Page 34 of Rekindled

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I stood over a hot pan of sizzling veggies, tossing the chopped onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes around the oil, finding it impossible to keep a smile off my face.

After peeling ourselves up and off the bed, I hopped in the shower to freshen up only for Kai to join me moments later. I can't believe I'd deprived myself of that man for an entire year, although the time apart seemed to have waken something in him that was definitely asleep before the breakup.

In the kitchen over the stove, I smelled him before I felt his arms circle my waist. I'd thrown on the ugly Christmas sweater and black leggings I packed and he wore a simple designer cable-knit sweater and blue jeans. Leaving the guest room was a challenge for us that morning. Under the heated shower water, Kai and I made love for what felt like the umpteenth time. Aspen has always done that to us, though. Put us in the state of mind to have our limbs entangled around each other. I guess regardless of the time spent apart, even those things couldn't change our attraction to each other.

Kai buried his nose in my neck and I giggled at the attention.

"You're going to make me burn these veggies before I can fold them in the omelets."

"I think it'll be worth it," he mumbled against me.

I laughed this time and attempted to bump him away, but that only made him spin me around to face him. Kai leaned my head back by my chin and pressed his lips to mine. I closed my eyes and settled into a kiss that was hotter than the fire beneath the pan behind me.

Someone clearing their throat behind Kai made me gently break Kai's and my lip-lock. I pushed my forehead into his pec to hide from what was to come. His laugh vibrated in his chest in response.

"Well, well, well," Journee said behind us. "And a very Merry Christmas to you two."

When Kai stepped aside, I spotted the enormous smile on my best friend's face. Zyair stood right behind her with an equally wide grin.

"Must have been a hot night by the fire pit," Zyair chimed in next, pulling out the two stools beneath the island for himself and his wife. "Huh, guys?"

I pushed the tip of my tongue into my cheek and peeked up at Kai. The moment we made eye contact, he winked at me.

"Honestly," Journee added, taking a seat and then balancing her chin into her hand by the prop of her elbow, "Zyair and I don't need you to confirm anything. We heard you guys loud and clear earlier this morning."

I gasped.

"Which by the way," Zyair said next, "We should thank you for turning the cabin into an audio version of Journee and my favorite porn website."

I slapped my hand to my mouth to cover and Kai barked out a laugh.

I playfully punched Kai on his bicep. "Don't laugh at that."

"What?" Kai asked, pulling me close to plant a kiss on my cheek. "It's funny."

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. "Anyway, Kai and I are taking care of breakfast for the house. We got some veggie omelets in the works and Kai was just about to drop some blueberry batter into the waffle maker."

"Mmm, yum," Journee crooned from her seat, beaming. "That sounds great and all but baby…" She turned to face Zyair "… don't you just love it when a plan comes together?"

At that, I whipped my head to face them.

"ThatI do, love," Zyair replied, leaning close to his wife to give her a kiss. "You’re a genius."

"No." She rubbed her nose with his and giggled. "You are."

"Wait, plan?" I asked, folding my arms. "What plan?"

"Yeah," Kai echoed beside me. "What plan?"

Journee and Zyair shared a look, the two of them fighting back their smiles.

I tilted my head to one side. "Journee?"

"So..." she began. "We lied a little."

"Nah, baby," Zyair corrected. "We lied a lot."

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