Chapter 29
ADAM
A storm is brewing at the Lodge, dark clouds ready to dump feet of snow down across us. Which means there’s a big influx of visitors arriving just in time to miss it.
Guests flood the Lodge.
I’m used to being in charge, making things happen, creating order out of chaos, but even I’m feeling the strain from this one.
They had reservations at a resort hours away but needed to find shelter before the storm caught them on the road.
The lines are long, and we need a strategy.
I catch Gabe as he’s coming out front to help. “Take Jacob and go help Greyson grab the extra supplies we’re going to need tonight. Sandy and I will man the front.”
Because there are only two computers up front for check-ins, and I want to be in charge of finding everyone a room in case there’s some pushback.
It’s hard to argue with the owner.
And logistics are my bread and butter.
First thing’s first, I talk to the person in charge.
How many groups do we have?
Her name’s Janice, and she’s well prepared with a list and everything.
We exchange a knowing smile and compare the list to the open rooms I have left available.
While Janice and I pour over the best options, I keep an eye on Drew as she dives in to chat with the visitors, talking up the possibilities when the storm is over—the festival, the skiing, the attractions downtown.
She’s teasing and laughing with the kids, making and dispensing hot drinks.
She pitches in like she belongs, and I find myself watching when I should be working.
But I’m proud of her—and protective when two of the single men obviously hit on her.
Mostly, I want to be out there with her, pulling her to my side, staking my claim on her with my touch, sneaking her off to a private corner for a kiss.
I’m hungry for her in ways I haven’t been since I was a teen.
Only it’s worse now.
Because it’s more than mere desire. I don’t think I’ll ever find a woman like her again.
It makes me a bit desperate not to lose her. And it’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve ever been this desperate.
Janice smiles at me, gaze flicking to where Drew is talking animatedly about what I can only guess is the town. “Got it bad, don’t you?”
I meet her bright eyes and smile back at her. My head tips to the side in agreement. “Worse than you can imagine.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I’ll get everyone organized so we can get them settled, and you can get back to her.”
I laugh softly and nod. “Sounds like a plan.”
Janice works through her people, as Sandy and I hand out room keys and take credit cards.
It takes a little more than an hour and a half to get everyone situated.
In the process, I’ve lost sight of Drew, but she emerges from the side stairwell with her arms overloaded with blankets.
I’m on my way to her before I can stop myself.
When she trips, I catch her around the waist before she can fall and the blankets tumble from her grip.
She’s steady against my chest though, and she’s looking up at me with big eyes.
Everyone sees, and I don’t care.
I want to kiss her, so I do.
Short and sweet and zapping me right to my core.
She’s partly dazed as she looks up at me, but the longing she gives off is exactly the reaction I need from her right now.
It gives me hope that she’s leaning more toward staying than leaving.
“You should be more careful, princess.”
“The blankets would have cushioned my fall.” But she’s grinning, almost back to her old self.
“Mmm. Not likely.”
Pushing at my chest, I release her and help her take the blankets off the top and hand them out to patrons before gathering the ones that touched the floor and disappearing to wash them.
She doesn’t need to, but I’ve already sent home half of the staff, so I appreciate it.
I don’t want to make her feel like an employee, or like she’ll need to work here if she stays, but I’m into the thought of her being comfortable enough to just jump in and do it.
Once the guests clear the lobby, I send all nonessential employees home. We don’t have the rooms leftover for anyone to stay.
“Hey, boss. I’ll stay at the desk tonight,” Jacob offers. “You can let Sandy go home to her family. I could use the overtime.”
Giving him a tap on the shoulder, I agree. “Sounds like a good plan. Go ahead and tell her. Make sure the girls in the cafe are out of here in the next half hour, too.”
“You got it.” He winks and heads off to do his job. He’s a good kid. Good employee. He’ll get a nice bump in his bonus this year for the initiative.
By the time everything has settled, the storm is raging and it’s a blanket of white outside.
Not safe for anyone else to leave.
I go in search of Drew, going down to the laundry to find her moving blankets from the washer to the dryer.
Her hair is pulled up from her neck, and I’m drawn to that slice of her bare skin.
Snaking my arm around her waist, I settle against her back and press a small kiss to the back of her neck.
She shivers, straightening against my chest to look up at me. Her cheeks pink and hair mussed, Drew looks so alive that it makes me a little bolder. Not that I need much of a push.
I take the blanket from her hands, and my mouth descends on hers. She opens to me immediately, and I’m lost in her. Her mouth is sweet from the peppermint candies we keep upstairs for guests.
God, this woman. She is everything.
Her body molds against mine.
There’s no way for me to let her go. It’s not possible.
If I need to buy the publishing company she worked for and move it here in Pinebrook, I’ll make it happen.
I spread kisses down her jaw and throat, her moan echoing in the laundry room.
Drew spreads her hands over my sides and around my back to keep me close.
I murmur against her skin. “I need you.”
I lift my face to hers, and I see the wilderness in her eyes.
A bang resonates through the room, and I’m reluctant to release my hold on her.
“Looks like you’ll have to wait. We still have things to get done.”
Shaking my head, I lean in. “That’s not what I meant.”
But I kiss her gently and start the dryer before I escort her upstairs.
Gabe and Greyson are the only two lingering in the lobby, staring out the windows at the complete white out.