I stared at the alpha. His eyes were rather pretty, and he didn’t have that frown that a lot of alphas seemed to naturally possess. That resting predator face. I didn’t appreciate the hard looks like some easily titillated omegas. And possibly it was why I was still single.
“Well?” the clerk prompted.
The alpha stepped up. “It’s okay. He doesn’t have to. I’m desperate but not enough to force someone to room with me.”
Taking deep breaths through my nose, I surveyed the room. Everyone looked grumpy and exasperated, but this guy had still managed to maintain some patience. Plus, he was human, which told me he might stay more to himself. Humans and shifters respected each other but mostly stayed in their own communities. He might be the best bet I had. Maybe he was the quiet type, too, and I’d still have some peace in the coming days.
I pushed myself to my feet and nodded. “I’m Aspen. Maybe we can try this for a day and see how it goes.”
“If there are any problems,” the clerk said, “we can certainly revisit your stay. And your bill.”
“Pleased to meet you, Aspen,” Dale said.
No red flags. Yet. He didn’t seem like the serial killer type. But who could ever know what lurked behind friendly blue eyes.
I grabbed my suitcase and followed Dale up to the front. The clerk quickly processed our room, switching it to what he called“a luxury cabin” and calling it a “fairy tale setting.” He gave us a map and showed us where we could park closer to our living space.
Soon I was following a stranger’s car to the place we were going to live for the next two weeks. It was surreal. It was a short drive but during that minute and a half I changed my mind half a dozen times, almost turning around and heading straight back home.
The cabin appeared in a tiny grove. A snow-shoveled path led to the cutest, A-frame gingerbread house with white trim on the windows and a front door that was curved on top. It had a big wreath hanging in the center, and twinkle lights along the icy eaves.
It was just turning dusk outside. The sky grew darker by the minute.
I parked my car alongside Dale’s and got out. I rolled my suitcase up onto the path.
Dale came up beside me with an almost identical suitcase. “It’s just like the website photos.”
“Really pretty,” I added.
“Let’s take a look.”
I nodded slowly. I couldn’t help but think I could have had this all to myself if someone at this establishment hadn’t so colossally screwed up. The silence was amazing. The snow had piled up in pretty waves and hillocks, just like a Christmas card. The cold scent of winter pine intoxicated me.
Dale was the first to reach the door. He used the Winter Wonderland app on his cell to unlock it. When the door opened, warm air rushed out over our faces. Someone had already turned on the heat.
Inside was a spacious room, all wood, with thick throw rugs on the floor, plaid curtains on the windows, and fairy lightgarlands strung to frame a large fireplace. As Dale flipped the switch, they came on with the overhead lights.
I had pictured a space that was small and confining. But this room was quite large. A couch and coffee table in front of the hearth separated that area from the sleeping area, giving it a feel of two rooms. There was even a little Christmas tree in one corner.
The closet was open, and large enough for two. On the far side, an open door led to a connecting bathroom. I walked over and glanced in. It had two sinks, a shower and a tub. Also, larger than I’d expected.
“It’s adorable,” Dale said.
“I have to admit I agree.”
He turned to face me. “Are you sure you’re all right with this?”
I couldn’t help but glance at the bed. It was a king, but still it was the only bed. Like a whipped cream delight, it sported an all-white fluffy comforter and piles of pillows at the head.
“I guess. It’s really nice.”
“I’ll try my best not to get in your way.” Dale’s mouth lifted in a small smile. “I’d planned a quiet vacation away from everything, and I’m guessing you did, too.”
“Yeah. Watch movies. Sit in front of the fire. Catch up on my sleep.”
“Same.” He paused. “But look. There’s a couch. I can sleep there.”
I frowned. “That wouldn’t be fair.”
