“Any room,” Alix added, already digging for her wallet. “Any price.”
Grace slammed a gold American Express on the counter, practically screeching as she repeated, “Anyprice.”
The clerk’s mouth twitched like she wanted to be human about it but her professionalism stopped her. She typed. She frowned. She typed again. “I do have one mid-level suite on hold that was just released.”
“Yes,” they said in unison, then looked at each other and had to swallow laughter.
“Two keys?” the clerk asked.
“Please,” Grace said. Her palms were faintly pink like she’d been rubbing them together. Alix wanted to kiss the heat back into them.
Moments later, the elevator doors slid shut and Alix reached without deciding to, fingers finding the lapel of Grace’s coat, tugging her that last inch closer. Grace came willingly, hands sliding up Alix’s arms, and then they were kissing.
It started like it always did with them now, a tiny touch that felt like stepping off a cliff into clouds. Grace’s mouth was sure, patient for one heartbeat and then not patient at all. She tilted her head and the angle changed and heat licked up Alix’s spine.
Grace’s fingers curled at the base of Alix’s neck, a gentle hold that made her entire body hum like a plucked string. Alix’s hands found Grace’s waist and learned the familiar shape of it again, the way she fit there like the universe had provided her exact measurements. When Grace’s thumb stroked once along the hinge of her jaw, Alix made a small sound she hoped the elevator’s security camera would forgive.
The bell dinged. Neither of them moved. The doors opened, then politely closed again like the building was embarrassed to intrude.
They staggered out on the second ding, laughing, breathless, still entangled, and stumbled down the thick-carpeted hallway. Alix fumbled the key card twice, and when the green light finally clicked, she was already half-turned toward Grace, magnetic north found and making demands.
They made it three steps into the suite. A blur of coats and scarves and gloves landed on a chair like a small storm had passed through. The room was all clean lines and big windows, the snow outside so close it felt like you could breathe it. Alix was only aware of one thing: Grace, warm and laughing under her hands, looking at her like she was equal parts trouble and relief.
“Hi again,” Grace murmured, their mouths already close enough that the word brushed Alix’s lip.
“Hi again,” Alix said, and kissed her.
This kiss had gravity. It deepened the second their mouths found each other, that shared exhale that always felt like falling and catching at once. Alix tasted something sweeter now. Maybe just the wild rush of getting exactly what she wanted.
She backed Grace gently toward the bed, pausing as she murmured, “Is this okay?” against Grace’s lips.
“Yes.” Grace sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling Alix down with her until she pinned Grace, pausing a moment to gaze down at the absolutely stunning woman below her.
“Okay, good, I’m glad we’re in agreement because I am absolutely desperate to fuck you,” Alix said. Grace smirked as her hands slid under the hem of Alix’s sweater, a delicate exploratory warmth that made Alix’s knees consider giving out. “Now that you’re finally not wearing that godforsaken flannel nightgown.”
“I loved that thing. I’m considering buying at least a dozen.”
“Flannel in Miami. Go for it, babe,” Alix teased, nipping at Grace’s lips.
She paused and tucked a strand of Grace’s hair behind her ear, letting her fingers trail to the vulnerable place under her jaw, feeling the jump of her pulse there. Grace leaned into the touch like a cat, eyes half-lidded, a smile threatening the corners of her mouth.
“Grace,” Alix said, because sometimes saying her name was the only way to make the moment hold still.
“Mmm?” Grace’s voice was velvet and smirk, raw around the edges.
“I like you a lot.” The words tumbled out, unpolished and true.
Grace’s laugh was warm and shaky. “That’s fortunate. I like you a lot too.”
They kissed again, slower for a beat, and the slowness was somehow hotter. Alix dragged her fingers up Grace’s sides under her shirt, memorizing the topography. Ribs, the elegant dip of her waist, the flutter of breath when Alix’s thumbs skimmed the edge of her bra. She found her peaked nipple through the flimsy fabric. Grace’s hands mapped her right back, careful at first and then bolder as she grew more familiar.
Alix had a brief, ludicrous flash of gratitude toward the storm. Toward the canceled flights and the overpriced coffee and the slow escalator. All roads had led to this warm, stupidly expensive, glorious room.
She wasn’t much for signs. But sometimes the universe didn’t bother with subtlety. Sometimes it snowed so hard there was nothing to do but stay where it was warm.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
GRACE
