Page 33 of Snowed In with the Bosses

“Put your hand in your pocket.” She motioned at my hand. “Like that.” Her eyes widened. “Yep. Sexy as hell.”

“Good to know.” My phone trilled, and I snapped it up with a grin. “Harvey? Good news?”

“I’m landing now.” Thewhomp whompof rotor blades tore through the phone.

“Get your shit and let’s go.” I spun my finger around in a whirling motion. “My helicopter’s here.”

15

CLARA

What was happening? One minute I was having a moment with Alexander and the next we were climbing into a helicopter. I mean, I knew Alexander had his own private chopper…but this? I barely had time to feel the swoop and dive as it lifted into the sky and swept us away. Alexander settled a headset over my ears, and the three men talked and laughed over the noise. Not me. I was too busy watching Silverbrook disappear beneath us. Mountain peaks rose all around, the white glare of snowcaps intimidating and enthralling me. I squeaked when the helicopter dropped and clutched at Liam’s arm.

He patted my hand. “It’s okay. We’re almost there.” His voice sounded different through the headset, smokey and dark but with that same laughing lilt that made him the most approachable of all three men.

We landed in a flurry of snow atop a high roof in an unfamiliar landscape. I peered around Alexander’s shoulder when he dropped to the ground and held out a hand for me. Liam removed my headset. I’d forgotten it in my shock and awe. “Where are we?”

“My home away from home.” Alexander took my hand and pulled me along the roof, through a metal door, and into a spacious room with a domed roof filled with skylights.

Plants covered one wall in a massive tangle of ivy and blooms as big as my hands. It smelled exotic, a mix between tropical islands and rainforest. “How? Where?” Words failed me.

The door closed with a solid thud behind me. I turned and caught Ethan shaking snow from his hair and flicking the melting droplets at Liam.

“Welcome to Chalet Alexander.” Liam spread his arms wide. “We’re a few towns over from Silverbrook. In a quaint little place where Alexander likes to retreat to when he wants to be left the fuck alone. His words.” Liam punctuated the phrase with a pointed finger at Alexander.

“Why don’t you call your mom, then meet me in the next room.” Alexander’s smile was a soft, beautiful thing, the kind of smile that turned my bones to mush and made me willing to say yes to anything.

My phone sat heavy in my hand, and I turned away from them as I dialed. Mom kept the conversation brief, reassuring me that she was safe and they had everything they needed. Bridget had stayed through the storm, and they were having a great time. The laughter in her voice reassured me more than anything. That and the minute-long rundown Bridget gave me. By the time I ended the call, I felt at peace with the situation. I took a few seconds for myself and enjoyed the beauty of the room around me before opening the door and stepping into another magnificent room.

My jaw fell open at the sight spread out in front of me. I’d stepped onto a balcony of sorts, though it was big enough to be its own room. A foyer stretched out below me, so vast and bright that I blinked to clear my vision. “Am I hallucinating?”

“Depends.” Liam strolled over, Alexander and Ethan behind him. “What are you seeing?”

“This is incredible.” Hallways stretched out to the left and right of me, each ending in a staircase that wound around the edges and ended in the foyer. I expected doorways in the halls, but there were only four when a place this size could hold two dozen. “And I want to explore every inch.” I paused and curled my nose. “After I take a shower.”

Alexander’s laugh cracked the air. “I think we’re all ready for a shower. Pick a room.” He held out both arms. “There are four on this floor, each with their own private bathroom suite. Harvey and Marissa will be back soon with clothes for everyone.”

“Clothes?” I risked a glance at my rumpled business attire.

“Don’t try to fight him on it,” Ethan warned. “He’s in problem-solving mode. I suggest you let him spend his money. You won’t regret it. I know I don’t.” He winked.

Alexander flipped him off, which made Ethan and Liam burst out laughing. I’d never seen this playful side before. It rattled me in a curious sort of way. I needed time away from them to sort out my thoughts.

“I’ll take this one.” I picked a room at random and opened the door.

Alexander stopped me from closing it with a hand on mine. “Liam is going grocery shopping in an hour. I offered to let Marissa handle it, but Liam has his heart set on cooking tonight and wants to pick the ingredients himself.” The gentle smile returned, and in it, I saw his love for Liam. “Is there anything you want him to pick up?”

“I’d like to go with him.” This place was getting to me. I couldn’t wait to explore, but at the same time, I wanted to escape the fairytale long enough to do something completely mundane and normal. Grocery shopping sounded perfect. “Will you tellhim to wait for me?” Both Liam and Ethan had disappeared into rooms on the other hall while Alexander blocked my doorway.

He nodded, his head canted to one side. “Sure. Enjoy your shower.” A flash of a smile followed the statement. “I would offer to join you, but then you’d miss your shopping trip.”

A flutter of desire banked low and hot. I tempered it with a promise of fulfillment later and closed the door.

An hour later, freshly scrubbed and wearing the clothes I’d found on the massive bed when I came out of the equally ginormous bathroom, I made my way down the stairs while trying to keep my giddiness tightly under wraps.

Liam lounged in a chair off to the left, his legs stretched out in front of him and a relaxed smile in place. “You look amazing.”

“I feel amazing.” It was easy to admit to Liam. “Does he do this often?”

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