When the Riggins brothers waltzed into our lives, I knew the minute I saw Grant and Aurora together that they were meant to be. Instant attraction, and the way they look at each other, talk about couple goals. They have what I want someday. However, I’ve yet to find a man who holds my attention for longer than an evening out.
As for tonight, Conrad Riggins has my full attention. I know I should pull away, but what’s the harm in a little snuggling while we watch a movie? It’s not like there are any witnesses to this one small indiscretion.
So, instead of doing what I know that I should, I remain where I am, with my cheek pressed to his chest, soaking up his warmth. I’m more comfortable than I have been in I don’t know how long. I don’t know if it’s this massive couch that I’m sure was crazy expensive or if it’s the man. My last thought before drifting off to sleep is that it’s both.
Definitely both.
My bladder is screaming to be emptied, but I’m warm. So damn warm and comfortable that I don’t want to move, but my bladder demands attention. Forcing my eyes open, I blink a few times taking in my surroundings, and that’s when I remember where I am. I’m at the Riggins’s family cabin with Conrad. Conrad, the fourth Riggins brother, and the man who has his arms wrapped tight around me, breathing softly against my neck.
Conrad Riggins.
I don’t want to lose this moment, the feeling of his arms wrapped around me, but I need to pee, or I’m going to embarrass myself. Reluctantly and as careful as I can, I slide out from underneath his hold and tiptoe to the bathroom. After taking care of business and washing my hands, I crave the warmth of his arms. I know I shouldn’t, but it is what it is. Softly, I walk back to the couch to see if he’s still sleeping.
“Come back to bed,” he says groggily.
“We’re not in a bed.” I try to talk to the half-sleeping Adonis of a man. I take a step closer to get a better look at him.
“Then come back to me.”
My movement halts. Is he asleep? Does he know what he’s saying? Who he’s talking to? “Aspen?” I jump when he says my name. My eyes find his that are now half-open. “Come back to me,” he says. His voice is deep from sleep, but there is a sincerity there I can’t ignore. His words tug at the strings of my heart. With a nod, I take my place next to him on the chaise lounge. He lifts the covers over us and pulls me back into his arms. My body is stiff. I can’t seem to relax. My mind is racing. What does this mean? Does it even mean anything? Maybe he’s just tired and doesn’t want to worry about me roaming around the cabin on my own? I can’t seem to shut it all out, that is until I hear him release a heavy sigh, and his body molds around mine. Oddly enough, it relaxes me too. So much so that I drift off to sleep in his warm embrace.
“I can feel you staring at me, creeper.” I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to see his as he watches me. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. I know what I look like first thing in the morning with my hair all a mess. He’s seeing me in all my glory—sleep lines, messy hair, no makeup, all of it.
“You’re cute when you sleep.”
His words have me peeling one eye open to look at him. “Did aliens abduct you while we slept?” I’m teasing, my tone light, but this isn’t the teasing flirting Conrad I’m used to. This is a serious, soft, and sweet Conrad. Forcing the other eye to open, I take him in. His hair is mussed, and he, too, has sleep lines on his face.
“No.” He smiles, reaching out and tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “No aliens, but I didn’t peg you for a runner?”
“Me? I’m not.”
“Then why did I have to coax you back to bed last night.”
“This isn’t a bed.” It’s the best I’ve got. I can’t tell him that I wanted to be next to him, to feel his body wrapped around mine. That would have us crossing lines that we shouldn’t cross. Sure, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I am not doing a single thing to mess with my sister’s wedding. I think she would be happy for me, for us, but it’s not worth the risk. Maybe one day…. What am I saying? No. I’m letting one night and a naked incident cloud my mind. It was just a thing. Two adults falling asleep on the couch. So we cuddled? Big deal.
“Well, it was warm with you lying there with me.”
“I didn’t peg you for a cuddler,” I counter before I can think better of it.
“I’m not.” He gives me a dazzling smile that I’m sure has hearts breaking and panties dropping all over Tennessee.
“Come on, lazybones. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up for almost an hour. Let’s go make some breakfast.” He tosses off the covers and climbs to his feet. Reaching out, he offers me his hand and pulls me to mine as well.
“Are you making breakfast?” I ask him.
“Yep.”
“Huh,” I say, following him up the stairs.
“Huh? What do you mean, huh? I know how to cook. I’m damn good at it if I do say so myself.”
“Your momma raised you right.”
“She did. I remember growing up she used to tell us that our future wives would thank her one day.”
“Smart woman, that Lena Riggins.” I smile as I perch my behind on a stool at the kitchen island. “So, fancy pants, what are we having?”
He opens the fridge and peruses his options. “How about scrambled eggs and bacon, with some toast?”
“Perfect. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing. Just keep me company.”
“I’ll start the coffee.” I slide off the stool and get busy starting the coffee pot. When I go to fill the pot with water, I look outside and gasp. “Oh my gosh. Did you see how much snow is out there?” I ask, staring out the window at the blanket of white that’s covering the ground.
I feel his body as he slides up behind me and looks over my head out the window. “No,” his deep voice says next to my ear. “That’s a lot, and it’s still coming down. Good thing Mom thought ahead and ordered supplies to be delivered.”
“How did she do that anyway?” I ask, hitting Start on the coffee pot.
“She has a service company she uses. They take care of maintaining the place when we’re not here. We used to come up a lot as kids, not so much now that all five of us kids are working at the company. Adult life keeps us from having as much downtime.”
“That’s good that you have someone who helps maintain it. It’s not so good that you don’t get to spend as much time here. I love this place.”
“Yeah, me too,” he says wistfully. “All right.” He claps his hands. “Sit back and watch the master at work.”
I do as he says, taking my seat at the island, and watch as he prepares us breakfast. “Is this snow going to affect the wedding?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think they were calling for this much snow. I’m surprised we haven’t heard from anyone at home asking about it.” He turns off the stove and plates our food. “We have a company we use to clear the drive, but we can’t call them until it stops snowing. Removing the snow now won’t do a bit of good with it still coming down like it is.” He places a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of me. “Eat up, and we’ll get some warm clothes on and go check it out.”