CH. 9 Open your eyes

Hello dear all :-))) So, here comes chapter 9 and you'll see... Dima talks to Alexi and then...finally they reach Aspen and a nice surprise awaits for our cutie...what that could be?

I hope you'll enjoy it, I want to thank you all very much for reading, voting and commenting and messaging me..that means a lot, thank you!!

Dedicated to all of you and in particular to eMcKensieM, thank you for your lovely message, hope you'll enjoy this chapter.. xox

On the right a picture of how Dima's house in Aspen should look, more or less.

Enjoy xox

DMITRI POV

I thought about what Sasha told me about Travis, about the fact he really never considered him only a friend, but something more. I wanted to know how it feels to kiss a guy and be with one and he was the right person to ask it, however still couldn’t figure out anything. What that guy told me was still bugging me and Jasper realized something was off with me, asking if anything happened and trying to act casual, but I couldn’t forget those words and didn’t know if asking him directly was a good idea.

Man, what if the things he said were true? Argh, don’t even want to think about it. I mean, we were so damn different, Anatoly and I.

At lunch we sat at our usual spot and he talked to me about the snowboard he had, which his family bought a couple of years ago, but never used. Right, we would leave this evening for Aspen and honestly couldn’t wait for that. I asked dad what about that bastard of Anatoly and he said my brother wasn’t coming with us. He refused to join the trip and dad allowed him to stay home only under Oleg’s control. That was going to be funny, believe me. Jasper said he didn’t have problem with Anatoly coming, but was that the truth? I doubted it, so I was glad he decided to stay home. I had already a lot in my mind and having to deal with his crap, too…well, that’d be too much for my brain, seriously.

I tossed my stuff in the locker, but they fell on the floor and I groaned, picked them up and punched inside the locker; ha, there stupid bag. I went to grab my uniform and then stopped and banged my head on the door of my locker. Damn it. I had another dream last night and this time it had been way more arousing. I felt a hand on my shoulder and when I turned my head, Sasha was studying my face with his usual composed and cool expression.

“Dima, what’s wrong?” He talked to me in Russian.

“Nothing, just something on my head.”

“That’s not you, mate. Tell me what’s on your mind, you asked me few things last day and I think we should talk more about it. I know you too well and this is not the usual Dima.”

I sighed and realized this was really the time to talk to him directly. No one was still in the changing room, I came first and apparently my best buddy had followed me on purpose. And if our teammates arrived it wasn’t big problem anyway, because we were talking in Russian and no one understood it. Thus I sat down and sprawled my leg wide apart.

“It’s about Jasper.” I said, looking at him. He smirked and damn, I knew it, he had already figured that out. Was I really the only dense one among us? Nah, Hayden was worse than me and he wasn’t blonde!

“What about the kid?” He sat beside me and leaned back on the lockers.

“Man it’s your fault, seriously. You and Travis confuse me, you guys are always so horny and damn physical and you look so…how can I say it? You guys look hot, but you don’t get me hard, so don’t get the wrong idea here, the point is that you two make me think about … that must be the reasons for my dreams.” I rushed my hands on my hair and scratched them nervously. This was making me feel nervous and crap, Sasha was right; this wasn’t the normal me.

“I think I understand you and know what you are talking about, but you had dreams? What sort of dreams?”

“You never had dreams about Travis, before getting together?” He shook his head and chuckled.

“I never remember what I dream about. I can tell you I had him on my mind every single day and thought about doing any sort of stuff with him…that was scaring at the beginning, because you know me well and know what sort of issues I had. So, you are having dreams about the kid?” He laughed out loud and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Travis would enjoy to hear your dreams for sure and I bet River, too.”

I snorted and then laughed with him, ‘cause he was right. But wondered what Jasper would have thought about that.

“Well, not so sure Jasper will enjoy hearing them.” Sasha shifted his calm stare at me and didn’t say anything for a moment, then gave me a skeptical look.

“Something happened two days ago and I can see that from the way you changed your acting around Jas. What is it? He told you something?”

“Nah, not him, but one of his friends. You never met them, right?” He shook his head and told me to go on. “One of them doesn’t like me and no biggie about that, who cares, but the other day he sort of got nasty and annoying and somehow managed to provoke me, saying that I am like my brother, that we’re the same…that pissed me off and grabbed his jumper and I know I shouldn’t have, but you know me.” He nodded and snorted a couple of curses. “Well, he then asked me if I ever considered the idea that Jasper might see that bastard in me, that when he looks at me and talks to me, he might think of him. I never really thought about that and the idea hit me badly. Do you think it’s like that? I am such an idiot, man.”

Sasha arched his eyebrows and then punched my arm freaking hard, almost making me fall from the bench.

“Hey man..” I massaged my arm, ‘cause Sasha was damn strong.

“You really are an idiot. You let that dimwit’s words get under your skin? This gotta be a joke, Dima. You and Anatoly the same? Don’t even dare to think that. Aside the obvious fact that he’s a sick bastard, you two have always been different. And who the hell is he to say you such things? He knows shit about you.” He groaned and grunted a couple of curses and then cooled down. Wow, he snapped big time, but he made me chuckle. “What are you laughing at? Seriously man, you need to open your eyes. I’m not kidding. Do you really believe in that? Do you really think Jasper sees in you Anatoly? That’s plain crap and you know it. The kid is relaxed around you, he’s less shy and introvert when with you, and even someone like Hayden noticed how Jas changed since you became friends.”

Man, my friend surprised me, but somehow kicked my brain’s gears.

Sasha’s words made me think about the time he calmed me down after meeting my twin; now that I think about it again, he was different, he was…confident and aware of his actions, just like last day, when he was skating in front of me. Jas asked me few times what was wrong with me, because he said I looked different and I see now; I really let those words go under my skin. Crap, how could that happen? I mean, that’s not me. Man, my best buddy was right, but what if part of that was true?

“But what if some of it is true?”

Sasha rolled his eyes and got up, clearly getting frustrated; right, patience wasn’t his biggest virtue.

“Then just ask him and that’s it. Dima, seriously, you usually just go and speak what’s on your mind, you don’t even think twice most of the times, so…why the hell are you so complicated now?”

“I don’t know man..” He made me sound like some chick, not cool at all.

“Because you like him.” He fired it out with the most calm and obvious expression and I stared at him quite shocked. The hell, buddy? “What? Deny it if you can. You just told me you had dreams about him, that you freaked out when that idiot said such crap and then you gave up the date because you weren’t feeling anything. And about that, you went on a date to prove something, right? To prove yourself that you still like girls, right?”

I gawked at him like a moron, I knew that. I scratched my hair, not knowing what to say. Did I still like girls? My brain was about to melt, I swear it. May the force be with me, master Yoda. Alright, let’s spill the beans.

“Yeah, the date was for that reason, but couldn’t get hard even when I tried to concentrate. I got it in my dreams, though and then thinking about those dreams; I don’t know completely. What if this is just a phase, just because I find him attractive?”

“Are you afraid of admitting to be gay?” He sat down again and sighed out quite loud. “Please don’t tell me that’s the reason.”

“Nah man, don’t even know what I am right now. God, my head and brain are about to explode, this is too much, can’t think this much, honestly.” Sasha chuckled and shook his head. “I know, I know. I’m hopeless, but that’s how I am. Do you think I like him?”

“You’re my best mate, don’t care if you’re hopeless, but you gotta soon face it and open wide your eyes, believe me. I cannot tell you if you like him or not, that’s up to you to realize, but surely I can say that something is different with you when it comes to Jasper, so…try to figure that out, I’m here any time you need me and you know it.”

I grinned at him and clasped his shoulder with affection; he really was the best friend you could ask for.

“Know that, Sasha; thanks. Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Err, seriously, how is sex with a guy?” I had to know it, he told me something, but I still wanted to know more about it. He smirked and cracked his neck and saw something flashing in his eyes. Damn, I bet he was thinking about Travis.

“You keep asking me this and I told you for me it all comes to Travis. I never enjoyed sex before, with girls I mean and it was boring for me and nothing so exciting. With him, shit, with him I go crazy, Dima. I have never enough and just a glance from him it’s enough to turn me completely on fire. So, you see that for me it’s incredible and well, we are sort of … hard and wild, even though for us it’s making love and not just mere sex. It’s not just about attraction, I love him insanely and he changed me, he … he is my everything, my world. I cannot see myself without him anymore.” He rested the back of his head on the locker. Wow, that has been the longest speech he ever did about his emotions. Man, I already knew how crazy he was about him. Those two together screamed pure love. “But to try to answer your question, I think sex with a guy is incredibly hot and crazy, better than with girls, it’s more powerful, it goes over boundaries. Why you asked me that again?”

“You know how much I like sex…” He nodded and grinned. “And I’m trying to understand stuff here; I mean, argh..” I took my head in my hands and messed up my hair furiously. “I find Jas hot. Damn, when I saw him skateboarding the other day I almost got a boner, no joking; he looked different and crap, I felt the impulse to..”

“To slam him down and take him senseless?” He offered, smirking with quite a strange look. I arched my brows and thought about his words. Was it like that? Sort of, but not really. I mean, slamming down Jas? Nah, that would freak him out, but hmm…taking him senseless? Would he let me? I hardly doubted it, but when I pictured him straddling me…oh crap, let’s drop it, I was getting aroused here.

“Thanks man, you just messed me up.” I laughed and nudged my side. A couple of guys entered the room and then Hayden and River followed them. They saw us two talking and came over, but then River distracted our other friend and let me finish with Sasha. Anyway, wouldn’t care much if they heard, they were my best buddies and we were speaking in Russian. “To answer your question, no. Not exactly, but well, err...man, I’m not like you and Travis. Don’t tell me that’s what you thought about him the first times you saw him.”

He smirked and looked like some hungry wolf.

“That and more.” He greeted our friends and then got up to change into his uniform. “You feel better now? Need to talk more?”

“Nah, feel great now, thanks man.” I tossed my t-shirt and jumper in the locker and wore my hockey uniform, eager to slice some ice and kick some ass.

“So you guys are leaving for Aspen this evening, right?” River asked me, studying me with his usual smug look.

“That’s right, can’t wait. I’m going to teach Jasper how to snowboard, he’ll love it.” Yeah, he was going to love it, the force was with me. Yep. He smiled on one side of his mouth and wished me to enjoy it, then turned to Sasha and they started talking about something. Darn, I could never guess what was on his mind. Hayden slumped beside me and kicked away his shoes.

“I’m taking Diane to the opera tomorrow night.” He simply said and we all stared at him as if looking at Jabba the Hutt dancing on his slimy tail; feeling our gazes he gave us a quizzical look and shrugged his shoulders. “What? She likes it and even if I might fall asleep I want to make her happy.”

Right, he was gone just as much as Sasha.

“What are you going to see?” River asked and I knew he liked that fancy stuff; he was the typical smartass that would enjoy it. Opera? Nah, that wasn’t for me. Would Jasper like it? I had no idea, but dearly hope not.

“Uhm...don’t remember, something to do with a geisha or whatever..” I heard River snorting and then he smacked his head.

“You’re going to see Madame Butterfly, Hayden. You better don’t fall asleep, if you don’t want your Diane to get mad at you; that opera is beautiful and very touching, so at least pretend to follow it.”

“Is it? Thanks man, you just saved me from Derek, because Diane invited me for dinner and you know him. My baby knows I don’t like the opera, but she doesn’t care.”

I thought about his words, about wanting to make his girlfriend happy and then I tried to concentrate on Jasper. Would I do the same, I mean, enduring hours of shrieks and utterly boring music sang in a language I didn’t even understand? Man, he didn’t like the opera, right? I slammed my head on the locker and the guys looked at me.

“You ok?” Hayden asked.

“Yeah, I’m ok.” Sasha shot me a curios look and then smirked. Crap, he just figured that out.

JASPER POV

“So cutie, excited? Should I lend you some of my special things?” Travis winked and handed me a jumper. He came home with me to help me packing.

“Uhm..what special things?” I was afraid even to guess the answer, because I knew how his mind worked.

“Something to play with your huge bear in the free time…” The way he smirked made me blush. Boy, he was hopeless in that department. “Oh c’mon Jasper, don’t blush like that, you know how much I enjoy messing with you. I perfectly know you’re not like me, but who knows, maybe he’s like Alexi.”

I widened my eyes and froze on the spot. My best friend told me enough about them and the way they liked to uhm well, you know and uhm, sure that wasn’t for me.

“Oh boy Travis, I hope not, that would literally destroy me.” He chuckled and ruffled my hair. Then I thought about the past two days and at the way he behaved around me, which was strange and awkward. Uhm, I mean, he was in his usual grinning funny mood, but he kept somehow some distance between us and it was beginning to worry me. Two times he went to rest his arm on me as usual, but then he stopped. That was really making me worry.

Maybe he found out I liked him and now he was trying to stay away from me or something like that; or maybe he got bored the other day when he was with my friends and I and so now wasn’t anymore so enthusiastic about the trip; or maybe…

BAM!!!

A pair of jeans hit my face and I yelped and fell on my bed for the sudden start.

“Cutie, stop over thinking. I can see it from the way you look at the ceiling and fidget with your fingers. What are you thinking about? I told you, hell, he’s super dense, thus he hasn’t understood a thing, believe me. Maybe he’s pissed because of his brother or something else. You said he was arguing with Stevie, right? Perhaps your friend said something that got on his nerves; you said Steven doesn’t like Dima.”

“Well, maybe, but it’s almost impossible to provoke Dima or get on his nerves.” Travis made a weird face and then chuckled softly.

“Are you so sure it’s impossible to provoke him? Because Kevin does it very well.” Uhm well, yeah, Kevin was actually quite impressive there.

“I don’t understand why he doesn’t like him; when I asked he just said that he’s … uhm, what he said? Oh yeah, too much something.” I giggled remembering his face and the way he snorted. Travis giggled with me and jumped on the bed with me, ruffling my hair and hugging me thigh.

“Oh cutie…have I already told you how much I love you? Because hell, love you very much. But, you need to open your eyes and see that Dima is jealous of Kevin and doesn’t like the fact he flirts with you.”

“Oh boy, that’s not true and Kevin only jokes around, he’s not serious. Nic keeps telling me the same, but you guys forget about his..uhm, date?” I depressed myself thinking about that. Slap!! “Ouch.” Travis had slapped my shoulder.

“A date that he left without many compliments, if I remember well, and then called you. Jas, you two will drive me nuts.” I looked at him about to laugh for what he said and he rolled his eyes. “Hell, ok, more nuts than I already am, fine. But that’s not the point. I told you already, he freaked out when he thought you were on a date with your classmate, not joking here. I’d suggest you to go out with Kevin just to trigger his jealousy and make him realize it, but I think the jealousy game is stupid and dangerous, because it could bite you back. So not jealousy game, but hell…”

Travis managed to make me laugh and feel better instantly, as usual. It was funny to hear him swearing.

“Thanks, Travis. Maybe you are right.” He eyed me as to say “I’m always right”. “But what if it’s just curiosity for him?”

“Well, then it’s a damn weird and huge curiosity he has and quite a jealous one.”

Someone knocked on the door and when I answered, father opened the door and kept there looking at us with his usual impassive face. I dropped nervous at once, trying to remember whether I made something wrong, but couldn’t really think of anything. My best friend got up and greeted him apparently politely. I stood up as well.

“Good evening, Mr. Lucas. I am here to help Jasper with the packing; I hope my laughing didn’t cause any disturbance.” His words made me relax.

“Good evening, Travis. How are you and how is your mother doing?” I eyed him carefully. Uhm, why was he here? He never came to my room. “No, I did not even hear you two laughing, please don’t be sorry.”

“Thank you, sir.” I bet it was costing him no little to act that way. “Mum and I are doing well.”

“That is very good to hear.” Father offered him a stretched and thin smile and boy, my eyes widened. I haven’t seen him doing that in years. He looked at me and offered the same thin smile, but I began to sweat bullets. Now I was afraid he might have changed mind about this trip and the idea was scaring me. My face went cold and probably pale. Travis softly rubbed my back. “Jasper, when are you leaving?”

“Uhm, i-in an hour, father.” I stuttered.

“Do you need me to drive you to their house? Do you have everything with you?” My mouth dropped open and then closed immediately. Uhm..wh-what he-he just asked?

“No-no thank you dad.” I froze and looked at him worried; I had just slipped, oh boy. Would he get mad at me? He didn’t say anything, just look uhm..normal. I mentally exhaled. “They are coming to pick me up and I have everything with me, thank you.”

“Very well, Jasper. Then I leave you and Travis alone; if you need me, you will find me in the studio.” His face tried another smile, but it look uhm well, weird on it. He wished us good evening and left. I dropped on my best exhausted and my best friend sat beside me and simply hugged me.

************************

Dima helped me with the bags and the snowboard and then his dad gave me the ticket. I had tried to insist in paying my own ticket, but they refused to let me, so I uhm, gave up and struggled not to feel bad about it. I peeked at him and what Travis told me came back to my mind. Now he seemed more relaxed than today in school, grinning wider and obviously excited about the trip. He had talked no-stop in the car and his father told him to shut up for at least two seconds; that made his mother and me laugh. His parents were very nice persons and his mum in particular was a warm and welcoming type of mother, just like Michelle.

I didn’t see him and wanted to ask the reason, but uhm, I waited to have a moment just with Dima. After the check-in we boarded almost immediately and the plane wasn’t full, so we had a row just for the two of us.

“Man, I’m beat today. The coach was on fire and kicked our ass and made us work out like idiots.” He grunted and relaxed on the seat, which looked too short for him. “Do you know how to do massages?”

I coughed at his question and blushed instantly, thinking about him half-naked, lying under me and me touching his skin. Oh boy…stop, stop, stop Jasper.

“Uhm, no, sorry..”

“Too bad, I could use some of your skills right now.” His entire face grinned and I just stared back confused, and then the captain attracted our attention and the flight attendants began to demonstrate the usual routine.

The plane softly rolled and soon sped up, pushing us all against the seats and taking off; soon we were flying over New York and I stared out of the window, looking at the lights of the city. Something touched my shoulder and then I felt warm skin almost brushing my cheek. I stopped breathing and thanked God for the darkness of the cabin due to the taking off; my heart sped up like crazy and thundered in my throat, while my entire body stiffened and melted. Oh boy, I loved the smell of his cologne. I dared to peer at the side and Dima was there, resting his chin on my shoulder and gazing out with a thrilled expression. Our eyes met and they smiled at me, but he suddenly pulled back and scratched his hair.

“Jas, does it bother you when I..err, get close to you?”

“What?” I blurted out, widening my eyes quite stunned and blinking them few times. He scratched again his hair and exhaled deeply, as if relieved to hear that and I asked him the reason, blushing then at my sudden boldness. “Why are you asking me that, Dima?”

“Nothing really man, just a thought I had, that’s all.” He shrugged and I asked why he had that thought, which was uhm, ridiculous, but he just said it was nothing. Well, that was weird.

“Can I ask you why your…uhm, brother is not here with us?” He sighed and grunted something in Russian.

“Anatoly didn’t want to come and dad let him stay home with Oleg, and that’s probably better, because I don’t like the idea of you two in the same room.” His voice was…tense and his eyebrows furrowed. He had been strange these past days.

My hand went on his hair by its own will and before I could stop it, my fingers were already running through his hair. He didn’t say anything, just leaned on the touch and closed his eyes smiling. Uhm, why he had that silly idea? How could he even think that?

“Who is Oleg?”

“He’s dad’s personal assistant and don’t know, he does a bunch of stuff for us and dad’s business. The dude is scaring, I’m telling you, and he’s perfect to keep an eye on that bastard, but all in all he’s cool and loyal, so that’s fine.” Uhm boy, that sounded sort of surreal, a personal assistant that looked scary and intimidating, it felt like some spy story. He sort of hummed and I blushed seeing my hand on his head. “This really relaxes me, Jas, so don’t stop.”

“Uhm, ok.”

His hair was soft and smelled good, a mix of his shampoo, cologne and Dmitri’s scent. I stared at him and my body tightened and stirred when my eyes stopped on his lips, slightly parted and uhm, plump. How would they feel? My first kiss had been a disaster and uhm, I didn’t like it. I actually well, uhm, kissed only three times and bet Dima kissed more than that…my shoulders slumped down; he had had more than just a childish kiss, I knew that. Who was I kidding? Even if it was true he had a soft spot for me, he’d be disappointed from my total lack of experience. I sighed too loud and his eyes flashed open, scanning me. My fingers stopped and dropped, and I almost turned into a human torch when I felt his fingers on my hair.

“What are you sighing for?” He asked leaning closer has to study my face. I pulled back afraid of what I could do or say, I wasn’t expecting such proximity and my breathing went erratic like my heart. Something stiffened in me and made my stomach muscles clench in uhm…a nice feeling. Oh boy, I liked this too much. “You sure it doesn’t bother you when I’m this close or when we are together?”

“Uhm, told you, it doesn’t…why should it bother me? I like it.” I snapped close my mouth and felt like hiding in somewhere dark. Uhm, wh-what did I just say??? “Uhm, I-I mean, I like this … uhm, I mean…it’s relaxing.” I wasn’t even breathing.

Dima eyes gleamed and made him look like a Cheshire cat. I mentally exhaled, he didn’t notice anything. His fingers kept stroking lightly and soft tingles and shivers ran over my body; I had to concentrate to not act weird and when his fingers went on my neck, something else clenched and I gulped. Oh boy…the nice feeling was going lower and lower and I had to look away from his face or body, because I was beginning to get uhm well, you know.

He then stopped and unfastened the seat belt; his arms stretched long in the narrow space above us and without saying anything he leaned down and rested his head on my laps, extending his legs on the other seat. My body petrified and I held my breath, terrified at the idea he might feel something.

“I’m beat man, mind if I sleep a bit? Am I too heavy?”

“Uhm, nope, it’s ok..sure, it’s ok.” I took few deep breaths and tried my best to calm my heart beat, but having him on my laps made it impossible.

“Can’t wait to reach Aspen, you’ll love it Jas and our house is super cool. I think my cousins are there already, they’re funny.”

“Are they all Russians?” Let’s not think about meeting more of his family right now.

“Not them, because uncle is from Costa Rica. From my father’s side they’re all Russians. Part of our family just moved from Russia to the States years ago; I was born here, so technically I’m American, but you know, I mean, you saw my family, they really care about their origins and don’t want to lose them.”

“I think it’s great, uhm, not to forget your origins.” I really believed so.

“Yeah well, guess nobody misses the fact I’m Russian, I mean, my accent is quite strong, but don’t care about it, it’s quite funny sometimes.”

“I like your accent.” I blabbed out and then shut up. Oh boy, what was wrong with me today? I kept blurting out silly comments without thinking about it. Dima rolled on his back and his face was now looking straight at me.

“Really?”

“Uhm, yep.” I admitted, not able to resist his huge grin.

Uhm, why he had to have such a handsome and overwhelming smile? I didn’t even venture on his body, because I knew how it affected me, uhm…yep, especially his arms and shoulders, which I think were my favorite parts...so big and bulky, making me want to touch them, to feel their strength. As if hearing my thoughts, one of my hands moved and rested on his bicep and I madly blushed the moment I felt his muscles slightly flex. I snatched my hand away and munched out a sorry.

“Hey, mind to stroke my head a bit more, until I fall asleep?” I concentrated hard before answering and uhm, managed to sound barely normal.

“I don’t mind it.” He rolled back and heard him hum the moment my fingers touched his hair, sounding like some Siberian tiger purring at someone scratching his fluffy ears. I silently giggled at the idea. He really fell asleep and kept like this the entire flight.

Was Travis right? Oh boy, I had no idea.

When we landed it was late night and the air was freezing cold, making me shiver inside my warm and puffy winter coat. Dima didn’t mind it and breathed at full lungs, enjoying the chilly wind and the flakes of snow dancing around us. His uncle, Mr. Diego Torres, met us at the airport and drove us to their house. He was a chatty and lively person, with caramel tanned skin and short black hair, speaking with a strong Costa Rican accent and I liked him immediately.

Their house took away my breath: it was beautiful, a mix of modern features given by the tall and wide windows, the bright lights and simple outdoor swimming pool right at the front, and typical European mountain chalet, which could be seen in the shape of the porch and roof, from the large terrace that stood above the main entrance. Even if Dima’s cousins and aunt were sleeping, all the lights were on. Inside it was even more amazing and even that snob and super picky of mother would have appreciated it. It was furnished with elegance, but gave warm and welcoming vibes, making you really feel in some fairytale like place. The living room had windows almost as wide as the wall that let admire the landscape of the dark trees covered by snow.

“Boy, your house is indeed very cool.” I breathed out.

“Thanks Jas, I love it and it’s a pity it’s so cold now, in summer we can use the swimming pool, so we have to come over again when the weather is warmer.” He grinned, caring my snowboard along with his.

“Guys, I’ll show your room.” Mrs. Denisov stopped in front of us and had the same enthusiastic smile of her son; even Mr. Denisov looked more relaxed.

“Your house is beautiful.” I told her.

“Oh thank you Jasper, I am so glad you like it.” She pinched my cheeks and I blushed like a tomato. “Come, I’ll show you Dima’s bedroom, because you guys will have to share the room, but I think it won’t be a problem, right?”

I paused.

Uhm…what?

Was I going to sleep in the same room of Dima? Oh boy…I…I didn’t expect that.

“Mum, I’ll show the room and get the bags. I’m starving at the moment, is it possible to get something to eat?”

“Of course, I’ll go and see what I can manage at this time. Just be quiet and don’t wake your cousins. Jasper, would you like something in particular to eat or drink?”

Eat? Drink? At the moment I couldn’t even concentrate on the mere words, let alone thinking about what to eat. Uhm..I wasn’t anymore hungry.

I-I was going to share a bedroom with Dima? With Dima?

“No, thank you, anything is fine for me.” I said without stuttering.

We walked upstairs and when he opened the door my mouth fell open and went dry. The view was uhm, breathtaking, sure, because the main tall window showed the woods around behind the house, but…but…the room had only one bed.

One huge and big bed.

Oh. Boy.

Author's chit-chat:

I think we have all the premises for a nice, blushing, sweet and funny weekend in Aspen, don't you agree?

I think Dima is such a tender and sweet huge teddy-bear that likes to cuddle...but enjoys some ideas as well.. ;-)

Ok, next chapter coming in a couple of days :-)