Page 62 of Unwrapped

“Good. Get out. Now!”

Federico doesn’t need to be told twice.

I turn my treasure in my arms, lift spread her legs and hoist her up only to let her butt fall on a cold granite counter.

“Don’t play with me again. You won’t like the punishment.”

She’s quiet which is a first. I quirk an eyebrow, nothing to say, sugar?”

“Sally’s coming.” I hear the feet on the stairs as well.

“So?”

My lips fall to her neck, giving her a nip. “Mine. We made a pact last night. Are you already backing out on me?”

“He’s nice.”

“Fuck nice. You’re a girl who needs naughty.” With one last, nip at her earlobe, I back off and wipe my spilled coffee before Sally notices and kicks me in the pants.

“Good morning!”

“You slept in.”

“I was up with the birds in my office. I’m short some supplies and need to go into town before the storm hits. You two are on your own for lunch.”

“I already know what I’m craving.” The heat in my gaze could melt ice caps as I take in the bloom of color spreading across Shiloh’s face.

She turns, pours herself more coffee and makes some excuse to hightail it back upstairs.

“Be good.” Sally watches me closely.

“I’m always good.”

“Bullshit.” She pretends to sneeze.

“You want me to drive you?”

“I’m old not incapable.” She huffs, fixing coffee in a to-go mug.

“Never said you weren’t.”

“Watch out for her. She’s had a rough go of it.” Sally points to the ceiling.

I move to the window, frowning as I lift my mug. Shiloh’s becoming a puzzle. But just what is she running from?

My hands grip the ax tight as I raise it, bringing it down hard. The log splits, one half of it rolling into the snow.

I know she hears me, splitting logs outside her window. The curtain might’ve moved a few times. But she’s still hiding. From this. From us. From the promise she made to me.

The clouds hang low and the sky is nothing but gray. Sally was right a huge snowstorm is forecasted. We’ll need enough wood to keep warm especially if the power goes out. I already gathered rock salt and shovels. Flashlights and batteries. Being stuck alone here at the inn with her…is an unexpected gift. I’m going to find out all her secret thoughts…her secret fantasies… and how she feels when she comes. I’m going to drown in her until the new year. Hell, if things go well…maybe we’ll make it an annual thing.

Satisfied I’ve chopped enough. I stack the logs against the back of the house and cover them with tarp.

Swiping the sweat from my brow with the bottom of my shirt, I unlace my boots and enter the quiet hotel. A nagging suspicion flits through my mind: How is it that Shiloh and I are the only guests checked in? And where in the fuck is the staff?

My socks are silent as I stride through the downstairs to the small office tucked in the back.

It’s locked.

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