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It was elegant and sophisticated, and yet still rustic in nature. Some much so, that it inspired visions of cozying up in front of the fire after a long day on the slopes, sipping champagne with friends. Serena could almost hear the laughter floating on the air, so strong was the scene that formed in her mind.
The lodge reminded her of Garrett.
She smiled at the thought of him. It had been nearly ten hours since she's spoken with him. That span of time, since he'd called her this morning until now, seemed like a short eternity. He was all she could think about. And she couldn't wait to see him—or discover what he had planned for the evening.
As she surveyed her surroundings, she clutched the handles of her black leather tote in her hands, holding the bag in front of her as she anxiously looked forward to the evening ahead of her. Serena had dressed in a short black skirt and a satiny, silver blouse that buttoned up the front. She wore black stockings and her tall black leather pumps. Clothes she hadn't pulled out of her closet since she'd moved here from New York.
She'd styled her long hair into a straight, glossy curtain that she'd swept over one shoulder, and she'd applied just a hint of makeup and lip gloss. All she could hope for now was that, when Garrett saw her, he wanted her as much tonight as he had last night.
Her insides coiled tight as she remembered her erotic encounter with Garrett the previous evening. He was an amazing lover ... and Serena had given herself fully to him. She could honestly say she'd deny this man nothing. Whatever he wanted from her, whatever he wanted to do to her ... she would acquiesce.
Serena belonged to him. Body, heart and soul.
There was no turning back from the powerful emotions—the passion, the connection—she'd experienced last night. All of which she continued to cling to, holding them close, savoring every extraordinary sensation that only escalated with each passing moment.
Suppressing a grin, she tried to rein in her emotions. She could literally jump out of her skin at any moment!
"Miss Lamond?"
The deep voice behind her startled Serena. She let out a little squeak of surprise, then turned sharply to face a tall, handsome, well-dressed man. He smiled politely at her, welcoming her.
"Garrett is expecting you,” he said in a friendly voice.
That Garrett didn't require his staff to call him Mr. Slater impressed her all the more. He certainly had the right to wield a little power and authority. But she suspected he commanded the respect of the people around him by being a good businessman and a fair boss.
"I'm a little early,” Serena offered. “Sorry."
"It's no problem. I'm Robert.” He smiled warmly at her as he held his hand out. Serena shook his hand and his smile deepened. “May I take your bag?"
She laughed. One would think she'd never been a New York businesswoman. Handing him her overnight tote, she said, “Thank you. The lodge is lovely."
Robert nodded. “Garrett spares no expense. He's expecting you upstairs."
She followed the dark-haired man through the lobby to the bank of elevators. He slid a card key into a slot located discreetly below the button that called the elevator. When the doors slid open with a soft, sweeping sound, Robert gestured for her to step inside. He used the card key again to gain access to the top floor.
Departing the elevator, she followed Robert down the long, marble-tiled corridor to a tall door. He punched in a short code on the keypad below the door handle, then pushed the door open when it beeped. Serena stepped inside as he held the door for her.
Garrett's suite was far more opulent than anything she'd imagined. The cavernous room was stately and elegant. Black marble covered the floor, and beige marble climbed the walls. The enormous chandeliers hanging from the tall, domed ceiling were breathtaking. The crystals sparkled and glimmered in the soft lighting they emitted. The foyer opened into a sitting room with a fireplace. It had been turned into a small dining room. A round table with a long, satiny, ivory-colored table cloth sat in the center. The table itself was set with delicate china and expensive-looking glasses. Baccarat, no doubt.
Classical music flowed from hidden speakers and some heavenly scent Serena couldn't fully identify wafted through the air. Her stomach tightened in anticipation of whatever exotic cuisine Garrett had ordered for them.
She eyed her immediate surroundings, disappointed that he wasn't here yet. But she'd arrived early, so she wasn't really expecting him to be waiting for her. Still ... the desire to see him was overwhelming.
"Garrett wants you to make yourself at home.” Robert gestured toward the table and she walked to it. He held a chair out for her and she sat, facing the fire. Robert deposited her overnight bag on the floor just long enough to open the bottle of champagne resting in the free-standing chiller. He poured her a glass and handed it to her. “I'll take your things to Garrett's room."
He said this with a hint of pleasure in his voice. Not a knowing tone ... like he was making assumptions about what would happen between Serena and Garrett behind closed doors. It was more like ... he innately knew the bond they shared, and he was happy about it. This thought settled comfortably in her subconscious mind as she drew in a long sip of champagne. Serena really did feel at home here. At peace.
When Robert returned from dropping her tote off, he said, “Garrett should be here shortly."
As though on cue, the front door opened and Garrett's large frame suddenly filled the doorway.
Serena's heart did a curious little flip. Her stomach fluttered. She sucked in a sharp breath as he speared her with a heated look that resonated all the way to her toes, targeting one p
articularly sensitive spot along the way. She pressed her thighs together in hopes of keeping the thrumming at the heart of her from intensifying. No such luck. She literally squirmed in her seat as the tension built between her legs.
With just that one look, Garrett had her hot and restless, in desperate need of him.
She suddenly wished Robert would disappear into thin air. Serena wanted nothing more than to be alone with Garrett. Preferably naked. And it didn't even matter whether they made it to the bedroom or not. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything.
