Body and mind spent, all he could do was reach for her and pull her onto his lap. She molded against him, setting her hand on his biceps and gently stroking. “You’re shaking.” Cupping his chin, she looked into his eyes, and said, “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met.” She kissed him, and it just felt so good. He felt…whole in a way he’d never experienced before.
But before he could wrap his arms around her, relax into his first-ever snuggle, she got off him and started picking up her clothes. Holding them against her chest, she said, “Thank you, Declan.” At the bottom of the stairs, she turned back with a soft smile. “Best night of my life.”
And then he watched her naked ass walk away.
Seconds ticked by. His body cooled. A strange feeling settled over him.
He felt alone. Exposed.
Embarrassed.
And it struck him. His hookups must feel like this when he left them.
Since he made sure they were as satisfied as he was, he’d always figured he could leave without consequence. But now that Phinny had left him the same way…
He could see it didn’t feel good at all.
* * *
As Declan drove under the stone archway to enter Wild Wolff Village, Phinny planted her feet on the floor of the Jeep and sat up. “What is this?”
“It’s a ski resort.” He was still a little off-balance from last night. When they’d met in the kitchen that morning, Phinny had acted like nothing had happened. But she’d rocked his world. She’d unearthed…feelings. It was like she’d taken him to a whole other world, and now he was having a problem with reentry.
Everything felt different today. His smoothie hadn’t tasted the same. During his workout, his playlist hadn’t sounded the same. And his body…it was like his massive orgasm had altered his cellular structure and now nothing worked quite right.
“Are we still in Calamity?” As the lodge came into view, she stared ahead in awe. “Because I feel like I’m in Switzerland.”
“Yep. It used to be a dude ranch, but the Wolff family turned it into a high-end resort. Over the years, they’ve added shops and restaurants.”
“So, Glori doesn’t live here? She stays at the lodge when she’s in town?”
“No, it’s bigger than what you see. It’s a club that you buy into at different levels. They’ve got cabins in the woods, townhomes in the village itself, and then fancy houses in the neighborhoods around it. You can only ski here if you’re a guest at the lodge or a member of Wild Wolff Village.”
“So, it’s like a country club?”
See, he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that she was chatting about Wild Wolff Village when he was still so rattled from last night. Like, why wasn’t she touching him? Why wasn’t she playing with his hair and rubbing up on him? It was all he could do to keep his hands to himself.
Because she doesn’t want you like that. She wanted an orgasm, and you’d made a big deal about how you like to get women off. She just wanted to see what it’s like.
And you gave it to her.
Now, it’s done now.
“Something like that. There’s an initiation fee, and then you pay annual fees that cover concierge and butler services.”
“Really? So, you call ahead and say, I’ll be flying in tomorrow, please stock the fridge?”
“Exactly. And there are no extra fees. Everyone who works here gets a good salary plus room and board, so the members don’t have to constantly reach into their pockets to tip.”
“How do you know so much about this place?”
He could feel her watching him, but he was too busy looking for a parking spot. “I worked here in high school.” Then again, it was possible he hadn’t looked her fully in the eyes since she’d left him on the couch last night.
“Doing what?”
“I worked valet and gave ice skating lessons.”
“They have a rink?” Her eyes widened when the village came into sight. “Oh, my God. This place is magical.”
“You should see it in winter. It’s all lit up, and they have carriage rides and carolers.” With its cobblestone streets, chalet-like architecture, the village was charming. Wrought iron lampposts and window boxes bursting with flowers gave it a European feel.
“I can’t believe this. My mum would love this.”
Nonresidents could take advantage of the shops and restaurants, but they didn’t have access to the neighborhoods, so he parked in the lot behind the lodge. They’d have to wait for Glori to pick them up.
“So, I’ve seen downtown Calamity, the big ranches surrounding it, and now this village. Where did you grow up?”
Getting out of the Jeep, he pocketed his keys. As they headed around the lodge, his hand reached for hers. It was automatic, and it made him go hot with embarrassment. He quickly shoved it into the pocket of his jeans. “Sam’s house is a few blocks from the town square.”
“Oh, you still own it?”
“I rent it. It’ll need some work before I can sell it.”
“When did he pass?”
“Six and a half years ago.”
She cut him a look but thankfully didn’t point out how much he could’ve gotten done in that time.
“In my defense, I’ve been living in Pittsburgh, and the hockey season’s long.”
“Okay, big man. Just say it. It’s your last tie to your grandpa.” She nudged him. “Say it.”
That’s when he finally did it, looked right into her eyes, and what the hell was the matter with him? Why did he feel little explosions in his chest? What was it about her? The sun on her butter-yellow hair, the glint of mischief in her eyes, and that mouth that had stretched wide around his cock. Desire streaked through him. “That might be part of it, but I really have been busy. Coaches don’t just work during the season.” Fear stabbed into him at the reminder he might lose his job.
“No, that’s not what I want you to say. Say, It’s my last tie to my grandpa.” A trolley clanged as it approached the stop in front of the lodge. “This place is adorable.”
“We can sit here and wait for Glori.” He led them to one of the many benches lined up along the village streets. Once they settled, he said, “Yes, that house is the last tie to Sam.”
“Nope. Say grandpa.”
“I’m not saying that.”
She sat so close their shoulders brushed. Neither wore long sleeves, so he got to feel her smooth, warm skin. “Why not?” She bumped him. “Big, bad hockey players don’t say it? What did you call him?”
“Sam.”
“You called your grandfather by his first name? I thought you were just saying that around me.”
“You had to know him.”
“Describe him to me.”
“I already did. Here. I’ll show you a picture.” He reached for his wallet, but she placed her hand on his arm.
“No, you told me the basics. Larger than life, played poker, smoked cigars, started the Cooters. But I want to hear how you saw him. That’s what matters. Not the impression I get from a photograph or his reputation in town.”
He looked at her hand on his inked forearm, and it kicked up the lust he was constantly battling. “Uh.” He had to get his mind on the conversation, put Sam in the forefront. “Well, he was big, burly, and loud.” He thought about his funeral, how many people had come. “He was one of those guys who held onto his friendships.”