“No freaking way,” I gasp as we stop, and I realize where we are, reading the hotel sign including an illustration of a glass igloo. “How did you manage to get a booking?”
“I checked all the places offering this type of accommodation. There was a last-minute cancellation here, so I was lucky to book us a Suite Igloo. Then we’ll go to another hotel for the final night, which happens to be New Year’s Eve, too.”
“I’ve wanted to sleep in one of those heated glass igloos ever since I saw a social media post about them!”
“We have a private hot tub, too,” Jasper informs me.
I squeal in happiness. “I love it already.”
“How about hot tub after dinner?”
“I like that idea a lot.”
Jasper winks as we exit the truck and head toward the reception area. The frigid breeze hits us, and I pull my coat tighter around my body. A friendly receptionist greets us and hands us our keys, and Jasper takes the lead as we walk to the glass igloo.
Once we enter the small building, I stare around us in awe. It’s even better than I imagined. The glass walls give us an unobstructed view of the snow-covered landscape, but there’s still privacy, thanks to low curtains. The room is cozy with a plush king-sized bed in a separate sleeping area, while the lounge has a dining table and sofa. The private hot tub sits on the patio, and I can already feel the warmth of the water on my skin.
“This is incredible,” I say as I take off my winter clothes before walking toward the bed and sinking onto the soft mattress.
“I’m glad you like it,” Jasper says as he sits beside me. “We don’t have as much time as you would have had with your parents, but I hope you’ll enjoy Lapland.”
“Are you kidding me?” I ask. “I didn’t even think I could experience Lapland after my mom called and canceled their trip.”
“But now you’re here.”
“Nowwe’re here,” I point out. “And I’m happy to share the experience with you and no one else. But don’t tell my parents that.”
He laughs before replying. “I couldn’t have said it any better.”
* * *
After dinner, we return to our igloo (I love saying that) and notice that a hotel employee turned on the hot tub as requested while we ate.
“I can’t wait to get in the water,” I tell Jasper.
“I’ll change out here, so you can take the bathroom,” he suggests.
I nod and take my other bikini, this time in teal, from my bag before I walk to the bathroom to get ready. To avoid my long hair getting wet, I pull the strands up in a bun and cover it with one of the red hats the hotel recommends us to wear when outside in the hot tub.
Looking at myself in the mirror, it isn’t the sexiest get-up, but if it keeps me warm, I can’t complain.
I leave the bathroom and almost collide with Jasper, who is walking past the door. “Oh, sorry.”
He grabs my arms to steady me. “Don’t you worry about it, honey,” he says, flashing his grin. “You look extremely—dare I say it again after the lecture you gave me about the word—cute.”
I laugh. “Maybe I’ll accept it this time. This hat would make anyone look cute.”
“I better get one, too, then.”
I toss him a hat, and he puts it on his head. He really does look cute, even though I don’t like to use the word when describing adults.
“Ready to get in the hot tub after a quick shower?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“Absolutely.”
We step out onto the private terrace a few minutes later after we took turns in the shower. The winter air hits us in the face, and I feel it all over my wet body, too, tightening the towel around me. Jasper first steps into the hot tub, letting out a sigh of bliss as the warm water envelopes him. I carefully make my way into the tub after, dipping only my toes into the water first before letting go of my towel. The contrast between the cold air and the hot water is jarring but in a good way.
I slip into the water more and let out a happy moan at the feeling. “Wow, this is amazing,” I say, sinking into the water up to my neck.
