Page 51 of Wanting You

He nodded.

Turning her back to him, she asked, “Can you unzip my dress?”

Stepping in close, he placed a kiss on the side of her throat. “I can.” He inhaled the sweet, floral perfume she wore and could feel her tremble. Carefully, he pulled the zipper down and then watched as the dress dropped to the floor, pooling at her feet. She had on tiny scraps of black satin and lace, and when she turned around to face him, he almost forgot how to breathe.

Her name came out as a breathless plea, and as he led her over to the bed, he knew he’d never forget how she looked right now. She sat down and shimmied to the middle of the mattress before holding out her hand to him, and just like that, they were back where they were earlier.

Only this time, she was even more glorious.

Tanner’s hand shook slightly as he reached up and caressed her from her jaw to her throat, and down to her breasts. And when he looked up and met her gaze, she licked her lips and said, “Please.”

And just like that, his body covered hers, and what had already been a perfect night got even better.

“This cheesecake is amazing,” Chloe said sometime after midnight. “I’m not usually a cheesecake person, but I’m a sucker for chocolate mousse and figured I’d try it.” She hummed as she licked the spoon. “Now I’m really glad I did.”

“I have to agree. The crème brûlée was fine, but the cheesecake was the real winner in the dessert category.” Leaning over to the bedside table, he poured them each a glass of wine from the bottle that was just delivered from room service. “I also got a couple of bottles of water too. Just in case you wanted something other than wine.”

“Mmm…thank you.” Taking the glass from him, she took a sip. “It’s even good with cheesecake!”

Chuckling softly, Tanner took a moment before taking his own sip and had to agree. “Definitely.” She handed him the plate and then curled up beside him, mindful of the glass in her other hand. “Are you done with the dessert? Should I put the rest in the mini fridge?”

“That would mean you’d have to get out of the bed, and you already did that to get the wine.” Then she hugged him. “There’s really only a little bit left. I think we can let it go, don’t you?”

Placing a kiss on the top of her head, he nodded. “I do. Plus, there’s always tomorrow. We can get another slice.”

“I’m going to tell Billie about it. She doesn’t really do a lot of cheesecake recipes, but I think this one would be something she’d enjoy. Oops!”

“What? What’s the matter?”

“No family talk.”

“Chloe…”

“So, what are we going to do tomorrow? Obviously it’s too warm out for snow, but we can still do a lot. At the summer festival, there were so many great activities available.” She paused to think for a moment. “Um…there’s an Alpine slide, a mountain coaster, a rock-climbing wall, ziplining, scenic lift rides, and then there are ATV and hiking trails. Do any of them sound like fun?”

“Are you kidding? They all do! I guess I really didn’t think about what else a ski resort offers in the offseason. When I came up here last month, I was more interested in the winter activities.” He placed another kiss on her head. “What about you? What’s your favorite?”

“Hmm…the line was too long for the coaster when I was here this summer, but the slide was amazing! I would love to do that one again, and I’m sure we wouldn’t have any trouble getting on the coaster if it’s open.” She snuggled closer again. “The scenic lift could be fun too. I wonder if they do them at sunset because I bet that could be beautiful.” Then she yawned. “What do you think?”

Carefully, he took the wine from her hand and placed the glass on the bedside table. “I think we should see how we feel in the morning and then see what we’re in the mood for then.”

A soft giggle was her first reaction, and he had a feeling he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Because he already knew what he was going to be in the mood for.

More of her.

But if they got to experience more of the things the lodge provided, that might be fun too.

Chapter Nine

“Did you see the project Mr. Westyn’s class is doing? My son is having the best time!”

“My niece is in his class, and my sister can’t stop gushing over the creative way he’s teaching! That skiing theme is just fantastic!”

“I can’t even imagine what he’ll come up with once the winter really hits around here! Do you think we can convince the school to let him take the kids on a field trip up to the lodge for lessons?”

Chloe quietly sighed as she sat in the corner of Books & Beans and read over her lesson plan for the next day. It had been a week since she and Tanner had their weekend getaway, and while she was deliriously happy, hearing things like the conversation happening at the next table had her feeling a little…

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