But one thing that hasn’t is the way I feel for this girl.
Douglas lowers the music volume as a Christmas song starts to play. “I just mean Aspyn’s so innocent. She’s lived in a bubble for the last five years and I hate the idea of a guy taking advantage of her. Of her naiveté.”
“Yeah? But she might have been seeing guys, Douglas,” I push back. “She spent all of high school at a ski school, who knows what she’s gotten up to.” I hope it isn’t true, but unchaperoned teenagers could be a recipe for disaster, or at least partying. I wonder if it’s Douglas being the naive one here.
“You haven’t seen her in a long time, Cole. I’m telling you she is innocent with a capital I. She’s upheld the three Ds my parents swore her to when she left home.”
I laugh, having never heard of this promise before. “And what are the three Ds?”
“No drinking, no drugs, no dating.” Douglas shrugs, keeping his eyes on the recently snow-plowed road. “And I honestly don’t think she’s broken her promise. Sure, I’m an overprotective brother, but no guy is good enough for her.”
I run a hand over my jaw. “No guy is good enough?”
Cole shakes his head. “None.”
I exhale, wondering if coming here for Christmas is a terrible mistake.
Aspyn is clearly off-limits. Trouble is, she’s the only one I want.
Chapter Three
Aspyn
The shower helps calm my nerves… or at least relieves the ache in my core. After drying, I flip off the vibrator and stow it back in my toiletries bag, then walk over to the suitcase on the bed and try to pick out something flattering to wear. Trouble is, I packed for the slopes and cozying up in the chalet with my family — not for Cole.
I pull out my dark denim jeans that hug my hips and a red chenille sweater that is tight across the chest. Not overtly sexy, but still accentuating the places I want Cole to notice. Needing a bra and panties, I lick my lips as I unzip the side compartment in my luggage. Before I can grab the undergarments, I pause, feeling heat at my pussy as I look at the hefty assortment of toys I brought along. I figured since this is vacation, I should take full advantage of it.
I have a G-spot vibe, a rabbit, a very realistic one, a dual stimulator, and my ever so trusty wand. Sighing, I push them aside and grab a matching red bra and panty set. My vibe collection is my one decadence in life. I don’t spend money on manis or pedis, and I’ve never been one for getting my hair done, but I do use my budgeted allotment for self-care on these toys.
And while I love the pleasure they bring, I do sometimes wish I could share the fun with a partner. And by partner, I mean Cole. Because I’ve never so much as kissed a man — I’ve been saving it all with Cole in mind. And I take my parents’ wishes to heart. Which is why I’ve kept true to the 3 Ds for so many years.
When I saw him three years ago, it was summer, we were at the lake, and I was just sixteen. He was twenty, and Douggie had left to grab us something from the snack bar for lunch. We swam out in the lake, Cole and I, and when my feet brushed against seaweed, I shrieked. He reached for me, an arm sliding around my waist.
“It’s just the algae,” I said, breathless, his hands on my skin, the sun beating down on us. His muscular chest pressed against mine. The water was icy cold, and my nipples poked through my white bikini.
“You scared me,” he said, not letting go. I didn’t want him to. I wanted to stay in his arms forever.
And despite the frigid water, I felt something firm. Hard. Him.
I swallowed, wanting to kiss hi … and so much more. I wanted to shove down his swim trunks and wrap my legs around his waist, to untie the strings on my hips keeping my bottoms in place.
And I swear, he wanted that too. He looked into my eyes and the heat between us grew to an inferno.
“Cole,” I had whispered, but then he pulled away. Swimming a meter from me.
“Fuck. We should get back,” he’d said, creating distance between us.
And I haven’t seen him since that day — for three years.
Still, the memory makes my heartbeat quicken… it felt so right, being in his arms. And I know he felt it too.
At least I think he did.
I dress quickly, then dry my hair. I don’t have any makeup, but I slide lip gloss on my lips and put on moisturizer along with sunscreen — a must when you are outside for so many hours a day.
Then I head to the living room with my Kindle. I’ve downloaded lots of yummy Christmas stories, and I dive into one titled The Snuggle Is Real. With the gas fire roaring, I decide to make some hot cocoa before getting under a blanket to read the afternoon away.
The living room has been decorated by the owners, and I’m glad — not being home for Christmas isn’t anything new though. Over the years my parents have come to Bend many times to celebrate with me. As a family, we have always believed that home is where the heart is, so it feels okay not being at my parents’ home for the holidays. I’m just happy to have the chance to be with them. There’s a Christmas tree in the corner and a cedar garland over the fireplace. The candle that I light on the coffee table is cinnamon scented and I take a sip of the cocoa, the melting marshmallows adding to the decadent treat.
Snuggled up on the couch, I quickly sink into the story on my device. The eBook has me all warmed up and my body aches as I read some of the hotter scenes, imagining them with Cole. All I know is that if I was stuck at a chalet, alone with Cole for Christmas, it would not be the worst thing.
I fall asleep after reading and am awoken when the front door opens. Expecting my parents, I stay on the couch — but when Douglas calls out, asking if anyone is home, I realize who has actually arrived.
Jumping off the couch, I run into my brother’s arms. He is tall and fit, and studying sports medicine at school. “Oh, Douggie! I missed you!”
“I missed you too, Aspyn.” He squeezes me before letting go. “Cole misses you too.”
I look over at Cole and my whole body melts. Forget being locked in a chalet with him, I will take anywhere, any time — I just want him. Alone.
He is more handsome than ever — and those photos Mom has sent over the years do him no justice. His shoulders are broad, his jaw has a sexy amount of scruff, his dark hair falls into his eyes and when he pushes it back, I lick my lips. His green eyes are a forest I could get lost in.
He doesn’t hug me, and so I don’t hug him either, and I feel a tinge of pain. All I want in the world is to wrap my arms round him and recreate the moment in the lake. Only this time, completely naked, in my bedroom, with the door locked.
“Aspyn,” he says, the timbre of his voice rich and gravelly, and my belly flip-flops. “It’s been a long time.”
“Three years,” I say, shoving my hands in my back jeans pockets.
“You look—” He clears his throat, looking at Douggie. “Like you’ve been sleeping.”
Cringing, I smooth my rumpled hair. That was not what I was hoping for him to say. I wanted him to shove my brother out of the way and ravish me here on the couch, in front of the fire.
Okay, yes, I know I have an overactive imagination, but so would anyone if they were this close to the man of their dreams.