Roman made small talk with Weston while mixing up the remaining drinks. After pouring the green liquid into two martini glasses, he plopped in green olives. Once the frozen-strawberry margarita mix had blended well with the tequila and triple sec, Roman poured it into a margarita glass, with a powder-sugared rim. Pouring the white wine came next. Before leaving the kitchen, Roman gave Jessica a margarita with a lime wedge.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome.” Roman leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Finished up with the snack platters, Jessica placed them on a serving tray. She asked Weston to carry them into the living room, but Roman offered to come back for them once he served the drinks.
Weston watched after Roman until he disappeared. “What was going on in here?”
Feeling sorry over her earlier behavior, Jessica sighed. “I sort of lost my cool with Dad. I’m sorry about it, but maybe it’ll stop the nonsense once and for all. Dad promised to have everyone back off.”
“Do the hints and suggestive remarks upset you that much?”
“It’s more frustrating than anything.”
Roman reentering the kitchen caused Jessica to go mum. Feeling that he had interrupted something important, he grabbed the snack tray and left.
“As you were saying?”
Jessica waved her hand in a dismissing way. “Don’t want to go there. We’re supposed to be having a good time. Everything will be okay now. I’m sure of it.”
“Are you positive you don’t want to talk about your feelings? I’m here for you.”
Jessica smiled sweetly. “I know that…and I am sure.” She crossed the room and stood up under the mistletoe. She then pointed up at it.
Weston rapidly closed the distance between them. Tenderly, he pulled Jessica into his arms, looking down into eyes filled with a gentle spirit. His mouth instantly covered hers, causing her to shiver with pleasure. Her hand sought out his hair, entwining her fingers in its softness. Jessica first flattened her palm against his chest, then stuck her hand inside his shirt, meeting up with a thatch of thick hair.
Jessica moaned softly, conjuring up a nude image of Weston. What she imagined was nothing similar to his teenage body. There hadn’t been chest hair, or rock-hard abs and rippling muscles back then. Jessica loved the great changes.
Knowing she was quickly losing the battle over her desire to touch Weston all over, Jessica groaned inwardly. She enjoyed touching him, loved the way his skin felt beneath her fingertips, craved the jolt of electricity she felt every single time they joined hands. “Please kiss me again. All day long I’ve been thinking about our lips engaged in passion. Kiss me, sweetheart. Kiss me again and again.”
“My lips are all yours, to do with as you please.”
“I hope you mean that.” Jessica wrapped herself up in the strength of his arms. Knowing she was right where she belonged caused her heart to rejoice.
Weston kissed the tip of Jessica’s nose. “I try not to say anything I don’t mean.”
“I like that. We should never say anything we don’t mean.” She lazed her knuckles down the side of his face as she claimed his mouth again. “Once the evening quiets down, we should slip away to the cabin. You think?”
“Most definitely. I love being alone with you.”
“Go ahead and join the others. I’ll follow in a minute.” Jessica needed a minute to regroup. Besides that, she didn’t want them returning together.
Weston started for the door, only to turn around. “This doesn’t feel right to me. I have a suggestion. Willing to hear me out?”
“No doubt.”
“Why don’t we just tell our families we’re trying to establish a bond to see where it takes us? We can ask them to let us go at our own pace, without any interference from them. Can we at least consider it?”
Jessica grinned. “I like your suggestion, but I want to do it separately. You tell your family and I’ll tell mine, at an opportune time. Good enough?”
“Perfect.” He took her hands in his and kissed her forehead. “See you in a few minutes. Don’t give my heart time to get lonely.”
Jessica winked. “You got it. Now move it, buddy.”
Closing her eyes tightly, Jessica leaned back against the sink, wishing her heart would stop this wild ride. Weston caused such crazy feelings to stir inside her. He was the only man ever to make her heart rate soar. She didn’t want to think about the arrival of January third, but it was hard not to ponder.
Jessica didn’t look forward to leaving Weston behind. She loathed the very thought. The man was in her blood hotly. Admitting her deep feelings for him was sweetly unbearable. The song “Ain’t No Sunshine” suddenly came to mind, causing her to shrink within. She had to get back to the others, but first she had to pull herself together.
Jessica immediately got caught up in all the hoopla as she walked back into the room. Everyone was caught up in wrapping the gifts and having fun accomplishing it. Laughter and animated chatter abounded.
The large red bow Sahara had placed in her hair caused Jessica to laugh. It reminded her of how their parents used to wrap her and Jennifer in bright ribbons and place bows in the center of their foreheads. The girls were often told they were the best presents their parents had ever received. All the family holidays were special ones. Jessica missed both sets of grandparents, who had died. Their presence during the holidays had made the festivities even more special.
Jessica discreetly wiped the sentimental moisture from her eyes. She hadn’t acted quickly enough. Weston had already spotted the sparkle of tears. He instantly came to her side. Taking her in his arms to comfort her was thwarted. He didn’t want to embarrass her. Until they told their families about their plans, they’d just have to cool it.
A loud honking sound caught Jessica’s and Weston’s attention. Roman held a toy car in his hand. Sounds of a baby crying came next. Sahara was playing with a baby doll. Samuel turned on a switch to a monkey manically playing a set of drums. Everyone fell into peals of laughter. Jennifer had fun putting the jump rope into commission.
Since everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, Weston and Jessica decided also to pick out favorite toys. The bright red fire engine, equipped with all sorts of bells and whistles, caught Weston’s eye. Jessica quickly became enamored with a stuffed white polar bear. It reminded her of the fluffy white one she had been given as a child.
Polo Bear had been Jessica’s favorite toy, a security blanket of sorts—and she still had it. Polo Bear’s permanent sleeping place was the comfortable chair in her bedroom, but there were times when it found its way into her bed.
Once the group had their fill of the toys, the wrapping duties were resumed.
Sweaters had also been purchased, along with jackets, pajamas, robes and slippers. Weston collected the money throughout the year for his charity cause in various ways, but he also gave a big chunk of his own money. Everyone was pleased he had invited them along to help deliver the gifts on Christmas Eve.
Seated on the sofa in the cabin, Weston held Jessica in his arms. Although it was long after midnight, they’d only been alone less than an hour. It had been harder to slip away than anticipated. All the fun at the town house had made it difficult to leave. The two families had gotten into a real party mode. Sahara and Roman had put on their seventies CDs and the dance grooves were on. Their folks were still dancing when both the younger couples had left.
Weston made sure Jessica was comfortable before he opened the long, slender book, written in large, bold print. He couldn’t believe what he was about to do. Read to a woman, something he hadn’t ever done before. He wasn’t sure where the idea had come from, but the book of Christmas stories had somehow gotten left behind in the cabin. There was something sensual about reading to Jessica and he took in a deep breath before beginning “The Night Before Christmas.”
Jessica loved the very idea, thrilled at Weston reading to her. It was a novelty for her, an extremely enjoyable one. His voi
ce alone, deep and mesmerizing, made the reading interesting. Although it was a story she had heard hundreds of times, she had never heard it done in such an artistic manner. Every single word was pronounced clearly and distinctively. It was as if Weston were onstage delivering aloud a dramatic reading to an attentive audience. But she was his only listener—and she loved the way he held her completely spellbound.
Once Weston finished the moving story, he handed the book to Jessica. “Read something to me.” With that said, he laid his head upon her shoulder.
Jessica chose a more biblical-based story, the birth of baby Jesus. In a matter of seconds she had proved that she was also quite a storyteller. He was enchanted by how softly yet expressively she spoke. Even though he wasn’t looking at her, her emotions were easy to discern. He could tell the story had tapped into her soul.
After Jessica finished her read, she closed the book and laid it on the coffee table.
Weston drew Jessica in closer to him, smoothing her hair back from her forehead. Her slight tremors let him know she was affected emotionally. There was something special about that. He loved compassion in a woman. Jessica seemed to have lots of empathy to go along with her other appealing characteristics. “If you could have anything you wanted for Christmas, what would you ask for?”
“For hunger and poverty to be abolished,” she said without the slightest hesitation. “Then joy for the world and peace and contentment for everyone.” Jessica giggled softly. “Then I’d plead for lots of diamonds, a navy convertible Mercedes Benz and a different wardrobe to cover every day of the year. Is that selfish or what?” Tilting her head, Jessica looked up at him and smiled. “What about you? What do you want?”
“I’d ask for the same things you did, peace and joy and for hunger and poverty to cease to exist.” His eyes softened, darkening at the same time. “I’d ask for you to love me, only me, for always and forever.” Weston licked his lips. “You are my diamonds and Mercedes Benz. I’d be wealthy because of your love. If a man can get the woman he loves to love him back, he shouldn’t ask for more.”
Jessica felt breathless, her heart thumping wildly inside her chest. Her palms felt sweaty, her limbs trembling. Had this beautiful man just confessed his love to her? Had she heard him right? Was it just wishful thinking because it was something she desperately wanted? Jessica knew that she wanted Weston to love her the same way she loved him. Yes, I do love him, with all my heart and soul.
Totally knocked off-kilter by how easily she had admitted her love for Weston, Jessica found herself astounded yet again. It was hard to keep from hyperventilating. Admitting her love to him was a horse of a totally different color. Jessica wasn’t sure she could put her heart out there like that again. The fear of him trampling on it was a real possibility, a serious threat to her serenity.
Weston lifted Jessica’s chin with two fingers, kissing her softly on the mouth, repeatedly. His lips tenderly caressed her cheeks, nose and eyelids. Her ears then became the target of his moist tongue. Weston pulled his head back and gazed into Jessica’s eyes. “In case you’re wondering, I do love you. I was confessing my love to you.”
Jessica closed her eyes and desperately tried to catch her breath. The moment was so surreal that she wanted to pinch herself. But she was awake and aware. She had never been more aware of the here and now. The moment was breathtaking. No man, other than Roman, had ever told her he loved her. Weston’s confession meant everything to her.
It wasn’t every day a woman had the man she loved love her back. Even though Jessica didn’t think she should confess her love to Weston so soon this was the ultimate season for lovers. And she was madly in love with him. “I love you, too.”
Jessica and Weston sealed their confessions with a flurry of staggering kisses.
At 3:00 a.m. Jessica awakened with a start. Looking at the clock caused her to shriek inwardly. Weston was completely knocked out; his head nestled in her lap. What was she to do? More importantly, how was she to explain this to her parents? There were only a few hours until daybreak; she had nearly spent the night in Weston’s cabin. Although their parents desperately wanted them to come together, they might be embarrassed by the inconsiderate behavior.
Wakening Weston just to get up from the sofa had Jessica wishing they hadn’t fallen off to sleep. He looked so peaceful. But she had to get back to the town house, so Jessica shook him gently.
Weston’s eyes opened slowly. Seeing Jessica made him smile. “Hi, there.” He then shot straight up. “Oh my God, what time is it?”
“My sentiments exactly.” Frowning, Jessica pointed at the clock. “If you think I’m not in hot water with my folks, you’d better think again. I have to go.”
Weston got to his feet. “Wait until I splash some water on my face.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll see you later. I’ve really got to run.”
“Not without me. If there is any explaining, we do it together. We’re totally innocent. We simply fell asleep, so calm down. No one can fault us for that. Every day in Aspen has been action packed.”
Jessica took a deep breath. “You’re right. I think our parents understand. Besides, we’re adults, living on our own. Still, we should go just out of respect.”
Roman and Sahara and Sandra and Jacque were still up when Jessica and Weston crept in. Roman jumped to his feet when his daughter appeared. None of the parents appeared overly concerned or at all anxious.
Weston immediately began to explain what had happened, taking total responsibility.
Jessica didn’t think he should shoulder all the blame. She would back him up. “This is no one’s fault. We were just tired enough to fall asleep,” she explained. “Sorry if we embarrassed you guys. It wasn’t our intent.”
“That you’re both safe is all we care about,” Roman said. “We haven’t been sitting up waiting for you two, just catching up. Our evening hadn’t come to an end.” Jacque nodded. “You two are responsible adults. Your moms weren’t even worried. In case you’ve forgotten, we were young once, too. Did you have a good time?”
Weston looked over at Jessica in a questioning manner. She immediately understood the query. It was time for them to explain. Although they had decided to speak on it individually, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Once he received her nodding approval, he summoned her to take a seat—and he did the same.
“Jessica and I know you guys want us to get together. We have resisted it, up until now. We are extremely interested in each other and we do plan to see where it goes.” That was an understatement, but he wasn’t ready to reveal more. “All we ask is that you give us space to do our own thing, at our own pace. Please, no pressure or any expectations for us. Can you guys do that?”
“Absolutely,” Roman said. “I believe I’m speaking for us all.” The others nodded in agreement. However, the four parents failed terribly at hiding their excitement despite the valiant attempt. Euphoria was all over their smiling faces.
Feeling good about how things had gone down, Weston stood and reached for Jessica’s hand. “That’s settled, so you can walk me out. We need to get some sleep even if our parents are outdistancing us.”
Everyone laughed.
Jessica was thrilled to step outside with Weston for a proper and passionate good-night kiss. This was the beginning of something special for them. Both were eager to see how far their feelings would go. The issue of distance remained, but they weren’t dwelling on that for now. They still had time to figure out everything.
Chapter 6
Inside the One of a Kind Boutique, located in the center of downtown Aspen, Jennifer sat quietly, sipping on a cup of hot tea. As she patiently waited for Jessica to come out of the dressing room, she wondered what designer creation she’d wear next. The two sisters had been shopping for nearly two hours. This was the last store on the list.
The formal-wear boutique owners, three biological sisters, generously offered refreshments daily to their customers. The upscale boutique proudly
boasted a vast collection of original one-of-a-kind designer creations.
Shopping in special boutiques for formal wear was exciting and fun for Jessica and Jennifer. Jessica had brought along an evening gown, but it wasn’t what a woman in love wore on a special-occasion date with the man of her dreams.
Although Jennifer was satisfied with her dress, she was having loads of fun helping her sister choose the perfect formal. Besides Weston, Jennifer was the only person who knew that Jessica had fallen in love.
Sahara and Sandra were also out on a shopping spree. Instead of looking for clothes, they were scouting specialty stores for unique gifts for hard-to-buy-for spouses. The four men had left early in the morning to tackle the slopes of freshly fallen snow.
Jennifer gasped as Jessica stepped out of the dressing room. Jessica had only achieved a half pirouette before Jennifer decided it was the perfect dress for the New Year’s Eve gala. Her sister looked like a million bucks in the gown. Jessica could easily pass for royalty.
The red-hot, floor-length gown Jessica modeled had been fashioned in a winter-white silk crepe, beautifully highlighted with shimmering mother-of-pearl sequins. The dress hugged every one of Jessica’s luscious curves, outlining her firm breasts in a flattering way. The fit was absolutely perfect. It looked as if her figure had been melted down and then poured into the gown.
Several customers had gathered around Jessica to get a closer look at the gown. Jessica was thrilled that she had first dibs on it. If she decided to make the purchase, no one else in Aspen would show up at the gala wearing a duplicate. A few more twists and turns in front of the mirror helped Jessica make the final decision. “Ring it up,” she called out to the store clerk.
Jennifer looked pleased. “I’m glad about your choice. It’s perfect for you. Wes won’t be able to take his eyes off you. You look stunning, baby sister!”
“Thank you, Jen. That was sweet. It is stunning. I feel like a dream.”
“You look like a dream, every man’s dream come true,” the store clerk voiced. “We received this marvelous creation this morning. You’re the first person to try it on. Congratulations on a wonderful One of a Kind find!”
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