3. Dixie

CHAPTER 3

Dixie

I check in at the hotel in the mountains and smile when I look out the balcony window of my luxurious room.

I can't believe that I'm actually here. That I'm doing this. None of my friends know where I'm at. I only have one family member left and my sister, Sloan, lives way off in some weird place called Magic, Wyoming. She says that I can come visit her any time. But I went once and it was an intense place. And I felt like I was missing something that was right there in front of my face. It was like the town had a secret and they just couldn't tell outsiders what it was. It kinda gave me the willies.

I shiver and rub my arms. I've been worried about Sloan since then. She seemed off-kilter. She's usually so in charge of herself and her future that it was weird to see her unsure.

But this is my time. I get to find out what it feels like to have a strong, sexy man spend time with me. Show me what it's like to feel beautiful and sexy. Feel like he wants more from me than a meeting with the mayor.

The room phone rings and I pick it up. "Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Short."

"Hello."

"I wanted to let you know that we're pleased that you chose our hotel and if you need anything just let us know. I'm the manager here, Kristin, and I'm so excited that you and your friend chose us for your meeting place."

I flush. "That information is private. I don't know how you got it…"

"I'm so sorry. I thought you knew. The company made the arrangements. I'm the only one that knows…". She pauses and I hear her gulp. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to make sure that if you need anything, come to me. I'll take care of all of it."

I fight the urge to run and hide. "Thank you. I'll make sure that I ask for you if anything comes up."

"I also wanted to let you know that your party has booked his own accommodations but I do know that he has arrived."

I groan under my breath, fighting the urge to ask her some questions that I'm not sure I want answered. Like how hot is he and is he wearing flannel?

"Thank you. I appreciate it." It takes everything in me to hang up that phone and not ask those dangerous questions. Not run downstairs and see if I can see him. See how much he looks like my fantasies of just what a gorgeous mountain man book boyfriend looks like.

Sure, I live with them all around me. But none of them have ever lit my fire and I really want to experience what all the fuss is about. Rebel and all the women who've been getting hitched around me have found that elusive happiness with the mountain man of their dreams and I want just a small taste of what that feels like.

I pull out the sexy, deep burgundy dress that I brought with me. The gorgeous, soft velvet dress cruises along my slimmer waist and wide hips in a flattering way that just makes me feel good about how I look. Makes me feel sexy.

I bought it for this trip and I've never worn anything like this ever. I run my hands over my chestnut brown hair and sigh. I wish I had pretty blond hair like Rebel's. But my hair is just a mish-mash of brown and gold and red. Like the leaves in the fall that drift down to the ground and you have to gather them all up and ship them off somewhere far away. But I keep it up in a haphazard bun that keeps it contained and makes me look more professional.

But tonight, when I meet my book boyfriend, I'm leaving it down. I'm going to take this chance and seduce this man if I feel even the slightest bit of a pull towards him. And I'm going to finally lose my v-card, once and for all.

Because a woman should not reach twenty-nine years old, staring into the dark maw of thirty, and not know what it's like to feel the touch of a man and surrender to the pleasures of the flesh.

I'm going to have my fantasy and finally get what I've been dreaming about for months now.

I'm going to lose my v-card to a sexy mountain man, hopefully all night long and then I'll have a memory to keep me warm up in my mountain cabin for the rest of my life.

Since it looks like no man is going to want to join me up there. I'll have to take what I can get.

And just be happy that I managed to find the good job that I have and the home that I longed for for so many years.

Love isn't in the cards for me and I guess I shouldn't be greedy. Shouldn't hope for too much.

Even a moment of happiness is more than I ever really thought I'd find.

It will have to be enough.