20 Questions

Chapter 73

"Think about what I said. Ok?" I hear Hunter say to Helen as we make our way back to the room. The party was one for the books, but I am exhausted. We danced for hours until we were all red-faced and sweating. I haven't laughed that much in a long time.

I learned a lot of things tonight.

For starters, I learned Hunter can line dance.

Second, I learned it really turns me on to watch Hunter line dance. The way he moved his hips was delicious. I had always heard that you can tell a lot about how good a man will be in the bedroom by the way he dances. In this particular case, that statement is on point.

Third, I learned that my mom and dad can really cut a rug.

I also found out that my dad cannot hang with the younger guys when they are taking shots. He spent about an hour looking a turbulent shade of green. Once he finally recovered, it was all fun and games again.

Fourth, I learned that Patrick is quite smitten by Helen. He must have asked her to dance at least half a dozen times. I sensed that she was caught off guard by his affection, but eventually allowed herself to let loose a little. I can't imagine that she is completely done grieving the loss of her late husband, but she did seem to enjoy the attention Patrick was showering her with. It was sweet to watch how gentle and patient he was with her.

Lastly, I determined, from this point forward, these are the people I want to spend every Christmas with. Family is not always who you are blood-related to, but the people that mean the most to you. These people are my unit, my support system, my good times...they are undeniably my family.

Helen nods and walks into her room. I can tell she was overwhelmed by tonight's festivities, but she handled it with grace. I'm struggling with what is going to happen at the end of the week. I'm not ready to say goodbye to her. She has found her way into my heart and it appears that she has done the same with all the guys and my parents. Her story is tragic and tragedy is something none of these guys are strangers to. When we first met her, I'll admit that I was skeptical and unsure of her because experience has taught me that people can be deceitful. We took a huge risk bringing her back to the lodge with us. She could have been an addict, a manipulative storyteller, waiting for the chance to rob us blind. Something in me told me that she was different, that she was truthful and she had just fallen on bad luck. My guard was still up, but she quickly and effortlessly tore it down.

When we get back to the room, I'm curious about the conversation between Hunter and Helen, but I will wait until he is ready to tell me. I trust him, probably more than I should, but I do. He's not one to let people mistake his kindness for weakness. He has a way of cutting through people's bullshit and discovering their true motives. I guess he has his horrid childhood to thank for that. Whatever proposition he made to her, I'm confident that it was calculated and well thought-out. He doesn't speak, he just removes his clothes and slides into the bed. I remove my own and join him. I'm exhausted and his drowsy eyes tell me he is, too. We fall asleep in each's others arms like we will for the rest of our lives.

~

"Merry Christmas, beautiful," are the sweet words I hear first thing this morning. I can't think of a better way to be woken up...well, I can, but that will come later. I rub my sleepy eyes and admire the sexy Christmas present before me. Hunter is shirtless with only a pair of jogging pants sitting low on his hips. He is exquisite in the morning light.

"Merry Christmas, handsome. Did you sleep well?"

"The only way it could have been better is if I slept inside of you," he responds, his smile smug and adorable.