aisle at her favorite gourmet food shop had all but fried her where she stood. The fact that he’d chosen her favorite Brie and knew the subtle differences between Gorgonzola and Stilton had piqued her interest. They struck up a conversation and by the time they made it to the wine aisle she knew, in her heart, he was The One. And the next six months had only proven her correct.
He was kind, loving, patient, honorable and generous. He made her laugh. Made her happy. Sure, he had his faults-but hey, what man didn’t leave his socks on the floor and coffee cups all over the place? Growing up with four older brothers, she didn’t let silly little “guy things” bother her. And best of all, Eric loved her as much as she loved him.
Unfortunately their families mixed about as well as oil and water. Jessica’s mother and four overprotective brothers considered Eric not only business competition, but looked down on his franchise restaurant, considering it fast food compared to Hayden’s. Marc, Andy, Robbie and Carl all glared at Eric at every opportunity, resenting both his opening the restaurant and him “stealing” their little sister, whom they ridiculously felt was way too good for him.
To make matters worse, Jessica’s mother had dreamed about her only daughter’s wedding since the day she’d finally given birth to a girl after four sons. Maybe, just maybe, Carol Hayden could have gotten over the fact that Jessica was marrying “the competition,” but she simply could not accept that Eric’s sister, Kelley-who was more like his mother since she’d raised him and their two younger sisters after their parents’ deaths when Eric was twelve- was a wedding planner. A very successful wedding planner whose recent clients included an Olympic gold medalist, a daytime television actress and a state senator’s daughter.
Kelley had very definite ideas about her only brother’s wedding. Ideas that did not in any way mesh with Jessica’s mother’s ideas for her only daughter’s wedding. Indeed, Carol Hayden viewed Kelley’s expertise as a threat to her own plans for Jessica’s wedding. Toss into that volatile mix Eric’s sisters’ resentment toward Jessica’s family for looking down their noses at their beloved brother, and the entire situation was as explosive as a powder keg piled next to an open flame.
Holy family feud.
The bickering had spilled over into Jessica and Eric’s relationship, even in the bedroom where they hadn’t even ventured during the last several weeks. These last four months, instead of being joyous, had brought them both to the breaking point. They desperately needed this long weekend away from the relentless arguing, needed this time alone, to put their relationship back on track. To reignite their currently nonexistent sex life. To recapture the magic that had surrounded them right from the beginning. And they would. They had to. Because the alternative-not being together, not sharing their lives-was a concept she simply couldn’t wrap her mind around.
Yet there had been times since they’d announced their engagement when she wondered if they’d actually be able to rescue themselves from the quicksand they’d stumbled into and make that walk down the aisle together. She wanted to marry him, wanted to spend her life with him. But…how could she ignore all the shrapnel hitting them from the family fallout? And even though he’d never said so, she knew Eric wondered, too. And she couldn’t help but worry that he’d grow so disgusted with the whole situation, he’d just walk away.
Well, she couldn’t worry anymore. She needed to know. She loved Eric and knew he loved her. But, as she’d unfortunately learned over the past four months, the adage that sometimes love isn’t enough was sadly true. She also knew, in her heart, that this weekend was going to either make them or break them. At the least, it would result in some drastic changes. Because they simply couldn’t go on any longer the way they were. For the past four months she and Eric had tried to keep everyone happy and the result was that no one was happy. Something had to give.
Shoving aside all thoughts that even hinted at sadness, Jessica focused her attention on her surroundings. The rustic inn definitely lived up to the color brochure that had enticed them to choose the Timberline Lodge for their desperately needed getaway-that and an enthusiastic recommendation from Eric’s best friend, Dave. Rustic, yet boasting every modern convenience, the lodge and its recently added cabins were the perfect winter wonderland- type location for a sexy, romantic holiday away from it all.
A huge, gaily decorated Christmas tree, its branches glittering with garland, soared upward in the far corner of the A-framed building. Knotted wood beams lined the ceiling from which antler chandeliers hung, casting the room in a warm, golden glow. Swags of fragrant pine boughs dipped along the wooden mantel accented with cheery red stockings and thick candles that resembled candy canes. Comfortable leather and Adirondack-style chairs dotted the room in intimate groupings, and colorful braided rugs-the sort she used to help Nana Sophie make-were strewn about the hardwood floors.
The deep, familiar rumble of Eric’s laughter caught her attention and she turned toward the reception desk. The mere sight of Eric, his thick, dark hair gleaming with dampness from the snow, made her pulse jump and her throat go dry with longing. He was smiling at a man and woman standing behind the reception desk, a couple Jessica judged to be in their sixties. They must be the owners, Helen and Roland Krause, she decided. The brochure had given a history of Timberline Lodge, how the historic building had been in the Krause family for generations. They reputedly treated their guests like family and were continuously working to further upgrade and improve the facilities. Dave had told them the place was a labor of love and based on what she’d seen so far, she agreed.
Mrs. Krause glanced toward her and offered a grin and a friendly wave, both of which Jessica returned. Eric shook both their hands, then walked toward her while the Krauses gave their attention to the young woman who was next in line to check in.
Jessica watched Eric striding toward her and everything female inside her came to immediate attention. With his parka unzipped, sturdy snow boots, his favorite Levi’s that hugged his long legs, and a thick, cable-knit sweater that stretched across his wide chest and exactly matched his dark blue eyes, he looked rugged and masculine and absolutely delicious. That same whammo of attraction that had all but knocked her unconscious the first time she’d seen him almost a year ago slammed into her now-as it did every time she looked at him. She’d dated some very attractive men over the years, but Eric was the first one who could knock the breath from her lungs with a mere look.
A look like the one he was giving her right now.
The one that curved up a corner of his gorgeous mouth and resulted in a totally sexy lopsided grin that dented a shallow dimple in his cheek and made her knees feel like freshly kneaded bread dough. The one that made his eyes glitter with that wicked gleam and sizzling sensuality she loved.
Heat that had nothing to do with the roaring fire poured through her. Looking at him now, it was impossible to believe their relationship could ever teeter on the brink of imploding. Or that their sex life was suffering. How was it possible that for weeks she hadn’t found a way to wade through the morass of stress and make love to this man who could make her nipples hard by just standing there? Surely with this time alone, away from everything and everyone that had been conspiring to pull them apart for the past four months, she’d be able to relax. And together they’d find a way to solve their problems. All they needed was a break. And here, at the Timberline Lodge, that’s exactly what they’d have.
Thank God.
When he reached her, he didn’t say a word-he just pulled her into his arms and kissed her. A deep, lush kiss that tasted of pent-up frustration and anticipation. One that revved her pulse and ended way too soon. After he lifted his head, his eyes were smoldering. “We’re all set. Our cabin is just a short walk and overlooks the lake. You ready?”
“Absolutely.” She lightly bumped her pelvis against his. “Are you ready?”
A half laugh, half groan escaped him. “God, yes. Unfortunately there’s nothing I can do about it until I get you alone. But once I do-” he yanked her tighter against him, making it very obvious that he was indeed ready “-you’re in big trouble.”
Good Lord, she hoped so. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up on her toes to brush her lips over his. “Oh, yeah? Watch it, big guy. Maybe you’re the one who’ll be in trouble.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve been in trouble since the first moment I saw you.”
“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.”
He shook his head, framed her face between his large hands that still bore a hint of chill from outside and looked at her through suddenly serious eyes. “Best damn thing that ever happened to me.”
Jessica’s heart flipped over and she swallowed around the sudden tightness in her throat. He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “Everything is going to be okay, Jess. I promise. Have I ever broken a promise to you?”
