Chapter 3
LAILA
Iwas extremely nervous about this weekend while I was packing last night and getting ready this morning. Now that Devin and I have talked for hours, though, I have a pretty good feeling about the trip.
Of course, I’m not really a people person, so this is still going to be a stretch for me. But it also feels like stepping outside of my comfort zone could be exactly what I need.
When we pass the sign for Wolfe Mountain Chalet, Devin stops in the middle of the road. “Crap. I almost forgot.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a slim white gold ring. “I really hope this fits.”
A jolt of adrenaline zips through me as Devin takes my right hand, slipping the ring onto my third finger. “It’s perfect,” I murmur. The unbelievably fine filigree pattern of leaves glows as I turn it in the soft light of a sunbeam.
“Good. It was the only thing in the store that seemed right for you.”
It’s touching that he was thinking about me, not what would impress his coworkers. It feels like a sign that this weekend is going to go well, as long as we don’t get caught.
“If anyone asks, you never wear your engagement or wedding rings on vacation,” he says with a grin.
“Oh, of course not.” I wave my hand, admiring the ring. “That would be a whole other floater insurance policy, wouldn’t it?”
Devin grins, drawing my eyes to his perfect jawline. I’ve never thought of a man as both rugged and beautiful at the same time. It’s a dangerous combination that’s making it difficult to calm the butterflies having a dance party in my stomach.
He drives carefully up the winding, snowy road. “So, I probably should have cleared this with you earlier. Since we’ve been married for a year now, it will look better if…”
The way he trails off makes me look over to him. “You mean, you’ll need to hug me, sling an arm around me…casual affection kind of thing?”
“Yeah.” His extraordinary brown eyes lock on mine for a moment. “Is that going to be all right?”
“Sure, no problem.” I’m impressed that my answer is so immediate. “I’ll play along.” There’s what might be a sultry look in his eyes a split second before he turns away. I hope I’m not imagining it.
“I’ll be a gentleman, of course,” he continues. “But for the next few days, I’m your man. So opening doors, carrying bags, all that stuff… I’m going to be caring for you.”
My entire body shrinks into the seat. I’ve never had a man care for me, especially not a huge, gorgeous man like this, and I’m surprised by how much I like it. “That would be nice. I mean…I’ve been on a few dates, but nobody has ever…”
“Felt right?” Devin parks the car, then turns to me with a smile. “Yeah. Me either. And why waste time on someone you don’t connect with, right?”
“Right.”
Devin opens the door for me and carries our bags as we trudge through the snow toward the chalet.
It's beautifully old-fashioned and charming, like a Swiss hideaway in the Alps, with gingerbread woodwork and bits of stained glass at the huge oak door.
Several chimneys are sending up delicate wisps of smoke.
The snow dusted trees act as a fence, sheltering the chalet from the worst of the wind.
When we go inside, I’m pleased to see the Valentine’s decorations are very subtle. A heart-shaped wreath of branches and red berries on the front door. A few flower arrangements in pink and white. The red tablecloths and runners could be left over from Christmas. Not a single Cupid in sight.
The next fifteen minutes are a blur as I meet a large chunk of the company all at once: Eva from accounting and her husband Mark, who cannot wait to hit the slopes together.
Lawrence and his wife Janine, excited to go cross country skiing as soon as the sun is up.
A few more couples whose names fall out of my head the second I’ve heard them.
Everyone seems nice, and excited for this getaway. They're also dressed in that business casual look that has always amused me.
I follow Devin to the front desk to check in, and he nudges his elbow against mine. "I caught you stifling a giggle. What's up?"
I release a bubble of laughter. "It’s the whole upscale casual Friday thing. Everyone is trying to look as understated as possible while accidentally revealing how expensive their clothing is. It's all gray and cream and smoky blue, but designer everything."
Devin laughs with me. "Excellent point. Am I blending in okay?"
I swallow hard. The button-down shirt slightly stretched across his shoulders and chest has been attracting my attention during the entire drive.
"I do like that chocolate brown color on you.
" I lift my gaze to meet his and feel another family of butterflies warming up for a tap dance routine in my stomach. "It accents your eyes."
He grins, tapping my elbow again. "I'm just happy to hear you're checking out my eyes. I should have brought my blue pj’s to match yours."
We burst into laughter, together with the lady at the desk who clearly heard the last bit of our conversation. Her eyes are bright and friendly, and she wears her auburn hair smoothed back in a neat bun.
“Hello,” she says warmly. “I’m Mrs. Harrison. You must be Devin and…Laila, is it?”
“Yes.” Devin confirms his information and she hands him some old-fashioned room keys.
“Wonderful.” She beams in a motherly way that makes me think she’s worked at the chalet forever. “You’re going to love the food this weekend. Our usual cook is on her honeymoon, so we’ve called back one of our previous gals. Rosa is an expert on ridiculously cozy food in the winter.”
“Sounds great,” Devin says with a grin. “And did I see there’s a library where Laila can get a little work done?”
“Yes indeed.” Mrs. Harrison gestures to the right. “Second doorway, the room with the giant bookshelf and a small bar. Feel free to move the chairs and tables around however you like. Cooper always keeps a small fire going in there, so you’ll be cozy.”
She smiles warmly at me. “We walk by often, and if you have your nose in a book, we won’t disturb you. There’s a selection of whisky in the bar, and if you need coffee, tea, wine, or anything else, just holler.”
“Thank you.” I return her smile. “That sounds perfect.”
As we turn toward the stairs, it hits me that Devin and I are going to be sharing a room. Somehow, I've managed to ignore that part. Am I nervous? Kind of. I get the impression that Devin will do everything he can to make sure I’m comfortable, but I tend to be nervous about new things in general.
And sleeping in the same room…the same bed…as a gorgeous, hot man is definitely new.
I carry my shoulder bag as Devin takes the rest of our luggage up, then unlocks the door. His palm briefly skims along my lower back as he leans down to murmur in my ear, "I feel like I should be carrying you over the threshold."
A quick glance up and down the hallway confirms we’re alone. Still, I tap his bicep. "That's wedding nights, silly."
We enter the room and slide our luggage out of the way. The room is old-fashioned and elegant, with heavy wooden furniture and charming ivy-patterned curtains. There’s even an arrangement of pink roses in an antique glass vase on the dresser.
"That fireplace works, apparently," Devin says, nodding to the firewood stacked neatly by the grate. "If we get sick of the social events, we can say that we don't have a fireplace at home and want to make the most of this one."
"Good idea."
He slips his arm around my waist, and my head falls against his chest so naturally it's as if we've made these exact motions hundreds of times.
"I really can't thank you enough for doing this, Laila. If anything makes you feel awkward, please don't hesitate to say so."
My chin tips up and I smile. “"The same goes for you. If anyone corners you in a boring work conversation, feel free to use me as an excuse to escape."
The heel of his palm runs small circles around my lower back. "Maybe I have to get you a glass of water immediately, because you sometimes faint if you don't stay hydrated enough."
I nod. "Or too much bright light sometimes gives me a headache, since I read so much. I'll play along with anything you like."
I might imagine it, but the corners of his jaw seem to tense up a bit.
“Showtime. Cocktails in the dining room. Shall we?” he asks.
"Sure."
A few minutes later, we’re being handed goblets of frothy pink liquid. I take a sip, then nod. “Mmm. Fizzy raspberry wine coolers. I’m so glad these are back in fashion.”
Devin takes an experimental taste, followed by a larger gulp. "You're right. These are fantastic."
We look around to where most of the men are gravitating toward the bar, chatting about various scotches and whiskeys. The women, meanwhile, are clustered near the huge window, chatting and admiring the faint dusting of fresh snow that is beginning to fall.
A tall, elegant woman turns to Devin. "I'm so glad you were able to make it. And this must be your wife?"
Devin's ankle taps mine, and I nod. "Hello, I'm Laila." I shake her hand warmly. "I’m guessing you’re Callan. I've heard so much about you and Jim."
Her eyes light up. Then she waves to a man who returns the gesture, a glass of whiskey in his hand. "That's my Jim," she says to me. Then she lifts a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at Devin. “You're not a whiskey man?"
He shrugs, grinning. "I'll try a bit of everything. Honestly, these raspberry sparkles are quite refreshing after a few hours in a car."
Callan looks back and forth between us for a moment, reading our body language. Maybe we’re a bit stiff or standing too far apart for her taste.
Devin catches it too, and glances at me for help. I quickly reach out and give his perfectly sculpted ass a light smack. “He always complains that too many hours in the car flatten his butt. Maybe after a couple of these fizzy drinks, he'll start dancing and shake it out."
Callan laughs so loudly that Jim's head snaps around in surprise. Devin slips an arm around me, nuzzling my ear. "Now, baby, my coworkers don't need to see how you keep me in line."
The heat of his body against mine makes my heart flutter. Then my stomach. Then… lower. If this innocent touch sends me spiraling, it’s going to be one heck of a weekend.
Callan laughs even harder. I feel like I've scored major points, not just with her, but with Devin. I don't know why, but I feel like I'm breaking out of my shell with him. I feel free to say and do anything, and my usual shyness is fading away in his presence.
That’s going to be extremely convenient when I'm curled up in bed with this beautiful hunk of a man tonight.