Page 68 of The Last Resort
But Matthew didn’t know anything about her old life, or what she’d been through.
“I really thought I was going to die. But I didn’t. I was rescued without a scratch. You must think I’m pretty stupid for getting so upset.”
He tugged a clean tissue from his pocket and handed it to her. “No, I would never think that about you. I’m just surprised that it took so long for the numbness to wear off and for you to have a damn good cry. I would have been a blubbering mess the minute they set me down in the parking lot.”
She chuckled, imagining a teary-eyed Matthew throwing himself at Dan and hugging him.
“Now, you’re just saying that to be polite,” she said, giving him her best Scarlett O’Hara impression.
His grin warmed her whole body. “No, I’m saying it because I like you and I think people don’t give you enough credit for the amazing woman you are, Rachel.”
Rachel dabbed at her face. “I like you too Matt.” She picked up her mug and took a sip. “This is really good. I’ve been meaning to ask you where you got the drinking chocolate from. Kellie couldn’t find it in the grocery store in Aspen.”
“I brought it with me from New York. My brother’s fiancée Vivian is testing different responsibly sourced hot chocolate flavors for our US hotels, and she had a few boxes spare. This one is from Ecuador, and I think it’s really rich and smooth.”
Just like you.
She was tempted to say it out loud, but the mood between them was changing. Matthew’s arm was still around her, but he was now rubbing his thumb up and down, sending little sparks of joy spreading out all over her skin.
“Rachel, would you like to come and sleep in my bed tonight? That offer comes with absolutely no obligations on your part. I just thought you might want the comfort of having someone else near. If you are in need of a cuddle, I can also do that.”
She didn’t want to go back to her own bed, and she was too tired to sit up all night hoping to stave off another panic attack. Matthew’s offer was kind. And a welcome one.
He’s a generous soul.
“Thank you. That would be great. I don’t want to be alone.”
He’d been jealous earlier this afternoon.
I wonder if he’s still feeling that way.
Whatever happened in Matthew’s bed tonight, sleep or perhaps something else, Rachel would take what he wanted to give. And if that something else did happen, she would be all in.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The second Matthew pushed open the door to his suite and Rachel stepped inside, she let out a loud “What?!” She’d expected his room to be a carbon copy of hers, with a sleeping bag and not much else on the bed, but his was nothing short of palatial. A kingdom of comfort. A lordship of luxury. A dukedom of decadence!
“You’ve been living like this, and I’ve been … oh.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “What’s wrong with my room?”
What was wrong with it? Everything! The cozy looking duvet. The mountain of pillows. And that gorgeous cream woolen rug. She narrowed her eyes. Was that a brand-new bed?
“I’ve been sleeping on an ancient smelly mattress with only a sleeping bag between me and lord knows what. When did all this stuff arrive?”
He looked more perplexed than ashamed. “I told you I like my creature comforts, and I particularly love my sleep. I brought most of this with me when they threw me out of the apartment. I had a new bed and mattress delivered themorning I got here, and the old one taken away. I was sure as shit not sleeping on the horrible stinky thing that greeted me when I arrived. I’m surprised you didn’t do the same.”
It hadn’t even crossed her mind to arrange other furniture or bed linen. To Rachel’s way of thinking they’d been sent to live at the lodge as a form of punishment. Matthew at least had had the good sense to see it for what it really was—the Brocks asking them to work together and come up with a solution.
I am a total idiot.
Having now seen his bed, Rachel knew she couldn’t ever go back to hers. To the constant dank smell of damp and dust.
Decision made, Rachel took a running leap at Matthew’s bed, landing on all fours in the middle of the mattress. He climbed on after her and beckoned for Rachel to come to him. She prowled on over, rising up to drape her arms around his neck.
“I really like this bed. So guess what? I’m moving in with you, Mister Royal.”
They sealed the deal with a long, lingering kiss.
