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But Bruce doesn’t realize it.
“This vacation, though?” he says, pulling my hand into his lap. “This is just for us. No business, no conference calls. Just you and me, enjoying the sights.”
I can’t even remember the last time I took time off just for fun. Part of me feels a little guilty about leaving Riley in New York, but Colette was eager to spend more time with him this weekend, and she basically forced me to come. My friend knows as well as I do that I haven’t had a day off in years, and with her last wave of auditions done, she has plenty of free time to watch the baby. Now is a chance for me to relax and unwind in an exotic place, with the most important man in my life at my side.
I sigh contentedly and lean against Bruce’s broad form, feeling like I’ve won the lottery. In a way, I have. The problem is that I still haven’t come clean about his child, and I know the world is going to collapse when he finally finds out. But for now, my secret is safe, and I snuggle against his broad form, looking forward to what the next week brings.
There’s a limo driver waiting for us at the airport when we land, and the kindly man doesn’t let us lift a finger, not even to put our bags in the trunk.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
He tips his cap at me. “No problem, Miss. Welcome to Iceland.”
When we enter the plush interior of the vehicle, I gasp because there’s champagne on ice in the backseat.
“Wow,” I breathe.
Bruce merely chuckles and pulls me into his lap as the car engine revs. Then he pours us both glasses before handing me mine.
“Here you go sweetheart,” he growls before dipping his head for a kiss on the side of my neck. “A bubbly drink for a beautiful girl.”
I giggle because my boyfriend always makes me feel so special no matter the occasion. Meanwhile, the city of Reykjavik speeds by outside the window. Pastel-colored houses with flower boxes hanging in the windows border the narrow streets, and in the distance, snow-capped mountains loom over the valley. It’s so unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before, especially when compared to the crowded avenues and towering skyscrapers of NYC.
“What do you think?” Bruce murmurs, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“It’s unbelievable,” I breathe, and I’m not just talking about the scenery. This whole life is unbelievable, with its chauffeured cars and champagne on ice.
We pull up outside a luxury hotel shaped like an obelisk, covered in banks of shiny, reflective glass. The words The Ice Palace are written above the revolving door in silver lettering, and when we step into the lobby, a porter hurries over to take our bags. My jaw drops as I survey the scene. An ice blue chandelier dangles from the ceiling, and the decor is chic, glossy, and modern with lucite furniture that appears to be lit from within, giving off a ghostly orange glow. The only issue? It’s absolutely freezing in here.
Shivering as we approach the concierge, I remark, “Now I get why they call it the Ice Palace.”
My boyfriend chuckles, pulling me close and wrapping an arm around my shoulders to warm me up. “I’ll have them turn up the heat in our suite. First things first, though, I have a reservation at the restaurant.”
“Seafood?” I ask teasingly. “That would be apropos for Iceland, don’t you think?”
He shakes his head with amusement. “No, sweetheart, because today feels more like a filet mignon kind of day. I want to celebrate with you.”
My heart blossoms and melts, and Bruce is right: I want to celebrate being together too. After a dinner of melt-in-your-mouth steak and truffle risotto, we find ourselves by the elevators, unable to keep our hands off of each other. I’m already looking forward to a night of steamy passion, but Bruce surprises me by pulling back. “I’m hankering for a nightcap,” he growls, nodding in the direction of the bar. “Want to join me? You didn’t have alcohol at dinner, sweetheart. Are you not feeling well?”
I blush and shake my head.
“No, I’m fine, I just wanted to hold back because I’m a bit jet-lagged, and a cozy bed seems like the perfect antidote to the freezing temperatures in here.” Of course, it’s warmed up and the hotel has provided us with special knee-length jackets to wear, but I am looking forward to getting some rest.
Bruce grins, pulls me in for a kiss, and murmurs, “I’ll meet you up at the room, then. I won’t be long.”
I relish the feeling of his lips on mine for a moment longer before pulling away and retreating to the warmth of our rooms. Once inside the suite, I draw open the curtains to reveal a breathtaking view of the mountains in front of the setting sun, but then I hesitate. I wonder how Riley is doing without his mom around. It’s the first time I’ve been away from him for an extended period, and I want to make sure my baby is okay.
