Jasper and I both shake our heads, so he leaves us alone. As soon as he closes the door, I turn to Jasper. “I have never experienced a place as strange yet fantastic as this one. It’s hard to believe that they build a new hotel every year!”
“I know, right?” He says, smiling from ear to ear. “It’s beyond what I imagined.”
I walk to sit on the edge of the ice bed. “Thank God this bed has a real, soft mattress. I was unsure whether I could sleep on a block of ice.”
Jasper laughs. ”I’m glad you aren’t as freaked out as you seemed when I pulled up to the parking lot.”
“I have to admit, my first reaction was to get out of here.”
“What changed?”
I get up and move to stand right in front of him, looking up. “I realized that I want to experience everything life has to offer with you.”
Jasper leans in and kisses me, his hand moving to the back of my neck. “I’m glad to hear that, Muru,” he whispers against my lips before trailing kisses down my neck.
The cold air around us is forgotten for a moment as we lose ourselves in each other’s warmth.
* * *
The dinner service is later than usual since it’s New Year’s Eve. The guests of the Ice Hotel are advised to dress up casually in warm clothes, so nobody is wearing short dresses or other outfits that I would see if I was out in New York with my friends tonight. And I love it, as I rather stay home in sweatpants than get dolled up for a night out.
Even though there’s a bar and a restaurant inside the Ice Hotel, there’s another restaurant at the all-year-round hotel next to it. And it’s a pleasant change after exploring the premises beforehand. At least here I won’t feel cold.
We’re led to a private dining room decorated in the Lappish style I adore. The room is dimly lit, with soft candlelight flickering on the walls, casting a warm, cozy glow over the space. The walls are adorned with wooden art, and there’s a roaring fire crackling in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth and the comforting scent of burning wood.
“This is beautiful,” I whisper to Jasper as he pulls out my chair and waits for me to sit down.
He leans in, pressing his lips to my ear as he says, “Not as beautiful as you.”This man is unreal.
As we settle into our seats at the wooden table in the middle of the room, the excitement builds inside me. I have a feeling that the evening ahead is going to be one to remember.
The server asks for our drink orders before returning a moment later with the drinks and our starter, a hearty soup made from carrots, potatoes, smoked cheese, cream, and onion.
I take a spoonful of the soup, and the warmth and savory flavor spread across my taste buds, making me close my eyes in delight.
“That good?” I hear Jasper ask before I open my eyes.
Looking into those beautiful blue eyes that look darker in the low light, I nod. “So good.”
During the dinner, our conversation flows like it always does and takes a turn to our dating history after the server brings our main dishes.
“I haven’t dated before I met you, so I hope you’re enjoying tonight,” Jasper admits, looking nervous while chewing on his lower lip.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of our time together so far.”
“That’s good,” he lets out a relieved sigh. “It’s all so new to me. I mean dating and such.”
“Same here. Even though I was with my ex for over five years, we went out on a date less than ten times.”
“You listen to everything I’m saying and understand me better than any woman I’ve known before,” he says before wincing. “Sorry, that was rude. Talking about other women with you.”
I shrug and take a sip of my wine. “I mean, I know we both have been with others before, so it’s expected to sometimes mention them.”
Jasper’s eyes darken, his voice turning growly. “I want to find every asshole that has had their hands on you.”
“Calm down, big boy—no need to go alpha on me. Against popular belief, it's a total turn-off if you ask me.”
“What do you like in a man then?”
