"No luck today, huh?" She asks.
Warmth floods my face once again, and I look away from her to my now-cold coffee. She pulls my coffee mug away from me and returns a minute later with a steaming cup mixed just how I like it.
"Thanks," I mumble.
She walks away, but realizing many people know my business makes me nervous. I spend the better part of two hours chatting with the Grangers, and thankfully, no one brings up my would-be love life again.
My mind, the traitor that it is, doesn't stop putting images of the innocent angel, Marci Sweeney.
She deserves better than an old, broken man like me.
Chapter 3
Marci
It's Christmas Eve, and the weather forecast is dire. I've managed to drive myself to the Snowcap Inn on the treacherous roads of downtown Hope Peak. I'm freezing to death in this skimpy outfit, but there's no going back.
I made my decision to seduce Jacob Barnes, and now I'm going through with it. It all starts with a surprise that I'm setting up at his suite in the Inn. I asked around, and he's lived here for years.
I don't know why he hasn't gone down the traditional path of all mountain men and built his own cabin. I've seen him do carpentry for folks around town, and he's overall very handy. A hand-built cabin isn't too far or a reach for a gruff man like him.Yeah, he's rough around the edges, and that's one of the things I like about him.
As I pull my bag out of the trunk, I look around to see if anyone is paying attention to me. This side of the Inn is not as full as the ones with the lake view. I tiptoe towards Jacob's room like a cartoon burglar and place my overnight bag on the floor.
I check again to see that the coast is clear and take out my lock-picking gear. These locks are old and are easy to open. My grandfather taught me how to pick a lock when I was seven. He spent a lot of time babysitting me back then and thought I needed some real-world skills.
Yes, my grandfather used to be a thief and a con artist, but I loved him with all my heart, and that's all that matters. Today, I'm reaping the benefits of my early education. I grab my bag and enter the suite as fast as possible.
I set my things near the little living room and scope out the place. I bring my bag with me and start putting small candles all over the dining and coffee tables. I have some sexy things to eat off each other's bodies and place them on that same dining table.
There are so many things in this bag that it surprises even me that I could carry it. I throw down some rose petals, which cost me quite a bit to ship here, and make a pathway from the front door toward the bedroom.
I take off my coat and place it over the back of the suite's sofa bed. I check my makeup in the mirror and give my reflection a double thumbs up. My stomach fills with butterflies as I lie down on Jacob's bed. I practice several poses, but nothing feels right.
As I look out the bedroom window, I realize the snow seems to be coming down hard now. I send up a prayer that Jacob arrives soon. If we're going to be snowed in, I want us to be together in this warm, beautiful suite.
I try to send my friend Sasha a message, but the reception is really bad right now.
My nerves are getting the best of me, and I wonder if I should take a sip of the cider I brought for us. I decide to drink some of it as liquid courage.
Cider seems safe enough to drink, right? I've never been a drinker, but I wanted something bubbly to celebrate that was affordable. I've already invested quite a bit in the sexy clothes, the candles, and everything else.
Three glasses later, and an hour has passed. It's approaching ten o’clock, and Jacob isn't here yet. I'm really sleepy, so I snuggle under the red throw I brought for the bed. I make sure I don't disturb the rose petals scattered on the bed, and I close my eyes for just a few minutes.
The warmest lips wake me up. This kiss has an urgency, and I give myself completely to it. As I open my mouth to receive an exploring tongue, I start making whimpering noises. That's when I'm dropped back onto the bed, and my lips are cold again.
I open my eyes and see Jacob standing over me, and I smile at him. I reach for him, but he steps back as if I'm someone dangerous.
"What are you doing here, Marci?"
"Surprise," I say. My voice slurs from the cider.
I start removing the throw from my lower body, and Jacob puts his hands on top of mine to stop me.
"Don't. You need some clothes."
I sit up in bed and try to grab him again, failing.
"These are my clothes. Let me show them to you. I know you'll like them."
