Jamal waited nearby with my luggage and motioned toward the elevators. We rode up in comfortable silence.
“You in town from far?” he asked.
“Atlanta.”
“City girl,” he said. “You’ll sleep good up here. It stays quiet at night. Stars show out.”
“I hope so,” I said. “I could use some real rest.”
He opened the door to my suite and rolled the cart in. The room was warm and decorated with neutral colors. It held a king-size bed, a sitting area, and glass doors that opened to a balcony. Snow dusted the railing outside.
“Anything else you need before I head back down?” he asked.
“No, this is perfect,” I said, tipping him. “Thank you, Jamal.”
“Anytime. Enjoy your stay, Ms. Winters.”
I walked further in, admiring the look of luxury around me. Cabin eight looked unreal. High-beamed ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling window that opened to the mountain view, a fireplace burning low, and the bed could easily fit three people. Thebathroom had a glass shower big enough to explore somebody’s son in. The soaking tub sat beneath a frosted window, already calling my name.
“This was definitely worth the two-hour plane ride and forty-minute drive,” I whispered.
I tipped the bellman, locked the door, and unpacked enough to feel grounded. I hung my robe, set my toiletries out, added a soft playlist to the room, fixed my curls, touched up my makeup, and put on a coat. The night felt too peaceful to stay inside.
The bar sat near another fireplace, warm and low-lit. I slid onto a stool, easing out a long breath.
“What can I get you tonight?” the bartender asked.
“I’ll take a lemon drop. Heavy pour.”
She nodded. “You look like you need it.”
“I really do.”
While she prepared the drink, my eyes drifted across the room. I wasn’t searching for anything. Just taking in the atmosphere, the glow, the way everyone here moved slower than the world I came from. That was when I saw him. Damn!A man stood at the far end of the bar. His presence hit me before my mind finished taking in the details. He stepped into my space without even touching me, and damn… he wasfine. Tall and built like he bench pressed for a living. His sweater clung to a wide chest and arms that looked strong enough to lift me without breaking a sweat.
His skin was a warm, smooth brown that made the firelight behind the bar hit him just right. His beard was clean and shaped, framing a jaw that looked like it stayed clenching when he was irritated or when he was turned out. His eyes lifted to me, slow and intentional. They were dark, focused, and unreadable. My kitty purred at the sight before me causing me to squeeze my thighs together. I didn’t look away and neither did he. The room faded around us for a few seconds while we stared at each otheracross the bar.Lord, this man is fine as hell!My drink hit the counter, but I didn’t even glance at it. His eyes were still on me, and I wasn’t breaking that first.
“Anyone sitting here, sweetheart?”
An older gentleman eased onto the stool beside me. Black, mid to late fifties, silver at his temples, suit fitted just right. He smelled like cologne and bourbon.
“You are now,” I said, pushing my drink coaster over a little.
He chuckled. “I’m Raymond.”
“No—” I almost said, then caught myself. “Elise.”
He raised a brow. “You had to think about it.”
“It’s been a long day,” I deflected, taking a sip.
“You here alone?” he asked.
“For now.” I kept it short and simple.
“First time at Winter Haven?”
“Yeah. My best friend forced me to stop working and come breathe.”
