Page 17 of The Bear's Fated Mate
Shimmering Delights
Our world-class spa and retreat centre is delighted to welcome you. Prepare to be immersed in pleasure.
Please contact us to arrange your date of arrival and the bonus relaxation packages that suit you best. We look forward to hosting the most memorable weekend of your life.
Lara stared at the card. She read it again.
She picked up the envelope—addressed to Ms. Lazuli of Midnight Inc. The only other details were on the back of the card. The usual fine print disclaimers regarding no cash equivalent, the prize must be taken as presented, yada, yada, yada.
She typedShimmering Delightsinto a search engine. Two minutes into perusing the website, she was drooling. It was not only a real place; it was the closest thing to heaven on earth imaginable.
Only…
Was the certificate for Crystal or for her? Why was this in the Orion pack mailbox without a specific name? More importantly, was the spareallya spa, or a front for something more nefarious? Money laundering. Smuggling.
Suspicions rising, Lara phoned the number on the card.
“Shimmering Delights. This is Vanessa, how can I make your day more enchanting?”
Lara jammed her lips together to stop from snickering. Okay, they were right on brand but still… “I’m trying to track down if this is a real gift certificate or fake.”
“I can definitely help you with that,” Vanessa said, reassurance and soothing calmness in her tone. “If you could check on the back side of your card, upper left corner, there will be a six-digit alphanumeric code.”
Lara flipped the card over, astonished to discover a code exactly where Vanessa described. She read it out loud.
“One moment as my system brings up the information.”
Waiting patiently was not Lara’s strong suit. Not with her entire system buzzing with need.
Thankfully, Vanessa reconnected a second later. “Do I have the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Lara Lazuli?”
Aaaand Lara was back to being suspicious. “How do you know that?”
“The information I have on file for that code says you are the recipient of a Weekend Indulgence package. Data also tells me you entered for a chance to win six months ago while attending an open house in Toronto. The Futures in Tourism event.”
Wow. This was legit. Lara clearly remembered wandering that fair and stuffing her name and contact information—via Midnight Inc. for security purposes—into every prize box possible.
She blinked a few more times then allowed happiness to grow. “Well, I guess that’s actually me. Go figure, I won something other than a stuffed bear at the country fair.”
“Wonderful. Then shall we select a date for your trip to Shimmering Delights?” Vanessa returned smoothly. “We’re booking right now for next March.”
Oh my God,no. That was seven months away. No way would she last now that the possibility of massage and hot tubs had been offered.
Before Lara could speak, though, Vanessa perked up.
“Hang on. I see there’s been a cancellation for this weekend, starting tomorrow. It’s for the Grand Salon. I can’t imagine anyone else will book on such short notice. I can offer an upgrade if you’re interested. No charge, of course. Does that work?”
Lara would make it work. She dashed the date across the bottom of the card followed by a series of exclamation marks. “I’ll be there with bells on.”
A soft chuckle carried over the line. “If that makes your weekend plans better, I encourage you to do so. I’ll email the information you need. We look forward to seeing you for the best weekend of your entire life.”
The bloom of happy energy inside was impossible to contain. Lara hung up and hit her feet. She did a victory dance, bouncing around the room and letting her tensions ease away. She still didn’t have a clue of how to deal with her craving for her mate, but a weekend of massages and indulgence would go a long way to temporarily easing her pain.
Jeez, her cravings for the man were so bad she could swear she scented him on the air. His rich masculine aroma was doing terrible things to her insides and the space between her legs.
Why is he here?her wolf demanded.Want him.
It’s our imagination,Lara assured her.
