Into the Sunshine: Of Love and Loss Series Book Two

26

Hours later, they arrived at the White Mountain Lodge. The hotel, a grand structure of stone, lead-paned windows, and timber, stood majestically among towering pine trees and aspens. The Grand Tetons loomed a short distance away. Their soaring, jagged, snow-capped peaks scraped the clouds and offered a wondrous view from Iris's and Everett's suite.

"Oh, my goodness," Iris gasped, her steps faltering and stopping altogether once in the middle of the spacious sitting room. "The front desk clerk wasn't teasing about the view, was he, Everett?" She whispered, her voice full of awe.

Her gaze roved from the wall of windows flanked by floor-to-ceiling navy damask curtains to the plush furnishings, taking in the opulent yet rustic surroundings.

Every detail exuded luxury even while embracing the rough and wild Wyoming landscape on magnificent display outside. Across from her, a coordinating set of tufted navy velvet Chesterfield sofa and armchairs completed the scene, leaving Iris noticeably awestruck by the sheer grandeur of the room. "It's absolutely breathtaking."

"It certainly is," he murmured, staring at his wife, his entire being overflowing with love and desire. He was more than tempted to toss Iris over his shoulder and limp to wherever their bed was hiding. Several scenarios for this exact moment had played out in vivid detail during the last few hours of their journey. But instead of putting his favorite one into action, he gathered his frayed self-control.

He wanted to savor the mounting anticipation of finally being alone with Iris, to make every moment of their stay memorable. So he distracted himself by unloading the suitcases from the baggage cart onto a plush bench against the wall to his left. Then he rolled the empty cart out to the hall and closed and bolted the main suite door.

"What's behind—Ah... here's the bedchamber, husband," she purred, the double doors thrown wide. Glancing at Everett over her shoulder, Iris waggled her eyebrows. "Do you see that bed?"

He chuckled and nodded. "I'd notice it even with my glasses off."

She grinned at him and walked into the room, then raced back out and beamed with excitement, "It has an en suite bathroom!" Running back into the room, she disappeared through another doorway—her echoey squeal of delight confirming her location. "MARBLE TILES ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS—oh, Everett. You have to see this massive tub. It's at least twice the size as the one at Aunt Mable's."

"Really?" Everett arched a brow, his lips tilting in a lopsided grin, and his mind racing with all the possibilities for the days ahead.

"Are you hungry, or would you like to rest?" Iris called from within the bathroom.

"Rest."

There was a beat of silence, and then Iris asked, her tone dismayed, "Do you mean that in the truest sense of the word?"

"Nope," he softly chuckled, setting the heavy brass room key on the dresser. Then he removed his jacket and tossed it over the back of an armchair in the small seating area opposite their enormous four-poster bed. "Are you tired?"

"Far from—your leg's bothering you," she softly stated, standing in the bathroom doorway. In only her chemise.

It didn't matter that Everett had seen Iris in that particular state of undress countless times by now. He suddenly found it difficult to breathe. His mouth flooded with moisture, and every cell in his body insisted he kiss her.

His heart hammered a wild beat as she crossed the distance between them, stopping within arm's reach. Motioning to the armchair he'd thrown his jacket over, she quietly ordered, "Sit, and I'll—"

"Later," Everett softly interrupted, shaking his head. "There's something far more important we must attend to first."

"There is?" Iris breathlessly asked, her lips quirking in a sultry smile that sent his heart soaring.