Free Secrets of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson Page B

excitedly, was it? But this was the best hotel room she’d ever seen. It was easily three times the size of the flat she’d shared with Tom back in England. It had its own sitting room and library, not to mention its own dining room, kitchen area with cappuccino machine and three separate terraces to sit out on, all overlooking the jaw-dropping view. The bathroom had a sumptuous Jacuzzi bath set into the middle of the floor and enticing packets of bath salts and expensive lotions.
    When they were finally left alone Flora turned to Zac, grinning wildly.
    “This is the best Christmas present anyone’s ever given me. It’s fantastic here, I’m not sure I ever want to leave!”
    “Glad you like it. I must admit I wasn’t expecting to be upgraded, they must have had a cancellation, or…perhaps they thought my father had made the booking, I didn’t leave my first name.” Zac gazed pensively out at the view, frowning. “Oh well, we’re here, that’s what matters.”
    “Who is your father?” she asked. “Someone important?”
    “Sort of - he’s known locally at least.” Zac turned to her and pulled her into a hug. “And my parents dine at Le Patio fairly often but anyway, I don’t want to talk about them. It’s nice to spend Christmas with someone…special.”
    “Oh, I’m special am I?” She nudged him playfully and snuggled into his chest, trying hard not to think about what would happen when this was over. She just had to try to hold back emotionally. Just? Huh, because that was going to be easy, wasn’t it?
    “Oh yes.” Zac pulled her over closer to him, his hands on the small of her back. “Don’t you know you’re special?”
    Flora thought hard. Her parents had never been particularly demonstrative or generous with their praise. She’d always been left feeling distinctly lacking, never quite able to measure up to their high standards. Tom had sometimes made her feel special but then he’d also made her feel as worthless as it was possible to feel too.
    “Well… I suppose,” she lied. She wanted to believe she could be special, but…
    How special can this relationship be if I’ve already set a ‘best-before’ date on it?
    It wasn’t meant to mean anything. They were hanging out for the holidays, both at a loose end, keen to enjoy each other’s company.
    But it’s going to be sad when Christmas is over and we go our separate ways…
    The rogue thought was accompanied by a swell of longing so powerful it scared her. To avoid having to examine where it’d come from and what it meant she leant up on tiptoe to kiss Zac, closing her eyes to the connection she found in him.
    What sort of game were they playing here? What had started out as Truth or Dare had become a whole lot more serious. Did they even know the rules? Perhaps they were making them up as they went along as they had with the Truth or Dare.
    Truth – I really, really like you. Dare – I don’t dare let this take over. Forfeit – I’m afraid of losing my independence. More than that I’m afraid of losing myself again…
    But the thoughts faded away as they kissed, kissed passionately and touched each other as though they were racing time. Soon all she could think about was feeling his skin against hers and wanting him to come inside her again.
    The best kind of therapy – the euphoric sex haze that makes everything feel better.
    “You do know you’re not to blame, don’t you?” Zac asked Flora, idly stroking her back; she had such beautifully soft skin. It surprised him how quickly he’d come to care for Flora. He wanted to spoil her, protect her and make her smile. She had a lovely, sexy smile that made her eyes sparkle.
    Christmas Eve had been magical with drinks in the Piano bar and a gourmet meal at Le Trianon. He wanted to make her Christmas Day even better. She needed cheering up and as far as he could tell she really didn’t deserve the grief she was getting from back home.
    He wanted to help her