Suite Embrace (15 page)

E
very public area of the lodge, including the spacious lobby was filled to capacity, and even the heated outdoor tents were bursting with festive, chattering partygoers. A baggy-pants DJ in a black knit ski cap and black shades was busy spinning one special request after another, playing tunes that ranged from old school Aretha to hip Snoop Dogg to sexy Mariah Carey, who was expected to arrive at any moment. Waiters balancing trays of king crab, shish kebabs, caviar puffs and smoked oysters threaded their way through the stylishly dressed guests who mixed and mingled in the huge great room where a tall ice sculpture rose inside an elaborate martini fountain.

Skylar picked up a stack of brochures that detailed the extensive shopping opportunities in the area, stepped out of her office and went directly into the mix. A group of sisters from Atlanta who were dressed in eye-catching après-ski outfits, which Skylar calculated must have set each one back several thousand dollars, hurried over. Leather, cashmere, fur and suede abounded and Skylar could tell that these women were into some serious retail therapy.

“Here're the brochures,” she said, handing each one a pamphlet.

“I can't wait to hit the shops in Aspen Grove tomorrow,” the girl wearing a fringed, red suede jacket over black leather pants gushed. She held the pamphlet up to one side of her mouth and whispered loudly to Skylar, in a most conspiratorial tone, “Actually, I don't give a damn about skiing. I just came to the reunion for the shopping and the parties.”

“And the guys,” her friend chimed in.

“You've got that right,” the third girl added.

“If you really want to experience shopping in Aspen, go to
Gorsuch,
ladies,” Skylar advised. “Can't come to Aspen and not make that stop. But, don't be shocked by the prices,” she cautioned. “Buy something fantastic for yourself that will remind you of this trip. Think of it as a memory investment. You won't be sorry when you get home.”

“I won't be sorry, but I might be broke,” the one in tan cashmere quipped. “My American Express is already on meltdown and I just got here three hours ago.”

The sister in red fringe bumped her hip against her friend's, laughed and gave her a fast high five. She jerked her head toward the crush of partiers in the great room and said, “Honey, with all these fine brothers around, you better ditch your wallet and hide those low-limit credit cards of yours. You don't need to be paying for nothin' else while you're here.”

They all hooted in agreement, waved their fingers at Skylar and walked off, giggling as they disappeared into the crowd.

Skylar smiled as she watched them leave, recalling how she and Tanya and Loretta used to party together—before her accident and her sudden wealth. It still hurt her to realize how quickly her girlfriends had changed and what she had thought was true friendship had evaporated. It brought to mind the comment that Mark had made about having a lot of money: it often caused more unhappiness than most people believed possible.

Skylar rubbed the back of her neck and stretched her back, beginning to feel the effects of her long day. After playing chauffeur to Virina all morning, she had returned in time to help pull the final details of the Slide and Glide together, get dressed and jump into the mix. Now, she smiled at Deena, who flitted past with one of the major donors at her side, and gave her sister a big thumbs up. Everything was going off as planned.

“How's it going?” a voice from behind Skylar asked.

Skylar whirled around to find Mark standing right behind her. He looked so fine that she involuntarily gasped and took her time taking him in. He was wearing a brown, houndstooth blazer over a chocolate turtleneck and brown cords with a wide cowhide belt hung low around his waist. His thumbs were tucked into the belt's shiny horseshoe buckle and he was standing as if he had been watching her for some time.

“I was wondering if you were coming inside,” she said, shifting her eyes from his belt to his face.

“Just finished getting the valet parking straight. The boys can take over now, so I can get back to my office and take care of a few things. We've got so many people booked for ski lessons tomorrow, I can't even begin to think about how crowded the slopes are going to be.” He sidled up to Skylar, slipped an arm around her waist and gave her a quick squeeze. “You look great,” he whispered in her ear.

“Thanks,” Skylar said, pleased with herself for buying the reverse-cut velvet jacket and pants set at Chico's while she'd been waiting around for Virina to decide which turquoise necklace to buy. It was the first really nice outfit Skylar had bought since coming to Aspen, and while it wasn't outrageously expensive, it did send a classy sophisticated message without raising any questions about how she could afford it. She wanted to look nice, but not flamboyant, to let Mark know that she did have a sense of style and good taste. After all, a concierge's salary only went so far.

“Glad you like it. My first Aspen splurge,” Skylar commented, suddenly wishing they weren't trying so hard to restrict their public displays of affection. In the midst of so many fun-loving, happy people who were laughing, dancing and having a great time, it would have been nice to spend the evening on Mark's arm as his official date. Already, she noticed the curious sisters raking Mark from head to foot—salivating sisters with designs on him, ready to pounce. Skylar was steeling herself for the commotion he would surely cause as soon as he entered the main party room.

It was not easy, but Skylar was determined to keep her growing interest in Mark in low profile. Her reason was that if their relationship lasted for a few more weeks, then everyone would know about it soon enough, but if it crashed and burned tomorrow…well, it was just as well that she'd kept things quiet. Less explaining to do. Less pain. Fewer people to give her advice because, other than Deena, no one else knew about her off-site dates with Mark. He had assured her that he was keeping mum, too, though his assistant, John, had begun to ask a lot of questions about how Mark was spending his free time now.

“Seen my mom?” he asked, glancing around.

“Right over there,” Skylar said. She nodded at Virina who was holding the attention of a lanky man in a green and white plaid sweater while chatting animatedly with him. “She seems to be enjoying herself.”

“She usually does in a crowd.”

“Did she tell you about Richard Nobel and his documentary?” Skylar asked.

“A little, but I really want to talk to him myself. Is he here yet?”

“Yes, he and his cameraman are outside in the tented area interviewing some of the guests and getting photos. You know he's covering the reunion for
Sports Challenge
magazine?”

“Right, my mother told me all about him.”

“And what else did she tell you?” Skylar prompted, certain that Virina had complained to Mark about being picked up in a dirty Jeep by the concierge and not by a limo driver.

“Oh, nothing much.”

Though Skylar doubted that, she didn't press the issue. “I have to confess,” she started. “I did allude to the fact that you and I were more than just coworkers when I was talking to your mother.” Skylar watched Mark carefully for his reaction.

Mark's brows lifted in surprise. “Really? Well, she didn't say anything to me about it.”

“Good,” Skylar breathed. “I didn't want to cause trouble, but she was pushing my buttons and actin' all superior. I had to bring her down a notch.”

Mark laughed aloud, clearly impressed. “Good for you! Now, you see what I have to deal with? She did fuss at me for not arranging her transportation as I'd promised, but I truly forgot about it.” He leaned closer to Skylar and grinned down at her. “I had other things on my mind that night.”

Skylar shook her head back and forth, wagging a finger at Mark. “Well, you sure left me hanging. I caught the brunt of your mom's attitude, which was bristly, to say the least. You owe me big-time for picking her up and running her all over town. I didn't get back here until nearly four! Really, she's something else.”

Mark brushed a finger across Skylar's chin, galvanizing her with a smoldering expression. “I know, and you're right. Dealing with my mother can be exhausting. I do owe you, so, how would you like for me to pay my debt?”

His teasing excited Skylar, making her swallow hard to clear her mind of exactly what she'd love for him to do. “I'll think of something, don't worry.”

“I'll hold you to that,” he whispered, taking her by the arm. He eased Skylar away from the crowded lobby, to the open door of her office, only footsteps away from the party. Inside, he shoved the door partially closed with one hand as he pulled Skylar to him with the other.

He kissed Skylar lazily on the lips; long, lingering kisses that branded her flesh like fire on ice. This time, when his hands slipped under her jacket and caressed her bare skin, she did not resist his touch. Bending into his embrace, she locked her lips over his and gave in to the thrill of letting him arouse her, unable to help herself.

When the kiss ended, Mark rested his lips above her ear, continuing to hold her close as she placed her head on his chest, eyes closed, savoring his presence.

“Please, don't pay any attention to my mother's drama,” he murmured. “I'm just sorry she felt entitled to abuse your kindness. She had no right to tie you up like that.”

Skylar snuggled closer to Mark, unconcerned about Virina Dagrun. “Maybe it was just as well,” she murmured. “Gave me a chance to spend some time with her, even though she wasn't very happy.”

“Well, eventually you two will get along fine, but believe me it might take some time.”

“Do you want us to get along?” Skylar whispered, almost afraid to ask the question. He was moving so fast, acting so sure of what he wanted, assuming she was keeping pace with the future he obviously saw for them.

“Yes, of course,” Mark assured her, easing his hold on her to lean back and watch for her reaction.

“Is it very important to you?” Skylar pressed, her heart racing so fast, it was getting difficult to breathe.

“Extremely,” he admitted.

“Then don't worry about me, Mark,” Skylar replied softly. “I can handle whatever your mother throws at me.”

Mark took Skylar by the shoulders and studied her with care. “You know what? I think you can.” He kissed her again, more playfully this time, as if a huge decision had been made.

Skylar ducked under his arm and out of reach, realizing how close they were edging toward a new level of commitment. We have a long way to go before getting into discussions about potential mother-in-law issues, she decided.

As strongly as she felt about Mark, could she really take on Virina? The pace of their fast-developing relationship was dizzying, and yet, Skylar knew she was doing little to slow it down. She had been involved with Lewis for a long time, but still really hadn't known him at all. And while she'd known Mark for only a month, she felt as if they were meant to spend a lifetime together.

It was all so confusing, yet so exciting, too. Was she being naive to believe they had a future? What would Mark do when he found out that she was a rich woman, pretending to be a working girl? How could she tell him that she might not be able to give him the children that he'd told her he wanted so badly? And when the time came for total commitment, as Skylar sensed it would very soon, would she be ready to give herself without hesitation to a man she had known for such a short time?

Pushing her worries aside, she exhaled in a rush. “I'd better get back to the party, Mark. I'm working, you know?”

“Right and I need to find this filmmaker, Richard Nobel, and see what's on his mind.”

“So, you go out first. I'll follow in a few minutes.” She gave Mark a gentle shove. “Go. Talk to Richard. He's probably looking for you.”

Mark started to leave, but then stopped and gave Skylar a sensuous nuzzle on the neck. “Don't you dare run off with anyone while I'm gone,” he whispered in a low voice.

“Run off with whom?” she quipped.

“One of those hungry-looking guys out there,” he replied, jerking his head toward the lobby. “I saw them standing around, ogling the girls. It's party time, they're on the hunt, and you're definitely the prettiest girl here.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” Skylar sassily reassured Mark, giving his arm a playful jab. “I'm not
even
interested in hearing their tired old pickup lines.”

After Mark left, Skylar counted to ten and then stepped out of her office. Immediately, she saw Virina standing across the lobby and at an angle that would have provided her an unobstructed view into Skylar's office.

I hope she got an eyeful.
Skylar adjusted her jacket, not at all surprised that Virina would spy on her and Mark.

 

A grim-faced Virina palmed her hands into hard fists, incensed by what she had just seen. Mark had actually kissed that woman. Caressed her. Acted as if he really cared about her! A bristling sensation shot through Virina and fueled her outrage that her son had sunk so low. Mark and the concierge! An impoverished nobody from the Florida swamps! That was not going to happen. Oh, no. Not as long as she had anything to say about it. A hotel concierge was not the kind of woman her son ought to be involved with, not when there were so many wealthy, attractive, cultured women in Aspen who would jump at the chance to spend time with him.