Then they’d almost been caught and reality had crashed upon her. She couldn’t do those things with her cousin. It was wrong, it was twisted, and if Harmony had noticed…she wasn’t sure would have happened. Jessie had stuck close to her side after that, wanting to make sure she didn’t suspect anything. Luckily, Harmony had been so excited over the fact that she’d finally tackled the advanced slope that she hadn’t thought twice about the odd moment she’d stumbled upon between Kai and Jessie.
Feeling better that Harmony was none the wiser, Jessie had dressed as nicely as she could for dinner. She’d borrowed a dress from Harmony. Her friend was notorious for over packing, and had insisted that Jessie wear one of hers instead of going back for her stuff in Kai’s room. While still not wanting to sit or stand anywhere near Jessie, April was being far more civilized after a physically demanding afternoon on the mountainside, and Jessie could tell Harmony had wanted to keep the good vibes going. That was fine with Jessie. Harmony had packed her kick-ass boots for her anyway, and while she couldn’t wait to see Kai again, she wasn’t sure if she should be alone with him right then. His touch had still been lingering through her veins, boiling her blood. And when she saw the look on Kai’s face when she walked into the lobby with the girls, she knew the brief time apart had been completely worth it. The way he’d stared at her had made her body flush with heat, and she was instantly happy that she’d chosen Harmony’s dress over plain sweater she’d packed for dinner in her bag.
She’d felt a little odd around Kai at first, same as he had seemed to feel around her, but eventually, through quiet conversations and soft smiles, a feeling had bubbled up between them that had blocked out any disgust or awkwardness. By the time the night was fading, and it was obvious he was tired and wanting to leave, Jessie wasn’t thinking about their inappropriate moment anymore. All she felt was joy, warmth, and peace as she walked by his side in the snow. Pressing against him, she felt like she belonged, like it was perfectly natural and acceptable. She’d never felt more content in all her life.
That amazing walk home through the lightly falling snowflakes was what made her feel okay about walking out of the bathroom to share the remainder of the evening with the incredible man waiting in the other room. Jessie couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be.
Peeking her head around the wall that separated the bathroom from the rest of the suite, Jessie instantly spotted Kai. He was sitting on a few blankets spread out on the floor in front of the fire, like he intended to sleep there. Jessie smiled as she quietly stepped into the room. They hadn’t talked specifics about where they would each sleep, but Jessie had assumed, since she was crashing his room, that she would take the floor. Kai hadn’t even asked. He’d just given the bed to her. He was generous like that.
Kai didn’t react to her presence when she stepped into the room. He only continued to stare into the flames with a soft smile on his face, completely lost in whatever thoughts were occupying his head. With a knot of hope in her heart, Jessie wondered if any of his thoughts were about her.
She silently watched him as he silently watched the flames. The orange glow threw shadows upon his bronze skin, deepening and highlighting the creamy color, making him seem even more exotic and attractive. The firelight danced in his pale eyes, changing the blue-green into a fiery shade that hinted at the passion buried within him. His arms were loosely slung around his knees as he quietly sat there, thinking.
Jessie’s heart thumped a painful rhythm inside her chest. He was so perfect…and so unobtainable.
Wanting to share the fire’s warmth with him, since she suddenly felt chilled, Jessie walked over to his side. He snapped out of his daydreams when he felt her standing there. Looking up, his eyes locked onto the sleep-shorts she was wearing before drifting to her face. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Jessie gestured to the floor beside him.
Smiling, Kai nodded and moved over so she could sit on the blanket beside him. Jessie carefully sat down and hugged her knees to her chest. She ran her hands over her bare arms; the shirt she was wearing was worn and comfortable, but didn’t offer much in the way of protection. Glancing over at Kai studying her, she wondered if her outfit was inappropriate, given their circumstances: the shorts were a little short, the shirt was a little threadbare. When she’d packed her stuff, she’d planned on being in a room with her girlfriends. Comfort had been her only goal.
Twirling a long lock around her finger, Jessie wondered what Kai was thinking. Was he beating himself up about touching her earlier? He wouldn’t if Jessie confessed just how badly she’d wanted him to do it, but while that might ease his mind, it wouldn’t help their situation, so Jessie didn’t mention it.
She stared at the flames and eventually Kai twisted back to stare at them too. Silence permeated the room, but it was a comfortable one. It wrapped around her, warming her more than the heat the fireplace produced. Jessie couldn’t keep the smile off her lips.