My cat took one look at the white landscape, sneezed, and retreated back into his heated blanket. We all burst into laughter.
"Smart boy,” Connor chuckled, "Though Adrian did well with the sweater. He looks ridiculous and warm.”
"The perfect combination," Adrian beamed. "Just like this whole trip is going to be. We've got hot tubs, fireplaces, enough alcohol to stock a bar, and zero responsibilities for the next week."
"Don't forget the best part," Isla added, her artistic eye already taking in the scene around us. "No heat, no humidity. Just us and all this beautiful winter wonderland."
"But first, the cabin!” Adrian exclaimed. “Warmth! Hot chocolatespiked with enough rum to make us all forget we have functioning brains!”
The cabin was a short drive through what felt like a fairy tale forest. Once we got there, string lights twinkled between snow-heavy branches, creating pools of golden warmth in the air.
Our boots crunched in perfect rhythm, the sound mixing with our laughter. The occasional contented purr from Toffee sounded, matched by the gentle jingle of Adrian's hat bells.
"It's like a Christmas movie," I breathed, taking in every magical detail.
The cabin itself was stunning, all dark timber and welcoming light spilling from frost-kissed windows, smoke curling from the stone chimney like a promise of warmth.
Garland had been draped along the porch railings, complete with red velvet bows, and icicles hung from the eaves like nature's own crystal chandelier.
"Better than a movie," Connor said softly, his arm tightening around my waist. "Because this is real, and you're here with me."
The simple words made my stomach flutter with butterflies. Connor always made me feel like the only girl in the world, like the girls from the stories I always dreamed of being.
Inside, the cabin was even more magical than I could have imagined. A massive stone fireplace dominated one wall, flames dancing merrily and casting shadows across fur rugs and warm hardwood floors.
Plush leather furniture greeted us, and a garland with twinkling lights had been draped along the mantelpiece. And finally, a giant Christmas tree stood in the corner, already decorated with gold and red ornaments that caught the firelight.
Everything smelled like pine and cinnamon, with undertones of wood smoke and that indefinable scent of home.
"This is beautiful,” Estelle breathed, slowly removing her hat and shaking out her hair. "How did you guys arrange all this?"
“We’re the fucking Eastons, princess,” Jax said obviously, settling beside her on one of the couches. Even with his Santa hat slightly askew, he looked like he'd stepped out of a winter fashion shoot.
"Dibs on the room with the best view," Adrian announced, dropping his bag and immediately beginning to explore.
"Too late," Jax called from the couch. "Already claimed the master suite for Estelle and me.”
"Of course you did, you territorial bastard," Adrian growled. "Fine, but Isla and I get the one with the private hot tub."
“What else is there?” I asked, suddenly very interested in our sleeping arrangements.
"Sweet girl," Connor murmured in my ear, "we get the room with its own fireplace. I plan to keep you very warm in front of those flames."
The promise in his voice made heat pool low in my belly, and I had to bite my lip to keep from making an embarrassing sound.
He always knew exactly what to say to turn me into melted butter.
"Okay, enough talk about sleeping," Estelle interrupted, cheeks flushed with more than just cold.
"I need hot chocolate and I need it now. And someone needs to help me figure out how to survive in this weather without freezing my fingers off."
"That's what fireplaces are for," Isla said practically, already settling onto a couch near the hearth. "And layers. Lots and lots of layers."
"Or," Adrian said to Isla with a wicked grin, "we could explore the benefits of shared body heat. You know, for survival purposes."
Isla just stared at him, shaking her head with a grin on her face.
“I'm being practical, angel. It's basic wilderness survival. You conserve heat by staying close to your partner."
