Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Shh.” My face grew hot, and I glanced around to make sure no one heard. “We’re supposed to behave this weekend.”
“Did I say I would behave?” His blue eyes sparkled. “If I did, it was a lie told before I saw you in that top.”
I laughed softly. “You make it hard to be good.”
He tipped up his glass again. “You have my key, right?”
“I have your key.”
“Use it, please.” He leaned closer, his knuckles brushing the tip of one breast as he whispered in my ear. “I will make it hard for you all night long.”
I wasn’t going to.
I swear to God, I was going to stay in my bed right next to Mabel’s all night long. We went up to our room around one, tipsy and laughing about it, removing our heels in the elevator and walking barefoot down the hall.
“God, I’m tired,” Mabel said, switching her shoes to one hand while she pulled the key from her purse. “I cannot wait to put my pajamas on and crash.”
“Same.”
We got ready for bed, and by the time I came out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth and taking off my makeup, Mabel was on her back beneath the covers, a satin sleep mask over her eyes. On the nightstand, her phone played soothing ocean sounds.
“Is the noise okay?” she asked, sliding her sleep mask up to peer at me.
“Of course,” I said, snapping off the lamp. “Goodnight.”
“Night.”
After tugging off my pajama pants, I crawled between the sheets in a T-shirt. I closed my eyes, but I could still see Dash above me in the dark. I listened to the waves crashing on the shore, but I could still hear him calling me his good girl. The minty flavor of toothpaste lingered in my mouth, but I could still taste his kiss.
I lasted about fifteen minutes.
Turning back the covers, I slipped out of my bed and tiptoed over to the dresser, where I’d set my purse. Digging around, I felt my fingers close around two different key cards and pulled them both out. With one last glance at Mabel, who appeared to be sound asleep, I moved silently on bare feet over to the door and opened it as quietly as I could.
Peeking into the hallway, I made sure it was empty before stepping into it and allowing the door to shut gently behind me. The moment it clicked, I went scurrying down the hall to room 310, waved the key card in front of the sensor, and let myself in.
Dash, already in bed, sat up and switched the lamp on. He was shirtless, his hair slightly tousled.
My breath came faster at the sight of him, and I whipped off my T-shirt. “I changed my mind.”
The following morning, I snuck back into Mabel’s room just as the sun came up. Opening the door as quietly as I could, I left the two keys on the dresser and tiptoed back to my bed.
“You can stop sneaking,” Mabel said with a laugh. “I’m not your mother.”
“Sorry. Did I wake you?” I slipped back into my bed.
“I heard the door just now. But I woke up a little bit ago and saw your empty bed. Out for a morning jog?”
“Exactly.” I pulled the covers up. “A little vigorous exercise to start the day. But it was more like horseback riding than running.”
“Ew!” She sat up and threw a pillow at me. “I told you I didn’t want any details. That is not a visual I need in my head.”
“Sorry, sorry.” Laughing, I flipped onto my side and snuggled in. “Do we have to get up yet?”
“No. I need at least three more hours of sleep. And then coffee.”
“Perfect.” I closed my eyes and inhaled, the smell of Dash still on my skin. “Wake me when you’re up.”
At seven o’clock that evening, Mabel and I sat side by side on two chairs in the refurbished lobby of Snowberry Lodge. The ceremony would take place right in front of the beautiful stone fireplace that dominated the high-ceilinged room. Devlin stood in front of it now, Dashiel right behind him—sexy as hell in his charcoal suit. Tonight he wore it with a white dress shirt that showed off his golden California tan and an indigo blue tie a few shades deeper than his eyes.
We’d chatted for a couple minutes before everyone took their seats, standing apart from the group, over by one of the large windows that looked out on the mountainside. “You look beautiful,” he said quietly, maintaining a respectable distance between us. “I love that color on you.”
“Thanks.” I looked down at the crimson halter dress with long flowing skirt I had on. “I like this color too.”
“It’s killing me that I can’t touch you.” His gaze traveled over my bare shoulders to the nipped waist to the V neckline.