Page 3 of Wrapped in Winter
“The weather, or is it the new delivery guy?” I snipe out. I know it’s not his fault necessarily, but the lingerie is the only thing selling right now, and we need it. If we turn someone away while waiting for stock, they’ll just buy somewhere else.
“Come on, January, you know it has nothing to do with delivery guysorthe company,” Lief says.
“Drake is hot. You should be placing orders every week so he has to come here more often,” Blossom remarks, practically with hearts in her eyes.
“Who the fuck is Drake?”
“The new delivery guy. I told you to get here early and see him.”
I shake my head. “I’ve got a three-year-old. There’s no way we’re getting out of the house early just so I can ogle some delivery guy. And besides, don't let Bennett hear you talking about him like that.” I side-eye her. Her best friend, Bennett, has had a thing for her since they were little, and it’s clear as day to anyone who sees them together. She insists they’re only friends and it will never go further, but I've never seen either one of them with a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. Sure, a date here and there, but they always seem to find each other at the end of the night.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Bennett has nothing to say about anything.”
“Just bang it out and be done, please. Then talk to me about not having anything to say.”
Lief makes a gagging sound. “Don’t ever use that phrase in front of me again.”
I laugh. I love embarrassing him. “Same for you; find a chick and break the dry spell, please. Maybe you’ll be a bit nicer.”
“Says the ornery sister.”
“I’m ornery because someone needs to keep you guys in check. That, and my daughter is three going on sixteen.”
And I have to do it all alone.I won’t say that out loud though. I walked out on them all those years ago after dad died. I couldn’t stand the sympathetic looks and the whispers as I moved through town. But moving away wasn’t all it was cracked up to be either. Then I failed in a new place, got pregnant and was left alone once again when Lily’s father died, and I had tomake a decision. After a few years of working accounts payable jobs at various start-up companies, I had nothing else, so I came back home when shit went south. It’s not fair for me to ask for help now. But being the amazing family that they are, they step up and try to make things easier every chance they get. I’m slowly accepting their help here and there, but Lily is my daughter, my responsibility, and I’m always sure to make that my priority.
“Wonder where she gets it from,” Lief remarks snidely, and I give him another smack.
“Anyway, it’s only the first week of the year, and as Dad liked to say, we’re going to be wrapped in winter for the next sixteen weeks at least. You better get the shipments here on time. Falling snow, a resort town, and lingerie just go together. And right now, we need all of it to happen.”
Right now, ithas to happenin order to save this store. Dad’s untimely death left it up to us to carry the legacy forward. I have to put my faith and trust into my best friend's husband and my siblings that, by keeping the store, we’re making the best decision. I don’t like relying on others, but for this, I have to. As for my own life? I’ve proved over and over the only one I can count on is myself.
Chapter 2
Drake
“I’ll never get used to this cold. I don’t know how I let you talk me into staying here.” I blow into my hands and rub them together frantically, trying to get some body heat going.
“It’s the Florida blood you got running through you. Time to toughen up, surfer boy.”
I roll my eyes at my best friend, Cole. Three months ago we decided to say fuck it to everything we knew. We packed our shit, we got in the truck, and we drove off, searching for who knows what. Four years of college and two years in the financial world, plus more than a decade of family dysfunction after we lost my sister, had me wanting to jump, and when he and I both expressed a need for a different style of life, we were out. No plan, just a tank full of gas.
Our thought was to head to California, visit some college friends, and maybe start fresh on a new coast. But as we took the long way around—because why not?—we ended up in Wintervale, Montana. I'm not sure what made us stop here. Maybe it was the drastic change in scenery, maybe it was theright place, right time. But the Wintervale Resort was lit up like a palace on a hill, and we had to check it out. Two weeks of scoping out the town, the surrounding area, and the amazing snowboard trails had us saying hell yes to staying. We spoke with a realtor and rented a cabin right off the outskirts of town. Cole ended up grabbing a bartending job at The Range Bar and Grill and I went to work for Snowed-In Deliveries. It’s the exact opposite of what my parents would want for me and it’s fucking fabulous.
Plus, I know my sister would love the idea that I’m finally doing something for me.
“You working the bar tonight?” I ask as we grab our coffees and sit at the corner table. Sweets ’n Spice Bakery is the best in town and I can’t get enough of it.
“Yes. I go in at six.” I nod, and he answers before I can even ask, “I haven’t seen that girl since that night.”
I shrug and let out a sigh. “It’s a resort town, she was probably passing through like we thought we would be.”
I think back to that night six weeks ago. It was one of the hottest I’ve ever had. The woman was drop-dead gorgeous. Blonde hair, light eyes, and a body cased in dark pink lace that was built for my hands to hold. The color reminded me of a raspberry and was so striking against her pale skin. And god, did she taste sweet like one too. It was the first week Cole had been bartending, and I went in and hung out to watch the game and have a few drinks. A group of women came in and one in particular caught my eye. As the night went on, we watched each other. There was no conversation, but my gaze followed her around the bar. When it was clear she wasn’t going to come over and introduce herself, I got up to leave but went to use the restroom before I left. It was dark as I made my way down the hall to the men’s room, and suddenly she appeared behind me and followed me inside.
I didn’t get her name before she was on me, kissing me like it was her last night on earth. Within minutes half of our clothes were off, and I was inside her in my next breath. I had never done anything like that before, but something about her made me want to lose control. Maybe it was just a primal urge deep inside me, wanting her to be mine, because there was nothing romantic about fucking in the bathroom. There was, however, an animalistic need to have her, a passion that flowed through me like never before.
She left before I could get my dick back in my jeans, and I haven’t seen her since. All I have are memories, and I replay that night over and over.
“Maybe. Anyway, listen. We need to come up with a plan,” Cole says.