Rocky Mountain Holiday (To Love Again Book 4) (8 page)

She watched them make their way to the stairs. “They make a nice couple, don’t you think?”

“They both look happy, that’s for sure.”

“We should finish up and get going, too. Don’t you work tonight?”

“I’ve got a few hours. You must be tired.”

“Exhausted actually,” she laughed. “Now that I’m sitting, I’m not sure I can get up again.” She dug in her pocket for money, but Tray beat her to it, adding bills to the pile already on the table and placing the empty pitcher on top to hold them down.

“So,” he smiled, leaning in, “tomorrow night, the regular guy is back at the bar. I’d love to take you to dinner.”

“I’d like that, too,” she said, her stomach fluttering. This man truly was yummy, she couldn’t wait to see him again when they weren’t wearing so many layers of clothes. She pecked his cheek. “I had a lot of fun with you today. Just what I needed.”

He grinned and cupped her cheek so he could kiss her, leaving a faint taste of beer and lip wax on her tongue. “Wait ‘til you see what I have in store for us later. I lined up a surprise for Thursday that you’re going to love.”

“Really?” Her interest was piqued.

“It’s a surprise, but I was hoping we’d all go. Barry, Valerie, Kip and Jenny. Maybe your daughters could come?”

“Depends what it is. Hard to convince them to do anything with me these days.”

“Hmm, so I’m going to have to tell you?”

“I’m afraid so. I promise to act surprised on Thursday.”

He caressed the back of her neck. “A friend of mine owns a dog-sledding company. I’ve arranged for us to have four sleds for the day.”

She grabbed his arm. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” she cried. “I heard it’s a blast.”

“It’s a riot, you’ll love it,” he said, stroking her wrist. “Do you think they’ll come? I mean, if you want them to come. How do you plan to handle the me and you thing?”

She shrugged. “I’ll probably downplay it for a while. They’ll figure it out on their own soon enough. But I think they’ll want to come for that. I’ll talk to them tonight.” She rose and started to collect her things.

“Let’s grab our skis” he said. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

DECEMBER 29 ~ EVENING

“Of course we’ll come,” Jenny mumbled, around the pins in her mouth. She was finishing the French braid in Isabel’s hair. “Kip seems game for anything - and you know I am - but surely you can tell
me
what we’re doing?”

“Tray swore me to secrecy,” she laughed. “All I can say is you need to dress warmly, we won’t be moving around much. Bring plenty of clothes and a scarf for your face.”

“This gets curiouser and curiouser.” Jenny surveyed her work and picked up a small mirror to show her the back. “What do you think?”

She turned her head, left to right, so she could get a good view in the mirror Jenny was holding. “I love it. It’s perfect. Can I get up now? I’m getting nervous.”

“Nervous? It’s not your first date,” she laughed.

She shrugged and stood. “I know, it’s just, we haven’t had any private time together for a while.”

“Oh, that kind of time,” laughed Jenny. She was cleaning up the counter in front of the large mirror, placing bobby pins back into a small container, pushing the brush and comb off to the side. “Why didn’t you say so?”

“I thought I just did.” Isabel sat gingerly on the edge of the bed. “It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I can’t wait to be with him again. I’m practically jumping out of my skin.”

“Why bother with the hair then if you’re just going to want him to mess it up?” Her friend rolled her eyes, then sat beside her on the bed. “I love seeing you so excited.”

“Thanks,” she said, brushing imaginary fluff off her dress. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but yesterday Tray and I had a bit of a misunderstanding.”

“Really?”

“Yes, something the girls told me. I found out he’s been in town since Sunday night - they saw him at a party with the waitress from the bar.”

“What?” Her forehead creased and she turned, giving Isabel her full attention.

“It turned out to be nothing. But we didn’t go to the hill together yesterday. I was ditching his calls and ran into him there.”

Jenny’s eyes widened. “I wondered. You were planning to work yesterday.”

“I was too upset to work. Figured the fresh air would do me good.”

“What did he have to say?”

“Turns out he had a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

Surprise danced across her friend’s face. “Do tell.”

She shrugged. “He was picking up the bar owner’s niece from the party, as a favor. And he didn’t tell me he was here early because he didn’t want to distract me from working.”

Jenny grinned widely. “And you believed him?”

Her heart sank, a hollow pit forming in her stomach. “Is there something else? Was I stupid to believe him?”

“No, honey, that’s not what I meant.” Jenny reached an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “Don’t you see? It didn’t become a crisis. You didn’t run to me, you didn’t back off. You faced him, let him explain himself, and didn’t close down.”

Isabel thought for a few seconds, recognition slowly dawning. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Yes, Issy, you’re starting to trust him.”

Her eyes welled up. Jenny was right. “I am, aren’t I?” Her stomach dropped. “Oh no, what if he rips my heart out?”

Jenny tightened her grip on her shoulder. “Don’t go there. It’s a good thing. I’m so proud of you.” They sat together quietly for a few seconds until Jenny stood. “I better leave you to the finishing touches before your date gets here.” She winked.

Isabel bounced up off the bed and gave her a big hug. “Thank you.”

She held her at arm’s length. “You look incredible. What time do we need to be ready tomorrow?”

“Tray’s text said we’ll meet in the lobby at 10. Remember, warm clothes.”

“Yes, Mom.” Jenny laughed, striding into her room and pulling the door closed behind her.

~~~

Tray retrieved his credit card from the discreet leather pouch on the silver tray and smiled across at Isabel. The candle light softened her features and she looked like a young girl. She was positively beaming. “Did you enjoy the meal?”

“Every bite,” she smiled. “Thanks for calling ahead to order the souffle.” She licked her lips, comically. “It certainly lived up to its reputation.”

“Please don’t lick your lips like that in public.”

“Like this, you mean.” Wiggling her brows, she ran her tongue over her lips again, this time more seductively.

“You’ll be sorry when I get you alone.”

“And when is that going to be? Anytime soon?” She nudged his leg under the table with the toe of her shoe, then ran her foot up his shin. The effect was instant and electrifying.

Tray rose and extended his hand to her. “Soon enough?”

She took his hand and allowed him to draw her into an embrace. He pulled her close and brushed his lips across her forehead. Turning to the windows, they took one last look at the Christmas lights sparkling throughout the town below.

“Thank you for dinner, Tray,” she said, softly. “It was a beautiful meal.”

“I didn’t notice the meal so much,” he smiled. “But
you
are certainly beautiful tonight.” He leaned in to kiss her, surprised she responded so willingly in such a public setting. There had been a shift in their relationship. It had been subtle after their talk on the ski hill yesterday, but tonight there was no mistaking it. She was letting down her guard with him. Finally.

He guided her through the dimly lit dining area, noting several men taking appreciative glances at her as they passed. She looked gorgeous this evening. Simple black dress that hit mid-thigh, silver jacket, understated accessories and her striking curls partially braided with strands loose around her face. He straightened his back and strode, tall and proud, with her on his arm, through the open doorway to the waiting jeep. He helped her up into the passenger seat, and palmed a tip to the valet before climbing in behind the wheel.

“Where to, milady?” he asked, pushing the gear shift into first.

She grinned wickedly. “Home?”

“Yes? You don’t want to go for drinks?”

She reached over and squeezed his leg, sending another surge of energy to his groin. “I have beer at the room. Some scotch, too.”

He didn’t need a second invitation. It had already been a couple of weeks and as good as she looked in that little black dress, he was damned sure she was going to look better out of it. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately. How he longed to tell her how he was feeling, but he knew she needed him to reveal his emotions slowly. For now, he’d have to communicate them to her in other ways - in the bedroom. “Let’s go,” he said. He released the brake and starting the long drive down the icy hill.

~~~

The desk lamp was still on. The scotch bottle and glasses filled with melting ice abandoned on the table. Her clothes were strewn about the floor, as were his. Over Tray’s shoulder, she caught her reflection in the window over her desk. She wondered if anyone could see in. They were on the fifth floor, so it seemed unlikely, and they were far enough back from the window.

They were sitting in the middle of the bed. Her legs were wrapped around his hips, her arms around his shoulders. He was nibbling her neck and rocking into her. Each stroke seemed to fill her more and more until she thought she would burst. They’d been rocking for a long time, the energy and bubble around them continued to build. She didn’t want to speak, didn’t want to think, she wanted only to be in this moment, feeling him pulsing into her center, clenching and holding him. She never wanted to let him go.

She shifted and leaned back slightly, placing her hands on the bed behind her. Raising her hips to meet him, her head fell back in ecstasy. Ecstasy. Being with Tray was all she’d ever wanted. He groaned, his hand guiding her ass, pushing himself still deeper inside her.

He pushed again and stilled. She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. He stared into her eyes, as if he was staring into her very soul. Her being reached out to him. She saw her love mirrored in his eyes and felt him willing her to acknowledge it. She smiled slightly and moved her hips slowly, gliding him fully out and fully back into her. Her eyes brimmed with tears. She needed him to fill her, to ravage her, to keep her close forever. She wanted to remain joined with him in the most primal way.

Tears blurred her vision and his eyes were glassy, too. He pulled her close, held her as if she might disappear before his eyes, and pushed repeatedly into her. Their cries mingled as her release exploded around him and he came deep within her.

Sated and exhausted, they fell sideways onto the bed, still joined. He peppered light kisses along the top of her head, and she snuggled into that crook between his chest and shoulder where she seemed to fit perfectly. She couldn’t fight it any longer. She was falling in love with him. She cursed herself for being too cowardly to say it. She would tell him on New Year’s Eve, she decided sleepily, when the clock struck twelve. She kissed him lightly on the shoulder and drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep.

DECEMBER 30 ~ DAY

“Nobody else knows where we’re going, Mom?” Karin leaned forward between the seats to look at Isabel. “Not even Jenny?”

Isabel shook her head. “Not even Jenny.”

“You should have surprised us, too, Mom.” Shelly leaned forward, pushing Karin out of the way.

Isabel laughed and rolled her eyes at Tray. “Would you have come if you didn’t know where we’re going?”

“Probably not,” they agreed. “Last night, one of the guys told us he did this last winter and it was really awesome.”

Tray piped in. “It is awesome, you’ll love it.” He slowed to take a side road. A huge billboard with a sled and dog team stood at the entrance. “Guess the surprise ends here.”

“They’re still behind us?” Isabel checked for Barry’s SUV. It was right behind them, Kip and Jenny in the back, and Valerie riding up front with Barry. At the end of the road, they parked beside a small cabin with wood piled along the side. Within seconds, they were gathered behind the Jeep, everyone talking at once.

“Dog sledding?” Kip clapped Tray on the shoulder. “Great surprise.”

“Really,” said Jenny. “I’ve never done this.”

“And she’s done just about everything,” laughed Barry. He turned to Valerie. “First time for you, too?”

Valerie nodded. “First time. Thanks so much for inviting me,” she said to Tray.

“Thank Barry, it was his idea.”

The door of the cabin opened and Tray’s friend greeted them. “You guys suited up out here?”

“Just about. Everybody got their gear?”

Karin and Shelly reached back into the jeep for hats and backpacks. Everyone else was set.

“Guys, this is Ken, he’s an old friend.”

“Really old,” Ken said, rolling his eyes as he pulled a red toque on over his balding head. He was a tall, lean man with a look of the outdoors and a weathered, yet kind face.