Chapter 10

10

B rent kept an eye out for Candace around the property. There weren’t many things they could do that didn’t involve winter activities, so her options were limited. But despite that, he never found her.

Once Jessica cornered him to grill him about what happened the night before, he realized Candace probably hadn’t left her room. Jessica said she had been up there knocking, but Candace didn’t answer.

He set Jessica’s mind at ease, letting her know nothing had happened with Candace. They only drank, and she eventually got sick, which had them retiring to his bedroom so he could keep an eye on her. If he let her go back to her room, as she had insisted, he would have stressed about her getting sick in her sleep.

Once Jessica decided she believed him and walked away, he let out a deep breath and looked at the time. It was nearing dinner. He made his way over to the restaurant and scanned the menu before placing an order.

Twenty minutes later, he was knocking on Candace’s door. Despite her trying to pretend she wasn’t there, he could hear her hobbling over to the door.

“Room service!” he called, holding the takeout containers higher so she could see them through the peephole that he knew she was looking through.

She pulled open the door, and a hint of a smile played at her lips. “I didn’t order room service.”

He nodded his head toward the room, asking if he could come in, and she pulled it open wider.

“You haven’t eaten all day, and I know you must be starving.”

“How do you know I haven’t eaten all day?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Because of how sick you were this morning. Plus, I haven’t seen you hobble down the hallway with your crutches. And Jessica grilled me about last night, which means she hasn’t talked to you yet.”

Candace laughed. “I avoided that one.”

“I know. I got the brunt of it.” He chuckled and set down two takeout containers on the small table in the room. He opened them and made a grand gesture. “I present grilled cheese sandwiches and fries.”

She placed a hand on her chest. “Why, sir! You shouldn’t have spoiled me with such lavish foods.”

“Grilled cheese is one of my favorite things when I’m hungover. Probably because it’s greasy. Just feels good.”

Candace sat down in the chair, and he took the crutches from her and leaned them against the wall before taking a seat himself.

“I’ve honestly never been this hungover,” she said. She took a bite of the sandwich and immediately moaned. “Oh my God. This is incredible.”

His cock hardened in his pants, pressing against the zipper. He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat.

“I had to order it off the kids’ menu. I don’t know why they think adults wouldn’t want this.”

She giggled. They ate in silence for a few minutes.

“Hey, Brent? I wanted to thank you for helping me the last few days. Getting me off the mountain even though I’m not thrilled I needed ski patrol’s help. But in hindsight, it was the right call to make. Then driving me to the urgent care and staying with me. You didn’t need to do all that.”

“I was happy to.”

She gave him a smile and then shifted her eyes to her food.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, not wanting the conversation to die out.

“I have a pretty nasty headache, but I’m doing okay otherwise.”

“Would you like me to run down to the gift shop and grab you an electrolyte drink?”

She paused with the sandwich halfway to her mouth and frowned at him. “You don’t have to do that. I can get one myself.”

“I don’t mind.” He hoped she’d agree, so he’d have a reason to come back to her room. Why? He couldn’t quite pinpoint it. The woman had never been nice to him, although he understood her reasoning now. But why would he want to spend time with her? There was just something about her… That pull he had only experienced with her.

She set her sandwich down and leaned back in her seat. “Are you only being nice to me because you feel guilty?”

“Excuse me?”

“Is it just because you feel guilty about hurting me on the mountain?”

He felt a little guilty about running into her on the cat track, but it had been an accident. He wasn’t beating himself up over it by any means.

“I’m just trying to be a friend.”

Her eyes shifted between his before she nodded. “Sure. Maybe I can come down with you? I’m still not completely comfortable with these crutches, but it would be nice to get out of the room for a bit.”

A little hope bloomed in his chest.

“Of course.”