Chapter 14
Eli
I woke slowly, warm and tangled in more limbs than seemed possible. Mioko’s soft curves pressed against my side, her dark hair spilling across my bare skin, and Luke was on his stomach beside her, a long leg thrown over both our hips, his arm sprawled across her, hand resting on my chest.
For a moment, I lay perfectly still, afraid to shatter the spell. I’d never felt so fucking content in my life, and that terrified me more than anything.
I carefully extracted myself from the tangle of bodies, pausing when Luke made a soft sound in his sleep, his hand reaching blindly for me, then settling on the softness of her ass as she curled into his chest.
Luke’s face was softer in sleep, the sharp lines of his jaw and cheekbones gentled by vulnerability.
His sandy hair was a mess, sticking up in all directions, so different from the carefully styled perfection he maintained when awake.
Mioko looked impossibly small next to him, her dark lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, one hand curled loosely against Luke’s chest. They looked right together, beautiful in a way that filled me with a fierce protectiveness.
Could this work? The three of us, not just for a night of wild fucking, but for something real and lasting?
The thought sent equal parts hope and terror surging through my veins.
I’d never been good at keeping people—my parents died when I was too young to remember them, and Luke had left me before. What if I fucked this up too?
I shook my head, trying to dislodge the creeping anxiety. I couldn’t stand here all day watching them sleep like a stalker.
I found an old pen and paper in the kitchen drawer and scribbled a quick note: “Checking on Henry. Shower if I’m not back before you wake, and clean everywhere. Back soon with food. - E.” After a moment’s hesitation, I added: “P.S. Don’t even think about leaving.”
I left the note on the nightstand, then quickly washed up and dressed, before slipping out via the exterior door in the office. Mioko hadn’t checked that door, though it had been unlocked the whole time. She must not have been that desperate to leave.
The world outside was transformed, blanketed in eight inches of fresh snow that glittered in the morning sun.
I pulled my phone from my pocket, checking messages as I trudged through the pristine white toward the inn’s main building.
There were two texts from the snow removal company confirming they were on their way, and one from Henry asking if he needed to send a rescue party.
It would take at least an hour to run the snowblower over all the paths and the porch, but I decided to do it after checking in with Henry.
The inn’s back door led directly to the kitchen, where the warmth and smell of Henry’s cooking wrapped around me like a hug.
He stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with the ease of a man who’d been making the same breakfast for decades.
Through the kitchen door, I could see half a dozen guests at the large farmhouse table in the breakfast room, pouring coffee and grabbing pastries from the buffet.
“Eli! I thought you’d frozen to death in that drafty old garage,” my grandfather said.
I kicked the snow from my boots. “Not at all. The apartment was cozy.”
“With the company you had, I’ll bet it was,” he said, flipping another perfect pancake onto the stack beside him. “Are Luke and Mioko still sleeping?”
I nodded. “I came to get us breakfast, and maybe I’ll get some clean clothes too.”
“Good timing. I’ve got plenty.” Henry gestured to a group of children bundling up by the door, their parents helping with mittens and scarves.
“I made extra muffins and pastries this morning, since snow makes everyone hungry. Planning on serving hot soup and fresh bread for lunch and I have ingredients for pot pies for dinner, in case people don’t want to drive into town. ”
I watched the family bundle up and head into the snow, their excited chatter fading as the door closed. A boy peeked into the kitchen. “Can we take Rambo out with us?”
“Sure! He knows to stay close,” Henry said. “But keep an eye on him, okay?”
“Sure thing!”
Henry turned back to me. “See? Even Rambo is handled. The plow company is coming soon, and they’ll clear the paths and the driveway. You take the day off. I have a plan.”
“I’ll get the snowblower—”
“Plows are on their way,” he cut me off, pressing the warm container into my hands. “Guests are entertained, and I’ve already talked to Amy and Luis, they’re planning to work today. Everything’s handled.” He fixed me with a knowing look. “You’ve got more important things to sort out today.”
I sighed, knowing it was useless to argue. “Fine. I’ll take my phone in case—”
“In case nothing,” Henry snorted, turning back to his pancakes. “Go be young and stupid for once, Eli. You’ve spent enough time being old and responsible, and you need a break.”
“Thanks, Grandpa,” I said. He waved me off without turning around, but I could see the smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.
I ducked down the back hall that led to our apartment, heading straight for my bedroom, and quickly dug through my drawers until I found what I wanted—a bag pushed in the back containing some things I’d bought on impulse, but never had the courage to use.
I threw it into my duffel bag along with some cozy sweats and pajamas.
None of it would fit Mioko, but I liked the idea of her wearing one of my big hoodies and nothing else.
Outside, snow was falling again, fat lazy flakes drifting down to join their brethren on the ground. I trudged back to the garage apartment, Henry’s food container in one hand, duffel over my shoulder.
As I entered through the apartment’s front door, kicking off my snowy boots, I heard running water and smiled, relieved that they were still here. I set the food on the kitchen counter, unloading the duffel bag while listening to laughter and splashing from the bathroom.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of steam along with Luke and Mioko, both wrapped in big soft towels.
Luke’s hair was dark with water, slicked back from his forehead, emphasizing his sharp cheekbones.
Mioko’s wet hair was wrapped in a small towel, droplets of water trailing down her neck.
“You’re back,” Luke said, his eyes lighting up.
“Just went for supplies. I’m glad to see you’re still here.”
“Where else would we be?” Mioko smiled and stood on her tiptoes, kissed me, then walked to the kitchen counter to look through the bags I’d brought.
Luke’s expression was serious as he met my eyes, laying a hand on my shoulder. “I meant what I said last night. I won’t leave.”
I stared at him, heart pounding, a little afraid to ask if there was a timeline attached to that statement.
“Eli, I’ve thought about it, and if you need me here, I’ll stay.”
“For how long?”
“Forever? As long as you want me. I once asked you to upend your life for me, and I understand now why you couldn’t. But I can most certainly upend my life for you.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath. “What about your job? Your apartment? Your life in Boston?”
“Jobs can be replaced,” he said. “And my life is where you are. Where Mioko and my sister and my moms are. I understand that now.”
A wild, possessive need to claim and mark and own erupted in my chest.
“I more than need you,” I said, cupping his face, pressing my thumb against his bottom lip, feeling his slight tremble. “I own you. You’re a part of me.”
His cheeks flushed. “Yeah. I am.”
I looked from him to Mioko, wrapped in a cozy towel, peeking into the food container, and suddenly, a new version of my life unfolded in front of me, full of hope, love, and a very unconventional family.
“You guys are too cute,” she said, beaming at us.
I frowned. “You’re part of our cute.”
“Whatever you say. I’m more focused on Henry’s pancakes. I’m starving,” Mioko said, glancing back at me with a mischievous smile. “Oh, and Edie called while you were gone. She said they don’t need our help today, roads are too bad.”
“Mom said the drive was ‘treacherous,’” Luke added, moving closer to me, close enough to smell my soap on his skin. “They’re very worried about our safety.”
“Or they’re sick of our meddling.” Mioko lifted a piece of bacon from the container and took a bite.
“You? Meddle? Never,” I teased. “Henry told me to take the day off, too. Something about me never taking time off.”
Mioko grinned. “Looks like we all have some free time.”
“Imagine,” I said dryly, though I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “A whole day with nowhere to be.”
Luke folded his arms. “Whatever shall we do with ourselves?”
I reached for the small bag on the counter. “I have some ideas,” I said, pulling out a brand new glass plug I’d never had the guts to use and a lube bottle, setting them down for Luke and Mioko to see.
Luke’s cheeks flushed, his throat working as he swallowed hard. Mioko’s eyes widened, darting between the toy, me, and Luke.
“Is that...?” Luke asked, meeting my eyes. “Are you going to fuck me?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
Luke held my gaze for a long, electric moment, then with a cheeky glance over his shoulder turned and walked to the bed.
“But the pancakes!” Mioko whined.
“The pancakes can wait!” Luke called. “Eli’s gonna take my virginity.” He let the towel fall, revealing the lean muscles of his back and the perfect curve of his ass.
“Fuck,” Mioko muttered, darting into the bedroom after him. “Why does he have to be so sexy?”
I followed her, watching as Luke climbed onto the mattress, positioning himself on hands and knees, his back arching slightly as he looked over his shoulder at me.
“Are you sure you’re a virgin?” Mioko asked, slapping his ass and making him giggle.
“Only in the one place,” he said, looking over his shoulder at me. “And not for long, I hope.”