Before We Kiss

by Susan Mallery

  Dellina practically bounced with excitement as she hurried toward Morgan and began to explain what she needed.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE GOLD RUSH Ski Lodge and Resort had a ridiculously long name but an amazing location. It was located only a few miles from the town, but most of that distance was straight up—putting the resort’s ski slopes well above four thousand feet. While Fool’s Gold itself generally only saw thirty or forty inches of snow a year, the ski slopes saw on average ten times that amount.

  Dellina parked and got out of her car. She was meeting Sam here so they could go over logistics. Everything from the menu at Henri’s—the resort’s five-star restaurant—to various accommodations. Both were equally important. But while she could totally get into food sampling, she was less sure about looking at bedrooms with Sam. Because the last time they’d been in a hotel together had been Valentine’s Day and look how that had ended.

  Dellina walked toward the hotel. She’d always been a big believer in telling the truth—at least to herself. If Sam was offering, she would be mighty tempted to say yes. So it was probably good that he wasn’t.

  She saw a sleek black Mercedes convertible by the valet station and had a feeling that meant Sam was already here. She had used the regular self-park lot, like a normal person. She was still smiling at the comparison when she walked into the resort.

  The Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort was part Victorian mansion, part chalet. There was wood everywhere, high ceilings and lots of attentive staff. The place would make a good impression on the most discerning of clients, she thought as she headed toward the tall dark-haired man standing by a window.

  Even from the back, Sam was impressive. He had broad shoulders and long legs. He stood with an easy grace—still and yet poised for movement. Probably the result of all that athletic training. His suit pants had been tailored by an expert and showed off his narrow hips and muscular butt before falling in a straight line over his thighs.

  He must have left his suit jacket in his car because he didn’t have it with him. He’d rolled up his sleeves to his elbows and she figured there was a fifty-fifty chance he had on a tie.

  All in all, an impressive man, she thought.

  She moved closer. He must have sensed her because he turned and spotted her, then smiled.

  “A nice place,” he said as he walked toward her. “Good choice.”

  “Thanks, but you’re the one who picked it,” she reminded him, wondering how unhealthy it was for her heart to suddenly thunder so hard in her chest. Could the organ be bruised by all the flopping around and banging against bone?

  She wanted him to be impressed by her and was tempted to mention her conversation with Lark Heuston’s agent. The author was coming to Fool’s Gold and seemed very interested in staying for the lecture. But until things were confirmed, Dellina wanted to keep the happy news to herself.

  A pretty woman in her forties walked over. “Dellina,” she said with a smile. “Great to see you.” She held out her hand to Sam. “I’m Jody LaCroux, the events manager here at the hotel. You must be Sam Ridge.”

  They shook hands. Jody motioned for them to head down the hall. “We’re very excited about the weekend you and Dellina have planned for your company, Mr. Ridge.”

  “Sam, please,” he told her.

  Jody had short blond hair and brown eyes. She wore a no-nonsense suit with a knee-length skirt, and sensible flat shoes. Dellina happened to know that when not overseeing weddings and banquets, Jody skied in the winter and ran marathons the rest of the year. She probably couldn’t kick Sam’s butt, yet she could sure outrun him.

  “Nice to meet you, Sam.” Jody smiled at Dellina. “You I know.”

  Dellina laughed. “When my sisters and I moved back to Fool’s Gold, Jody spent a couple of Saturdays helping me work out a schedule for taking care of my sisters, the household and staying up with my classes at community college.”

  “I’m good with organization,” Jody said. “I just never thought a degree in hotel management would come in handy in the community. I was happy to help.”

  She walked past the larger of the ballrooms and led them down the hallway to the smaller meeting rooms.

  “Based on the number of couples and children you’ll be hosting on-site, I think this part of the hotel will be best.” She walked into a room that had an entire wall of windows, along with big doors that opened onto a patio and then a walled garden beyond. There were plenty of plants, but also a grassy area.

  “For the children,” Jody said with a wave of her hand. “Dellina, I’m thinking Friday night and Saturday afternoon. For Friday, we’d set up the mocktail and appetizer stations in the room. The kids will eat next door while the band sets up and we’ll return here. It’s big enough for them to move around, the walls keep them contained. There are restrooms right through there, so they never have to go out into the hallways.”

  “Good security,” Dellina said as she took notes. “On Saturday, you’re right. This is perfect for the meet-and-greet with the therapy dogs.” She glanced at Sam. “You agree?”

  He nodded. “I like the space.”

  They saw the patio where the adult wine tasting would be held, then went back toward the elevators.

  “We have your guests together in a block,” Jody told them as they waited for the elevator. “There will be another large party. A wedding. But your guests will have the entire top floor.” Jody glanced at her notes. “Taryn Crawford put in a request for the presidential suite.”

  Sam grimaced. “Of course she did.”

  Dellina raised her eyebrows. “Is that a problem?”

  “No. I’m sure she and Angel will enjoy it.”

  Jody met Dellina’s gaze and smiled but didn’t comment. They got on the elevator.

  The top floor had high ceilings and beautiful moldings. The theme of woodwork and old-world charm continued. Jody showed them a large executive suite where a hospitality station with refreshments and light snacks would be manned from nine in the morning until midnight. Then she opened one of the rooms their guests would use.

  She stepped back and motioned for them to go in. Dellina thought Sam would go first. He was the client. He hesitated, as if expecting her to lead the way. She took a step at the same time he did and they bumped into each other.

  Heat engulfed her. His upper arm grazed her right breast and the contact sent a ribbon of need curling through to her lower belly. Her hand swung back and came perilously close to his groin. She jumped, he pulled back and they were both back in the hallway.

  Sam cleared his throat. “You first,” he said, his voice a little thick.

  Dellina did as he suggested, hoping Jody was too busy taking notes to notice the awkwardness.

  They stepped into a large bedroom. There was a sofa against one wall and French doors leading to a large balcony.

  Jody followed them inside. “The rooms are all similar to this,” she said. “We have enough adjoining rooms for the parents who have older children. For those with smaller kids, we can provide a rollaway.” She consulted her list again. “You won’t need any cribs, right?”

  “The youngest is six,” Dellina told her. “No cribs. And the oldest is thirteen, so I don’t know if anyone will want adjoining rooms. That seems kind of young to be alone in a hotel room. Sam?”

  He looked at her. “You’re asking the wrong guy. We have the option, if the clients want adjoining rooms.”

  “Of course,” Jody told him. “There are thirty rooms on this floor, plus the presidential suite. I’m holding a handful of rooms on the floor below for emergencies.” She smiled. “Also for Dellina, the yet-to-be-named lecturer and Fayrene, who will be in charge of the children.”

  Sam turned to Dellina. “Smart,” he said with a grin. “Not only will it take her mind off Ryan, she’s someone
you can trust to show up and do a good job.”

  “You’re forgetting I can also boss her around.”

  Jody grinned. “Is this where we have a conversation about your management style?” she asked.

  “Not necessary. Fayrene can take it.”

  Jody walked them through the rest of the room. She pointed out the views, the large closets and all the amenities in the marble-and-glass bathrooms.

  “A tub big enough for two,” she said, and tapped a switch on the wall. “With jets. More fun for the couples who aren’t bringing children.”

  Dellina nodded, thinking it was really weird how the room had suddenly gotten hot. And the bed was huge. Even from the bathroom it seemed to dominate the space. Although she couldn’t say if it was better or worse than the giant tub complete with pulsing jets. Somehow an image of her and Sam in the tub lodged in her brain and she couldn’t think about anything else...except maybe tumbling onto the bed while he—

  “Great room,” she said cheerfully, and made a beeline for the door.

  Once in the hallway, she was able to breathe again. What was wrong with her? Sure Sam was a great-looking guy, and yes, the sex had been fabulous, but still. She was a professional. This was work and her biggest job of the year. No way she was going to allow herself to be distracted by hormones and huskiness.

  Sam followed her into the hall and Jody made sure the room was locked.

  “Food next?” Jody asked as if she hadn’t noticed anything was wrong. Dellina hoped it was true.

  They went back to the main floor and into the elegant dining room. The resort’s five-star restaurant had been written up in both national and international publications. They’d received awards for everything from their menu to their wine list.

  “Dellina sent me some suggestions for preliminary menus,” Jody said as they sat at a round table. She opened a folder and then pulled out several sheets that she passed around. “Any vegetarian or vegan diets?”

  Dellina turned to Sam. “Not that I know of.”

  “I’ll find out,” Sam said, a muscle twitching in his cheek. “For now, let’s assume there aren’t.”

  “Good.” Jody rose. “Let me go tell the chef we’re ready.”

  Dellina waited until they were alone to turn to him. “Why do you hate vegans?” she asked. “You got scrunchy-faced when Jody asked about them.”

  “I don’t hate vegans. I have problems with people who are picky eaters to get attention.”

  “Ex-girlfriend?”

  “We don’t need to talk about it.”

  Which meant yes. Dellina knew Sam had been married before. She wasn’t much of a tabloid reader and didn’t have time for entertainment-industry-based TV shows, but even she had heard something about it. Although she couldn’t remember the specifics. And given his combination of sports-based career choice, income and physical appearance, she would guess there were always a lot of women around him. Which meant the picky eater could have been anyone.

  She thought briefly that she could ask Taryn only to realize she couldn’t be sure the other woman would know. After all, Sam was a man who liked his privacy. For all she knew, he was in a relationship right now.

  Oh, God. Was he? Why hadn’t she asked sooner? Here she’d been feeling all quivery when she was near him and he might be on the verge of proposing to someone.

  “I think there’s another executive suite on the top floor,” she said, not looking at him. “If you want something nice for you and your guest.”

  His dark gaze settled on her face. “Guest?”

  “Date? Girlfriend? Significant other? Whatever you want to call the woman you might be bringing to the event.”

  “I’m not bringing anyone. Taryn is the only one of us with a date.”

  She kept her gaze firmly on her notes and even pretended to write something. “Okay, then. A boring, standard room for you.”

  “What about you?”

  Her head came up and her eyes locked with his. “Are you asking about my love life?”

  “No.” He turned away. “It’s not my business. I apologize.”

  She remembered he was the guy who had never admitted he knew her, let alone that they’d shared a night together. A man who obviously didn’t talk about personal stuff very much.

  “You’re allowed to ask,” she told him. “And no, I won’t be sharing my room. This is business, and even if it wasn’t, I’m not seeing anyone.”

  Which fell into the category of TMI, she thought, although she didn’t regret making things clear between them. Crazy, but there she was. Ridiculously happy that neither she nor Sam was seeing anyone else.

  * * *

  CDS—OR WHAT the locals called the bodyguard school—was located just east of town. Sam knew all the guys who worked there. They played basketball together several mornings a week. But he’d never been to their offices, or the obstacle course and trail run on the edge of their property.

  Now he parked and walked inside. Dellina was already there, talking to Angel. For a second Sam allowed himself the pleasure of simply looking at her. She wore sweatpants with a T-shirt. Her long hair had been pulled back into a ponytail. Her ever-present tote was overflowing with papers and folders and she had a clipboard in her hands.

  The more-casual Dellina was just as appealing as the dressed-for-business version. She was efficient, friendly, and when she moved her mouth it was all he could do to keep himself from dragging her into the closest private space and kissing her for the next three days.

  She got to him. He could admit it—mostly because he wasn’t going to do anything about his reaction to her. For one thing, they worked together. No way he was wading into that kind of a mess. For another, he liked her. So why would he want to ruin that by getting involved? Every relationship he’d ever been in had ended with disaster. Even his one-night stands had created some problem or drama. He had the world’s worst luck with women. He’d accepted that and could live with it. Mostly. There were times when he thought about what nearly everyone wanted—a traditional family. But that wasn’t going to happen.

  She looked up, saw him and smiled. The second her lips curved, he felt the kick to his gut. Breathing seemed impossible, his blood heated and sensory memories from their lone night together filled his brain.

  “I’m nervous,” she said by way of greeting. “I’ve never been overly coordinated.” She turned back to Angel. “You’re not doing much to make me feel better.”

  Angel grinned. “Scaring civilians is the best part of my day, dollface. I can’t help it.”

  “You can but you don’t want to. There’s a difference.” She walked over to Sam and showed him the clipboard. “Okay, this is the route we’re considering. It’s challenging, but not impossible. Or so Angel swears.”

  “Would I lie?” the former sniper asked.

  “That remains to be seen,” Dellina told him.

  Sam told himself to stay still and keep breathing while he figured out what was wrong. A growing sense of anger and urgency seemed to be swelling inside of him. He wanted to hit something—specifically Angel. Except he generally liked Angel. So what was wrong?

  Before he could decide, Ford joined them. The other man shook hands with Sam, then greeted Dellina.

  “I told Angel to go easy on you,” Ford told Sam. “You’ve got corporate types in for the weekend. We’re not in boot camp. Plus, I know you, Kenny and Jack are pretty washed up.”

  Sam narrowed his gaze. “What did you say?”

  Ford shrugged. “It’s not like you have a real job anymore. Or ever. Kicking a football? They paid you for that?”

  Dellina’s mouth twitched. “Boys, can we stay focused on the task at hand, please? We need to try the obstacle course. Then the three of you can decide who is more manly.”

  “That would b
e me,” they all said at once.

  Dellina laughed.

  They went outside. Angel explained the basics of the course. There was an area with cones for sprints, followed by a balance station. Beyond that was a pull-up bar, several tires, a large pipe to crawl through and then a wall to scale.

  Sam studied it all, then nodded. This was going to be fun. He was about to ask Ford to time him so he could beat his best run the next time through when he saw Dellina biting on her lower lip. The action was momentarily distracting until he realized she wasn’t trying to be sexy.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “That’s pretty challenging,” she said. “How fit are your guests?”

  “The range will vary.” He’d never met any of the spouses.

  “Let’s do a walk-through,” Ford said. “We’ll talk modifications as we go.”

  They walked to the starting line. Angel explained how the cones could be moved to lengthen or shorten the distance of the sprint. Sam took the distance at a run while Dellina walked through and made notes. At the balance beam, he crossed over easily. She handed Angel her clipboard, then walked across much more slowly, both arms out from her sides.

  “Okay, both of those are a go,” she said, retrieving her clipboard and making notes. “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

  “Next up, chin-ups,” Angel told her.

  “Oh, joy.”

  * * *

  DELLINA TRIED TO remember a time when she’d felt more out of shape. Some of it was the obstacle course itself and some of it was being around three very fit guys.

  They had all been in professions that required physical prowess for success. In the case of Angel and Ford, being in good shape meant the difference between living and dying. The biggest exercise challenge Dellina usually faced was how fast to walk to her destination.

  While Sam hadn’t had his life on the line, he, too, had been expected to be in perfect condition. And he still was, she thought, glancing at his broad, muscled back as he completed yet another pull-up.