Page 83 of Double or Nothing

I know she harbors anger toward me for it, and I don’t blame her. I promised to be there, to help her through it, but when it came down to it, I was nowhere to be found.

“Fine. I’ll trust you—for now—but this better be worth it.”

If she thought I tried to impress her when we were younger, she has no idea the lengths I would go to now. Anything for her. Any damn thing she wants—it’s hers. Just so long as I have a chance.

The temperature changes stepping from the warm outside air into the cool air conditioning.

“A hotel?”

“Yep.”

“Which one? Where?”

I remove the blindfold and step next to her so I can see her face.

The Diamond Peak Lodge, one of several places we always “dreamed” of staying when I “made it.” The beautiful pool, the sandy beach, and the mountain view—the moment she saw it, she fell in love. I promised her we would get here one day. And now that we have…

“Oh, Sutton,” she gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “How did you…”

“We made it, Kitty Kat.”

“You made it.”

“No way. None of this is possible without you. You’re the reason I’m here. You’re the reason I got that record contract. You and your belief in me. You made my dreams come true. Let me make yours.”

She pulls me in for a kiss, the kind that should be kept behind closed doors, but hell, I return it. We’re a little too close, kiss a little too long, and I love every minute.

“Ahem.”

Reluctantly, I break the kiss and smile at the hotel manager.

“Hi.”

“Mr. Cole, it is a pleasure to have you here at our resort. I’m Donald, the manager. If there is anything that I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Our room would be great,” I tell him.

“Of course. Allow me to escort you. I’ll have someone bring your things up.”

Not that we have much luggage. Clothing is extremely optional on this trip. Christ, we have five years of time to make up for. If our sex life now even remotely mirrors what it was five years ago—damn, we have a lot of work to do. Work that is most definitely all my pleasure.

Donald escorts us to our suite. “Our best room,” he tells us as he pushes the door open.

Based on the look on Kat’s face, I would say he’s right. Grinning ear to ear, she takes everything in, but not so much the furnishings. The woman works at a high-class hotel, so this is nothing new to her. It’s the view that’s left her speechless—the lake, the mountains, all picture-perfect. All ours, along with the hot tub on the balcony where we can sit and enjoy it.

“This is… it’s perfect.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased. I’ll leave you for now, but please don’t hesitate to call,” Donald tells me. We shake hands before he exits the room.

“You like it?”

“Like it?” She wraps her arms around my neck. “I love it. I… I love you, Sutton. I always have. I always will.”

“Back at ya, Kitty Kat.” I press my lips to hers. “So, what do you want to do first?”

I know what I’m hoping her answer is going to be.

“I want to go for a swim.”

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