All I ever wanted was for someone to see me for who I really am. Everyone has their own expectations and eventually I fell into those roles, giving them what they needed from me. No one makes me feel like I’m just being myself when I’m with them.
Except for Crew.
“Wren.” His deep voice pulls me from my thoughts and I glance up to find Crew watching me, his gaze steady, his expression serious. He touches my hair. Tucks a strand behind my ear, his fingers lingering. “I’m glad you’re coming with me. You need to get away from reality for a little while.”
“So do you,” I say, then I frown. “Wait. I’m still supposed to be mad at you.”
A sigh leaves him. “What did I do now?”
“You never responded to my text this morning. I was worried about you. I didn’t know where you were.” That’s another thing I’m not used to.
Caring about someone—a boy—and wondering where he is when he doesn’t reach out. I was truly worried. Even a little panicked. What if something happened to him? Something awful? The relief I felt upon first seeing him blotted out all of my anger and frustration.
But that’s all coming back to me now.
“I was in the admin office all morning. I didn’t get out of there until after lunch,” he admits, reaching for his champagne glass and draining it, as if he needs the liquor coursing through him to even talk about it.
“Why were you in the office?” I almost don’t want to know.
“I was being questioned by police detectives. About Figueroa.”
“Oh.” That sounds ominous. “Are they going to arrest him?”
“Probably. That’s half the reason I wanted to get away from here. I’m sick of dealing with that shit. Natalie and her lies. Figueroa and his sleazy ways.” His upper lip curls with disgust. “I can’t stand him.”
“Forget about him.” I pluck the empty glass from his fingers and return it to the table before I turn my full attention on him. “Let’s focus on the weekend. I don’t even know where you’re taking me exactly.”
“Manchester, Vermont. I hear they go all out for the holidays.”
“Really?” Excitement bubbles up inside me, much like the bubbles in my champagne glass. “And there’s snow? Mountains? Pine trees?”
He nods. “I’ve never seen someone so enthusiastic for the mountains.”
“I’m a city girl. My family never goes to the mountains.”
“Not even to Vail?”
“You sound like such a snob right now,” I say with a soft laugh. “And no, we don’t go to Vail.”
“You’re missing out then.” He doesn’t even seem offended by me calling him a snob. Not like I really meant it.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Crew nods, turning in his seat so he’s facing me more fully.
“Did you do this for me? This trip to Vermont? Or for yourself?”
He reaches for me, his hand landing on my cheek, his fingers stroking my skin, leaving me breathless. “I did it for you.”
I blink at him, my eyes wanting to fill with tears, though I don’t know why.
“I did it for us,” he admits.
Just before he kisses me.
WREN
The hotel is morelike a resort, and when we enter the lobby, I glance up at the giant wrought-iron chandelier hanging overhead, the heat from the nearby massive stone fireplace immediately warming me up. Outside the snow has already started, the flakes small but abundant, and I wonder what we’ll wake up to tomorrow.
I still can’t believe we’re here. Together.
Alone.
Crew arranged for an SUV to be waiting for us when we arrived at the small airport and I couldn’t stop staring at him as he drove the snowy roads with calm expertise.
Who knew I would find a man driving so sexy? The word sexy wasn’t even part of my vocabulary until a few weeks ago.
But everything he does is undeniably sexy. From the way he takes command of every situation to the smooth sound of his voice as he talks to the hotel employee, who is currently helping him. She’s an older woman with a sharp Vermont accent who seems quite taken with him.
I can’t blame her.
I go and wait by the fireplace while Crew finishes up with the front desk clerk, our bags near my feet. He makes his way toward me, two key cards clutched in his fingers, a faint smile on his face. When he gets closer, he hands one of the keys over to me.
“I upgraded us to the cabin suite,” he says.
“A cabin?” If it’s a log cabin, I will absolutely die of bliss.
“Yeah, it has a living room. A fireplace. Only one bed, though it’s a king.”
Nerves make my stomach flip but I push past the feeling. “That sounds nice.”
“I hope so. Ready to go?”
When I nod, he takes our bags and we go back to the SUV, hopping inside. He drives around the resort, and we end up near the back, close to what I assume is a lake, considering the snow-covered dock I see in the near distance. Once we’re parked and he’s shut off the engine, Crew turns to me.
“Let me go open the door, turn on all the lights, and bring in our bags. Then I’ll come out and get you,” he says.
“Okay.” I watch him climb out of the car, and open the back door. I can hear the sound of the snow pelting his jacket as he pulls our bags out and then he slams the door. He jogs toward the building directly in front of us and unlocks the door, slipping inside.
Lights come on from within, and in minutes, he’s back outside, heading toward the car, opening the passenger side door for me. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod and he takes my hand, shutting the door for me and leading me inside our cabin for the weekend. I like how attentive he is. It’s actually very…
Sweet.
The moment I’m inside, I spin in a slow circle, taking it all in. There’s a gas fireplace that Crew must’ve turned on when he first came in here, giving the space a warm, cozy glow. A stairway leads to what looks like a loft and I glance over at Crew to see him unzipping his duffel and pulling out a couple of liquor bottles he must’ve taken from the plane. “Where’s the bedroom?” I ask him.
“Up there.” He clutches what looks like a bottle of vodka and a bottle of tequila in each hand, nodding toward the stairs. “And there’s a bathroom up there too. Plus, there’s a small bathroom down here. And a kitchenette, though I doubt we’ll be doing much cooking.”
“I don’t even know how,” I admit.
“Me either. We could use some glasses though.” He lifts the bottles in his hands and heads for what I assume is the kitchenette.
“Looking to party?” I call after him.
“Whatever you’re up for, Birdy. I’m game,” he yells back.
I head up the stairs, a little squeak of happiness leaving me when I see the massive bed that takes up most of the space. There’s a giant faux fur blanket draped across the bed and I run my hand over it, marveling at the softness. “It’s so cute up here,” I tell him.
“You want that bed?”
I go to the railing, so I can frown down at Crew. “What are you talking about?”
“The couch folds out into a bed, if you’d rather I take that so you can sleep alone,” he suggests.
“Oh.” Our gazes collide and we stare at each other in silence until I say, “The bed up here is really big.”
“Yeah?” He shoves his hands into his jeans pockets. He already got rid of his jacket and beanie, while I’m still in my coat, and he looks so handsome in the black and gray flannel shirt. I’m so used to him always being in his uniform, it’s still a bit of a shock seeing him in regular clothes.
I nod. “Come up here and check it out.”
He does as I ask, his heavy-booted footsteps loud on the stairs as he heads up here. He comes to stand next to me, and I suddenly feel awkward. A little uncomfortable. Not because of him.
Because of my own insecurities and nerves over the sleeping situation.
“You’re right. It’s nice up here.” Crew goes to check out the bathroom. “I think this place was recently remodeled. Everything looks new.”
I follow him to the bathroom, silently agreeing with him. The marble countertops, the massive glass-encased shower and giant white tub, all of it looks modern and sparkly brand-new.
My imagination kicks into gear and I immediately envision the two of us sitting in the tub, Crew behind me, his arms wrapped around my middle, our naked, wet bodies covered in soapy bubbles.
I feel very grown up right now.
“I don’t want you sleeping on the pull-out sofa,” I announce.
His smile is slow. “Oh yeah?”
I slowly shake my head. “We can share the bed.” I exit the bathroom, and he follows after me. “Look how big it is. We have plenty of room.”
“Yeah, we do.” His tone is suggestive and my entire body flushes hot. I can’t even look at him right now.
I’m afraid if I do, he might tackle me onto the bed and show me everything he wants to do to me.
And I won’t protest. Not one bit.
He settles on the end of the bed, his legs spreading wide. “Come here.”
I let him snag my hand and pull me in close, letting go of his hand, so I can settle mine on his shoulders.
“You look nervous,” he says.
My smile is tremulous. “Are you surprised?”
Crew slowly shakes his head, his hands settling on my hips. “You need to relax. Want to order room service?”
I nod. “I’m hungry.”