Page 6 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

He chuckled. “We might’ve gone a little overboard when we planned it. But hey, life in the city has a way of making you crave a retreat like this. Come on – I’ll show you your bedroom.”

Vinnie led me to a room that forced me to pause in the doorway to absorb the sheer beauty of it. The large windows offered a breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountains, almost like a painting hung for my personal enjoyment. The room itself was a masterpiece—plush carpeting, an opulent bed adorned with silk linens, and elegant furnishings that somehow still felt cozy.

"You might want to close those curtains," Vinnie said, pointing toward the window. "The sun rises right there. Unless you want a five am wake-up call from Mother Nature herself."

I chuckled. "I'll be in the kitchen every day by six to make breakfast, so that won't be an issue."

He looked surprised. "That's really not necessary. You can sleep in if you want."

"Oh, I know both you and Isaac are early risers. I am too, so it's no big deal. Plus, I'm being paid to make sure food is ready when you guys are hungry."

Just as I was inspecting the closet space, Luke and Archer walked in, carrying my luggage like it weighed nothing.

"Where would you like these?" Luke asked.

"Just on the bed is fine, thanks." Once they had set down my bags, I turned to them. "Thank you so much for bringing my stuff up. If it’s alright with you, I’ll unpack and then head down to the kitchen."

"Of course," Archer said.

Vinnie strode to the doorway and turned to look at me. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

The way he said it sent a tingling sensation down my spine, triggering another wave of hormones I absolutely did not need right now. I laughed to defuse my growing tension. "Unless you can chop vegetables or baste a turkey, I think I'll manage."

Archer’s lips curved into a sly smile. "Well, if you ever want to teach me, I'm a quick learner."

“Yeah, a real master baster, you could say,” Vinnie added, wearing a smirk of his own.

Archer laughed. “Shithead.”

With that, I was alone. I sat on the edge of the bed, taking in the sight of the gorgeous room and equally beautiful view. How the hell was I going to go back to my shoe-drawer-sized Chinatown apartment after spending nearly a week in this place?

As nice as the bedroom was, however, I couldn’t resist the call of the kitchen, bounding off the bed and heading downstairs. Once there, I had to stop and take a moment to just breathe. It was like something out of my wildest dreams. From the gleaming stainless-steel appliances to the perfectly organized spice racks and the vast marble countertops, the space screamed luxury and efficiency. I circled around, opening various drawers and cabinets, each filled with top-of-the-line utensils and gadgets. The guys were there, plucking drinks out of the fridge and snacking on odds and ends.

"You guys better be careful," I warned them, my eyes not leaving the stove.

Archer raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"This kitchen makes our work kitchen look like a hot plate in a college dorm. You realize I'm going to be asking for upgrades now, right?"

Isaac chuckled, leaning against the counter, the corner of his mouth curling into a hint of a smile. "Well, if the meals you prepare this week are as spectacular as they usually are, who knows? We might have to consider some upgrades."

I grinned, locking eyes with him. "Challenge accepted. And no snacking – I want you all good and hungry for dinner.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Vinnie replied with a grin.

I left them standing there, trying not to appear as giddy as I felt. I climbed the stairs back to my room, my thoughts a confusing whirlwind. As I began to unpack, laying out my clothes and arranging my toiletries, the professional in me took over. I had a job to do, and whether in a dorm-like kitchen or a gourmet one, I was going to knock their socks off.

Chapter 4

Vinnie

Luke let out a long whistle through his teeth as soon as Becca was out of earshot.

"That ass though," he commented, a cheeky grin on his face.

Archer grunted in agreement, his eyes still following her as she disappeared around the corner. I shook my head at both of them.

"Gentlemen, as the voice of reason here—and also as the one who doesn't want to get sued—let me remind you, she's off limits." I leaned back against the kitchen counter as I spoke.

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