Walking into the spacious entryway of the ski lodge, Kai tried to keep that in mind. He and Jessie were family, and they could share a room without anything happening. Just because he could barely look at her smoky, passionate eyes or curly, wild hair without feeling a tinge of arousal, didn’t mean he had to act on it. Kai was an adult, not a hormone crazed teenager. He had complete control of his body, and they could spend the night talking until they fell asleep—him on the floor, her safely on the bed.
Kai took in the space around him as he walked up to the front desk. The hotel was designed to resemble a classic log cabin with large wooden timbers visible under the roof, and a few supporting logs spaced around the open area of the lobby. A large circular fireplace with a cylindrical flue was in the middle of the common room, with chairs and tables spaced around it. It seemed like a very comfortable place to take a break from the chill outside. Several guests were lounging there with warm drinks in their hands while their skis rested on support brackets built along the wooden walls. Hallways branched off from either end of the common room with wide staircases that led to the upper floors. The entire place oozed warmth and comfort.
Smiling at the peaceful setting, Kai gave the elegant woman running the front desk his name. Yes, he and Jessie could be adults about all this. There was no need to stress about something as small and insignificant as sharing a room. And just the thought of spending some quality time with her made him happier than he cared to admit. He’d missed her so much, and now, at the very least, he’d get a chance to talk with his friend again. He’d meant it when he’d called her his best friend. She was. There was no one else he’d rather hang out with. Then again, he’d also meant it when he said he loved her. He did. Deeply.
While the woman checked him into the computer, Jessie walked up to stand beside him. Her beautiful, deep brown eyes swept over the warm, comfortable lobby, and she continually shifted her weight. Kai thought she was probably nervous about their upcoming arrangements. He wanted to assure her that everything was going to be fine, and nothing was going to happen, but he couldn’t say that with Harmony and April standing right behind them.
Kai watched as a melted snowflake dropped off a tendril of her hair close to her face, and landed on her fluffy jacket, right over her breast. The water flowed down the quilted design, right over her nipple. A surge of desire slammed into him, and Kai had to look away. What was he saying about being an adult? Right. Well, he’d work on it. And it would be nice if the universe would stop teasing him with erotic raindrops.
The woman at the front desk gave him two room cards and wished him a pleasant stay. Kai thanked her and stepped aside so Harmony and April could check in. Jessie leaned on her skis, her bags in her other hand. Kai held his palm out and she looked up at him. “Let me take your bags,” he casually said.
Jessie hesitated a moment, her eyes flicking over his damp hair, then she nodded and handed him one of the bags; her backpack she slung over her shoulder. Wanting to reaffirm to her that this would be fine, Kai gave her a friendly smile. She gave him a cautious smile in return, and Kai found himself staring a little too long into the depths of her eyes. Before he knew it, Harmony was dropping her bags right in front of him, making him jump; he hadn’t realized they had finished checking in.
Harmony smiled as she inhaled a deep breath. “It smells like Christmas in here.”
Kai had to agree with her. It did. The lodge had a real Christmas tree across from the front desk and the smell of pine was nearly overwhelming. It was comforting though. Tiny sparkling lights were strung along the eaves and around the tree, and Kai could just make out the scent of spiced cider coming from somewhere. It was magical and beautiful, and Kai couldn’t wait to spend Christmas here in Colorado. He’d never had a white one before.
Jessie sighed, but she wasn’t taking in the decorations, she was staring at April. “April, do you want to sit down and talk? Clear the air? I never meant to—”
April’s eyes turned as icy as the weather. “Hurt me? Well, you did. And no, I don’t want to talk anymore about it this weekend. I just want to ski and drink. Possibly at the same time.” She picked up her bags, hefted her skis onto her shoulder, and started walking toward one of the hallways.
Harmony looked torn as she watched her leave. She gave Jessie a sympathetic smile, then said, “I’ll talk to her. See you on the slopes in a bit?”
Lips compressed, Jessie gave her friend a stiff nod. Frustration began bubbling inside Kai. This was his fault, and Jessie was the one being punished. He should try talking to April again, make her understand. He wasn’t sure how he could make her see without letting her in on the truth, but he had to try. He hated seeing her angry at Jessie.
Not sure what he was going to do, he took a step to follow April and Harmony. Jessie grabbed his arm. “Don’t. Just let Harm handle it. It’s okay…truly.” She gave him a sad smile, and he wondered if he should really do what she was asking.