Chapter 9 #2
Still, she was determined not to be that type of woman. She had plans for her future, and those goals didn’t include getting entangled with any man, especially one like Drew Steele, a hard-core womanizer who loved the life he lived and wouldn’t change it for anyone.
Though, she guessed she couldn’t blame him. After all, she had no intention of changing for anyone either. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy each other’s company…and maybe a bit more, did it? She honestly couldn’t believe what she was thinking.
But the truth of the matter was that she was considering it, mainly because at twenty-one, she hadn’t experienced any of the things Sophie had begun doing at nineteen.
Eventually, she would get around to having sex with a man, so why couldn’t it be now, with someone she was attracted to, someone who would move on when she did?
Unlike the women who wanted Drew’s blood in Charlotte, she would take him at his word that he didn’t want anything beyond however long they had right now.
He was a pleasure man, not a forever man.
And that was exactly what she needed right now.
All she wanted was enough time in his bed to see if all of Sophie’s claims about sex were true. And if anyone could show her, Drew was the guy. Then she could go to Paris and live her life as an international model who wasn’t na?ve, at least, not where men were concerned.
There was no doubt in her mind that during her time in Paris, she would likely attract the attention of a would-be lover. And she needed to understand the difference between fantasy and reality when it came to sharing a man’s bed. She didn’t think that was too much to ask for.
Eden knew something was wrong the moment Drew opened the car door, slid behind the wheel, and looked at her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“They don’t have any extra rooms.”
She lifted a brow. “None?”
“Not a single one.”
“Oh. What are we going to do?” she asked.
“The good thing is that the room my secretary reserved for me is a suite. I understand it’s pretty spacious.
Although it has only one bedroom, it features a sofa bed and a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, and is located in a separate area of the lodge for added privacy.
But I would understand if you were uncomfortable with sharing. ”
Eden fought back a smile. This couldn’t be any better if she had written the script.
“It’s your suite, Drew. It’s up to you if you’re okay with sharing.
I don’t have a problem with it. We’ve been sharing space in your truck for the past four days.
How do you feel about it?” she asked, although she knew sharing space in a truck was nothing like sharing space in confined quarters like a suite.
He met her gaze and held it for a moment. “I don’t have a problem with it if you don’t, Eden.”
“And I don’t. We’re adults. I know you won’t force yourself on me.” But that didn’t mean she might not feel inclined to force her way on him, she thought.
He started the car. “The lodge is on the other side of the main building. We’re in luck since it was designed for celebrities who preferred their privacy.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
Rounding the main building and then driving through a canopy of trees, they came to a stop in front of what looked like a mini lodge.
Because it still wasn’t completely dark, she could see the outside of the rustic building nestled behind a bevy of tall trees that tented over it like an umbrella, with an alpine lake behind it. It was a stunning view.
She turned to Drew. “You must have wanted a lot of privacy when you reserved this.”
“I didn’t reserve it. My secretary did. But I think she got a bit carried away. However, now I’m glad she did. It’s just what we need to stay out of sight for a while.”
Eden smiled. She would have Drew Steele all to herself in an isolated mini-lodge. Things couldn’t get any better than that.
“Are you ready to go inside?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“And by the way, it has a telephone you can use if you want to check in with your friend to let her know you’re safe. But I wouldn’t tell her where we are. The fewer people who know, the better. I bet your father is pretty pissed off by now.”
Eden could only imagine. “I would call Dad and tell him to back off, but he’d probably trace the call, so I’ll wait until I’m in Paris to reach out.”
Drew grabbed his duffel bag, then walked around the passenger side of the car to open the door for her. After placing her backpack on her shoulder, she got out. “Thanks.”
They strolled up the walkway together, and she stepped aside, allowing him to open the door and turn on the lights.
Eden’s breath caught, not only at the beauty of the inside of the mini-lodge but also at the view outside the wall-to-ceiling window.
It provided a panoramic shot of the alpine lake as well as the snow-capped mountains that seemed to reach the sky.
This was better than she had ever dreamed—it was the perfect romantic hideaway.
“This view is gorgeous,” she said, moving past Drew to stand in front of the window.
She knew the moment he came to stand directly behind her.
But not too close. Was she imagining things, or was she feeling heat emitting from his body?
This ‘sexual attraction thing’ was unfamiliar to her, but she intended to learn all about it, becoming aware of everything it was and whatever went along with it.
And she couldn’t think of a better partner-in-crime than drop dead gorgeous Drew Steele.