"True." My gloved thumb sneaks inside her scarf to run along the side of her throat. “But you should know that I’m thinking very wholesome thoughts about you at least some of the time.”
Her breath catches. “What about the rest of the time?”
“Those are thoughts I should maybe keep to myself a bit longer.”
She smirks. “What about that absolute honesty clause?”
“Shit.” Stepping back, I shake my head. “That’s going to bite me in the ass, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But that’s not the point.”
“Fine.” I straighten up and look her right in the eye. “I’m currently enjoying a full range of interesting thoughts concerning you. Including getting you a mug of hot cocoa before you freeze your cute butt off.”
Laila grins, tossing the part of her hair that is sticking out of her purple wool cap. She skis back onto the center of the trail, and together we head back to the chalet.
A short blonde woman is setting out a cocoa and dessert station. “You must be our chef, Rosa,” I say with a bow. “Your cooking is amazing.”
“Yes, thank you,” Laila chimes in. “Everything has been wonderful since we arrived.”
Rosa beams. “That’s so sweet of you! I love when Mrs. H. calls me back here for a few weeks now and then.” Her eyes twinkle. “Especially for a romantic occasion like Valentine’s Day. There’s a bit of magic in the air at this chalet.”
She darts off to what I assume must be the kitchen, and we grab some cocoa and sit on the loveseat by the fire. It’s peaceful to just be quiet together for a bit.
Laila is becoming more comfortable with me, which feels like a great sign that we might last beyond this weekend. Still, I’m not sure how to say that I’m already seeing us becoming a real couple.
“Wow,” Laila whispers. “It feels like we’re alone in this huge building.”
I rub my knee against hers. “You don’t get scared in big old buildings, do you?”
“Even if I did, I wouldn’t with you around.” She grins. “And definitely not in the library. Such a good, cozy vibe in that room.” Her gaze darts to the large antique clock on the wall. “I should take a quick shower before lunch.”
I chug the last of my cocoa, then stand up. “May I join you?”
I expect Laila to smack her fingers playfully on my arm. Or giggle. To assume that I'm joking, not realize how hopeful I am.
Instead, she stands up, looking up into my eyes. "Devin?" she asks hesitantly.
"Yes? I'm serious about wanting to shower with you. But I don't expect you to do anything like that so soon."
She blushes faintly, shaking her head. "That's not it."
"If you think I'm simply concerned about conserving water…" My hand slips around her hip, gently caressing the curve of her ass. "Of course I'm a dedicated environmentalist, but really, I'm just dying to see you naked. To touch you everywhere. To hear what little noises you might make when you’re soaking all over."
Her breath catches, and her blinking becomes fluttery. Then she lifts her chin. "That's not it, either."
"Sorry. Go ahead."
Her hands slowly slide up my chest to meet around the back of my neck. "I guess I just…" She looks around to make sure we're completely alone. "I need to know…um… Is there a chance you might call me on Monday?"
I’m an ass.
I should have said something the second I was sure that, on my side at least, this relationship would extend beyond this weekend.
I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her close. "Oh, beautiful, please don't think this is just for the weekend. I mean, if you want that to be the case, it can be. It’s up to you. But afterI drop you off on Sunday night, I'll be texting you within an hour with ideas for dates later in the week."
I grin at the way she smiles up at me. "I know this is a strange start to our relationship, gorgeous, but I think it's going to be amazing."
"I've never met a guy as open as you are," she laughs, then suddenly freezes when a guy in work jeans walks by us with a friendly nod.
