“We stocked the refrigerator too,” Arianne added, “and the wine rack.” She brushed some stray hairs away from her face and my eyes instantly found the wedding band on her finger.
“You’re married?” I pressed my lips into a thin line and murmured, “Sorry, that sounded rude.”
“It’s okay.” She gave me a warm smile. “We get that a lot.”
“But you’re so young.”
She and Alessia shared a look, before she settled her warm gaze back on mine. “When you know, you know.”
“Yeah, I get that.” Things hadn’t always been easy between Jason and I, but after the initial push and pull, I’d fallen hard and fast. I couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Jason Ford. But we weren’t in any hurry, not with two-and-a-half years of college left.
I was about to ask Arianne about the wedding when male laughter drifted down the hall.
“Comfortable?” Matteo’s brow lifted as he glanced at Alessia who had curled into a ball in one of the armchairs by the fire.
“I love it out here,” she sighed.
“Don’t you get out here a lot?” I asked.
“Not as much as we’d like,” Nicco replied. “Sia, let’s go.”
“Can’t we stay just a little longer?” Her eyes flicked to mine and I was about to tell them it was okay, that they could stay, when Arianne stood.
“Nicco’s right, we should leave Felicity and Jason to enjoy their stay.”
“Spare keys are on the hook.” Nicco pointed to a small hook by the door. “There are extra blankets in the cupboard in the bedroom. If you need anything else, we’re only a thirty-minute ride away.”
“I think we’re set.” Jason held out his hand. “Thanks again, we really appreciate it.”
“Anytime.” The two of them shook hands. Nicco broke away first, reaching for Arianne. It was fascinating to watch them together. He was clearly super protective of her, but not in an overt alpha way. It was subtle; in the way he held her close and slightly behind him, as if readying himself to become her human shield.
“It was nice to meet you both,” she said. “Maybe we’ll get to see you again before you leave.”
“That would be nice,” I said.
Jason caught my eye and frowned, and I could practically hear his thoughts. He didn’t want visitors; he wanted the next three days to be about the two of us. Alone. Together in the middle of nowhere.
My skin turned hot just thinking about it.
“Fee, pleasure as always.” Gio leaned in for a hug but I felt Jason move to my side.
He was such a caveman, but I couldn’t deny it made my heart soar knowing how possessive he was.
“Thanks, Gio, for everything.” I kissed his cheek. “Enjoy the rest of the holidays.”
“Yeah.” His expression turned tight but then he was gone, fist bumping Jason before moving to the door.
We watched as they filed out of the cabin and into the dark, snowy night. The second Jason closed the door, he slid the lock into place, and turned toward me.
“Thank fuck,” he breathed. “I thought they were never going to leave.”
“Jason! Don’t be so rude. They wanted to make sure we had everything we needed.”
“That’s the thing though, babe...” He began prowling toward me with slow, sure strides. “I do.”
Chapter Two
Jason
I stared down at Felicity and my heart beat wildly in my chest. Even after all this time, it was her.
It would always be her.
I hadn’t proposed on a whim. It was something I’d been thinking about for a while. Then everything got kind of messed up at the beginning of the semester. Felicity was struggling with her classes, and I was feeling the pressure of leading the team. For a while there, we began to lose our way. But my faith in us, my bone deep love for her, never wavered. Even when she doubted our relationship, my belief only grew.
Felicity Giles was my endgame, and one day, in the not-so-distant future, she would be my wife. It didn’t get much more fucking real than that.
“Jason?” She gazed up at me with love and devotion shining in her eyes, and it was like a bolt of lightning to the heart.
Every. Single. Time.
I sensed Felicity didn’t realize it, but she’d saved me. Saved me from myself and a life of never being able to trust or open my heart up to anyone.
She did that.
“Fuck, I love you.” I traced my fingers down her cheek, leaning down to brush my lips over hers.
She curled her hands into my sweater. “Jason,” she whispered.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I love you.”
“Yeah, I love you too. So fucking much.”
“I’m glad everyone left.” She peppered tiny kisses over my mouth and jaw.
“I was one second away from throwing them out.” My quiet laughter filled the pockets of space between us.
“You’re such a caveman.”
“Does that mean it’s time to throw you over my shoulder, take you to my cave, and have my wicked way with you?” Her breath caught, and I eased back to meet her hooded eyes. “Caveman fantasy, really?”
“Jase.” She batted my chest, but I captured her wrist.
“Are you hungry?”
“Not for food.” Her eyes flared.
“Thank fuck.” I kissed Felicity hard, plunging my tongue into her mouth as I slid my hands to her thighs and hoisted her against my body.
“Do you know where the bedroom is?” she rasped between kisses.
“Who said anything about the bedroom?” I made my way over to the soft, faux-fur rug in front of the fire, carefully lowering myself to the floor. Felicity wrapped her body around mine, gripping my jaw between her slim fingers and kissed me as if she might never get to kiss me again.
On my knees, I gently laid her back and leaned over her.
“Smooth,” she chuckled.
“I’m about to pull out all my best moves.” I winked.
“You already put a ring on it, I think your moves were a resounding success.” Felicity was a picture of happiness, her eyes sparkling and her smile infectious.
“God, I love you.” I splayed my hand around her throat and looked down at her.
“Show me,” she purred, the needy tone to her voice making my dick twitch.
I made quick work of stripping Felicity’s clothes from her body, which was no easy feat considering how many layers she had on. But it was worth it, the red and black lacy bra and matching panties accentuated her curves.
“Look at you.” It came out rough as I imagined all the things I wanted to do with her.
“Do you like it?” she asked around a coy smile, letting her fingers drop to the small bow between the valley of her breasts. “It’s your post-Christmas present.”
“Like it? I want to tear it from your body and—”
“Don’t you dare, it cost me a small fortune.”
“I’ll resist, I promise.”
But I couldn’t resist sliding my hand up the inside of her thigh and rubbing her clit over the lace.
“God,” she breathed.