Greg walked over to slide an arm around my waist. “We did it, Jellybean. They’re going to love them, especially Mandy. She’s going to flip.”
I leaned into him, allowing the heat to spread through me, the rumble of his voice relaxing me. “Now what?”
“Did you know we have a hot tub?” When I pulled back to look at him, he grinned. “That’s right, in a closed-in gazebo out back.”
My voice was low as I stared at the floor. “I don’t have a suit.”
He swallowed, shifting a little. “Neither do I. You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in.” His voice dropped, a husky layer adding to it. “I thought I’d go in my boxers.”
The image had my mouth going dry, and I pushed it away as I thought over the suggestion. It sounded amazing, a soak in the hot water with the jets. Especially for my feet which were killing me from being on them all day. “What about your family?”
“I’ll just send them a quick text saying we’re going to use the hot tub, but I doubt they’ll be back for a few hours yet.” He shifted, waiting for an answer. “We have robes here for the trek back and forth. And I have that other bottle of wine.”
“Okay,” I said, so quietly I wasn’t sure he’d heard me.
But the smile on his face told me otherwise. “All right.” He squeezed me to him for a beat. “I’ll go find us some robes.”
I bit my lip, feeling unsteady and unsure as he disappeared into his room. Pat Benatar’s voice filled the silence. I turned off the music when Greg reappeared with a robe draped over his arm.
“I left yours on the bed, along with some slippers that I think will work better than any shoes you have. Meet you back out here?” He waited for my nod before he went into the bathroom, shutting the door.
I hurried to the bedroom, going through my options. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t think I could get down there and throw my robe off to reveal my naked self. Not with the way Greg was always getting mad at me showing my skin. We’d get in a fight for sure.
Cute lingerie seemed the way to go, something dark but sexy. It could always come off if things went that direction. I settled on a lacy black bra and panty set. The bra clasped in front, had scalloped edges and made me look good, if I did say so myself. The panties were bikini cut, low in front, high on the hips but covered all the necessary parts.
I slipped on the fluffy robe, tying it tightly before sliding my phone into its deep pocket. The slippers were big, but I’d manage. Then I took a deep breath and walked out of the door.
Greg waited for me, the bottle of wine in his hand, plus two plastic glasses. “I couldn’t remember if you’d said yes to more wine?”
“Please.”
His relief matched mine. And I grinned, knowing I wasn’t the only nervous one. I followed him through the cavernous house, a little on edge with how eerie the quiet was.
Relief hit me when we stepped outside, followed by awe as I drank in the scene. It was like walking into a whole different world. White blanketed everything while big, fat snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky. I stopped to stare up for a minute. The snow muffled all city noise, not that there was much to muffle since their property was surrounded by the cushion of the woods. An owl hooted, but otherwise it was still.
I stuck out my tongue to catch a massive snowflake as it sauntered down, giggling at Greg’s amused expression. Then I shivered. “Okay, enough of that.”
The path to the gazebo was lined with black lampposts, their yellow orbs haloed in sunny light. It looked like a scene from a postcard. Or Narnia. As he always did, Greg held the door for me.
He showed me around, flicking on lights as he went. Steam billowed as he flipped up one side of the cover, dragging the thick lid out of our way. It was a good-sized hot tub, able to hold at least eight people.
I deliberated whether I should be brave and go first. While I tried to work up the courage, Greg stepped over to the hooks and shed his robe. I forgot about bravery, losing myself in staring at him. His broad shoulders and intricate tattoo fascinated me, his sculpted back tapering down to a slim waist.
Then he turned around, and I drank him in—his muscular pecs, the ridges of his abdomen, the indents disappearing into his blue plaid boxers. My mouth went dry. All the moisture must have gone to my palms, now extremely damp.
I traced my way up again, and my fingers itched to follow. I gasped when I met his stormy gray eyes and saw the turbulent emotion swirling in them. He punched the button for the jets, then descended the stairs. His gaze never wavered from me, even as he lowered himself into the water, settling back against the tub.
Wait. That means it’s my turn. My gulp was swallowed by the roar of the jets. I went over to the hooks then slid the robe off my shoulders, my back to Greg, and I wished I could hear if his breath hitched as mine had.
My fingers missed the hook twice before the robe found its mark. I toed off my slippers, steeling myself as I turned to face him. The cold winter air gave me goosebumps and pebbled my nipples instantly. Greg’s lips parted, and I watched his chest move with a sharp inhale of breath as his gaze wandered over me. My confidence trickled back in, and the butterflies calmed. I took my time walking down the steps, adjusting to the steamy temperature of the water.
Then I didn’t know where to sit.
The middle of the tub was deep enough to brush my belly button. Greg poured a glass of wine and held it out, not fully extending his arm. “There’s a reclining seat over here.” He nodded his head next to him. “It’s Mandy’s favorite.”
Who am I to turn down an invitation like that?
I moved to the corner seat, surprised when I slid down the slope and ended up facing him, my legs positioned in front of me. Once I’d settled, I took the wine, thankful he’d had the foresight to switch to plastic glasses. The molded seat fit me comfortably with several jets that hit key spots across my body. I sighed as I relaxed.
