Page 14

14

Jamie

“Excuse me, ma’am, but do all your masseurs turn you on, or is it just me?”

The look on her face was it . I was either getting jumped or getting jumped . You know what I mean, bro?

You missed me, didn’t you?

“Jamie!”

“Nobody else better be in here touching them lady bits,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest to give her a squinty-eyed warning.

“My God! I thought I was being molested by a stranger,” she exclaimed. “I almost brained you!”

Clearly, she was intimidated. I mean, she almost brained me. Couldn’t go through with it.

“What are you even doing in here?” she asked, still clutching the sheet to her lady bits.

“I’m being romantic.” Wait . “Woman, are you not wearing a bra?”

“ That’s what you’re worried about right now?” she intoned.

I pointed to her naked chest accusingly.

“I thought I was being attacked!”

“I thought you’d have a bra on.”

She glowered. It was pretty cute. “I was getting a massage.”

“Naked.”

“I’m not naked. Do you wear a shirt when you get a massage?”

I sniffed. “That’s different.”

Her eyes narrowed, and when her head tilted, the bun on top flopped sideways. “How?”

“Maddie,” I implored. “I’m trying to be romantic.” We needed less talking and more kissing.

She sighed. “Seriously, how did you get in here? Where is the woman who’s doing my massage?”

“I tied her up and put her in a closet.”

Maddie gasped.

Gullible.

“You didn’t.”

“You were in here without a bra. Damn right, I did.” I nodded, succinct.

She stared. “Jamie Michael Owens.”

“I flashed these baby blues and a few C-notes,” I replied. “She appreciated my attempt at romance. Unlike some people around here.”

“This is ridiculous. I was really hoping for a massage.” She pouted.

I was so weak for this girl. I mean, she’d done nothing but yell at me, flash her bits to other people, and act disappointed I’d showed up, but look at me… wrapped around her finger.

“Look at these big hands,” I said, holding them up. “Perfect for giving my girl a rub down.”

She pursed her lips.

“C’mon, on your stomach. Let me work my magic.”

She glanced at the door. “The masseur really isn’t coming back?”

“The masseur is already here.” I pointed to myself. “Unless you want me to go find her and she can bring her spaghetti-noodle arms and weak hands back in here.”

She giggled under her breath and rolled onto her belly. I saw a flash of boob. I liked it. But, bro, all the more reason to keep Helga out.

What’s that, bro?

Yeah, I made it up. No idea what that lady’s name actually was.

“This room is pretty nice,” I said, pulling off my shirt, tossing it aside, and picking up the bottle of oil again.

“Why do you need to take off your shirt?”

I glanced over my shoulder, noting how she was craning her head up out of that donut pillow thing to look at me. Smiling lazily, I turned. “This service comes with a view.”

“Best view I’ve seen today.”

Ah, that’s the stuff.

“Facedown. I’m about to blow your mind and unknot those muscles.”

She giggled again, and my heart swooped a little. Me and Maddie, we weren’t brand new anymore, but she still made me feel like we were. She made me work for it, and I liked it ‘cause every smile, laugh, and sigh I got from this girl was genuine.

At the table, I found the little foot pedal thingy Helga told me about. Said I would need it because I was tall. She was right, and I pushed my toe against it and the table rose.

Setting aside the oil, I brushed a few strands of hair that escaped the bun on Maddie’s head out of the way and grabbed the edges of the sheet to peel it down to her hips. Before laying it down, I peeked under just to make sure she wasn’t completely naked.

White panties. Might as well be.

But fuuuck… she was gorgeous. I bit my lip, taking in all that smooth, bare skin that seemed to glow in the flickering candlelight. Having her facedown was a little rush because she couldn’t see my every move. Instead, she trusted me to take care of her.

Picking up the small carafe of warmed oil, I drizzled it over her shoulders and then down the center of her spine. She didn’t say a word, but her body rippled under the new sensation.

Laying every inch of my wide hands on her shoulders, I dragged out, smoothing the oil across her back and then down her sides, my thumbs caressing the length of her spine. The oil was silky and fragrant, giving her skin a lustrous sheen.

At her waist, I slid under her, letting my fingers massage her belly before dragging back up to knead her lower back. She sighed quietly, and I used my thumbs to rub deep circles into the space above her hips. I took my time with her lower back and hips, dipping my digits below the sheet with fleeting rubs and light touches.

Her back seemed small compared to my hands, and it didn’t take long to work my way up, using my knuckles in the muscles on either side of her spine, massaging out the tension. More oil drizzled over her, and she sighed.

The room was quiet except for the Zen-like music playing, and between that and her body, I slipped into a bit of a trance. Desire pooled in my lower belly and my dick definitely stood at attention, but there was no impatience. I liked playing with her. Feeling the way her body gave under mine, how it relaxed and became more pliant with every passing moment.

Her shoulders were tighter than the rest of her, and I dug the pads of my fingers in, making her groan. “There you go, baby,” I said, my voice sounding a bit dazed. “Let go of all that tension. Give it all to me.”

She made a small sound, and my cock pulsed. Canting my hips, I pressed the bulge against the side of the table, trapping it in place while I kneaded and massaged. One palm swallowed the back of her neck, and I worked around her collarbone and up to the base of her skull.

Her arms were at her sides, palms up, and I worked my way to the one closest to me, massaging it too. She was completely boneless when I laid it back at her side, letting my fingertips climb over her hip and below the sheet to caress her ass.

I pulled back to move to the other side of the table to her other arm, and she lifted her head, looking for me with half-lidded eyes. “Jamie?”

“I’m right here, baby,” I answered quietly. “Lay back down.”

She listened, and I worked her other arm, then stood at her head to work her shoulders and neck from a different angle. Small goose bumps raced down the backs of her arms, and my heart rate picked up a little at seeing how good I made her feel.

“Roll over, sweetness.”

She didn’t reach for the sheet, just rotated, face up, bare torso on display.

Without delay, I went right for the oil, drizzling it over her breasts, making sure the stream landed right on her nipples. Despite the warmth of the lubrication, they puckered. The breast closest to me disappeared instantly when both my hands surrounded it and gently tugged the flesh up to rub and squeeze. Oil pooled around her nipple as I pulled upward, so I used my thumb to press down and smear it around.

She gasped lightly, and her lashes fluttered. Her dark gaze was unfocused when it met mine, and her cheeks were flushed.

“Aren’t you supposed to be out in the snow with everyone else?”

“Now why in the hell would I want to be doing that when I could be right here with you?” I murmured, still working her breast.

“I like you with me,” she whispered, eyes slipping closed once more.

I moved to the other breast, giving it the same treatment as the first. Her body arched up a little into my hands. Smiling, I pressed her back down. “Relax, baby.”

She made a small sound, and I rubbed upward against her collarbones and chest, dipping my fingers into her armpit. Her arms fell open, and a sense of satisfaction befell me.

Unable to resist those perky, tempting sirens, I leaned down to flick my tongue over a nipple and then suck it into my mouth completely. The oil was a foreign taste but not bad. My lips and tongue slid across her skin more easily, eating up every inch before settling heavily again to draw her flesh deep into my mouth.

She tried to arch up again, but I pushed her down, holding her there while I moved to the other, filling my mouth with as much of her as I could get.

Her chest was flushed when I pulled back, going down her ribs and over her belly.

She moved restlessly, and my tongue swiped over my lower lip, tasting the oil from her skin as I peeled the sheet completely off her lower half and dropped it on the floor.

“You’re gorgeous,” I told her, dragging my fingertips up her calves, into the backs of her knees, and then to the inside of her thighs. Her legs fell open, feet turning out.

Hooking my fingers beneath the white satin of her underwear, I stripped them down her legs and tossed them aside. After adding oil to her legs, I poured some on my fingers, rubbing them together and going right for the apex of her thighs to knead and rub, going dangerously close to her center but never quite getting there. By the time I worked both legs, she was quivering and restless.

“I know the end of the semester was busy, and with swim season in full swing, I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the pool.” I spoke soft and slow, running my hands up the inside of her legs. “But there isn’t an hour that doesn’t pass by that I don’t think of you. That I don’t want my hands on every inch of you. It doesn’t matter how busy we get, Maddie. You’re my favorite, and that will never change.”

“Jamie.” She panted, reaching for me.

“Tell me you know I love you most.”

“I know.”

I pushed her thighs apart. “Tell me again.”

“You love me most.”

“Good girl,” I murmured, dipping two fingers into her center, which was already soaked. I purred and laid my thumb over her swollen clit, massaging gently as my fingers pushed deeper. Her legs lifted, feet flat on the table as she panted.

I moved closer to her side, thrusting my fingers in and out of her entrance while using my free hand to rub over her breasts.

“Look how fucking beautiful you are. Laid out on this table, lubed up and relaxed for me. You gonna let me have you, Mads? Let me use this body any way I want?”

She nodded. “Whatever you want.”

Lifting my hands from her breasts and sliding my fingers out of her core, I shoved my sweats down, letting my aching cock free. Tilting her chin down, she wet her lips, staring at the evidence of my desire.

Moving around to her head, I reached beneath to cradle it and used the other to hit a latch and push down the pillow her head was on.

Her head was off the massage table now, the only support from my hand.

I stepped forward, my throbbing dick right at the level of her face.

She started to turn, so she could take me in her mouth, but I made a sound, stopping her movements. Wide brown eyes looked up my bare torso, waiting for instruction, and a low buzzing started in my head.

“Lay back down.”

She did, and I lowered my hand until her neck was arched and her head hung off the table.

“Open your mouth, baby.”

She obeyed, the act in itself giving me a rush. But oh fuck, how she looked. Laid out, breathing heavy, face low, and mouth open.

“Okay?” I asked, grabbing the base of my dick and guiding it toward her mouth to make my intentions clear.

She nodded.

“If it’s too much, just tap my thigh.”

She stuck her tongue out, and I pushed my head in. She lapped at it, dampening the tip, then gave a kitten lick to my slit. I blew out a breath and thrust forward, pushing about half into the warm cavern of her mouth. Her lips closed around me, punching the air out of my lungs and making me forget to drag in more.

She swallowed, the action sort of like a vacuum, and my groan filled the room. I started shallowly thrusting into her mouth. The way her head hung off the table was a temptation too strong to deny.

After a few light thrusts, I went deeper, pushing my shaft down her throat. She hummed, and I watched the exposed column of her neck work around me.

And then she reached around, grabbing my ass cheeks, and pulled me deeper. I cursed and she gagged, but when I started to pull back, she shook her head and guided me back.

I lost it then, thrusting into the tight sleeve, feeling her flex and swallow around me. The sounds of her choking and the sharp bite of her nails against my ass cheeks enhanced my desire. Moaning, I reached out, settling both palms on her breasts and kneading as I continued to fuck her face. After a moment, I pulled back to give her room to breathe, and her hands cupped my sack, tugging it down and latching on. My eyes rolled back in my head as she sucked and massaged my balls until they were tight against my body.

About to blow, I pulled back and moved around the table, grabbing her ankles and pulling her down to make room for her head. Rose petals scattered, a few fluttering around her like a cloud before settling against the floor. In a fluid motion, she rolled onto her belly, tucking her knees in, and put her ass in the air.

I lunged forward and grabbed her hips, burying my face in her dripping center. Maddie cried out as I tongued her opening and then licked all the way up her crack.

Before she could recover, I punched forward and claimed her body in one single thrust, pushing the entirety of my thick length deep into her body.

Both of us groaned, and her chest hit the table. I grabbed her hips and held her up, admiring the white petals stuck to her skin while grinding my pelvis against her ass. Snatching the bottle of oil, I pulled out enough to drizzle some over my shaft and then thrust back in. Between the heat of her core and the lubrication, the inside of her body was my own private sauna.

Digging my fingers into her hips, I gave a gruff command. “Hold on, baby.”

The second her fingers curled around the edges of the table, I pulled out and then slammed back in. We both grunted, and I did it again. Oil squelched and smeared everywhere, her body contracted with every thrust, and her ass wiggled against my lower abs every time I went deep. Her whimpers and my ragged breathing drowned out the low music, and my brain shut off, pure pleasure taking over.

I hammered into her so desperately that the table slid across the floor. Breathing heavy and with sweat slicking my skin, I pushed her body down onto the table until she was flat on her belly and then stretched out on top of her, letting my weight pin her in place.

Guiding my rigid cock back inside her, I nipped at her ear and thrust. We were pressed so tightly together that it created a new friction, and I wasn’t just inside her but on her, over her, owning her.

“You’re mine,” I growled low, mouthing at her ear. Pushing my hand beneath our bodies, I pressed my fingers against her clit and rubbed while thrusting. “Come for me, Maddie. Drench my dick in all that sweetness.”

She whimpered, and I kept up the assault until she bowed, body going taut as an orgasm ripped through her. I held tight as she trembled and panted, and when her body went slack, I pressed a few light kisses to her shoulder.

Curling a hand around her throat, I pulled her face around and claimed her lips. The kiss was deep but brief because my insides were tight and I couldn’t hold off another second. It only took one final thrust, and I threw my head back to shout in pleasure as wave after wave of ecstasy claimed me. My back arched, hips bucking with the force of it as I buried my release deep in her belly. I don’t know how long bliss held me hostage, but, bro, it was a good time.

When I came to, I was practically crushing her, and I pushed up on wobbly arms and rolled. She pushed onto her side, and I lay down, pulling her on top of me, our legs tangling together. Oil and rose petals were everywhere, and my breathing was still uneven, but she looked relaxed and satisfied as she pressed her flushed cheek to my chest.

“That was the best massage I’ve ever had.”

I rumbled with laughter, dragging my fingertips down her back. “Better be the only massage you’ve ever had like that.”

“I almost peed my pants when you put those big hands on me,” she mused, swatting me lazily in the side.

“You really didn’t know it was me?” I asked, plucking a white petal off her hip and letting it flutter toward the floor.

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Surprise,” I drawled, wrapping my calf around hers. “I know this is an Elite fam trip, but I want some solo time with my favorite girl.”

“Better be your only girl,” she quipped.

“That too.” I agreed.

She lifted her head, resting her chin on the back of her hand, which was flat against my chest. Her brunet gaze was soft from relaxation, and candlelight danced in her irises. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, Maddie baby,” I said, brushing some hair off her cheek.

“You’re my favorite too,” she confided.

“Obviously.”

Her eyes rolled, but her lips pulled into a smile.

“I think I used too much of that oil,” I muttered, pulling my hand from her skin to look at my shiny-as-hell palm.

Madison laughed. “It’s a wonder we didn’t slide right off this table.”

“As long as we’re together.”

“You have rose petals stuck all over you.” She tsked, plucking one off my neck to hold it up.

I grimaced. “Pretty sure I have one down below .”

Her laugh floated overhead, and she pushed up to shimmy herself between my thighs. She was glossy and flushed, amusement sparkling in her features. Her hands skimmed over my Adonis belt and into the creases where my legs met my body. I shifted as her fingers caressed my sack, and my spent dick twitched like he might rally for round two.

Her finger dipped a little lower, slipping along my taint, and then she giggled, pulling out a petal, which was indeed taking up residence in my ass crack.

The things I did for this girl.

“Found it.”

“I feel violated.”

“How would you feel about a quick rinse-off?” she asked, pointing across the room. I followed her lead to where a small walk-in shower was built into the room. I hadn’t even noticed it before, far too distracted by the eye candy currently between my thighs.

“You gonna wash me?” I asked.

She nodded and climbed off the table, her legs wobbling a bit when she stood. I took it as a compliment.

There was a rainfall showerhead above and another that could be detached from the wall. We turned both on, setting the water to warm, and stepped inside. The marble space was small, clearly not made for two people, so we had to stand really close, bodies touching.

I grabbed the nearby soap, pumping some into my hands and sudsing them up before laying them on Maddie to soap her down.

Her little purr made my dick twitch again, and I washed her thoroughly as she stood there with her eyes closed and chin tipped up. Rising from the crouch I was in at her feet, my hands dragged up her body, tracing her curves, gliding over her breasts and farther up until my hands were loose around her throat, my thumb caressing the front. Her lashes fluttered, spearing me with that drowsy, satisfied look. I towered over her—something she seemed a lot less bothered by than when we’d first met—and I crowded against her farther, pushing her back up against the marble.

She gasped at the cold stone, but I swallowed it down when I covered her lips in an ardent kiss. I groaned and swept my tongue into her sweet mouth, twirling my tongue around hers, my hands gliding up to hold her face.

Suds from her body smeared on mine, and the light scent of soap rose around us as gentle rain from the showerhead above fell behind my shoulders. Maddie’s hands wrapped around my biceps and squeezed, her short frame rising to tiptoes so I could kiss even deeper.

I picked her up, and her thighs locked around my waist as she sucked my lower lip into her mouth. My dick was rallying when she pulled back and pointed to the soap.

I moved in to kiss her again, but she turned her cheek, so I kissed it instead.

“My massage was only booked for an hour.” She reminded me, trying to ruin my good time.

I grumbled.

“I’ll wash you.”

“Fine.” I agreed and shifted over to the soap so she could fill her hands.

Her dark brow arched. “Aren’t you going to put me down?”

“Nope.”

She shrugged and soaped me up. Well, everything from my waist up. It was heaven. This private space where we were completely alone. Her legs wrapped around me, hands all over me.

“I’m a greedy bro,” I said drunkenly. “I just want you all to myself.”

“You can have me,” she whispered against my ear. Patting my shoulder, she said, “Put me down so I can wash lower.”

A man doesn’t deny attention below the belt, so I stood her on her feet. I was enjoying one hell of a rubdown when there was a loud knock on the door and a woman called, “Ten minutes!”

The door shut behind her, and Madison rose, grabbed the faucet, and began rinsing me.

“Don’t pout, J. We can sneak off alone tonight.”

I took the faucet to rinse any remaining soap off her while she dodged the overhead spray to keep her hair from getting too wet.

“I’m not waiting ‘til tonight.”

Her stare whipped up. “What?”

“You think this is all I planned? A wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am?”

She half smiled. “It’s not?”

“What kind of boyfriend do you think I am?” I lamented. “I know we’re here for Kruger’s wedding, but I got some romance. And I meant it when I said I wanted some solo time with you. You’re my number one, Maddie. I want to make sure you know it.”

“Is this because I called you bro?”

I laid my hand over my heart. “How could you do it to me, Maddie?”

She giggled. The sound was a damn weapon. It made me weak.

“I already told you it was a joke,” she said for the tenth time. “And maybe I was a little grumpy that day because we hadn’t seen each other much.”

I set the faucet back in its cradle and wrapped my hands around her waist, pulling her in until we were plastered together. “There’s gonna be days coming up when time is spread thin. All the more reason for me to make sure you know how much you mean to me.”

“I know, J. I do.”

“Maybe I should hijack Kruger’s wedding and make it ours instead.” It was kinda soon, but I could do it.

She gasped. “What?”

“You didn’t say no,” I mused.

She smacked my shoulder. “We are not hijacking our best friend’s wedding.”

“You know you’re going to marry me someday, right?”

“Who else would I marry?” she wondered.

“No one. I’m not letting you go.”

Her arms wound around my waist, palms pressing against the small of my back. My heart did a little skip, and her wide brown eyes gazed up. “We don’t need to get married right now for me to know how much you love me. I know. And I hope you know how much I love you.”

“I am irresistible.”

She smiled. “You need to focus on the Olympics, and I need to finish college, see if I can get my foot in the door in Hollywood so I can work my way to being a director.”

Bros, you hear that? My Maddie is gonna be a badass female director. Putting all these sexist old dudes to shame with the epic movies she’s gonna make. After everything that happened with the half-brother who shall not be named and her deciding not to pursue acting, I thought maybe she’d find her way back. Nah, she found a new goal. I think that maybe creating safe sets for actresses and actors while directing box office smashes (because, bro, what else would they be?) had become a passion.

“You already got a whole leg in the door over in Hollywood,” I told her. “Just make sure your leg’s got pants on.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can’t just use my mother’s name. I want to earn my place too.”

“You will, baby. Of that I am sure.”

“Just like you will earn your spot on the Olympic team.”

I grunted. “So long as you know we’re doing all that together.”

Her arms looped around my neck. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I kissed her quick, then begrudgingly turned off the shower and grabbed a heated towel from the warmer.

“Hey, J?”

I glanced up at what I heard in her voice, tucking the ends of the towel beneath her chin. “What’s up, Maddie baby?”

“Rory said something to me before.”

“Now’s not a good time to talk about my sister. I’m naked.”

“It’s about Ryan.”

I paused. “Oh, what’s up?”

She scowled. “So you can talk about Ryan while naked?”

“I don’t make the rules, baby.”

She started away.

I grabbed her from behind and lifted her off her feet. She squealed, and I carried her out to the massage table, which had a stack of clothes lying on it.

“Hey, why are my clothes here?”

“I had Helga bring them in.”

“Why do you call her that?”

“What else am I supposed to call her?” I wondered.

“Her actual name,” Maddie proposed.

I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t know it.”

“You could have asked,” she pointed out.

“What did you want to say about Ryan?” I asked, finding my sweats on the floor.

She went to a white robe hanging nearby. I made a sound and pointed at her clothes.

“I have a blowout scheduled.”

“I canceled it.”

She gasped. It was hella dramatic. Nearly sucked all the air out of the room. “Why would you do that?”

“I told you. I didn’t just come in here for a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am. I got romance.”

The towel around her fell into a puddle at her feet, and her fists landed on her naked hips. “Jamie Michael Owens, explain to me how canceling my salon appointment is romantic?”

“I’m about to cancel our date too if you don’t put on some clothes.”

Interest sparked in her face. “A date?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” I explained. “I’m not waiting until tonight to sneak off with you. You’re mine the rest of the afternoon.”

“I’m yours for the rest of our lives, Jay.”

“Come kiss me with that sweet mouth.”

She giggled and came across the room to kiss me.

“Now get dressed,” I said, pointing to her clothes.

“What kind of date is it?” she asked, pulling on a pair of black leggings and thick socks.

“How about you tell me what you needed to say about Ryan first?”

“Oh. Rory told me he wants to try and qualify for the Olympics too, but he’s afraid to tell you.”

Broooo. I lowered my hoodie before I could pull it on. “What?”

She glanced up and nodded. “That was my reaction too.”

“Ryan wants to go to the Olympics,” I repeated, trying to wrap my head around it. It was hard because excitement bubbled up inside me and scrambled my brain.

I mean, bro, I wasn’t surprised because Ryan was the best swimmer I knew. If anyone could qualify, it was him. But the fact that I didn’t know he wanted to qualify…

What the fuck?

“She actually said he didn’t want to tell me?” I pressed. The excitement of my best friend doing this with me was sort of taking a back seat.

To his stupidity.

Maddie pulled a thick turtleneck over her head. “She seemed to think he was worried you would think he was trying to like step on your toes or steal your dream.”

Broooo. If I didn’t have romantic plans with my favorite girl right now, I’d go find him and tell him those thoughts were about as useless as the G in lasagna.

Ooh, lasagna.

“On a scale of one to ten, with ten being ridiculous, that’s a fifteen,” I said.

“I know.” Madison agreed. “I think maybe you should talk to him.”

I nodded. “Oh, we’re gonna have a bro-ment for sure. A real heart-to-bro talk.”

Ryan was my best friend. It bothered the hell out of me that he didn’t want to talk to me about this.

A light touch on my arm had me jerking back.

Madison smiled, understanding in her eyes. “Do you want to go find him now?”

I squinted. “You trying to get rid of me?”

“No. But I don’t want you to worry the rest of the afternoon.”

I caught her around the waist. “I won’t be worrying. I’ll be having a good time with my girl. I’ll talk to Ryan later.”

“You sure?”

“Do dogs have tails?” I scoffed and reached for my coat. “Grab your coat,” I told her.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“How about we go find out?” I said, opening the door and gesturing for her to go ahead of me.

I managed to get her out of the spa without being stopped by any of the girls, which was lowkey a miracle. Helga promised to let them know Maddie was with me and we would meet up with them later. I wasn’t about to let Mads go tell them. Then we’d be late.

Just before heading outside to the large covered entrance of the resort, I stopped to adjust Maddie’s hat. “You warm enough?”

Her eyes widened. “We’re going outside?” She tried to peek around me, but I blocked her with my body.

“Hold your horses,” I told her. “Don’t ruin the surprise.”

She bounced on her toes and whined. “Jamie.”

“I love you, Maddie.”

All the impatience drained from her face, replaced by a soft smile. “I love you too, Jamie.”

“Hold my hand,” I said, offering my gloved one up.

The second hers slid into mine, I pushed the doors open. A gust of wintry air blew in, swirling around us. She stepped into my side, and we moved under the large portico.

Clop-clop-clop. Neigh.

Madison’s head snapped up the second she heard the sounds.

You know what happens next, right? Bro, yeah. She let out another one of those dramatic gasps.

“Don’t scare the horse,” I told her.

“Is that for us?” she asked, excitement making her voice high.

I glanced to the curb where a horse-drawn carriage waited. It was grand-looking, all white with two large back wheels. The two wheels at the front were slightly smaller. The roof on the carriage was only partway up, so it offered a view of the snowy landscape. There were twinkling white string lights strung around, and the seats were red velvet. As we stood, the carriage driver jumped down from his perch at the front and walked around.

He was wearing a top hat and jacket. He opened the door and then tipped his hat to Maddie. “Nice afternoon for a ride.”

She squealed under her breath.

“You like?” I mused.

“A horse-drawn carriage!” she exclaimed. “You did this?”

“I’d do anything for you.”

Her lower lip wobbled. “This really is romantic.”

I smiled. Offering my elbow, I said, “Shall we?”

She practically ran to the carriage and launched herself up the stairs to get inside.

“Thanks for doing this,” I told the driver, holding out my hand.

He shook it. “It’s my pleasure.”

“There’s cider!” Maddie exclaimed from inside the carriage. “It’s still hot!”

“Don’t burn yourself,” I called, going in after her.

“Look, J!” she said, handing me a cup. “There’s blankets too!”

“Can’t let my girl get cold.”

She sat down, the half-open roof offering some buffer from the wind. The underside was lined with lights and made everything glow. Her nose was pink, and the cider was clutched in both hands. I covered her with a blanket and then another.

“Sit with me,” she said, lifting the corner.

I slid in right beside her, and she covered us both.

“Are we ready back there?” the driver called.

“Wait!” she exclaimed, pulling her phone from beneath the blankets. “We need a photo.”

I grabbed the phone and held it out to snap a selfie of us snuggled up in the carriage. Once that was done, we covered back up and called out that we were ready.

The carriage lurched forward, and Maddie squealed under her breath. “I’ve never done this before. Oh my God, J, this is the best!”

I chuckled and draped my arm around her. “Told you I was romantic.”

“You’re everything, Jamie. Just everything.” She sighed and laid her head on my shoulder.

Snow started to flutter from the gray sky, and the sound of the horse’s hooves clomping against the ground was hypnotizing. We sipped the hot cider and watched the snowy landscape pass by while bundled under our blankets.

And for a while, it was just me and Maddie. The perfect date.