Chapter 19 Five Seats, One Girl
Steam curled into the cold mountain air, the hot tub glowing softly against the snow like something unreal. The contrast hit the second I stepped outside—bare feet on cold stone, skin still buzzing from Mike’s hands, my body loose and warm and pleasantly sore.
Mike followed behind me, smug and unapologetic.
“Told you,” he murmured near my ear. “You’d want the water.”
Josh was already in the tub, arms resting along the edge, hair damp, expression relaxed. Jake lounged across from him, elbows hooked over the rim, eyes lighting up the second he saw me.
“There she is,” Jake said brightly. “Post-Mike glow and everything.”
I rolled my eyes, stepping down into the water with a sigh. “You’re all unbearable.”
“You love us,” Jake replied instantly.
He wasn’t wrong.
Drew sat a little apart from the others, shoulders relaxed, eyes steady as they followed me. Patrick was beside him, one arm draped along the back edge, gaze unreadable as always—but locked on me the moment I lowered myself into the water.
Mike slid in last, crowding close just long enough to brush his knee against mine. “You behave,” he whispered, grinning.
I snorted. “You started this.”
Josh handed me a drink without comment, his fingers lingering at my wrist just a second longer than necessary. “Hydrate.”
Patrick huffed quietly. “Everyone suddenly becomes a doctor.”
Josh smirked. “Experience.”
The water settled. Jets hummed low. Snow drifted around us like a curtain pulled half-closed.
For a few minutes, it was just talking. Jake is telling some ridiculous story about a failed ski jump. Mike is constantly interrupting. Josh is adding dry commentary. It felt easy. Normal. Like this was just how nights were supposed to be.
Then Drew’s knee brushed mine under the water.
Once.
Gone before I could react.
I glanced at him. His expression didn’t change—but his eyes softened, just a fraction.
Patrick noticed.
His hand shifted along the tub’s edge until his fingers dipped beneath the surface, ghosting along my calf. Slow. Intentional. Like he was testing the water—and me.
My breath hitched.
I didn’t pull away.
Mike caught it immediately, grin sharpening. “Oh,” he murmured. “This just got interesting.”
Patrick’s thumb pressed lightly into my skin. “Relax.”
“I am relaxed,” I said, though my pulse said otherwise.
Drew’s foot brushed my ankle again—this time staying. His toes traced a lazy line up my calf, stopping just below my knee.
“You comfortable?” Drew asked quietly.
I nodded. “Very.”
Patrick’s gaze flicked to Drew. Something unspoken passed between them—silent, measured, deliberate.
Jake leaned back, hands laced behind his head. “Should we leave? Or…?”
Josh shook his head. “Nope. I’m invested now.”
Mike laughed. “I already had my turn. I get to watch.”
Patrick’s hand slid higher.
Underwater. Unseen by anyone but me.
His fingers skimmed the inside of my knee, sending a slow shiver through my body. Drew’s foot followed suit, mirroring the motion from the other side—boxing me in without touching anywhere obvious.
Heat pooled low in my stomach.
“You okay?” Patrick asked, voice calm.
“Yes,” I whispered.
That was all the permission they needed.
Patrick shifted closer, his thigh pressing against mine beneath the water. Drew moved too, closing the space on my other side. Suddenly, I wasn’t just sitting in the tub—I was held in it.
Not trapped.
Held.
Patrick leaned in slightly, his mouth close to my ear. “We’re not rushing,” he said quietly. “Just… letting you feel it.”
Drew’s hand surfaced then, resting on my knee in plain sight. Casual. Open. His thumb traced a slow circle.
Jake swallowed audibly. “Jesus.”
Josh’s jaw tightened—not jealous. Focused.
Mike looked pleased. “Told you she’d be ready.”
Patrick’s fingers dipped higher again, this time deliberately brushing where my thigh met my hip. My breath stuttered.
“Patrick,” I murmured.
“Yes, love?”
“I might not be patient.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “Good.”
Drew leaned in closer, his lips brushing my temple. “You want to get out of the water?”
I nodded immediately.
They didn’t wait.
Patrick stood first, water streaming down his chest as he offered me his hand. Drew rose beside him, close enough that I felt the heat of his body even in the cold air.
They lifted me out between them—Patrick steady at my waist, Drew’s hand firm at my elbow. The world narrowed to the three of us, steam and snow and breath mixing as they wrapped towels around my shoulders.
Mike whistled. “Have fun.”
Josh’s voice was warm. “We’ll be here.”
Jake smiled at me, soft and genuine. “Go.”
Patrick didn’t look back as he led me inside. Drew followed, his hand settling at the small of my back, grounding and certain.
By the time the door closed behind us, my pulse was racing.
Patrick turned to face me, eyes dark. Drew stayed close behind me, hands resting lightly at my hips.
“You okay with this?” Patrick asked quietly.
I nodded. “More than okay.”
Drew’s breath brushed my neck. “Good.”
Patrick’s hand lifted my chin. “Because we’ve both been waiting.”
And then his mouth covered mine.
Drew’s hands tightened at my waist.
And the night shifted.