Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
As soon as we were back in the cabin, I started on dinner. Drew helped me with prep and I was searing the meat in no time. Ty went to shower and Jasmine sat on a stool at the kitchen counter sipping a glass of wine.
“You guys are so athletic,” she said. “I was impressed by what good teachers you are too.”
“Thanks,” Drew said, keeping his attention on the vegetables I had him chopping.
“You weren’t so bad yourself. A quick study,” I said to her.
“I had fun. Once I got over my terror of the ski lift. I’m just wondering…” her lips curved into a sly smile, “Whether you guys could teach me a thing or two in the bedroom, too.”
I dropped my metal spatula and it clattered noisily to the stovetop. I cleared my throat. How could I respond to that with words? I was clumsy and focused on all the blood leaving my brain at that point.
“Want to check out the hot tub?” Eli suggested as he walked out the back and dropped his towel.
Jasmine smiled, set down her wine glass and darted to the bedroom to grab her swimsuit. A few minutes after she settled into the hot tub, Drew peeled off from kitchen duty and joined them with Eli not far behind. I finished up supper and served it, stealing glances at the crew drinking beer in the hot tub, steam rising off of the water and curling into the cold surrounding air.
They wrapped up in towels and made their way to the table. Soon they exclaimed about the delicious meal. I loved watching her enjoy my cooking, but the damp tendrils of her hair clung to one cheek and the side of her neck. I wanted to brush them aside tenderly and kiss her throat, her ear, her mouth. After all that work on the beautiful meal, I wanted to rush them through it to get to dessert.
When everyone finished eating, I told my brothers they could do the dishes. Eli chuckled and said that was fair. I took the bottle of wine to the couch and Jasmine joined me.
She curled her legs beneath her and nestled into my arms.
“That dinner was amazing. You’re going to have to teach me to cook so I can help you out,” she said.
“What if I like cooking for you? And you don’t have to help,” I said softly, kissing her temple. She hummed softly and nestled her head into the crook of my neck.
“I’ll be spoiled rotten. There’s no way you want me to get used to this kind of treatment. It’s supposed to be a holiday, not my real life,” she said languidly.
“I want to make it your real life. I don’t mind cooking for you. We like taking care of you, Jas. You take care of us too in a lot of ways. Let us take away some of your load—the groceries and cooking, the travel, money. Those are things you don’t have to worry about anymore.”
She looked at me in disbelief. “I can’t let you do that, Jake. It’s too much. I’ll take care of myself. I don’t like the idea of imposing or—”
“Depending on us?” I said softly, barely above a breath. She nodded, not meeting my eyes. “It makes sense you’d be afraid to trust anyone. I understand. Give us a chance, let us earn your trust.”
“You have already more than earned it. I’m just scared to count on it, to believe that this will last,” she said.
Then I gave up on talking and decided to convince her the best way I knew how. I stroked her cheek and coaxed her to look up at me. Then I brushed my lips against hers. We were in each other’s arms, making out on the couch as happily as I could imagine. After a few minutes, she drew back and got to her feet.
“Should we check out that mountain view from the bedroom?” she asked. I stood up and grabbed her hand. Ty put down his dish towel and picked up the lighter for the candles and the others weren’t far behind.
In the bedroom, purple with gathering dusk, we looked at the snowy shadows of the mountains beyond our window. Ty lit the candles while Eli opened a bottle of champagne. Drew went to the closet and brought out the gift box he’d been so proud of and presented it to her.
Jasmine searched all our faces in disbelief. “Go ahead. It’s for you,” Drew said.
Jasmine unwrapped the box to reveal the classiest looking silk nightgown and robe I’d ever seen. It was elegant and beautiful, and she touched it carefully like it might disappear if she tried to hold it. Eli handed out champagne flutes and Drew urged Jasmine to try on the special lingerie. She blinked furiously, seemed shy, and then snatched it and went into the bathroom. We all drank a toast and made a few last-minute preparations. I took my shoes off and then grabbed a couple of roses from a bouquet in the living room and tossed their petals on the bed.