. “Okay.”
I hold her hand as she lowers to her butt, scooting over to make room for me. The Jacuzzi is bigger than a standard bathtub, but it’s still tight for two people. I sit on the opposite end of her, with my legs out straight.
She leans back against the rim, looking up at the glass ceiling. “This is incredible.”
It’s dim enough, just the glow of the Christmas tree by the bed and the moon outside, that you can see the outline of the Matterhorn and a few stars.
“Have I ever been anywhere this magical before?”
