“I normally have at least three, but after the year I’ve had—where everything changed—it feels like an impossible task.”
“It doesn’t have to be. What are you most excited about for the new year?”
“I’m just happy to have a new start and leave this year behind me,” I answer honestly. “I’m one of those people who believe that a new year is another chance.”
Jasper nods and takes my hand in his, staring down at it. “I think we should make a resolution together.”
My heart swells at his words. I love how he wants to include me in his future plans. “What do you have in mind?” I raise an eyebrow in question.
“What if we promise to have more adventures together? We could explore new places, try new things, and make more memories along the way.”
“I would love that.”
We share a smile at the thought of it as Jasper’s hand still lingers in mine. There’s something about this man that has my heart racing every time he’s near me. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s so spontaneous and adventurous, always willing to take a risk. Or maybe it’s the admiring way he looks at me.
The sky above us is almost as dark as the woods around the hotel. We spend a few more moments basking in the promise of our shared resolution before the sound of fireworks and cheering from around us draws our attention. The rising smoke twists into a metallic smell.
“Actually,” Jasper says, his voice low. “I have another resolution in mind.”
“Oh?”
“I want to kiss you at midnight,” he admits, his hand tightening around mine. “I’ve been thinking about it all night.”
“Same here.”
As more fireworks light up the sky, Jasper steps up behind me and embraces me in a hug. I lean back into him, feeling his warmth against my back. Having him right there comforts me, and I know at that moment that I don’t want this to end.
When the clock finally strikes midnight, people around us start cheering and hugging each other. But Jasper and I remain locked in our own world as he turns me around, and we stand there staring into each other’s eyes.
With the fireworks as our backdrop, Jasper leans in, and we exchange a celebratory kiss. The electricity between us is palpable, and I feel a rush of excitement. It’s as if every nerve in my body is alive with anticipation as he holds me tightly against him. For a short, fleeting moment, we cling to each other like nothing else matters.
“Happy New Year, Jasper,” I say, breaking the kiss.
“Happy New Year, Vivian,” he tells me back, his voice soft. ”Let’s make this year the best one yet.”
* * *
We make our way through the crowd of people wishing us Happy New Year. We repeat their wishes and keep smiling, even though we only wish to be alone.
Finally, we break free from the group, and find ourselves walking down the empty hallway to the locker rooms. The only sounds I hear are the snow crunching under our feet and the distant fireworks echoing behind us. But the closer we get to our suite, the more the sounds of festivities fade away, replaced by stillness that’s soothing.
“You know what would make our stay here more interesting?” I ask Jasper when we’re finally back in our room after picking up our sleeping bags. He raises a questioning eyebrow, smiling naughtily, so I continue by suggesting, “What if we have sex right here?”
He scans around the room like he's considering my suggestion. “Can you be quiet so we don't get complaints?”
I almost burst into laughter at his comment but manage to muffle the sound with my mitten-covered hand. “I’ll try my best.”
“I love it when you moan my name, but I don’t think the other guests would appreciate it,” Jasper says, taking me in his embrace.
We laugh at that before sitting on the edge of the thick mattress on top of a massive ice block.
“How do you want to do this?" I hesitate as the idea itself seemed fun a moment ago, but I have no idea how it will work in reality.
"I don't know—I’ve never had sex in the Ice Hotel before,” Jasper replies as he zips our sleeping bags together.
"It's my first time, too,” I state the obvious.
He smiles warmly. “Lucky to be your first.”
