“Afternoon,” I greet, suddenly remembering I didn’t fix my hair. But Elias just returns my words and nods.
With the fresh snowfall, the grounds look prettier. Movement from behind us sees Luca stepping through the door, holding out a mid-layer jacket.
His.
“You’ll get cold. Put this on,” he suggests easily.
“Thank you, Mr. Wolfford, but I’m used to the cold.”
“Put it on,” he reiterates more firmly. “It’s snowing.”
When Elias nods approvingly, I take the proffered jacket, trying not to inhale the material up my nose by how good it smells. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Wolfford,” Elias begins. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay.”
“Thank you, I am.”
“I’m sure Winter is taking good care of you.”
Luca smiles politely at Elias, but I see the playful twinkle he fails to hide. “Everything’s perfect so far.”
So far.Why do those words fill me with dread? Why do they have me second-guessing my blind trust in this man?
A dirty, black SUV pulls up the winding hill. “There they are,” Luca announces.
Once they turn into the designated lot, Luca heads toward the vehicle. Two men exit the car, shouting their hellos and grabbing bags from the trunk. Slowly, with my heart rhythm out of sorts for reasons I can’t quite grasp, I make my way towards them.
Watching their easy camaraderie and exchange of small talk is fascinating. Who are these men? How do they dovetail into Luca’s life?
Luca flicks his gaze over my head, presumably to Elias loitering under the protection of the porch. But then his gaze finds me. “Guys, meet our cabin manager, Winter.”
The nearest guest turns to me. He’s big, easily six-four, with an impressive physique hidden under dark jeans and a ribbed sweater. Light, golden brown hair is styled messily across his head, the tips still bronzed from the summer.
“I’m Brecken. Good to meet you.”
“Hello, Brecken,” I reply. “It’s good to meet you too. Welcome to Stein Hotel.”
He has a reserved smile, almost non-existent in fact, as his analytical, smoky-blue eyes sweep over me. Hoping I measure up to whatever he’s expecting, I smile warmly, telling myself that I am absolutely not overwhelmed by him already. It’s not his stature that has me wobbly-kneed, but the deadly handsome features that make up his face.
He isstunning.
Our gaze locks for a heartbeat too long, my blood feeling thin and fast.
I turn to the third guest and the hits just keep coming. Also knock-out hot, he gives Regé-Jean Page a run for his money in the sexy AF category. His skin is light brown, his face expectant and friendly. His thick black hair is an even length all over, a small widow’s peak evident. Eyes the color of warm honey settle on me, an easy, dimpled smile forming.
“Welcome to Stein Hotel,” I enthuse, as he tells me in a British accent, “Hi. I’m Reuben.”
Oh yeah, that accent islush.
Leaving Elias to introduce himself before departing, I lead them indoors. While Luca shows his friends to their rooms, I start unpacking their ski kit in the boot room. They spend quite a while upstairs, and I wonder if that’s because they don’t want me to overhear their conversation. And if that’s the case, does that mean they’re talking about me? About what Luca and I have been up to?
When they return downstairs, Reuben is extremely enthusiastic about the hot tub and deck views, while Brecken just takes it all in quietly.
“Would you like some refreshments?” I offer, listing all the options available as I take up position behind the island. Creating distance might be helpful, reminding me of the necessary professional barrier.
“Are we taking a quick look around, or waiting until tomorrow?” Reuben asks Luca who’s positioned himself opposite me.
“Snow’s lighter than earlier, so let’s go before it gets dark.”