Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 37751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“This conversation will be shorter than that.” She crosses her arms. “So, anyway, allow me to lay down the groundwork…”
Her lips are moving, but I’m not paying attention to any of the words that fall.
When she finally stops, she tilts her head to the side.
“Did you hear any of what I was saying?”
“No, but you can repeat it for me when I finish.”
“You’ve been standing there thinking about a shower?”
“Exactly,” I say. “I need an extremely cold one if I’m going to be able to focus on anything other than fucking you.”
Her jaw practically unhinges.
“You’re more than welcome to join me.” I walk past her. “Otherwise, I’ll see you in an hour.”
“I thought you said you only needed half?”
“That was before you demonstrated how wide your mouth can open.” I wink at her before heading to the bathroom. “I’ll come out when I’m finished.”
THIRTEEN (B)
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
GEORGIA
When I return to the suite, Dominic is standing outside on the balcony. Shirtless and in plaid flannel pants, he’s sipping coffee while staring at the mountains.
I clear my throat as I approach, and he turns around with a smile.
Okay, Heart. You’ve seen him a million times at this point. Cut it out.
“Are you ready to talk to me now?” I ask him.
“Yes.” He sets down his cup. “I’m listening.”
“Okay, great.” I cross my arms. “Do not leave this room under any circumstance, unless I give you permission.”
“Come again?”
“Do not leave this cottage.” I enunciate every syllable. “There is nothing for you outside these four walls.”
“I just booked a private tour of the ski slopes.”
“Well, I’ll gladly cancel that for you,” I say. “You can’t be trusted without me by your side, and I can’t afford for you to give anything about this plan away.”
“Is your family actually buying the name mixup thing?”
“That’s none of your concern, Office Guest.” I keep my voice firm. “For the record, that’s how I’ll refer to you whenever we’re alone, so we can keep our boundaries drawn and clear.”
“I’m not answering to that, Georgia.”
“You will need to hold my hand whenever we’re in public together, since I previously told them that you’re a gentleman, and you’ll also need to do all the chivalry shit that’s on the list I wrote in the app.”
I wait for him to object, but he doesn’t.
He steps closer and looks deep into my eyes.
“Anything else, Georgia?”
“Yes.” I point to the bedroom. “Since there’s only one bed in this suite, I’ll be sleeping on it.”
“No, we’ll share it.”
“In that case, I’ll sleep on one of the couches.”
“Why?” he asks. “The bed is an Alaskan king. It’s more than big enough for two people.”
“I don’t share beds with random strangers.”
“You didn’t feel that way when we were sharing a sofa in my office last year.”
“To be honest, I wouldn’t share an ocean with you right now.”
“I promise I won’t touch you.” He brushes a few curls away from my forehead, and my heart beats stupidly again. “Unless you want me to.”
“You know what? I just remembered something.” I step back. “I’m supposed to be at a private party with my sister right now.”
“Savannah would never party during the daytime.”
“She’s a different person now,” I say. “She’s not an unbearable workaholic anymore.”
“If you say so.” He looks at me like he knows I’m lying. “Where is the room key?”
“You don’t need that since you’re not allowed to leave.”
“I’m leaving this room at some point.”
“Not unless you want to be locked out of it.” I turn away from him and rush out into the hallway.
This was going to be a lot harder than I thought.
FOURTEEN
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
DOMINIC
Are you coming back to the cottage tonight?
Georgia
Nope.
Where are you sleeping?
Georgia
Far away from you.
I’m leaving the cottage in the morning to walk around the estate. Can you bring it back by then? (Why does the front desk have a “Do not copy this key or you’re fired” note on this cottage?)
Georgia
Tomorrow isn’t a good day for you to leave the house. (Why did you call the front desk at all? You don’t need to talk to them.)
Bring back the key by then.
Georgia
I’ll let you out when it’s time. You have no leverage here. Goodnight. <3
FIFTEEN
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
GEORGIA
A couple of days later
I used to give all my family members the same thing for every Christmas: a handmade “rescue” sweater in a shade of their favorite color. Most of the time, they complained about it, but they never understood my reasoning.
I knew they’d re-gift it to someone who truly appreciated the craft of a handmade sweater, but more importantly I wanted to win our traditional family game of Dirty Santa.
Tucking my newest present under my arm, I take a deep breath before stepping into the main lodge.
“About time you showed up!” Taryn waves me over. “I think I’ve guessed about fifteen presents so far, and with any luck I can guess the rest before the game officially starts.”