Page 35 of Tempt Me Forever

Drake looked extremely handsome, even this early. I couldn't even see past my nose to put on my boots without stumbling this morning. But I sure as hell could drink him in. I was glad I had my priorities straight.

"This is for you," he said, handing me a cup.

"Thank you so, so much. Is it coffee?"

"No, it's hot chocolate. You said you never drink coffee this early."

My face exploded into a smile. "That's right. I don't."

"And this is a muffin."

"Drake!"

"I told you I'd take care of you." He grinned. "You don't look as grumpy as you warned me that you'd be."

"You've only spent one minute in my presence. Give it a couple more."

After the driver took out my bag, Drake grabbed the handle and rolled both suitcases in one hand, taking his cup of coffee in the other one.

My headache had magically disappeared. I felt energized, and it wasn't from the hot cocoa. Oh, that went straight to my soul. For the first time, I had a good feeling about this trip. I felt like I could relax, too, that I didn't have to keep my guard up all the time.

The airport was surprisingly full at this hour. "My God, all those people going on business trips,” I said. “Maybe we should have taken Travis's helicopter."

"Wait, Travis has a helicopter?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, he can even fly it himself, though he hasn't done it in some time.

"Why are we flying commercial, then?"

I grimaced. "Helicopters feel unsafe to me. And we would have to stop for fuel twice or something. They’re uncomfortable for long distances. Besides, I don’t like them.”

Famous last words.

***

"Okay, I'm rethinkingthat. Next time we fly somewhere, we’re taking the helicopter, no matter how often we have to stop for fuel," I said as we rolled our suitcases out of the crowded airport in Aspen.

Drake grinned. "I completely agree. Let's go to your hotel first, and then I'll go to mine."

"Thanks," I said, looking around. The area was overflowing. "Wow, I've been here before, but it was never this crowded."

"Valentine’s Day attracts a lot of people."

"This isn’t the best time to objectively judge the place.”

“Kimberly." It sounded like a warning.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to start fighting you. Not yet. I'll wait until after I see the location."

He tilted forward, opening his mouth and closing it again, and then his gaze fell on my lips. I licked them on instinct.

Are his eyes hooded, or am I reading into things? This weekend has barely started, and it's already going in the wrong direction.

Thankfully, we found an Uber quickly, and we arrived at my hotel half an hour later. Drake got out of the car too.

"You can drop me off and go to your hotel to get settled, and we can meet in... let's say half an hour at the property. No, that's too soon. You have to check in too.”

“I'm going to help you with your luggage, Kimberly. Look at all those stairs."

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