by Kelly Alexis
I was captivated by the warm curl of the man's Irish brogue and his striking attractiveness. It dawned on me that I was standing as silent as a post, staring at him, and I felt myself blush as I hurried to answer, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ryan. Jimmy took excellent care of me."
"I discovered Jimmy's talents when I owned race cars. He drove in several Grands Prix for me and knows how to handle slick streets." He nodded toward Nathan. "Thank you, Nathan. I'll take Miss Ingalls from here."
Nathan gave me a smile and stepped backward. "Enjoy your stay. If there's anything I can do for you, just ask." He turned and walked out the front door.
"Your attorney has made sure all your expenses are fully paid, so feel free to take advantage of our many activities. Let me introduce you to Nicole. Her job is to make your stay the best weekend of your life. Everything and anything you desire is on our room-service menu. Our kitchen and bar are open twenty-four hours a day for your convenience." He led the way to the concierge area that consisted of a carved wooden desk in front of a curved wall of bookcases.
A beautiful woman in her early twenties stood as we approached. Her eyes were bright and friendly, and her chestnut-colored hair flowed over one shoulder like liquid copper.
"Nicole, this is Miss Samantha Ingalls." He looked back at me. "I will leave you in Nicole's capable hands for now. Perhaps I'll see you later for drinks in the lounge. It's our pleasure to have you as our guest." Blake gave me a warm smile that curled my toes before he headed toward the bar.
"Please sit down, and I'll explain our facilities," Nicole said.
I settled onto one of the plump armchairs in front of the desk, and Nicole also sat down. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"I really enjoyed the white wine that was in the limo. Do you have anything similar at the bar?"
She nodded and picked up the phone. "I'll check with Joshua, our senior bartender. He's been here at Breathless since day one. He and Blake go back a long way." Nicole raised her index finger as Joshua answered. "Good afternoon, Joshua. Miss Ingalls has arrived, and she would like another glass of the white wine that you stock in Jimmy's limo." She listened for a moment. "Yes, that would be super. I'm sure she'll appreciate that. Bye."
"Way back?" I asked, picking up on the earlier part of the conversation. I was curious about the mysterious Blake Ryan.
"Yeah. Before Blake made his billions selling his dot-com company and built this place."
"How long has the resort been open?"
"This is our fifth year."
"You opened in the middle of the recession?" That fact amazed me. Colorado businesses had suffered badly during that time, with many of them shutting down rather than starting up.
"People needed our services then more than ever." Nicole leveled a serious look at me. "The resort is named Breathless for two reasons. The obvious one is the altitude. We're at over eleven thousand feet, so the air is a little thin. But also, because this is a place where people can relax and catch their breath as they try something…or someone…new." She gave me a wink, so quick it could have been a blink before continuing. "Most of our customers are going through a bad breakup or a traumatic situation when they arrive here. The recession caused a lot of dramatic events in people's lives. We were able to help them accept their situation, find a way to change it, and bring them happiness at a time when they needed some good news."
I sighed. If only it were that easy. At least this seemed like a nice place to hide out and lick my wounds for a few days.
"Joshua will be sending two glasses of your favorite wine for us and will also put a bottle in your room for you to enjoy later."
"How thoughtful."
"What did Michael tell you about Breathless, Samantha? Is it okay to call you Samantha?"
"Of course it is. But Michael didn't tell me much except that I should relax and let you guys take care of me."
"That's exactly what we plan to do." She nodded in agreement. "Michael had some suggestions based on what he knew of your marriage and your ex-husband."
"I should have seen it coming. I feel really stupid that I thought marriage was forever."
Nicole pushed a leather-covered binder across her desk to me. "Hopefully, what we offer here will enable you to get back to your life, improved and with access to resources that will change your outlook for the better. Not much of what we do here is structured, schedule-wise." She opened the notebook and began to point to various items as she flipped through the pages. "As you can see, we have experts and activities, depending on weather, that cover everything from career counseling to legal advice, property and real estate advice, ballroom dancing, financial advice, and gourmet cooking lessons, for example. In the warmer months, we have hiking and horseback riding, and this time of year, you can ski, ice-skate, or go on a sleigh ride. Anything you want, anytime you want to do it. Remember, everything is included. And no tipping is allowed. Our staff is extremely well paid."
I couldn't help but be impressed. "All this in three days? I'll never get any sleep."
"If you want, we can work it all in." Nicole smiled. "No one has ever done everything. We've had guests stay in their rooms all day and night, spending their time on Facebook and sleeping…among other things. You don't strike me as someone who wouldn't take advantage of at least some of our activities. You know what they say about getting right back up on that horse after you've fallen off."
I nodded. "You're right, of course. I've got to get my life back on track, or better yet, a different track."
There was a soft knock on the wall behind me.
"Come on in." Nicole motioned with her hand.
A man entered with a tray containing two wineglasses and a full bottle of the white wine I had had in the limo.
"Good afternoon, Miss Ingalls. I'm Joshua. I'm glad you approved of my choice of wine." He smiled as he set the tray on the desk. He carefully poured both glasses and then handed one to me and the second to Nicole. "I'll leave this for you."
"It's nice to meet you, Joshua." I couldn't help but stare at his light blue eyes, tousled brown hair and square jaw. Was it possible that the men here were particularly handsome, or was I just so horny that they all looked delicious? I had a feeling I'd be spending a lot of time in the bar. "And thanks for the wine."
"You're very welcome. Anything else?" He looked first at me, then at Nicole.
"Thank you, Joshua," Nicole answered.
He flashed me another grin, then left.
Nicole waited for Joshua to exit before resuming our conversation. "Here's to you and a restful and revealing time, Samantha," she said as she held her glass up in the air.
I agreed. "Here, here!" We took a drink.
Nicole set her glass down on the desk. "Look over this list, tomorrow morning, or even tonight, if you'd like, and let's sit down and figure out what will be the best use of your time." She glanced at her computer screen. "Your luggage is already in your room. I'm sure you want to freshen up before dinner. Please follow me, and I'll take you to the Fantasy Suite."
"The Fantasy Suite?" I echoed. That sounded a little more intense than I had expected. "Why do they call it that?"
"We try to match our guests up to suites that will fit their needs…and desires."
"I didn't realize I had a fantasy."
"Your attorney specifically requested that suite," Nicole explained. "He said you've had a rough time and you needed to open your mind and your heart."
I couldn't remember ever expressing a fantasy to my attorney, but at this point, I just wanted to get to my room and take a long, hot bath. I followed Nicole through the great room to a small bank of two elevators off to the left. One elevator sat waiting with its door open, and the two of us stepped inside. Nicole punched the number three, and the door closed.
Exhaustion was starting to hit me, and I was barely aware of the elevator moving until it stopped and the door opened. Nicole continued down an ornately decorated hallway to a room on the back side of the bu
ilding. "This is a corner room with views to the north and the west, so you can sit in the hot tub on your private deck and enjoy spectacular sunsets."
"With everyone watching? That must be cozy."
"The glass is one-way, so you can see out, but no one can see in. Privacy is our number-one concern here." Nicole pulled an old-fashioned key out of her pocket and fit it into the keyhole. "Blake doesn't believe in the plastic key cards," she explained as she opened the door and swung it wide. Then she held the metal key out to me. "There are maps of the hotel and the entire property in your welcome book. Feel free to explore any of the public areas or ask for a tour. On the front page of your book is a list of all the staff's extensions. Again, we are here for your pleasure. Don't hesitate to contact us for anything at any time."
I took the key that was still warm from Nicole's hand. It was bright brass and had a gold chain threaded through the largest loop of the bow. I couldn't remember the last hotel I had stayed in that used metal keys. It was another charming twist to this interesting and unique place.
Nicole stayed outside but waited until I was inside the room. "People usually start the cocktail hour around seven, and dinner follows that, but you're on your own schedule."
"Thank you. I'll see how I feel after I get settled. Thanks for your help."
Nicole smiled. "It's truly my pleasure."
I started to shut the door, but Nicole stopped it with her hand.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Erika, our masseuse, will be coming to your room at five o'clock. She's amazing. After your trip, I'm sure you'll enjoy a nice massage."
I hesitated. I didn't know what I wanted to do this evening, but the thought of a massage was tempting. It had been several months since I'd had a massage. My muscles were probably all twisted into knots from the tension of the divorce. It would be a good start to my vacation. "That sounds really nice. Thanks."
"Tell her what you like. And remember, no tipping. Enjoy."
Chapter 2
The Fantasy Suite
Still puzzled by the implication of the name, I looked around and was not surprised by the plush luxury of the room. It was set up like an efficiency apartment with a small kitchen and dining area to the left, a living area in the back with a sectional couch that faced a two-sided fireplace. And, as promised, a bottle of white wine was sitting in a bottle chiller on the coffee table. The deck and hot tub were visible beyond a wall of windows with a pair of French doors leading outside. On the right side of the fireplace was the bedroom, dominated by a huge king-size bed. Two nightstands with lamps, an antique chest of drawers with a large flat-screen TV built in, and two armchairs were also in the bedroom.
I headed straight for the ridiculously large bathroom off the bedroom. The counters were granite with two blown-glass bowl sinks. A walk-through shower was on one end, and a two-person jetted tub was in the other corner. I flipped the stopper and turned on the faucets. There were at least a dozen candles placed around the room, but I didn't bother lighting them. It seemed pointlessly romantic. However, I did take advantage of the crystal container of bubble bath that sat on the counter and dumped a generous portion into the water.
While the tub was filling, I returned to the bedroom and noticed that my suitcases had been unpacked and my clothes put away. I stripped down and picked up the dark red plush robe that had been laid out on the bed. I pulled it on and snuggled into its softness, then returned to the living area.
A corkscrew had been left next to the bottle, so I opened the wine, then poured myself a full glass, which I took to the tub. I turned off the faucets and placed the glass on a convenient shelf at the back of the tub where I could reach it from the water. I left my hair pinned on top of my head, hung the robe next to the tub, and climbed in.
A button turned the water into a churning pool that both soothed and tickled my skin. I adjusted the heater temperature upward, then slid down in the bubbles until they were up to my neck. I laid my head back against the cushioned rest and lifted it only when I took another drink of wine. I closed my eyes as I tried to digest all I had seen and heard today. There was a lot to absorb, and I sensed there was more that wasn't being said. I didn't think there was any amount of therapy they could offer that would change my life, but…I would check out the book and see if anything sounded useful.
"Miss Ingalls?"
I sat up so abruptly that water splashed out of the tub and onto the floor. My heart pounded as I looked around the bathroom, expecting to see a person standing in the doorway. But it appeared I was still alone. "Who's there?" I called out.
"It's Erika. I'm here for your massage." Her voice was soft and cheerful, but with a little bit of an echo.
"Just a minute," I said loudly as my gaze scanned the walls, looking for a speaker.
"They must have forgotten to tell you about the intercom system. No need to yell. I'll be waiting in the hallway until you're through with your bath."
"How'd you know I'm in the tub?"
"You have the jets on. I'll show you how to put the intercom into private mode before I leave. Take your time."
The mood was broken, and I felt bad about Erika cooling her heels in the hallway, so I turned off the jets and flipped the tub-drain lever. I stood, dried off in the tub, then stepped out onto the heated tile floor before pulling the robe around me. I tied it on the way to open the door.
"Sorry…I didn't realize I'd been in there so long," I apologized after I opened the door.
Erika was dressed in a white halter top with a bare midriff showing off her tiny waist. A royal-blue ankle-length skirt flowed with every step. Her blonde hair hung in a riot of curls well past her shoulders. She had the fresh-faced look of a young Nicole Kidman and a charming Australian accent to match. "No worries. You're here to relax." She pushed a cart ahead of her. "I usually set up in the bedroom, if that's okay?"
"Uh…of course. Wherever you think is best. I'm going to get another glass of wine. Would you like one?"
"Do Kiwis live in New Zealand?"
"Uh…maybe?" I hadn't been expecting a quiz.
"The correct answer to both questions is a big yes." Erika's hearty laughter filled the room, immediately putting me at ease.
I retrieved my glass and went to the living room to refill it and fill the other glass for Erika. When I turned around, I saw Erika had turned on the fireplace. Unlike the big one downstairs, this fireplace was gas. Instead of logs, the flames licked out of a layer of cobalt-blue glass that sparkled and shimmered like jewels. Already, the room was warmer.
Erika unfolded a massage table on top of the cart. Soothing music came from an MP3 player on a shelf below. She unfolded a clean sheet, spread it out on top, and tucked it under the mattress, followed by another sheet and a lightweight blanket. She pulled back the top sheet and blanket. "Undress to your comfort level and lie face down on the table," she instructed. She took the glass from my outstretched hand. "I'll stay in the living room until you call me."
I waited until I was alone. I'd always been a little shy about my body. Kevin had laughed at my modesty, which hadn't raised my self-confidence level at all. Normally, I left my panties on during a massage, but since I was nude from my bath, it seemed silly to actually put panties on. So, I simply took off the robe and dropped it on the bed. Wearing nothing but a nervous smile, I swallowed my glass of wine in one gulp, then lay face down on the table as instructed. I twisted around and pulled the top sheet and blanket up to my shoulders, then called out, "Ready."
As Erika returned to the bedroom, she was taming her wild curls into a ponytail with an elastic band. She flipped the overhead light off and closed the draperies, so the only light in the room was from the fireplace and what bled through from the living-room windows. "All I ask is for you to turn your stress and your body over to me for a while and let me establish a new starting point for your life."
I sighed. "That's a big challenge."
"Are there any places where I should focus to start?"
"My
neck and shoulders," I answered, then added, "and my hands and feet. Oh, and my back." I laughed. "Now that I'm thinking about it, everywhere, I guess."
Erika nodded. "That's not unusual for a woman who's gone through a great deal of stress." She slowly pulled the top sheet and blanket down to my waist and pumped oil into her cupped hands from an applicator on the cart. She rubbed her hands together before smoothing them over my shoulders in big circles. She firmly pressed downward, following the curves of my muscles before traveling along either side of my spine. She returned to my shoulders, pausing to work on knotted areas.
I winced when pains shot through me.
"You okay? Too hard?"
"God, no. Don't stop. You just hit a sensitive spot."
"It'll feel better if I work it out." Erika continued to knead my neck and shoulders until she was satisfied the knots were gone. She moved down my back and on to my buttocks.
My brain shut down as I let the pure pleasure of warm oil and firm fingers take over. I was barely aware when Erika moved down to my legs, rubbing in long, sensuous strokes from the curve of my ass all the way down to my toes. Over and over, sliding down my thighs and over my calves before moving to my other leg and repeating the motion. "How does your neck feel?"
"What neck?" I murmured.
"Good. Do you run?" She continued to work on my calf muscles.
"I haven't for several weeks. I need to get back to it now that the divorce is final."
"Your hamstrings are in good shape, but you're carrying a lot of stress in your thighs and calves. Does this hurt?" She pressed a spot just below the knee.
My right leg tightened with a jerk. I barely managed not to cry out.
"Obviously, that's a spot we need to work on next time. We'll let that go for now." She spent several minutes massaging my feet, then held the sheet and blanket up. "Roll over, please."
I turned over, and Erika replaced the covers. I heard the thump, thump, thump of the pump, then relaxed as warm, slick open palms moved over my chest and shoulders. Down one arm, rubbing my palm in a circular motion. I felt all the tension ooze out of my fingers as Erika massaged them, one by one. My eyes drifted closed again, and I savored the sensations of Erika's magic fingers as she moved to the other side before focusing on my thighs.