Page 140 of Hard to Get

“I wonder what we could do to pass the time until then.”

I side-eye him.

He grins. “I was thinking a swim.”

“Absolutely not.”

“What? Why? Don’t you swim?”

“I do, but if I go in the pool, I’ll have to completely redo my hair before dinner.”

“Ah. I should have known that. Sorry.”

“I guess I shouldn’t care about my hair,” I mutter, running a hand through it. “But I have a lot of it and blow drying it is a huge undertaking, and I already did that once today.”

He smooches my cheek. “I get it. It’s fine. We can go for a walk before dinner. An après-ski drink somewhere.”

“Okay! Except we haven’t been skiing.”

“I don’t think they check that before they let you into the bar.”

I giggle. “Probably not.”

Jayden turns on the fireplace and retrieves the bottle of wine and we snuggle on the couch talking while we finish another glass.

“Tell me about your mom,” Jayden says. “Was she okay when you told her about us?”

“She was ecstatic.”

“She loves me.” He smiles smugly.

“She does.” How could she not? “She started going for therapy.”

“No! Really?”

“Yes. I was shocked, too. I’m glad, though.”

“Good for her.”

“I hope it helps her realize that she’s a strong woman who can take care of herself.”

After a while, I go change into the new outfit I bought for this trip, a sweater and pants set in a soft, chocolate-brown knit.

“Nice.” Jayden admires me as I pose in front of the full-length mirror near the bathroom.

He’s still wearing his jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. He looks staggeringly handsome and I can’t stop myself from moving toward him to cup his face and kiss him.

He kisses me back and I fall into the pleasure of it, melting into him, our mouths opening and moving together. I love his taste. His heat. The low noise he makes in his throat.

“Mmm. Also nice,” he murmurs.

I gaze at his beautiful face. Mine.

That’s a terrible thing to think about someone. Isn’t it? I know he’s not mine. We don’t own each other. It just means he’s my favourite person. And it’s only been a couple of weeks since we sorted ourselves out but I’m growing much more comfortable with the idea that I’m a part of a couple. That I have someone. That I’m still falling for him, every day, but I don’t have to be afraid of it. I can be greedy for touches and kisses and stories and not worry that I’m getting in too deep.

“I love you,” I say.

His eyes crinkle up and his dimples pop. “I love you too, beautiful.”