Page 77 of Mr. February

“Elizabeth’s assistant?”

“Yes, as you know, he made our reservation. He messaged me earlier to say he’d been watching the weather and thought we should wait out the storm. The highway’s expected to shut down, and you know Texas only has five snowplows for the whole state.”

Jenny snorted at his joke.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Jenny asked.

Wade looked sheepish.

“Before I dropped off our coats, I extended our reservation through the weekend. They’ve had a lot of cancellations, but I wanted to make sure we got a spot first. Maybe that makes me a jerk for not telling everybody else, but…”

His voice trailed off, and he looked away.

“What aren’t you saying?” she asked softly.

“You matter more to me than a bunch of strangers. I’m a good driver, but as a native Texan, I don’t have a lot of experience in the snow. I don’t think it’s safe for us to be on the roads tomorrow. This wasn’t a trick to keep you here, though I’m thrilled to spend more time together. However, we don’t have to hang out together if you’re already tired of me.”

“Are you crazy? I love spending time with you. The more I’m around you, the more I like it, and the more I like you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Jenny grinned like a fool, but she didn’t care. The hubbub receded, but all that mattered was her and Wade. She was curious how things would be between them when they were back in their normal environment rather than this in-between world. But right now, it seemed like a gift to have more time together. Alone.

JENNY

“Shh,” Wade admonished her with a laugh of his own.

Jenny covered her mouth with her hand, but more giggles erupted as they walked down the longest hallway in the world to reach their suite. The last few hours had been chaotic. Since theydrove and didn’t need to make travel arrangements, they waited on hold for some who did and assisted in other ways.

Once everyone at their table had a new plan for dealing with the exuberant winter weather, they collectively relaxed and enjoyed a second round of deserts and drinks provided by the hotel.

As Mr. Simmons said, the conference numbers had dwindled already. Nearly a third of the attendees left after the last conference session earlier that day rather than pay for another night’s stay for the last two sessions. It was hectic and loud, but the atmosphere was surprisingly jovial, all things considered.

Lost in her thoughts, Jenny tripped over her trailing pashmina shawl.

“Careful, darlin’,” Wade said as he wrapped the material around her shoulders. “I don’t want you to fa;;. I promised you a foot rub.”

Wade apologized earlier for not consulting her before renewing their hotel stay. After getting Robert’s message, his immediate priority had been to extend their reservation. Due to the earlier reservation snafu, he worried that even a few minutes’ delay would cost them their chance.

Jenny understood his rationale and would have made the same choice. However, she teased him that he could make it up to her with a foot rub. It never occurred to her that he’d be interested, but he jumped at the opportunity.

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” she said in a husky voice.

Wade’s eyes dilated, and his nostrils flared.

“Let’s get you off your feet then,” he said.

He offered his arm, and he guided her swiftly down the hallway. Jenny thought she should be nervous, but she wasn’t. The erection he sported made it clear that he wasn’t faking his attraction. That went a long way to soothing her nerves.

Inside their suite, Wade guided her to the couch where they’d already made some exciting memories. He draped her pashmina over the couch’s arm.

“Would you care for a drink? Water, cocoa, some wine?”

“Actually, a cup of hot cocoa sounds amazing.”

Jenny excused herself to use the bathroom. After she freshened up and brushed her teeth, she grabbed some of the condoms from Gloria’s stash and tucked them in the phone pocket of her leggings.

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