Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Are you having that right now? Because I’m absolutely having that right now,” he told me, pressing the elevator button for the penthouse level.
We’d been back at the hotel for only a couple of minutes, and I felt like a kid coming inside after playing for hours in the cold.
“Big time,” I told him. “I’m drunk. And cold. And wet. But somehow also happy.”
“I have plenty of water in my suite, if you need it,” Landry offered.
When we got off the elevator, I realized that the top floor hallway was much shorter than the other hallways, probably because there were only a few gigantic suites up at this level. We got to the door quickly and Landry beeped through using his key. “Of course, I also have single-malt scotch up here, and that’s what I’ll be tucking into. Because it’s still early, and I see no reason to end the night just yet.”
I felt a little fizz in my chest. “I like the sound of that,” I told him.
He pushed open the door to his room and for a moment I felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me.
This wasn’t just any hotel room.
Landry’s suite was bigger than some entire houses I’d been in.
A long hallway led down to a main living room area with a circular fireplace right in the center of the floor, the main centerpiece of the room. Behind it were walls and walls of glass windows, all looking out onto the incredible mountain views below. The living room had a long, white L-shaped couch tossed with blankets, pillows, and throws, and across from the living area there was a full-sized modern kitchen.
Landry walked in casually, thinking nothing of it as he peeled off his coat, turning back toward me as he led me to another short hall.
“Okay, we can work on getting your marshmallow jacket dried off,” he said, reaching out with his hand.
I’d been so wrapped up in looking at the suite that I’d forgotten how soaked my clothes had gotten.
“Oh. Right,” I said, snapping out of it. I pulled off my jacket and handed it to him, looking down at my jeans. “These are really more of an issue.”
Landry didn’t miss a beat, just nodding at me. “I have plenty of comfy pants with me. Might be a little bit long on you, but they’re comfortable as hell, and most importantly, they’re dry.”
I nodded. “That sounds good.”
He pushed open a door to a bathroom that felt more like a spa. At the corner of the bathroom there was a full-sized washer and dryer.
“I’ll go grab the clothes,” Landry said, rushing off to some other part of the suite.
I felt like I’d been launched into some other world, nothing like my own. Where everything was easy. Everything was provided. Things were taken care of, and all I had to do was ask.
He’s just a person, just like you, I tried to tell myself. He isn’t pitying you. He isn’t trying to rub it in your face. He just wants to help you dry your damn clothes.
When Landry came back through the door, he had a mischievous grin on his face. “I found the perfect set for you,” he said, holding out a big, white, thick pair of sweatpants with a big white hoodie to match. “For you, Marshmallow.”
I fought to keep a smile from my face. “God, I hate that nickname. And thank you, Landry.”
“Do you really hate it?”
“Half of me does,” I said, taking the sweatpants and hoodie from him. “And half of me kind of loves it every time you say it.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” he told me in that deep, velvety voice that was starting to sound so familiar to me. “I’ll be out on the couch, the fire will be crackling, and I’ll have a drink with your name on it.”
Changing into the dry, fleece-lined clothes was the best feeling I’d had all day. They were a bit big on me, but it only made it all the more comfortable.
For whatever reason, I was in this beautiful suite with this kind, gorgeous man. And maybe it was the alcohol in my system, but some part of me felt different tonight.
Okay, let’s do this, I thought, looking at myself in the mirror. Already, I was getting nervous, but trying to let it melt away.
Tonight, it’s time to make a move.
What’s the harm in a little flirting?
6
LANDRY
I took a long, slow sip of scotch as Jamie came out into the living room, the clear ice cubes clinking in the short glass. I was thinking only one thing: do not hit on him. Do not hit on him. No matter what, do not hit on him.
His hair was all ruffled up from wearing a hat earlier tonight, and the wild tufts of hair only made him more attractive. He looked cozy and goddamn adorable in his makeshift marshmallow sweats set, and I let my eyes travel up and down his body as he walked over toward me.