Black Ties and White Lies(52)

The two of us meet back up in front of the inn owner. I drop all of the items on the counter, looking up at her. “I’m sorry, I think I missed your name earlier. I was too cold to think straight.”

This warrants another growl from Beck. I ignore him, waiting for her to answer.

She types a code for each item into the register. “My name is Carmen and my husband is Leroy if you happen to run into him at all.”

“Thank you for fitting us in. I don’t know what we would’ve done if you’d been full. We spun out on the road and will need a tow to get anywhere else.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she sympathizes. “Leroy can help you tomorrow, weather—and roads—permitting.”

Carmen moves on from ringing in the food items and moves to the things Beck had laid out nicely on the counter. To be honest, half of the things he’d grabbed are things I definitely would have forgotten to grab if it weren’t for him. No matter how mad I am with his stubborn ass, I can appreciate his Type A personality thinking of things I wouldn’t have.

Finally, she gets to the clothes, a few pair of socks I hadn’t grabbed going into a paper bag last. Another thing Beck thought of that I appreciate. My toes have never been so cold in my life.

Carmen finishes getting us checked out and then offers to walk us to our room. I agree to it at the same time Beck says he’ll find it. Carmen ignores his answer, opting to lead us up a staircase and down a few hallways before we stop in front of a large wooden door. Honeymoon suite is etched into the wood, two bears kissing underneath it also carved permanently.

She smiles bashfully, watching the both of us take it in. “Housekeeping had it set up for the newlywed couple so don’t mind the extra additions in the room, they come with the suite so enjoy them.” Carmen winks at us and then leaves both of us standing in front of it.

With an angry groan, Beck reaches into his pocket and sticks the key through the hole. He barely gets a look inside when I swear I hear him mumble, “I’m fucked.”





“Well this is nice,” Margo pipes up from behind me.

I ignore her, biting back an insult for the room. This isn’t nice. This will be pure torture. Being respectful of Margo’s wishes has been testing every inch of restraint I’ve ever had. Now the anger sizzling between us and the knowledge that her warm body will be sleeping inches away from mine has my thoughts muddled with the lust. The large bed with rose petals scattered all over it don’t help the situation.

I’m mostly pissed at myself for not listening to her the first time she’d warned me about the snowstorm. I’d wanted to get to our final destination, to focus on work and be riddled with meetings where I wasn’t drowning in her presence.

A man can only hold back so much, and I’ve learned that keeping Margo by my side constantly wasn’t my best idea. It could’ve been until she put the stupid rule between us that we couldn’t kiss or touch or do anything behind the scenes because my prick of a brother didn’t treat her the way she deserves to be treated.

I haven’t been restraining myself around her because I’m a good man either. If she would’ve given me any other excuse other than the one she gave, I would’ve already found a way through her defenses. The walls she put up between us would be obliterated and we’d already have given in to the clear attraction between the two of us.

Margo says a few things but the words don’t register with me. I’d half hoped there’d be a couch or something for me to sleep on in here. I’m not granted that luxury.

“I really don’t understand why you’re the one acting all pissed off,” she blurts, finally catching my attention. “If anyone should be pissed, it’s me. You’ve been a dick to me when I was the one who warned you of the snow to begin with.”

I drop the bags from the gift shop on the table. I don’t give her any kind of response, knowing it’s better if I keep my mouth shut. Instead of saying something I’ll regret, I take angry steps to the bathroom. I immediately reach for the shower, turning the water to its hottest setting. It heats up quickly despite the cold weather outside, steam begins to build quickly in the room.

“Beck!” Margo stops in the opening to the bathroom, fire in her eyes once again. I get why she’s pissed at me. I’ve been a dick to her, but I’m still too riled up to apologize.

The sight of her still tinted blue lips, the soaking wet clumps of her hair that were at once frozen, make me hate myself with guilt. If I would’ve just listened to her about the snow, we wouldn’t be in this situation. We’d be warm in a luxury hotel, bickering about something completely mundane.

“Get in,” I demand, angling my head to the shower.

Her mouth pops open. “You ignore me and then think you can just boss me around?” She shakes her head in frustration, disappearing back into the room. “Not going to happen, Beck. You don’t control me.”

I follow hot on her heels. “Last time I checked, I’m your boss.”

An aggravated sound falls from deep in her chest. “I’m off the clock.”

I grab her elbow, turning her to face me before she sits down on the large king-sized bed.

My teeth grind against one another, threatening to break underneath the pressure. “Get. In. The. Shower.”