The snow began coming down harder, and our sleigh slid into the woods where the temperature seemed to drop another few degrees. I sat back on the bench, unsure what to say to Eric, because in that moment a realization hit me. Eric had the one quality that drove me crazy.
He was a know-it-all.
“It’s true.” Derek suddenly jumped in. “He relayed Bodie’s fate to me earlier in the bar. Even had the front desk print out the page. He thought you might not believe it.”
“I do have a copy in my pocket,” Eric confirmed.
“Nah. I’m good. I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, and I have a small issue with authority so whether it’s scribed in the universe or not, Bodie is and always will be my little chiwoodle.”
I felt Eric’s shoulder shrug against mine as if he were somewhat disappointed I didn’t embrace this newfound information. Wanting to drop the whole chiwoodlegate scandal, I eyed Gabby.
“I can’t wait to get back to the fire,” I announced, feeling the chill drill into my bones.
“It is getting a lot colder,” Gabby agreed, blowing into her gloved hands.
Derek leaned over to whisper something in my ear, and I literally wanted to melt into him.
“I’ve got a secret. You have a chiwoodle, and I have a buggs. And when she barks, she sounds like an old man tore his hamstring.”
I chuckled and glanced over at Eric, who was talking with Jason about his findings and how the AKC goes about naming conventions.
“What’s a buggs?” I whispered.
“Wouldn’t you like to know…”
I giggled and nodded. “Actually, yes.”
“All in good time.” He patted my knee, and with that simple gesture, desire to be touched again paraded through my body, reminding me just how long it had been since I’d been with a man.
Bodie sat up, stretching his head toward the sky, and Derek reached down to scratch his ear next. Seeing the smile on Derek warmed me up all over again. Could this man do no wrong?
But he wasn’t the only man sent here to amuse me. I needed to keep my options open.
“Eric, I’m sorry. In your presence, Bodie will only be a wapoo. I apologize for being so harsh.”
Eric brought his hand out of his lap and wrapped his arm around my shoulder and squeezed me. I stiffened at his touch and realized no matter how attractive he was, there was something missing. I glanced at Derek, who took it in stride. Actually, I think he got some twisted pleasure out of seeing me squirm. I knew Gabby did.
“Don’t go ticklin’ the wrong ear with your free hand there now, Eric,” Derek said devilishly.
An unexpected giggle erupted from my belly, and my body warmed again. I doubted I had the nerve to do anything more than ogle at rugged Derek and Esquire Eric this weekend, but Derek’s charisma made me lose my ability to make proper judgments, which was why I should focus on Eric. Then the reasonable and objective side of me would make sound decisions, and I’d leave the weekend unscathed and ready for Gabby’s upcoming nuptials.
Derek leaned over and pulled out a thermos I hadn’t even noticed.
“Hot chocolate anyone?” he asked, unscrewing the lid.
“Absolutely. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on us,” Gabby scolded him.
“Timing is everything. If I whipped it out too soon you’d be disappointed the rest of the ride home that we didn’t have any left.” He poured the thick chocolate into the first foam cup, and Jason stood up in between bumps to fetch it for Gabby. “It’s kind of like sex.”
My jaw dropped open, and Jason’s laughter filled the air.
“Would you like some?” Derek asked me.
“Like some of what in particular?”
The hot chocolate. Of course, he was talking about the hot chocolate.
“Yes. Please.” I answered before giving him the chance to further expand on my embarrassment. I honestly had no idea what was going on with me.
Pouring the hot chocolate, Derek’s lip curled up slightly as if he’d cracked a code.
“And you?” he asked Eric.
Eric nodded and slid his arm off my shoulders.
“Looks like we’ll be getting back to the lodge in the next ten minutes,” Jason said, glancing at his phone.
“See? Timing is everything.” Derek smiled, handing me my own cup of delicious peppermint cocoa. Our gloved hands touched as I took the cup from him, and a spark ran through my fingers.
I had to be imagining this.
“I’ve never been to a mystery dinner before. Sounds like fun,” I told Gabby, trying to shake off the latest emotions flying recklessly around in my head.
I didn’t buy into love at first sight or fourth sight for that matter. The tenth encounter was probably pushing it. But the newsflash of the century after this weekend seemed to be that I never experienced lust at first sight either, and Derek was destabilizing all kinds of fallacies this cold winter’s afternoon.
I took a sip of the warm liquid and felt the chocolate coat my throat as my mind unexpectedly reverted to my ex-husband. Had I ever actually been in love? I never once felt electricity charge between Paul and I while we were dating. Our relationship just grew. It expanded over time into companionship and then love. I’d never spent all my time talking about him with my friends, devising plans to attract him or even tempt him. The relationship just evolved and seemed to skip all those steps, but I’d assumed the steps didn’t matter. Maybe I’d assumed wrong.
The blistering wind made visibility almost impossible as we came out of the woods and headed toward the faint glow of the lodge’s lights. We were on the homestretch.
As awkward as some of these moments had been during the sleigh ride, I’d learned two important things:
Eric had the potential to be a know-it-all.
And Derek proved I wasn’t completely dead inside.
Life was looking up.
Chapter Seven
I pushed through a pair of newly added batwing doors that swung to the sides and exposed an old saloon in what was once the bar from the night before. The space had been completely transformed into something from the Old West. The bartenders sported frock coats, bow ties, and derby hats. Each bartender had styled their newly acquired mustaches with pride and ingenuity, and the gunslinger mentality dripped throughout the space with western props hung on the walls and displayed on the tables.
Several gaming tables had replaced the dining tables where card dealers shuffled their decks and waited, for what I didn’t know. I spotted a few women dressed as dance-hall girls huddling on a faux staircase that had been added in the corner of the recreated saloon. They’d lifted their red satin dresses up to expose their black stockings, offering gentlemen their wares. I felt as if I’d been transported to the 1850’s.
I glanced toward the bar and saw Eric leaning over the counter, talking with one of the dancing girls. Her hair had been piled high and a feathered head wrap obscured her features. He gave a hearty laugh, and I watched him slide a napkin to her. She grabbed it and stuffed it into her corset, and I shook my head.
Typical.
I spotted a small round table that looked like the perfect docking station for the night.
“Where are you off to so quickly?” Derek’s voice wrapped around me, and I jolted in place. If just his voice could produce desire in me, I could only imagine what a kiss would do to my world.
Turning around, I was surprised—and grateful—to catch his eyes lingering on me instead of the dance-hall girls.
“You look absolutely incredible,” Derek said, taking my hand and raising it above my head. I found myself doing a naturally slow twirl and suddenly felt like Cinderella in the Wild West.
“I wasn’t sure what to wear, but judging by the looks of things, I chose the wrong century.” I smiled, feeling his gaze run over my curves. I’d chosen a simple black dress with long sleeves and a scooped neck and back. It wasn’t spectacular by any means, and yet, he made me feel like I’d put on the most
astonishing evening gown in the world.
“Whatever century it is, I’m loving every second of it,” he growled, lowering my hand but not letting go. I didn’t know if he said it that way on purpose, but in doing so, he totally hijacked my resolve to stay away from the possibilities of being with him.
“Thank you. You’re not looking so bad yourself.”
Derek tipped his head and smiled. He’d changed into a pair of dark jeans and a navy blue sweater and looked sensational, actually. It made my mind wander back to the idea of purely having fun over the weekend, but we were already on the second night, and truth be told, I was a chicken.
“So are we the only two here?” he asked.
“Uh.” My gaze darted to the bar. “No. Eric’s here as well. I think he found a dancing girl he’d like to get to know better or something.”
Derek’s gaze landed on Eric, and he let out a breath.
“I can’t blame him though,” I added.
“Why’s that?”
“I think I might have accidentally made it overly clear who I was interested in during our sleigh ride.”
Derek’s mouth curved up slightly, and he let go of my hand right before sliding his arm around my waist.
“And who was that?” He brought me into him.
“Do I really have to say?” I almost whispered, tilting my chin up.
“Considering you couldn’t remember my name the first time we met, it would do wonders for my ego if I could hear you say it.” His smile melted me deeper into his embrace.
“I’d have to say that you’re one of the most charming men I’ve ever encountered.”
“Charming?” he repeated.
“Yes. Charming. But that charm makes me worry.”
I was surprised at how candid I was being with him, but he didn’t skip a beat.
“The only thing you should be worried about tonight is solving the mystery.” He looked over at the table. “Shall we?” I glanced back at Eric and decided not to worry about him. He’d made his claim, and she came in costume for the evening.
“I’d like that very much.”
Derek led me over to the table I’d been eyeing earlier when I heard Gabby and Brandy’s laughter come through the swinging doors as they pushed their way into the saloon.
“This is so cool,” Gabby squealed.
“I second that.” Brandy stood with both hands on her hips as she took in the surroundings. Aaron stood behind Brandy and wrapped his arms around her, and I looked away, feeling as if I’d stumbled onto a private moment.
“Would you like something to drink?” Derek asked, leaning down so I could hear over the music that had been turned up. The sound of another era pumped through the system with the clip-clop of horse’s hooves and western piano music.
“I’d love a martini with extra olives.”
“Gin or vodka?”
“Vodka.”
“Don’t let anyone steal my seat.” His brows furrowed together teasingly.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I watched him walk toward the bar and couldn’t help but wonder what he looked like under all those layers of clothing. No doubt, incredible. My eyes skated over to Eric, who looked somewhat surprised when Derek showed up next to him. Eric quickly looked sheepishly around the bar, his gaze landing at our table, but not on me. I waved anyway.
Derek seemed to be saying something to Eric as he pulled out a few bills from his wallet and handed them to Eric. Eric’s dancer glanced in my direction, and I recognized her as the server from the night before. Whatever Derek was saying to Eric seemed to make her uncomfortable enough to turn red and pretend to pour a drink, missing the glass completely. Derek patted Eric’s shoulders and made him look about two feet tall.
Derek spun around with two drinks in hand and a smile that made most of the women in the saloon take notice. I waved at Tori who’d just arrived with Mason, Ayden and Lily. They’d found a table near the bar and took their seats, stripping out of their jackets.
I glanced at the set menu that had been placed on our table and my stomach growled. I was starving and hoped we wouldn’t have to wait too long for the food, but judging by the surroundings we wouldn’t get dinner until after the performance.
Just as Derek approached the table, a loud bang sounded and several of the dance-hall girls screamed, and I nearly fell out of my chair. My heart raced as the bartenders all grabbed pistols and stood back-to-back searching the bar with weapons raised.
Gabby spun around as one of the bartenders yelled that Jason had been murdered, and she screamed. I quickly scanned the area for Jason, but he really had vanished.
Derek placed my drink in front of me and slid his chair next to me before taking a seat. He was completely unfazed and took a sip of his drink as my heart raced wildly, and I had to remind myself that tonight was a murder mystery dinner.
I watched Eric’s hot date raise her dress and grab a knife from her garter belt and couldn’t help but notice how toned her legs were. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see if Derek noticed, but he hadn’t.
Eric had sauntered over to an empty chair at Lily’s table, but right before he was about to take a seat, the hot dancer grabbed him and placed a plastic blade against his throat. He looked terrified and completely out of his element. He was a distinguished attorney, not used to being roughed up, and I doubt he ever guessed he’d get thrown into the mix of things like this. We never would’ve worked, even for a one-night stand. I shook my head and held in a laugh as each cast member began yelling out clues, going from table to table, hauling a now flustered Eric along for the ride.
“I don’t think Eric expected that.” Derek leaned over and whispered. “It looked like he about wet himself.”
I found myself giggling as Derek rested his hand along my neck. His thumbs moved back and forth gently on my skin, which sent pulses of pleasure through me making it nearly impossible to focus on the mystery at hand.
“So who do you think the bad guy is?” he murmured, his mouth next to my ear and his fingers still circling my bare skin.
“Gabby.” I barely breathed out.
“No way. I’m saying it’s a jealous friend. Maybe Brandy?”
“Absolutely not. Brandy’s in love with Aaron and Aaron’s Gabby’s brother. There would be no betrayal like that.”
“Love is nothing but betrayal, darling,” Derek whispered.
His words smacked me with the truthfulness only a few could understand. I caught his gaze and bit my lip before turning my attention back to the actors recreating a scene straight from the nineteenth century.
“It doesn’t have to be,” I said, swallowing down the desire his fingers conjured up.
“If you believed that, do you think you’d be in this predicament?” he asked. There was nothing condescending or judgmental about his question. It was matter-of-fact. He was coming from a place of understanding, and yet he knew nothing about my past.
And I knew nothing about his.
Maybe that was why this weekend was going to work so well. We were two strangers, who might get to enjoy one another’s company without the hassle of emotion and worrying about where it’ll end up.
I straightened my posture slightly as another shot rang in the air, and one of the dance-hall girls fell from the stairs. Lily gasped and stood up to get a better look.
Derek trailed his fingers down my back, which made it nearly impossible to think straight. I brought in a shuddered breath and caught a smile etching his lips.
“You don’t believe it’s Gabby,” he breathed into my ear. “So who could the killer be?”
My body trembled with the closeness, and I had to steady my breathing before replying.
“If love is all about betrayal, maybe it’s Aaron. Maybe he didn’t approve of his sister marrying Jason.”
“That’s an interesting theory.”
“You’re making it difficult to participate at all.”
“Why’s that?” He took his hand
away and reached for his drink.
“No reason.” I smiled, watching Eric get tied to a chair.
“Some women are into that,” Derek said, pointing at Eric.
“It could be fun.”
Derek laughed, and I realized I had no idea what he was actually talking about. “You mean getting tied up or that fresh off the pages model-type male Eric embodies?”
Derek gave a throaty laugh and shook his head.
“Is that how you see Eric?”
I nodded. “A little tender for my tastes.”
“How do you see me?” he whispered, trailing his fingers along my cheek, sending a flutter of longing through me.
“Rugged, capable, handsome.” I couldn’t be expected to speak in complete sentences at this point. He returned to caressing the bare skin on my back, and his touch produced a web of tingling down my body.
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” he said, nodding.
“Nope.”
We watched the show’s continued pursuit of truth and justice when one of the players came over to our table. He was a bartender with a curly mustache and beady eyes, which made it quite difficult to keep a straight face. The spotlight shone on our table, nearly blinding me, and Derek stood up, surprising me. I saw the dancer behind the bartender lightly shove Eric back into the seat and make her way over.
The bartender took a glass of water from our table and splashed it on Derek.
“I see traces of gunpowder on this man’s clothes,” the bartender yelled and the dancer nodded.
“That’s impossible. He’s been here with me all night,” I said, standing up, completely indignant they’d try to pin the murder on Derek.
“He was right here when the first shot fired,” I continued, unsure how in the world I got pulled into this so easily, but it rolled off my tongue. “And water isn’t going to show you traces of gunpowder. That’s probably dust from riding his horse all day to get to the saloon.”
Derek chuckled.
“You findin’ this funny?” the bartender asked him.
“Partially.”
The bartender attempted to push Derek back in his seat, but he didn’t budge. He was too big to be tossed around so he smiled and crossed his arms as the bartender went on to the next potential suspect.
Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) Page 5