Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“I’ve been ready since I got here.”
As Nick cuts the fudgy dessert into big squares, Rudy reaches three shallow bowls down from a cupboard, and I take the opportunity to admire how good both men look. They’re wearing button-down shirts and khaki pants, and I’m glad I chose to wear a dress. Not that it’s a formal occasion, but the Frost brothers are definitely treating this like a date, not just a casual dinner with friends.
As if the brownies don’t look decadent enough as is, Nick asks if I’d like caramel sauce on top, and I can’t resist.
We take our desserts into the living room, where Rudy picks up the TV remote and asks what my favorite holiday movie is.
“Oh gosh, that’s a hard question. I guess it depends what mood I’m in.” The movie Elf comes to mind, and it’s definitely in my top five, but mentioning it would seem like I’m bringing up the Winter brothers.
I’m picturing Felix and Jasper in their elf costumes now, and I realize that until this moment, I haven’t really thought about them since I arrived for dinner. It’s as if they exist in a different world, because being with them is so different from spending time with Nick and Rudy.
Love Actually is another holiday favorite of mine, but I’m not sure I should name a romance.
“I watch The Grinch every year,” I tell him finally.
Rudy starts scrolling through the streaming menu. “Which version do you like best?”
“The newer animated one is my favorite.”
“Perfect! Us too.”
I’m sitting in the center of the couch with Nick to my left. Though there are two chairs available, Rudy takes a seat on my right, and now I’m between the two brothers, a position that’s becoming very common for me lately.
Chapter 11
We eat our desserts and watch the movie, commenting occasionally about bits that we especially like. When I’m finished with the brownie, I set the bowl on the coffee table, and as I lean back, Nick puts his arm around my shoulder and snuggles me against him. I fold my legs to my right, where Rudy slides closer and rests a hand on my knee.
After a while, when I change position to stretch my legs, Rudy draws me over to his side, tucking me against his chest. It’s lovely watching the movie cuddling with both of them, and by the end, I’m as grateful as the Grinch for the companionship I’m currently enjoying. I hadn’t been admitting it to myself, but I was dreading the prospect of a lonely holiday season, and so far, I’m anything but.
At some point during the last few scenes, Rudy starts stroking my arm, and when the credits roll, he nuzzles his nose against my hair. “You smell good,” he says, pulling me closer.
“I do? I probably smell like a brownie.”
His laughter is a low rumble. “You do smell good enough to eat.”
He continues to caress me, and when he angles me toward him, giving me the idea that he’s preparing to go in for a kiss, I pull back. “I want to be open with you. I … went out with the Winter brothers this weekend.”
Rudy stiffens, but it’s such a slight movement that I might not have noticed if I wasn’t so close to him. “Okay,” he says after a beat, his voice even.
I glance over at Nick, to make sure he heard me, too, and he nods once, another small movement. Then he reaches a hand to cover my knee. “It’s not surprising that you’re in demand.”
“That’s nice of you to say. I just want you both to be aware of what’s going on, and I hope you’re okay with it. I don’t want to deceive anyone.”
“Of course, we’re still getting to know each other, but we already know enough about you to know you wouldn’t deceive us,” Rudy says. “You need to figure out who’s best for you, and we hope that’s us.”
On the surface, it already seems clear who’s best suited for me, but I suppose the whole point of dating is to dig deeper and really get to know people.
Nick rubs my knee, letting his hand move up a couple of inches further. “Can I kiss you, Holly?”
I nod and lean toward him as he comes in close. His lips press lightly to mine, once, twice, and then he caresses my cheek and settles in for a longer kiss.
It’s been quite cozy nestled between the two men on the couch, but now I’m filled with the kind of warmth that originates on the inside.
Nick’s touch is gentle but firm. He strokes my arm and urges me closer as he takes the kiss deeper, and suddenly, there’s a hunger deep in my belly that isn’t about food.
It’s a new experience to feel so warm and comfortable kissing someone, while also being so turned on by them. I don’t feel like I’m about to burst into flames like I do when the Winter brothers kiss me—it’s more like warm embers, burning steadily without being volatile or flashy.