If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,15

the mountains just like they were in Stolen Hearts Valley.

Walker had already explained we’d be sharing a room. I understood why. It would seem out of place if we had separate rooms. He had assured me he’d called ahead and tactfully requested a room with a foldout sofa bed.

After we set our bags down, I stared out the windows, marveling that we had our own private balcony with a glorious view of the lake. The sun was setting, leaving the sky splashed with fading colors and casting the mountain ridge in shadow.

“We have a small problem,” Walker said, his voice drawing my attention away from the view.

Turning back, I asked, “What’s that?”

His intent silver gaze held mine for a beat before he looked sideways at the bed. I somehow doubted the bed appreciated his eyes as much as I did.

“What’s wrong with the bed?” I asked.

Walker’s eyes caught mine again, and it felt as if lightning flashed between us. “There’s only one. We were supposed to get a room with a foldout sofa,” he explained.

“Oh. I’m sure it will be fine,” I said hurriedly.

Walker began to pull his phone out of his pocket, but I shook my head. “Walker, you heard the woman at the reception desk. The hotel is booked through the weekend for this wedding and another one a few days later. If you think no one will notice if we try to switch rooms when we probably have one of the best here, you’re crazy. Let’s just deal with it. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

My words, which sounded rational enough, only added to the tension spinning inside me. My inconvenient reaction to Walker was muddling my thinking.

“Jesus, Jade. You can’t sleep on the floor. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

We turned together to the bed. It was a massive bed, practically big enough for me to run laps around it.

I knew the second Walker looked at me. I could feel the heat of his gaze on me. Glancing over, I smiled encouragingly. “Really, it’ll be fine. I’d hate for you to sleep on the floor.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Jade, but I promised Lucas that this was a totally platonic thing. I don’t want there to be any confusion about that.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Oh, for God’s sake. This isn’t some kind of little sister thing where you have to answer to my brother. We’re adults. There’re about thirty pillows on the bed. We’ll just stack some in between us.”

With a huff, I crossed my arms, staring Walker down.

Chapter Eight

Walker

Laughter, music, and the murmur of voices surrounded me. I lifted my scotch and took a quick swallow, savoring the smooth flavor.

“So,” Dave began, “you didn’t mention how gorgeous your date was.”

Sliding my gaze sideways, I shrugged. “Does that matter?”

Dave’s gaze met mine, a gleam in his eyes. “Not particularly. Except for the fact you can’t keep your eyes off Jade if she’s anywhere nearby. You sure she’s not the real deal?”

Don’t I fucking wish?

I kept that thought to myself. “She’s a friend. Actually, she’s more of an acquaintance. Her brother is a friend. He’s on the first responder crew with me. Totally good guy. You’d like him. Anyway, Jade—” I gestured in her direction, which gave me an excuse to look at her. Sweet hell, she looked amazing. She was wearing some sort of gauzy wrap dress in purple that made her eyes pop. Her dark hair fell in a cascade around her shoulders, the lights a shimmering reflection in her locks.

“You were saying?” Dave drawled. When I brought my gaze back to him, he winked.

“I helped her out in a pinch one night where she works at a local bar. After all was said and done, she commented that she owed me a favor. With Dee trying to call and text, I figured it was best if I didn’t come alone, so I took her up on it. That’s all there is to it.”

I wasn’t about to admit out loud that I’d thought maybe I could use this weekend with her as a chance to burn the fire kindling between us to ashes. I’d been trying to forget I’d ever even considered that.

Dave gave me a long look before chuckling. “Right. Go ahead and tell yourself that. All I know is I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that.”

“Well, she is beautiful.”

“True. Maybe she’ll be more than your fake date.”

Lifting my scotch, I drained the last of it. I could’ve argued the point with