Ahead of us, the root that sent me flying juts out from the snow-covered path. I squeeze Kez’s hand and nod toward it. “Watch out for that.”
She huffs a laugh and shakes her head. “Thanks.”
This time, hand in hand, we step over it together.
CHAPTER 11
KEZ
Charlotte’s soakingin the clawfoot tub when I enter the bathroom, bubbles covering everything from her neck down. Despite how often my family has vacationed here, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve stepped into this room. My mother always said this was her favorite room in the cabin, which I found strange, but now I understand. A golden hue from the tealight candles illuminates the dark room, while scents of eucalyptus and spearmint soap fill the air.
“One towel and one mug of hot chocolate. Here you are.” I carefully pass Charlotte the snowman mug with a mountain of whipped cream on top, then set the towel on the side table. She thanks me, and I turn to leave, but her words halt my footsteps.
“Join me? I don’t mind sharing,” she says. Her lips curl into a grin.
I face her and glance at the tub, then back at her. “Are you sure?”
She nods. “There’s plenty of room. Only if you want.”
I arch a brow. “You only want me to finish that massage from earlier.” I don’t bother hiding my teasing grin.
She lifts a soapy hand from the water, thumb and forefinger nearly touching. “Just a tiny bit.”
I shrug. “Your bathtub. Your rules.”
We share a laugh.
I strip off my clothes and take my time, fully aware that Charlotte’s tracing every movement. The butterflies in my stomach flutter uncontrollably. My cheeks flush at the way she looks at me, unapologetically devouring me with her eyes. I slide my jeans to my ankles, adding them to the puddle of clothes, and continue until I’m standing naked in the candlelight.
“You’re so beautiful.” Charlotte’s lips curl upward, soft and sincere.
“Thanks.” I mirror her smile. “So are you.”
Then she gives me a not so innocent look. “You still have a great ass, by the way.”
That makes me laugh.
I step into the tub behind her, careful not to disturb the water as I settle in. Heat wraps around my muscles, pulling a satisfied sigh from my chest. “This was a great idea.”
She moves her hair to one side and leans back against my chest and relaxes into our touch. I wrap my arms around her and hold her for the first time in over ten years, then I reach for the washcloth on the edge of the tub, dip it in the water, and trail it slowly across her shoulders.
She hums as I trail the washcloth over her back, rubbing small circles, then I press a gentle kiss to her bare shoulder. Her skin tastes like steam and all the lost moments I wished we’d had together.
“I missed this,” I murmur against her skin.
She reaches for my free hand and kisses my fingers, making my stomach flip and flop. “Me too.”
The conversation starts light and before I know it, we’re laughing and carrying on like we did over a decade ago. Back then, we would talk about anything, easily bouncing between salacious and serious without discomfort.
She asks about my father, so I tell her stories I haven’t shared in years. How he’d burn the smoked turkey every Thanksgiving but refused to let anyone else cook it and how he taught me how to drive and how I nearly took out the neighbor’s mailbox.
“I always liked Darrel. He was such a good guy,” Charlotte says.
The corners of my eyes crinkle at the memories. “He was.”
“I wish I’d known him better. Remember the time he caught us smoking weed in your car? Thank god he didn’t tell my parents. It was my first time smoking, and just my luck, I got caught.”
I almost spit out my hot chocolate. “You were so high. You talked about streetlights and color psychology for twenty minutes, sounding like a mad scientist.”
