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)
Nick puts his hand over mine and gives me a squeeze. “Love is love. Why should anyone be bothered?”
He’s not saying he’s in love with me—of course not, after such a short time—but it’s obvious that’s their goal. Just like me, they’re looking for something long term, stable and steady.
Putting their convictions into action, Nick leans over and gives me a kiss, then Rudy does the same, and I love that they’re so comfortable with everyone knowing about our unconventional potential-relationship.
As the band starts to assemble on stage, Rudy unpacks the insulated bag they carried in, and I find out that in addition to the hot chocolate Nick mentioned, they also brought cheese and crackers, fruit, cookies, and water.
“Are you hungry?” Nick asks.
“I could eat a little.”
He slices off a small piece of cheese, centers it on a bite-sized cracker and holds it up to my mouth.
“You don’t have to feed me,” I say before I take it from him.
“I like taking care of you.”
“I’m just not used to that kind of treatment,” I explain after I chew and swallow.
Nick’s smile is easy, as always. “If you’re uncomfortable, I won’t do it, but you should allow yourself to be pampered.”
Rudy briefly touches my knee. “You deserve to have someone taking good care of you. Or, two someones,” he adds meaningfully.
I’ve never been with men like this, so mature and well adjusted, ready to give more than they take. Maybe it is something I need time to get used to, after all of my bad experiences in the past.
The idea plays in the back of my mind as I focus on the concert, which features beautiful, mostly instrumental Christmas songs. Occasionally, a female vocalist joins the musicians, and at the end of the show, the audience is invited to sing along for “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”
It’s a wonderful show, made even more enjoyable by the way Nick and Rudy have snuggled close to me on both sides, keeping me warm in the cold December air. They covered me with a blanket, too, and I feel very cared for. Maybe it won’t be as hard to get used to as it seemed.
Chapter 14
Back at my house, I invite them in, because I’m not ready for the night to be over.
Nick surveys my living room as he takes off his coat. “What a nice home you have. I love how you decorated it.”
“Our house could use a woman’s decorating touch,” Rudy says. “We stopped after making it functional.”
“You’re being modest. I love your house,” I tell them.
“It smells good in here, too,” Nick says. “Is that a real Christmas tree?”
I nod. “Felix and Jasper helped me get it, actually.” I didn’t plan to mention the Winters, but part of me wants Nick and Rudy to know that Felix and Jasper are good guys, too.
“Oh, really?” is all Rudy says as he turns away from the tree to direct his attention to my bookshelf instead.
I offer them something to drink, and as I’m filling water glasses, Cupid wanders out. She might not usually be so bold, but I always give her a little dish of canned food at night, so she’s probably more hungry than scared. Or maybe she thinks Nick and Rudy are Felix and Jasper, and she’s looking for more ear rubs.
It turns out that the Frost brothers are, of course, well qualified to give ear rubs, too. In fact, they have her purring in record time and doing the little elevator butt move, shamelessly begging for more affection. If she knew they were veterinarians, I’m sure she wouldn’t be so friendly.
“Who’s a pretty kitty?” Nick’s saying in a voice meant just for her.
Eventually, the three of us settle onto the couch, while Cupid goes over by the door to inspect the men’s shoes. She sniffs them first, then starts to roll around on them.
“I’m sorry about that,” I tell them. “Cupid, leave their shoes alone.”
“It’s okay,” Rudy says. “Her scent will give Trixie and Sammy a mystery to solve later.”
We sit and watch her for a moment, before Nick puts his hand on my knee and gives it a little rub. “Thanks for coming to the concert with us tonight.”
“Thank you both for inviting me. It was really special.”
Rudy caresses my shoulder. “You’re really special, Holly.”
“We like you a lot,” Nick adds.
“I really like both of you, too.”
“I’m surprised we never met before, but I think it was fate that brought us together to volunteer,” Nick says.
“Yeah?”
“We’ve been looking for someone like you, someone kind and smart and caring.” His eyes crinkle at the corners as he squeezes my leg.
“And someone who’s comfortable being close with both of us,” Rudy says.
Nick’s expression turns playful. “The only problem with you is that you’re also seeing other men.”