My Ex’s Dad is Coming to Town (Bringing Home Trouble)

3. Cole

CHAPTER 3

COLE

I’d trusted myself to have a drink with her, but as the town car carried us away from O’Hare and toward the hotel, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself. She hadn’t said a word since we left the lounge, though I could tell her mind was going a mile a minute.

All I had to do was get to the reception desk and book her a room. I’d thought about inviting her to have dinner with me, but I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Ordering room service would be best. Then I could take care of the growing issue currently pressing against my zipper. Beating off to visions of Winter hadn’t made its way to my pre-holiday checklist, but within the last hour it had taken top billing.

Everything about her drove me wild, from the way her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat to the way she’d held that damn candy cane between her fingers and worked it in and out of her mouth. She’d practically fucked it with those full lips of hers. Dammit. Even thinking about it now made my cock go as hard.

The town car pulled into the circular drive of the five-star hotel I always stayed at in Chicago. I hadn’t planned on leaving O’Hare, and based on the light sweater Winter wore, neither had she. I slid out first and tipped the driver, then helped her out of the car. With the snow flying in every direction, it was a real winter wonderland. Even though the driveway was covered, giant snowflakes still landed on her hair.

“I’ve never seen snow like this before. They’re definitely going to have a white Christmas here in Chicago.” Her eyes lit up like a kid’s on Christmas morning. She reached over and brushed a few flakes off my shirt.

“It’s much prettier when you’re watching it fall through a window while sitting in front of a fire.” I offered my arm, not wanting her to slip on the slick pavement. Even through the sleeve of my shirt and her sweater, I could feel the heat from her skin. “Baby, it’s cold outside. Let’s get inside where it’s warm.”

I just needed to survive a few more minutes. Once I got her a room and knew she was safe for the evening, I could escape into the refuge of one of the suites on the top floor. I stayed here enough that the personal attendant assigned to my room would already have a bottle of my favorite scotch waiting for me upstairs. That and a hot shower ought to take my mind off of Winter.

“Good evening, Mr. Calvin. It’s nice to have you staying with us again.” The concierge greeted me as I entered the foyer. His gaze raked over Winter, probably trying to figure out why I had a beautiful girl half my age clinging to my arm. “I’ve already checked you in, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you to insure an enjoyable stay?”

“I need to book another room for Ms. Fordham. Her flight was canceled as well.”

Winter’s hand fell to her side. That’s when I noticed the high-top sneakers she had on. Hot pink with sparkles. Jesus Christ. In leggings that hugged every one of her assets and a graphic tee underneath her sweater, she looked like she could be my daughter.

The concierge’s face fell. “I’m sorry, Mr. Calvin, but we’re at capacity. I don’t have anything left. Not even for one of our most beloved guests such as yourself.”

“I see.” That was a bald-faced lie. I understood he didn’t have a room for Winter, but I couldn’t see another way out of the situation I’d put myself in. I was the one who’d brought her here from the airport. She was my responsibility and under my protection.

“It’s okay. I’ll just find somewhere else to stay tonight.” Winter drew in a deep breath, one that made her chest puff out and her tits strain against the v-neck tee.

“I’d be happy to check a few other hotels nearby, but I don’t think you’ll find anything.” The concierge frowned. “We’re under a winter weather advisory and with flights in and out of both airports canceled, I’m afraid the odds of you finding a hotel room in Chicago are about as likely as Michael Jordan coming back to play for the Bulls.” He let out a soft laugh at his own joke, but I failed to see any humor in the situation.

Winter chewed on her bottom lip. “I’ll, um?—”

“You’ll stay with me,” I said. “It’s only one night.” One night that no doubt would turn into the longest, hardest, most difficult night of my life.

“Don’t be silly.” Her head shook and her hair fell into her eyes.

The concierge glanced from me to Winter and back again. In a position like his, in a hotel like this, no doubt he’d seen his fair share of indiscretions. Not that me sharing a hotel room with my son’s ex-girlfriend necessarily meant I was doing something wrong.

“It’s settled.” I took the envelope from the concierge and slipped him a tip that would make him keep his opinions to himself. Not that I needed it. For fuck’s sake, I was just trying to do a good deed.

“Are you sure?” Winter wrapped her fingers around my arm. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to crash your hotel room.”

“Of course I’m sure. I’m not going to send you out in the snow with nowhere to stay tonight. Come on, let’s get you settled, then we can grab something to eat.” I nodded to the concierge as I grabbed our carry-ons.

“Have a good evening, Mr. Calvin, and have a wonderful Christmastime.” The concierge gave us a final smile as we turned toward the elevator.

Winter stayed next to me while we rode to the top floor. We stopped and an older couple got on. They must have been heading to a private event. He had on a tux and the woman wore a floor-length dress full of rhinestones that reflected the lights and sent sparkles across the elevator walls. She looked Winter up and down, her made-up lips turning into a sneer.

I slid my arm behind Winter’s back and pulled her closer. I couldn’t stand people who thought they were better than others just because they had a few more zeros in their bank account. When the elevator stopped on the top floor, I waited for the two of them to exit before leading Winter to the side of the building that housed the luxury suites.

“Are you sure this is the right floor?” she mumbled under her breath.

I was so used to staying in hotels, they’d started to blend together. As far as I was concerned, they were all the same. As long as they had a comfortable bed and a place to plug in my laptop, I didn’t pay much attention to anything else. But as I touched the card to the keypad and pushed the door open, I tried to see the room through Winter’s eyes.

The decor was done in a comforting palette of soft gray and ivory with brass accents. A fire burned brightly in a gas fireplace surrounded by marble. Two chairs sat opposite a formal sofa in the living room with a small kitchenette off to the right.

“Wow. This is… just wow.” Winter stopped by the back of the sofa and swept her gaze around the room .

“Better than spending the night at the airport?” I joked.

“So much better.” She continued to look around, then took a step toward the doorway leading to the bedroom. “I’ve only got one question. Where am I supposed to sleep?”