Chapter 73

73

" W elcome to Switzerland, where the local time is 8 am."

I jerk awake, adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream. It takes me a second to realize that the plane isn't moving anymore and another second for it to register that all four of us are buck ass naked when the flight attendant could show up at any moment. I scramble out of Dylan's arms, and out of bed, flipping on the bathroom light and dragging the duffel bag nestled at the foot of the bed into the bathroom. I dig through it, praising Charlie as I pull out a change of clothes for all of us, along with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a brush. I splash cold water on my face and then pull on a comfy, wide-legged sweat set in my favorite shade of green. I run the brush through my hair, brush my teeth, and then wake the guys, dodging their arms as they try to drag me into their warm embraces. There will be time for that later—lots of time.

"Ready to disembark?" Katie asks, poking her head into the main cabin, her eyes staying focused on me even when Henry ambles out of the bedroom half-naked.

"Can we have just a couple of minutes?" I ask, rubbing my hands over my face, trying to wake up .

"Of course. Let me know when you're ready, and I'll open the door. Would you like the note Charlie left you now or once we have you settled in your vehicle?"

"Now, please!" I take it from her, suddenly feeling wide awake. The guys congregate in the main cabin as they finish getting dressed, waiting for me to read the note aloud.

Dear Isla, Dylan, Henry, and Theo, Welcome to your honeymoon in Bettmeralp, Switzerland! Bettmeralp is only accessible by cable car and is located near Aletsch Glacier, the first UNESCO world heritage site in the Alps. You’ll be staying in a small family-owned resort. The owners will check in with you upon arrival and take care of meals, activities, and anything else you may need. Bettmeralp offers every winter sport you can imagine, and the resort has a state-of-the-art spa, so you can choose to relax, be adventurous, or both. With the view from your bedroom, you may not ever want to leave your cabin ;) Do what makes you happy!

Love, Charlie

I look up at the guys, feeling like a little kid. I don't think I've been this excited for a vacation in, well, ever. "Do you guys know how to ski or snowboard?" I ask, bouncing up and down on my toes with excitement.

They all shake their heads. "Tennessee isn't the place people go to ski," Dylan says, making a face.

"I'll teach you."

"How do you know?" Theo asks. "From what you've told us, it didn't seem like you ever took time off."

"Being the adrenaline junky I am, I used to go every day I had off during the winter."

"Why not this winter?" Dylan asks, his dark eyebrows drawn together.

"There was too much to do," I shrug. "I'm so behind on the brewery that it didn't seem like I should be doing much of anything fun until it's finished."

"And look at you now. Three weeks to relax and have fun," Henry says, grinning. The way he said the word fun implies other things–dirty things–and has me clenching my thighs together.

"Which means I'll be behind three more weeks," I mutter.

"Oh, stop. You know the best time to open is in spring, anyway," Theo grumbles, rolling his eyes.

"Don't talk sense to me." I squish his cheeks between my hands and kiss him hard, spinning away before he can grab me. I knock on the crew door and tell Katie we're ready to go. She follows me into the cabin and opens the door, revealing a set of metal stairs leading down into a winter wonderland. There's a black SUV waiting for us, the windshield glinting in the morning sun.

"Jackets are waiting for you in the vehicle," Katie informs us, stepping to the side as we pull on the boots Charlie supplied before leading the way down the stairs. The guys hurry to help John and our white-haired driver pull the suitcases from the plane and load them in the back of the vehicle.

"Have a lovely honeymoon, Isla." Katie throws me a wink before climbing the stairs and closing the door. I turn in a full circle, in awe of the jagged peaks surrounding us, everything covered in a blanket of pure white snow. I thought I knew mountains, having grown up around them and lived among them my entire life, but this is different.

"We're going to learn to ski on those ?" Dylan asks, a nervous edge to his voice.

"Snowboard," I correct automatically. "We'll just have to see what it's like. Those mountains are intimidating even for me. There will be plenty of other things to do," I remind him, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

"Dylan can sit in the chalet and wait for us," Theo says, rolling his eyes.

"Rude." I stick out my tongue at Theo and grab Dylan's arm, pulling him toward the SUV. The driver opens the door for us, and Dylan slides in, making room for me and Henry, forcing Theo to sit up front. Theo starts to protest, but Henry only needs to lift an eyebrow to make him realize that's what he gets for being an ass.

"Fine," he grumbles, folding his arms over his chest as our driver gets in the car.

"Good morning, lady and gents. My name is Noah, and I’ll be your chauffeur for the entirety of your trip. Bettmeralp doesn't allow cars, but I live in Grengiols, the town at the base of the mountain, and will be available to drive you anywhere you wish to go." He hands Theo his card. "Would you like me to stop for breakfast on the way?"

"Please! Or at least some coffee?" I ask, desperate for something to clear the fog from my brain.

He looks back at me, blue eyes sparkling. "Of course. I'll take you to my favorite place."

I'm a nervous wreck for the first ten minutes of the drive, but Noah expertly navigates the snow-covered hills, and I quickly become more comfortable. Sensing my anxiety, Henry drapes his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. At the same time, Dylan grabs my hand, threading his fingers through mine, and squeezing tightly. I relax, enjoying the gorgeous scenery as we climb higher into the mountains. After about thirty minutes, we pull into the parking lot of a tiny chalet made of giant logs, a cafe sign hanging above the red door and about a foot of snow covering the roof.

"Ready for the best breakfast you've ever eaten?" Noah asks, opening our door and ushering us inside the tiny building. He seats us at a large corner booth and then disappears into the kitchen, returning with an adorable woman with rosy cheeks and gray hair pulled back into a neat bun.

"This is my wife, Elena," Noah announces proudly. "She doesn't speak English, but she will make you the best breakfast and cafe-kreme you've ever had." He grins broadly, then retreats back into the kitchen with Elena, presumably to help her make our food .

The coffee comes out first. I sneak two sugars into mine, and it's hands-down the best coffee I've had in my entire life. About ten minutes later, Noah and Elena reappear, their arms laden with dishes: yogurt, granola, all sorts of breads, jams, butters, spreads, various cereals, cheeses, soft-boiled eggs, and a bowl of fresh fruit. It's like girl-dinner for breakfast, and I'm obsessed. Once they've laid everything out, Elena heads back to the kitchen while Noah drags a chair over to our booth and sits down, a mug of steaming hot chocolate warming his hands.

"Would you like some suggestions for things to do while you're here?" he asks, spreading a healthy slab of butter on a slice of bread.

"Please!" I exclaim, drowning a croissant in chocolate hazelnut spread.

"There's a train with a glass ceiling called the Glacier Express. The ride is beautiful during the winter months," he begins, taking a giant bite of his bread.

"We love trains," Theo murmurs, glancing over at me, his eyes dark. I hide my smile behind my mug, trying not to blush.

"There are numerous resorts that offer every imaginable winter sport. I can drive you to Interlaken for kayaking, curling, and hang gliding. Or there's a complex high in the mountains called Glacier 3000, with dog sledding, glacier hikes, and a suspension bridge between two mountain peaks. There's even a hot air balloon festival in a couple of weeks."

Elena comes out of the kitchen with a large box in her hands, and Noah grabs her a chair, placing it beside his. She sits, resting the box in her lap, listening to our conversation. When there's a lull, she nudges Noah with her elbow and gestures to the box as she talks to him. His blushes, and looks up at us bashfully.

"I apologize for this, as it may be considered inappropriate, but she insists. Elena's family has a custom of making a blanket for newlyweds. When she heard I would be your driver for three weeks, she insisted on making one for you. It's made from sheep's wool. She spun, dyed, and then knitted it just for you. "

Elena hands me the box. I carefully pull at the tail of the brown velvet ribbon and slide off the top, unveiling a thick wool blanket knit with variegated yarn in shades of purple, green, and brown. It reminds me of the highlands in the summer, when the heather cascades over the hills. It's absolutely beautiful.

"Thank you, Elena, it's exquisite," I smile at her, hoping she understands.

Elena nods, grinning, then turns back to Noah, saying something while gesturing toward us with her hands.

"She wants to make sure I tell you this blanket is to bring you luck with conceiving. You place it on your bed until you have a babe, and then later, you can use it to keep your babe warm."

"Ah!" I carefully fold it back into the box and shove it into Henry's hands, ignoring his idiotic grin. The guys slide out of the booth so I can stand and hug Elena tightly.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, Elena." She bobs her head, patting me on the shoulder before heading back into the kitchen.

"What do you say, kids? Ready to get on with your honeymoon?" Noah asks, waggling his eyebrows.

"Yes, sir," Henry says enthusiastically, tucking that infernal blanket under his arm. And then it dawns on me. I didn't take my birth control last night. Did Charlie even pack it? Jesus fucking Christ.

Noah bundles us into the cable car, then steps back onto the platform and lifts his hat, waving as we're whisked up the mountain. We stand huddled together for warmth, speechless as the breadth of the mountains comes into view. They're magnificent. The thought of flying down the trails on a snowboard sends a thrill down my spine.

"I think Theo was right," Dylan says, his cheeks pale. "I will happily sip hot chocolate down in the chalet while you guys risk your lives on these mountains. "

I grab his hand, pushing up on my toes to press a kiss to his cheek. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"What if all I want to do the next three weeks is you?" he murmurs.

"I think I can handle that," I laugh, kissing him on the lips this time.

We're scrambling to offload seven minutes later, dragging our suitcases out of the cable car and onto the platform.

"Isla?"

I turn to find a person bundled up in so many layers that I can't tell if they're a man or woman.

"Hello! I'm Josephine. You can call me Jo. It's nice to meet you. I'm from the resort." Before I can say anything, Jo grabs two of our bags and carries them toward a sleigh attached to the back of a snowmobile, her boots crunching in the snow. We grab the rest of the luggage and follow her, stacking everything in a compartment behind the sleigh.

"Hop in! It's about a ten-minute ride from here. There are blankets in the sleigh to keep you warm!" As Jo fires up the snowmobile, we pile into the sleigh, and she drives us into a winter wonderland. We drive through the town, passing by snow-covered cabins and churches before climbing into a pine forest where everything sounds muffled, like that hush right before a storm. She cuts the engine as we pull up alongside a beautiful a-frame cabin, silence covering us like a thick blanket.

"Here we are! Your home for the next three weeks!" Jo struggles through the snow to get to the back of the sleigh. "The main lodge is just up this pathway if you decide you'd like to eat meals with the other guests." She gestures up the path to a large building perched on the mountainside.

We step out of the sleigh, sinking into snow up to our knees. The guys grab the rest of the bags and follow Jo and me up the steps and into the cabin.

"I have to admit that I've been looking for a reason to do a cabin like this for ages. I'm glad Charlie called and gave me the excuse," Jo says, slipping off her hat and goggles to reveal bright blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.

"What do you mean ' like this '?" Theo asks from behind me.

"You'll see," she winks, grinning at us.

Her smile is infectious, and I can't help but return it as I follow her into the main living area. I only make it a few steps before I stop short, my brain short-circuiting. Thick honey-colored beams soar above us, leading the eye to the far wall, which is made of one massive window, offering an incredible view of the mountains. It's spectacularly beautiful. Henry lifts me, shuffling forward several feet, and sets me down inside the room so the rest of the guys can come in.

"I really hope you like it here," Jo says, her eyes sweeping the cabin like she's trying to make sure she didn't miss anything. "I've always wanted to design something that would work for non-traditional relationships, and when Charlie called me, I knew it was a sign. The other cabins are only suited for couples, so this was outside the box for us." She prattles on, but my attention is drawn by the cozy fireplace and the gigantic rug in front of it.

"I'm sure it's going to be perfect, Jo." I shiver as Henry sweeps his hand down my back intimately, letting me know exactly what he's thinking.

She leads us over to the kitchen, opening the fully stocked refrigerator.

"There are all sorts of drinks in here. Wine, beer, canned cocktails, water and juices. There's a coffeemaker on the counter and a kettle on the stove for tea and coffee. There's a full bar at the lodge, as well. You'll find a daily menu in the notebook on the dining table. You can come to the lodge to eat or we can bring your meals here, just let us know. If you decide you want to cook, just text me an ingredient list, and I can have it for you the next day. Charlie gave me a list of basics, but if anything is missing, we can get it for you." She leads us out of the kitchen to a door on the opposite side of the cabin. "Fresh wood will be delivered to your porch daily. Cleaning will come whenever you request it. We won't just show up to clean since so many of our guests want privacy. And now the pièce de résistance." She throws the door wide, revealing a large suite with a mammoth bed, easily big enough for six people.

"When we pulled up, of course I thought it was beautiful, but I was worried about the bed situation. You have no idea how much this means to us," I tell her, relief flooding through me.

"I'm so glad we could accommodate," Jo says, her eyes shining with pride. But this isn't even the best part." She steps inside the bedroom, walking to another door on the far wall. She doesn't say anything as she opens it; she just watches our faces. I nearly melt on the spot when I see the gigantic sunken jacuzzi tub

"Are you serious!" I squeal, walking to the edge and bending down, swishing my hand through the steaming water. Three weeks isn't going to be nearly long enough.

Jo shows us how to drain the tub and the panel on the wall that controls the water temperature and jets. Lastly, she shows us how to work the shower. The walls are made of stacked boulders, the showerheads buried into the walls and ceiling. There's plenty of room for the four of us to shower and do other things without hitting our elbows.

"Any questions?" Jo asks, walking back to the family room and perching on the armrest of a beautiful, tufted leather couch.

"I don't think so," I answer, shaking my head, still thinking about the tub.

"If you think of anything, it's probably answered in the notebook, but feel free to text me anyway. I'll leave you to 'unpack' now," she says, air quotes around unpack, giggling as she pulls her hat and goggles back on and steps out into the snow.

I don't even have the door closed completely before Dylan presses me against it, his hips pinning me in place. Theo approaches, but Dylan blocks him. "I don't want to share right now," he says roughly, boxing me in with his arms.

Theo holds up his hands and backs away. "Fucking hell, Dylan. Isla, are you okay with us taking turns today?" he asks, the corner of his mouth twitching .

"Yes," I breathe, gasping as Dylan drags his tongue down my throat.

"I get her last," Henry says, his heated gaze capturing mine from across the room, promising all sorts of dirty things. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive three weeks of this, but I'm sure as hell going to have fun trying.