style="font-size:15px;"> Except for the insane pull of attraction he felt toward the woman who was once his almost-sister-in-law.
Back home, Remy shed his clothes and once again climbed in between his sheets, then pulled his comforter up to his chin. He couldn’t shake the image of Vanessa in the soft flannel pajamas, wondering what it would be like to slip his hand under them and caress her warm skin. Guilt immediately followed that thought, because he knew he didn’t have the right.
Despite thinking he wouldn’t, he managed to drift off to sleep. When he opened his eyes again, he saw his alarm was due to go off in five minutes. He shut it off and pushed himself up.
Thirty minutes later, showered and dressed, he drank his black coffee and nuked instant oatmeal for breakfast. When he’d finished eating, he checked his watch. He had a morning meeting with a new advertising firm from Denver, so he wouldn’t have time to stop by Seth’s.
As he drove to work, he couldn’t help but wonder if his brother had felt well enough to ski. He found himself wondering if Vanessa would go by herself, anyway, and wished he had time to head up to Pine Peak.
Wishful thinking. And foolishness, completely unlike him. Remy considered responsibility his middle name and rarely took time off from work.
Though right now, he sorely wanted to. He hadn’t been skiing at all this season. Of course, his sudden desire to go now had way too much to do with the intriguing beauty ensconced in Seth’s condo. Trouble, any way he looked at it.
Shaking his head at his stray thoughts, he parked and reminded himself to concentrate on his job. When he walked into the elegant lobby of The Chateau, he greeted Mary, the redheaded concierge who was married to Johnnie Web, a firefighter and local hero. She smiled and greeted him back, her cheerful words making him smile the entire elevator ride up to his floor.
As he stepped off and entered the bustling office, the uncharacteristic quiet made him pause. Usually, phones were ringing, people were talking and the hum of various printers or copiers made a pleasant cacophony.
Today, more than half of the cubicles were empty—people taking off for the approaching holiday. He ought to know because he’d personally approved everyone’s requested vacation time.
He’d actually been a bit surprised the Denver ad agency had requested a meeting today to pitch their ideas for a new campaign. While Remy had let it be known that he was actively searching for a new company, all the other major players had scheduled meetings for after the New Year.
Since he actually admired this firm for wanting to get a jump on their competition, he’d agreed to the meeting, despite being short several members of his decision-making staff.
Walking into his office, he looked around for his assistant, Heather. She came out of the break room carrying a donut and a cup of coffee, her long, brown hair up in her usual jaunty ponytail. “Well, good morning,” she chirped. “Someone brought donuts, if you’re interested.”
Before he could reply, her phone rang. Heather rushed past him toward her desk, managing to get there without spilling any coffee. “Remy Colton’s desk,” she answered. Listening for a moment, her eyes went wide. “Please hold.” She eyed Remy, her expression carefully blank. “It’s The Lodge. You’d better take it.”
“Okay, thanks.” He strolled into his office and closed the door. He couldn’t imagine why anyone up there would be calling, but picked up his phone and answered.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” Denise, one of the shift managers, said. “But Seth didn’t show up this morning.”
Remy glanced at his watch. “What time was he scheduled to be in?”
Denise hesitated. “Nine. However, when he pulls a time slot that early, he’s always a little late.”
Remy hadn’t known this. “How late?” The question came out a bit sharper than he’d intended.
“He’s usually in by ten,” she said quietly. “But it’s after that and he isn’t answering his phone.”
Remy cursed silently. If he hurried, he could make it to Seth’s condo and back before his meeting, which seemed to be running late. “I’ll run over and check on him,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Again, he sensed her hesitation. “If he’s…sick, just let us know so we don’t expect him.”
“Will do.” He hung up, gritting his teeth. Almost immediately, his assistant buzzed him.
“Your ten o’clock canceled,” she said. “They were driving up from Denver this morning. Since the pass is closed, they have no way to get here.”
He thanked her, actually glad. Now he wouldn’t have to worry about rushing things with Seth. It sounded like his baby brother needed a good talking-to.
Vanessa wondered for the umpteenth time if she’d made a mistake agreeing to stay in Seth’s condo, even if only for one night. When his handsome brother, Remy, had shown up after midnight, worried, she felt a jolt of attraction low in her belly. Again. And she hated drama of any kind. Getting in between two brothers could create chaos of epic proportions.
Still, after Remy left and she’d wandered back to her bedroom, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
When she woke shortly after seven, she hurriedly showered and dressed before heading to the kitchen, where she hoped to get a cup of strong coffee. Seth’s bedroom door remained closed, making her wonder if he’d forgotten their plans to ski. Loath to knock, she texted him instead.
What time are we leaving?
No answer, which might mean he was in the shower. She went ahead and made her coffee, glad Seth stocked milk and sweetener. After a couple of sips, warmth flooding her throat, she felt her original optimism again. There was nothing she loved better than skiing and she could hardly wait to try out the slopes at Pine Peak. She glanced at her gear piled over in a corner near the door. Rather than leaving it in the car and taking a chance on it being stolen, she’d brought it inside Seth’s condo.
Speaking of Seth… She checked her watch. They’d agreed on early morning, before he had to go in to work. While she wasn’t sure what his schedule looked like today, she figured he’d have to start by nine at the latest. Which meant they were running out of time to ski.
She walked over to the window and peered outside. Snow still fell in a steady curtain and judging from the amount piled up on cars, they’d gotten over a foot of fresh white powder overnight. But there didn’t seem to be any wind, which was a good thing.
Perfect for skiing. As long as conditions weren’t whiteout, the slope would be rocking and rolling. She could hardly wait.
Gathering up her nerve, she went ahead and tapped quietly on his door.
Nothing.
With her heart racing, she turned the knob and peeked her head in. Judging by the
