Even after all this time, I still couldn’t believe I got to call this man—this strong, loyal, determined man—mine.
“There you are,” Gio’s deep voice filled the frigid air. “You made it okay then?”
“We did.” Jason led us over to the cabin and the two of them fist bumped. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here though.” He quirked a brow.
“I wanted it to be a surprise, although I ended up with some clingers.” He grimaced, something passing over his face. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Actually, we—”
“Of course we don’t.” I hugged Gio, kissing his cheek. “We’re just excited to be here.” Jason shot me a bemused look, but I waved him off. “We have all weekend,” I mouthed at him.
He rolled his eyes and went to the trunk to get our bags. Gio helped him and the three of us made our way up the wooden steps to the door.
“This is amazing.” My eyes grew to saucers as I took in the huge, open-plan living room, the roaring fire, and open beams. There was a small tree glittering in the corner and garlands adorned the fireplace.
“I’m glad you think so.” One of the most good-looking guys I’d ever seen stepped forward.
“Oh, hello,” I stuttered, feeling my cheeks grow hot. “I’m Felicity.”
“Nicco.” He smiled warmly, and I swear my knees went weak.
So this was Nicco Marchetti, Gio’s friend.
“This is my family’s cabin.”
“Well, it’s really something. We appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“Gio said you just got engaged?”
“We did.” Jason stepped up to me, wrapping his arm around me in a total display of possessiveness.
Someone snickered, and my eyes found another Italian Adonis standing over by the kitchen area.
“Matteo.” He smiled around a nod.
Oh boy, these guys had good Italian genes.
“You’re so pretty,” a girl peeked out from behind him. “I’m Alessia, Nicco’s sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Congratulations. Can I see your ring?” She moved closer. She was also beautiful. Light to Nicco’s dark, but you could see the resemblance.
“Sure.” I thrust out my hand, more than happy to show it off.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful. You guys are still in college?”
“We’re sophomores, yeah.”
“Nicco and Arianne just—”
“Sia.” Nicco shook his head and she gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I can get a little carried away with myself.”
“It’s okay.”
“We weren’t expecting the welcome party,” Jason said.
“We had some business to take care of this way, so thought we’d make sure you were all settled in. The weather is forecasted to get worse, so I wanted to personally check you had everything you needed.”
My brows furrowed. As far as I knew, Nicco was a sophomore like us. He seemed older somehow though, an air of command about him.
“Hello,” another girl entered the room. “I’m Arianne.”
Nicco welcomed her into his arms, gazing down at her with such love I felt it in my bones.
Wow.
They made a gorgeous couple.
She wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Jason and Felicity, right?”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I replied.
“Gio has told us all about you. Congratulations on the engagement.”
“Thank you.”
“Why don’t I show Jason where the emergency generator is—”
“Emergency generator?” My eyes widened.
“It’s just a precaution.” Nicco smiled, settling some of my nerves.
“Down, babe,” Jase whispered against the shell of my ear, and I elbowed his ribs, my cheeks pinking.
I was only human, and Nicco was gorgeous. But Jason knew who I belonged to. I was wearing his ring for God’s sake.
“How does hot cocoa by the fire sound?” Arianne asked me.
“That sounds pretty great actually.”
Jason
“So, your family is in the cabin rental business?” I asked Nicco as we followed Matteo and Gio around back. The snow was already banking up, the icy wind like tiny blades across my skin, but I wasn’t worried. If we got snowed in, it’d only give me an excuse to spend more time alone with Felicity.
Fuck knows we needed it after a busy couple of weeks. Everyone was excited about the engagement, but it had been a constant stream of drinks and dinners and celebrations. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with my girl.
Just the two of us with no interruptions.
“Cabin rental business,” Matteo said with a hint of amusement. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Matt,” Nicco warned, and I felt like I was missing something.
“It’s a nice place though, right?” Gio added.
“Yeah, it’s something else. Thanks for hooking us up.”
“It’s all good. Nicco owed me a favor, right Nic?” He grinned at Nicco who rolled his eyes.
“Ignore them,” he said. “This cabin is just one my family owns. We prefer to keep them for family and friends only.”
“Well, thanks again.” I gave him an appreciative nod, pulling the collar of my jacket tighter to give me some protection from the icy wind.
“Okay, so this is the generator. If power goes out, and it shouldn’t, you’ll need to come out here and manually start it.” He motioned to the switch.
“Got it.”
“We stocked the refrigerator and there’s plenty of firewood, and I’m sure Fee will keep you warm.” Gio smirked. I leveled him with a hard look.
“Joke,” he murmured. “I’m joking. The snow is only supposed to last until the day after tomorrow, and they’ll clear the main roads. You’ll be good.”
I really didn’t care. In fact, getting snowed in for a few extra days sounded pretty damn good to me.
“Got any New Year’s Eve plans?”
“We’re heading to New York to celebrate with our friends.” Asher and Mya were having a small thing at their place. Nothing crazy. Just the six of us.
“Nice,” Matteo said. “We should think about making tracks soon.” He and Nicco shared a look, and that strange sensation rippled through me again.
I didn’t know much about Gio’s friends, just that his sister Nora was best friends with Arianne and Nicco.
I figured they were good people to let us stay at the cabin for three nights, but I couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to Nicco and Matteo than met the eye.
“Come on, my balls are freezing.” Gio nudged my shoulder and we made our way back inside to the girls.
To my fiancée.
Fuck, saying that would never get old.
Felicity
“This is delicious, thank you so much.” I took another sip of the hot cocoa.
“It’s an old family recipe,” Alessia said. “I left a tub here for you.”
“Wow, thanks.”