Page 37 of One Winter Knight
“Always. Is something wrong?” I asked her.
“Nothing more than usual. She’s an unmated omega and looks like a tasty little cream puff in that outfit. I trust you with her, Carlos.” She squeezed my hand then went right to the bar.
Saoirse trusted me? Wow.
Hale bounded over to me, holding a piece of bread wrapped in paper. “Carlos, they have fondue they put in a baguette, and you can eat it while you walk around.”
“Oooh.” I should watch the cheese, but I had my lactose intolerance pills in my suitcase. I’d be fine. Yeah, I’d get me some fondue and some of that hot wine we’d had earlier. It was time to get this party started.
Fiona laughed as Hale regaled her with his misadventures. The three of us sat around a fire pit drinking hot wine. We hada lotof it.
I glared at someone who looked at Fiona too long.Mine.
Dusty worked the crowd, networking with other musicians, industry execs, corporate sponsors, and influencers. Saoirse had already left to hit the slopes.
Something caught my eye on the ground below. I watched as a horse-drawn sleigh, straight out of a Christmas movie, pulled up to the lodge. A woman helped her omega in and tucked a blanket around them both. The sleigh, decorated with twinkling lights, took off.
“I’ll be right back.” Kissing Fiona, I went down to the concierge and started speaking in French. Back in high school, one of my theatre teachers ran everythingen francais.
“Can I book a sleigh ride? Do you have one tonight?” Oh, Fiona would love it so much. “If not, are they in the day? Maybe I could book one after breakfast.”
She studied her screen. “I can get you in on the next one tonight. How many?”
“At least two, maybe three.” I wouldn’t bother Dusty. This was a big night for connections and he had a meeting. Hale might want to come. I went to text them but realized that I didn’t have a phone.
“Thank you.” I paid with my wristband, got the details, then went to find them.
“You don’t want to hit the slopes with me?” Hale pouted.
Fiona shook her head. “Tomorrow? Skiing at night isn’t really my thing.”
“I have a surprise for us. You have enough time to use the bathroom and get a snack.” I kissed her again. “Hale, you’re welcome to come, too.”
“Oooh, really? Thanks. I need some more cheese bread.” Hale got up and went to find some food.
Fiona tugged my hand, pulling me down to her. I curled around her. “Hi.”
“Hi. A surprise?” Her face lit up.
“Yes.” I kissed her nose.
We stayed snuggled by the fire for a few moments, then she went to use the bathroom and find a snack. We did some more shots, then, slightly tipsy, we found the stand outside where you caught the sleighs.
“Rodriguez, party of three,” I told her.
A moment later a sleigh pulled up, with bells, lights, and white horses.
Fiona bounced with delight. “We’re going on a sleigh ride?”
“Yes, we are.” I helped her into the sleigh and tucked a blanket around her. I got in on one side, Hale got in on the other.
Hale spread a blanket across all three of us and snapped a picture.
The sleigh bells jingled as we went on a ride through the majestic snow-covered landscape. Fiona curled into me.
“Oooh, you’re so nice and warm.” I put my head on her chest, relishing in the warmth.
“My jacket has a heater in it.” She wrapped her arms around me.
