Filthy Rich by Dawn Ryder

rubbed her nose for a moment, warming it.
    â€œI think this is more than the normal tour.”
    He shrugged. Her belly tightened with him so close, the reaction instant.
    â€œThanks. This kicks serious ass.”
    He winked at her. “Does that mean you’ll have dinner with me?”
    A warning bell was trying to sound, but it was hard to hear with his body heat surrounding her. “And if I say no?”
    His eyes glittered with promise. “Candace will end up getting an eyeful when I kiss you right here.”
    â€œDinner,” she answered a little too quickly, “but no promise of a kiss.”
    â€œI promise you there will be both,” he said, and stepped away.
    â€œYou’ve got a one-track mind,” she called after him.
    He turned and fixed her with a knowing look. One that warmed her cheeks again and kept them stinging on the ride back down the glacier.
    But she didn’t really dread the coming evening. The truth was, she was looking forward to it.
    ***
    Her legs felt like Jell-O when she stepped out of the shower back in her room at the lodge.
    Candace gained a huge amount of respect in her book as Celeste rummaged through her travel case looking for some painkillers.
    But it had so been worth it! Her Alaskan adventure was a blast, and she had to admit that Nartan was doing his part to make it unforgettable.
    Someone knocked on the door, so she made her way across the sitting room.
    â€œGood afternoon, Ms. Connor,” a woman in a three-piece hotel uniform greeted her. She pushed a rolling cart into the sitting room and transferred afternoon tea service to the table. “Compliments of your host. You have a confirmed dinner reservation in the Denali room at six.”
    Celeste dug her wallet out of her purse, but the woman shook her head. “Every detail of your stay has been provided for. Please ring the desk or use the touch pad if you’d like anything.”
    The woman made for the door and disappeared quietly. Celeste moved closer to the table to inspect what had been delivered. The plate was almost too beautiful to disturb by eating from it. Small slices of cheese and fruits were artfully arranged. There were afternoon tea cakes that smelled divine. They were so delicate that she snapped a picture with her cell phone to preserve the image.
    â€œYou’ve got style, Nartan Lupan.”
    For just a moment she felt a tingle of apprehension on the nape of her neck. Every little luxury could become a bar in a lavish cage. The perfectly performing staff could transform into a network of spies that would make it impossible to breathe.
    You’re building your own prison…
    Nartan’s words rose up from her mind and snapped her back into the moment.
    She reached for the silver teapot that was also on the table and poured hot water into a delicate teacup. A selection of teas sat in a box alongside a small pot of honey and a miniature pitcher of cream. Celeste unwrapped a tea bag, dropped it into her cup, and took it out onto the viewing patio. She settled into the large, rocking love seat, smiling as she sunk into the thick cushion, and sipped her tea.
    She refused to notice how everything was built for two people.
    She wouldn’t notice it because she’d made her choice to be single.
    But you do still feel Nartan’s kiss…
    She drew another sip from her tea, letting the hot liquid override the memory.
    Her choice.
    And she was happy with it.
    Bullshit…
    She took another sip and realized how easily Nartan had become the ghost lurking in her thoughts.
    Well, at least that was a step forward.
    The real question was: Would she let him kiss her after dinner?
    ***
    Celeste primped in front of the bathroom mirror.
    She was avoiding thinking about what she was doing. Going with the flow; letting herself enjoy the buzz of dressing up.
    Why not?
    God it felt good to think like that!
    She finished her makeup and loosened the soft dressing robe that