Page 29 of Feels Like the First Time

Add to that having to chastise his own grandmother for leading a skinny-dipping jaunt in the barely heated pool, the reunion   committee’s constant requests, a missing produce delivery, a plumbing problem and a lost toddler, all before noon, had nicely rounded out a sucky morning.

Coming back for this reunion   had been a stupid idea. He didn’t know the first thing about successfully running the hotel. He still couldn’t stand most of the users he’d gone to school with. And he’d been an idiot to think he and Zoe could pick their friendship back up. A bigger idiot to dream they could actually hook up. He should have learned by now to save his wild imagination for his video games.

He passed through the kitchen, barely noticing the ancient avocado-hued appliances and gold-flecked formica counters. His parents spared no expense on the hotel, but he was pretty sure the house hadn’t changed since he’d been born.

He grabbed a soda from the fridge and headed for his laptop. Zoe’s question about Gandalf was nagging at him. Why was she looking for the gamer?

A movement caught his attention. Stepping over to the dining-room window, he watched a figure make its way down the hill behind the house.

Zoe.

Bundled all in black, from her knit cap to her peacoat and on down to the wicked-looking boots he’d dreamed about the night before, she looked lonely. The only spots of color were her scarlet scarf and her cold-washed cheeks.

Even from far away, she turned him on.

He’d wanted her for most of his teenage life. He’d dedicated many a fantasy to her. He’d finally tasted her and found out that, unlike most dreams, she was even better in real life.

So what was he going to do? Pout like a spoiled brat because winning her wasn’t easy? Or take a shot at an opportunity of a lifetime?

His straining erection urged the shot. His damaged ego urged restraint. Ever the mediator, he searched his mind for a compromise.

He had to know why she was after Gandalf. That was priority. Sure, it was a pretty solid secret, but there were a few people who could spill the beans. Nana, for one. A couple of hotel employees his parents might have bragged to?

His mind focused on practicalities, he was able to regain control of his body. Wanting to keep her in view, though, Dex strode through to the living room where he could still see Zoe from the front window.

Dex looked around the living room—bare walls and not a single framed photo to be found. Hell, that was the only thing that had changed since he’d lived here and his yearly school picture had graced the mantel. Nah, he probably didn’t have to worry about his parents’ bragging.

He glanced at Zoe, watching her back as she made her way through the gardens back to the hotel. The rich reds and golds of the leaves mimicked the streaks in her hair. Even bundled tightly against the cold, her hips still swayed to a tempting beat, enthralling him with their dance.

He was going to go for it. But he had to be cautious if he was going to play the game. Since it’d worked so well the first time, he was hauling out the costume again. He’d have to wait till tonight when it was dark, keep up the accent and be really, really careful. He was pretty sure he still had colored contact lenses up in his room. Leftovers from his role-playing days. He’d pop a pair in, make sure his one distinguishing feature was hidden. Just in case.

Excitement, more than just sexual, spiked in his gut. One way or another, he was going to win. His prize? The one he’d dreamed of for thirteen years.

Zoe Gaston.

6

GOD, SHE HATED being cold. In the spirit of sleuthing, she’d spent the afternoon and evening with some of her ex-classmates participating in a scavenger hunt. She’d been paired up with the puppy dog from the costume party, and they’d lost dismally, but she’d discovered that some of the people she’d gone to school with really weren’t all that bad. Maybe because Heather, the puppy dog, couldn’t stand Candice either. Zoe smiled. They’d had tons to talk about.

But Gandalf-talk? Everyone agreed that he was in their class. Speculation abounded but solid facts? Nada. It was like trying to find Batman.Chilled through to the bone, she stomped her feet, trying to stir up some circulation as she attempted to fit the card key in its slot. She wasn’t sure what made it worse, her shaking fingers or the fact that the hall light, an ornate sconce opposite her door, was burned out so the hallway was almost in darkness.

“Need help?”

Zoe gasped, spinning around and stabbing the plastic card out in front of her like a weapon.

Eyes huge, she sought, then found, the keeper of the deep, sweetly accented male voice. Her heart, already pounding, took off like a racehorse.

“You,” she breathed. Excitement swirled through her beneath a sudden attack of nervous caution. This was crazy. He was a stranger. Shouldn’t she be careful?

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