Chapter 225
**Sara**
I smoothed down my sundress, checking my reflection one last time before heading downstairs. A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and Tom stepped out looking like he'd walked straight off a magazine cover.
"Ready for our weekend getaway?" He opened the passenger door with a flourish.
"Such a gentleman." I slid into the butter-soft leather seat. "Though I notice you didn't help with my bag."
Tom tossed my overnight bag in the trunk. "I figured an independent woman like you could handle it." He winked, settling into the driver's seat. "But I'll make it up to you later."
The engine purred to life, and we merged onto the highway. The late afternoon sun painted the sky in warm hues, casting long shadows across the road ahead.
I reached for the stereo controls, scrolling through Tom's playlist until I found something soft and romantic. "Perfect driving music."
"You're not going to fall asleep on me, are you?" Tom glanced over, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Me? Never. I'm excellent company on road trips."
"That's what they all say right before they start snoring."
"I do not snore!" I swatted his arm.
The city faded behind us as we wound through increasingly rural roads. Pine trees stretched endlessly on either side, their branches swaying in the breeze.
"You know, when you said isolated cabin, I pictured something more rustic. Maybe some bears as neighbors."
"Sorry to disappoint. No bears, but there's a hot tub with a view of the lake." Tom navigated the winding gravel driveway like he'd done it a hundred times before.
"I suppose I'll manage somehow."
The road narrowed and curved upward, gravel crunching under the tires. After one final turn, the cabin came into view. My jaw dropped.
"Tom. That's not a cabin. That's a mansion pretending to be a cabin."
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around three stories of gleaming wood and stone. A wraparound deck stretched the entire length, and yes, there was definitely a hot tub with a perfect view of the crystal-clear lake below.
Tom pulled up to the circular driveway. "Would you prefer we rough it in a tent?"
"Don't you dare." I grabbed my bag before he could reach it. "Race you to the front door!"
I took off running, my sandals clicking against the stone path. Tom's longer legs caught up easily, and he scooped me up from behind.
"Put me down!" I squealed, but he just spun me around.
"Password required."
I twisted in his arms to face him. "How about this?" I pressed my lips to his, and he set me down gently.
"Password accepted." He unlocked the door with a flourish. "After you, Sara."
I stepped into the grand entryway and froze. "Holy... Tom, this is incredible."
Warm lighting illuminated an open-concept living space that would make interior design magazines weep. One wall featured a massive stone fireplace, while the others were mostly glass, showcasing the stunning lake view. Modern art pieces dotted the walls, adding splashes of color to the neutral palette.
"You should see your face right now." Tom chuckled, setting our bags down.
"I'm sorry, but when you said cabin, I was expecting, you know, actual cabin things. Like moose heads on the wall and plaid everything." I wandered to the kitchen, running my hand along the sleek marble countertop. "This is like... if Apple designed a mountain retreat."
"Disappointed by the lack of taxidermy?"
"Devastated. How will I survive without a stuffed beaver judging my life choices?"
The kitchen was a chef's dream - all stainless steel and hidden gadgets. I pressed what looked like a cabinet panel, which smoothly opened to reveal a wine fridge. "Okay, now you're just showing off."
"Wait until you see the bedroom." Tom wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
"There's more than one bedroom?"
"Five, actually. But I had something specific in mind." He steered me toward a floating staircase made of glass and air.
"If I fall through these stairs and die, I'm haunting you forever."
"I'll risk it."
The master suite took up most of the third floor. The bed faced floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto a private deck. But what caught my attention was the bathroom.
"Is that a shower or a car wash?" I gaped at the massive glass enclosure, which had multiple shower heads and what appeared to be a built-in sound system.
"Both, if you're adventurous enough." Tom waggled his eyebrows.
"And the tub could fit my entire apartment." I peered into the freestanding soaking tub. "Does it have jets?"
"And chromotherapy lighting."
"I don't even know what that means, but I'm impressed." I flopped onto the king-sized bed, sinking into the cloud-like mattress. "This is ridiculous. Who actually lives like this?"
"Well, technically, no one. It's just a vacation property."
I propped myself up on my elbows. "Just a vacation property? Tom, there's an elevator. In a cabin."
"It's convenient for luggage."
I rolled my eyes at his casual response. "Next, you'll tell me the helipad on the roof is just for pizza delivery."
"There's no helipad." Tom sat beside me on the bed. "Yet."
"You're totally showing off right now. Trying to impress me with your fancy mansion and its...what was it? Chromotherapy lighting?"
"If I wanted to show off, I'd have had the butler greet us with champagne." He caught my hand and pulled me closer. "This is just for us to enjoy the weekend. No showing off required."
"Uh-huh." I gestured at the panoramic view. " I suppose the private lake just happened to come with the property?"
"Actually, it did." Tom grinned. "The previous owner threw it in as a bonus."
"Oh my god, stop." I grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it.
"You're assaulting me with Egyptian cotton."
I glanced at the pillow. "Please don't tell me how much this costs."
Tom plucked the pillow from my hands and tossed it back on the bed. "Would you prefer I lie?"
"Yes, actually. Tell me it's from Target, and you got it on clearance."
"Absolutely. Clearance section, right between the plastic lawn chairs and Halloween decorations." He pulled me to my feet. "Five dollars. A real steal."
"Much better. I can sleep on a five-dollar pillow without having an existential crisis."
"Let's unpack." Tom retrieved our bags, deliberately avoiding my question.
I pulled out my carefully folded clothes and laid them in the walk-in closet. My sundresses looked a bit lost among all the empty spaces.
"There's room for more if you want to bring some things over." Tom's voice was casual, but I caught his meaning.
"Subtle." I hung up my last dress. "Very subtle."
"I try." He finished arranging his things with military precision. Even his socks looked organized.
The sun had started to set, painting the lake in shades of gold and pink. I walked out onto the deck, breathing in the crisp mountain air. Tom followed, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
"Okay, fine." I leaned back against his chest. "Maybe this showing-off cabin isn't so bad."
"I knew you'd come around."
"But I'm still convinced that wine fridge is just to prove you're fancy."
"Actually, it's for storing my extensive juice box collection."
I burst out laughing. "Now that I'd pay to see."
Tom pressed a kiss to my neck. "We should celebrate properly. Care for a drink?"
"Are you going to break out the juice boxes?"
"Even better." He stepped back with an exaggerated bow. "Wait here, my lady."
"Don't tell me you actually have juice boxes!" I called after him as he disappeared inside.
I leaned against the railing, watching the sun paint the lake in brilliant oranges and pinks. The air held perfect mountain crispness - not too cold but refreshing enough to make my skin tingle.
Tom returned carrying a bottle and two glasses. "Sadly, we're all out of juice boxes. This'll have to do."
My eyes widened at the label. "Is that-"
"Dom Pérignon Rosé? Maybe." He popped the cork with practiced ease.
"Show off."
"You keep saying that." He handed me a glass, the bubbles dancing in the fading sunlight. "But I haven't even started showing off yet."
I took a sip, letting the champagne fizz on my tongue. "Mmm. Okay, this beats juice boxes."
"Just wait until you see what's for dinner." Tom clinked his glass against mine.
"Please tell me you didn't hire a private chef." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"No, but..." He pulled me closer, his breath warm against my ear. "I did stock the fridge with everything we need. I thought we could cook together."
"Naked cooking? Sounds dangerous." I traced my finger down his chest.
"I was thinking more like you wearing just my shirt." His hand slid down to cup my ass. "But I'm open to negotiations."
The champagne buzzed pleasantly through my system. "You know what else this deck needs?"
"Do tell."
"That hot tub you promised me." I set down my glass and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"It's around the corner." Tom caught my hands. "But maybe we should eat first?"
I popped another button. "Are you really choosing food over seeing me naked right now?"
"When you put it that way..." He pulled me into a deep kiss, tasting of expensive champagne and desire.
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