Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Somehow, I keep walking instead of melting into a puddle. We’re shown to a booth in the restaurant; Matteo gestures to me to sit and then takes the spot beside me. Fiero slides in to sit exactly opposite me with something approaching a smirk on his face, seemingly unbothered by his brother’s maneuver. And it’s true that while Matteo can press his thigh against mine – and wastes no time in doing so – Fiero dominates my field of vision.
The rest of the world falls away as the two of them command my focus. No matter how warm I am from my contact with Matteo, it’s hard to take my eyes off his brother, who watches me with such steady concentration that I almost forget how to eat. But Matteo, with his words, his touch – the way he offers me a bite of food, his gaze fixed on my mouth as I open it to accept the tines of his fork – constantly recalls my attention to himself.
What’s that phrase? A charm offensive? But this is more than charm. It’s hot-blooded Italian seduction, and it’s driving me mad.
Despite the brothers’ vow not to order dessert, our waiter brings us one, “compliments of the house.” It’s a decadent treat starring melted dark chocolate, and the brothers take turns feeding me bites of it until I hold up my hands for mercy.
“No more, please. It’s too rich.”
“You should have rich things.” Fiero smiles, but his eyes are serious. “The best of everything.”
I blush at his words, even as I’m faintly alarmed at their implication. This is a temporary relationship with a man who’s only going to be here for a few months. Why does he sound like he might be falling for me?
It’s his nature, I decide. Italian men are probably this intense about every relationship, even one that only lasts a few days. I’ll just accept it for what it is and not read too much into it.
So I smile and raise my glass of water. “I do have the best. I have both of you.”
I can’t quite read the look that flashes between the brothers. We leave our booth in silence and make our way back to the lobby.
Care to Share?
“What now?” Matteo says.
I tap my chin as I think. “The owners are planning an ice-skating rink, but it’s not finished yet. A lot of the indoor facilities are reserved for guests who are staying in the resort. We could sit by the fireplace in the lounge and watch the outdoors, or drive into town and look for something to do there.”
Before either of them can respond, Katie joins us. “Thanks for the dessert,” I say with a smile. “It was amazing.”
“You’re welcome. Did you enjoy your walk?”
“Yes,” Fiero assures her. “We have, of course, the most beautiful view whenever Dani is near, but the surroundings here are very appealing.”
I can’t help blushing, and Katie shoots me a look that says I need details, STAT! My answering look promises I’ll fill her in soon.
“Do you have a few minutes?” I ask her. “We were going to sit by the fire and take in more of the view.” I glance at the men, who give me twin nods of assent.
“Sure.”
We go into the lounge, but it’s packed. “I have an idea,” Katie says, and leads us to a private suite, only partly furnished and clearly unoccupied.
It has its own fireplace with a stone chimney and floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out onto a patio area that’s enclosed by the resort’s buildings. The patio is dotted with trees and has a few tables and benches, all of them coated with a soft layer of white.
“This was my dad and Gwen’s suite when they lived here,” Katie explains. “Since they’ve moved into town and we have our own place, it’s empty for now.” She doesn’t explain the we, and the men don’t ask, though I can’t help wondering if Matteo is remembering Thanksgiving dinner.
The men politely insist on getting the fire going, so Katie and I claim a loveseat directly in front of the fireplace, leaving armchairs empty on either side of us. Neither of the brothers looks entirely pleased that I’m sitting with Katie, but I’m glad they don’t have a chance to compete in front of her.
“How is Sasha doing?” I ask as we settle in.
“Ready to pop,” Katie says laughingly. “She’s not due for another few weeks, but she’s huge. Twins, of course.”
“Of course,” I agree with a grin.
It’s starting to snow again, big fat flakes drifting down in silence. “There’s nothing better than sitting by a fire while it’s snowing,” I say with a happy sigh.
“Yes, there is,” Katie corrects me. “Sitting by a fire with a hot drink. What’ll you have?”
“Oh, hot chocolate, please.”
The men agree, Katie sends a text to someone in the kitchen, and a few minutes later, we’re all sipping from steaming mugs of hot cocoa, each with a dollop of whipped cream. “Now it’s perfect,” I say. “What do we owe you for the drinks?”