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She felt her breath catch in her throat, and her heart rate picked up as she took in his chiseled jawline and broad shoulders. He was classically handsome, and Holly couldn't help but feel a flutter of attraction as she took in his easy confidence and his impeccable manners.
“Thank you,” she managed to say, blushing a little as she realized she had been staring.
He flashed her a smile that wouldn't be out of place in a toothpaste commercial. “No problem. It looks like you could use some assistance.”
Holly nodded, still feeling flustered.
"I'm Nick Winters.” He introduced himself, removing one of his gloves and holding out his hand. Holly stared at it for a moment, then felt her cheeks heat as she belatedly removed her own glove and shook the hand he offered.
She almost snatched it away again as zings of electricity sparked through their fingertips.
It's just static electricity; don’t get your hopes up, the voice in her head told her. The annoying one… not the one that sounded like her mother.
Well, whatever it was, it had arrowed straight for her lady bits, that was for sure.
Holly cleared her throat, trying to shake off the sudden arousal that engulfed her. "I'm Holly, Holly Evergreen," she said, hoping the breathlessness in her voice didn't betray the sudden arousal she was feeling.
"It's nice to meet you, Holly Evergreen. I assume you're staying here in Leavenworth?" he said, gesturing to her luggage with a hitch of his arm.
Holly nodded, her eyes flickering over his handsome face. "Yeah, I'm booked into the Winter Lodge for the next two weeks."
Nick inclined his head. "Well, as it happens, I'm heading that way myself, so I can see you get there safely."
Holly felt a surge of gratitude as she fell into step beside him. She couldn't believe her luck at having met someone so kind and helpful... and handsome.
"Thank you so much, Nick. I really appreciate it."
As they walked, Nick chatted amiably, pointing out landmarks and filling her in on the town's history. Holly found herself hanging on his every word, entranced by the sound of his voice, which was all milk chocolate and velvet as it stroked over her skin.
They reached Winter Lodge in no time, and Holly was sorry to see their impromptu tour of the town come to an end. Nick carried her suitcase inside, and she couldn't help but notice the way his biceps flexed as he lifted it effortlessly. Yum.
He set it down by the front desk and turned to her with a smile. "Well, here you are. I hope you enjoy your stay in Leavenworth."
Holly smiled back, feeling reluctant to let him go. "Thank you for your help, Nick. You’re a lifesaver.”
Nick's eyes warmed as he leaned in closer to her. "It was my pleasure. And who knows, maybe I'll see you around town sometime?"
He looked at her for a long moment, and Holly thought he might suggest they meet up again, but clearly that was wishful thinking, because he just lifted his hand and waved goodbye before he turned and walked deeper into the hotel.
Shaking herself, Holly took her place in the queue as a surge of melancholy overtook her once again. It was surprisingly lengthy, and check-in was taking an unusually long time. Nick Winters had been a nice reprieve, but now he was gone, reality came crashing back down around her. Looking around, she noticed the customers waiting in line, older people grumping about being on their feet so long, kids whining and tired, playing up for equally disgruntled parents, who all seemed just as frustrated as she was.
So much for Christmas Spirit.
Twenty minutes later, the only thing that had changed was the number of people waiting in line at reception. Tempers were fraying, and Holly became aware of the tense and irritated voice of the receptionist, whose attitude really wasn’t helping matters.
When it was finally her turn, Holly was thankful that the day was almost over. She wanted nothing more than to take a nice hot bath and enjoy a cup of cocoa. There would be cocoa, wouldn’t there? In a hotel as festive as this one, they’d be doing themselves a disservice if there wasn’t.
“I’m sorry, but this booking was canceled,” the exasperated woman told her shortly, after Holly had provided her booking details. “Next,” she called as she pushed the printout back to her.
“No, wait,” Holly objected. “You must be mistaken. I didn’t cancel it. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, would I?”
The receptionist, whose name tag read Crystal, scowled at her. “Look, the reservation is canceled, and the room has been rebooked to somebody else.” She attempted to look around Holly to the next person in the queue, but Holly stepped back into her line of vision.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough. Who canceled it? How long ago? And where did the money get refunded to? Because I would have noticed if it was returned to my account.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, I don’t have time for this.”
“You. Don’t. Have. A. Reservation.”
