"Amazing view," he said, looking back out the window.
"Yes, one of our very best," the bellhop said as he placed our bags on the floor just inside the door. "There is a small kitchen to your left, bathroom with large jacuzzi tub right over there," he said, pointing to a door, "and in here is your bedroom, complete with fireplace and California-king bed."
I couldn't help but take a peek into the bedroom. I could see the ski hills from there as well, and the fireplace in the bedroom was lit as well, casting a soft glow over the room. "It's beautiful," I said, smiling, coming back into the sunken living room and running my hand along the back of the couch.
"Sir, I see you have ski time booked tomorrow morning at nine. It’s quite a distance. Will you be needing a shuttle down?"
Maddox turned and looked at me and I nodded. "Yes, he will." There was no way I was letting him out of skiing. He had been so good to me over this trip. "Is it possible for you to arrange that for him?" I questioned, waiting for the bellhop to answer.
"Yes, absolutely, miss."
Maddox cleared his throat. "Actually, is it possible for you to move my ski time to say eleven?" he asked, looking over at me.
"Certainly, sir. I will be here to pick you up a half hour before. What time shall I send breakfast?"
Maddox looked to me and I to him, then he shrugged. "Nine-thirty?"
I nodded, staring back at him, as if we were the only two in the room.
"That sounds fine, sir. I'll just leave the keys to your room here," he said, setting them down on the table that sat inside the door. "Have a good night."
We both stood staring at one another, neither of us saying anything, as the bellhop walked to the door and let himself out.
The second the door was closed, Maddox walked over to me and took both of my hands in his. "You know, I don't need to ski tomorrow. It is New Year’s Eve, after all. We can always do something else."
"Oh, but you do. I have a spa day planned, a mud bath followed by a massage with essential oils, and then we will party the night away." I smiled, meeting his eyes. "Now I should go unpack our things."
I went to walk away, but Maddox stopped me, putting his arms up on either side of my head and leaning against the wall I was standing in front of, blocking me in. I could see a playful glint in his eyes and could feel my body begin to respond to the sexual tension between us.
"Maddox, it’s been a long day...please. I’m exhausted. I just really want to get this done so I can relax," I said, clasping my fingers with his.
"We can't have that," he whispered and brought his lips to mine, wrapping me in his arms.
"Can't have what?" I asked.
"Have you getting irritated? I can hear it in your voice," he whispered.
I could feel his breath on my cheek and a surge of electricity ran through my body.
As his tongue parted my lips and washed through my mouth, I closed my eyes. His kiss made me forget everything that I had been planning to do. I brought my arms up around his neck and relaxed against the wall. He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, then swept his tongue through my mouth again. He lifted me off the ground and carried me into the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.
Maddox
New Year's Eve
I stood in the lobby of the main lodge with a drink in my hand, while people from all over the resort were heading into the event hall for the New Year's Eve celebration the ski resort was putting on. I'd finished skiing earlier than expected and made my way back to the room to get ready while Tess was still at the spa.
"Another drink, sir?" a young woman asked, holding out a tray of drinks.
"Thanks." I switched my empty glass for a full one and then glanced down at my watch. It was almost seven. Dinner was going to be starting soon. I did not know why she wasn't here yet, and I ran my hand through my hair in frustration as I tried to calm my nerves, when I turned around to see Tess slip into the building.
My eyes instinctively ran the length of her body. She looked stunning in the black dress she wore, and my eyes danced over her curves. She looked around the room, searching the crowd, her eyes brightening the second they landed on me.
"Hey, sorry, I had trouble with the zipper on this dress," she said, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as she took a glass of champagne from a server.
"You should have called me. I could have helped you with that zipper." I winked, placing my hand on her lower back.
She crinkled her nose. "Not sure that was the type of help I needed, but thank you." She giggled, taking a sip of her drink, meeting my eyes.