C6: unexpected guest

Elara sat in the quiet library the next morning, reviewing her notes for the resort re-launch. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows and warmed the wooden desk where she worked. She had several pages of ideas spread out in front of her and felt genuinely excited about the direction the event was taking. The Caldwells had responded well to her vision yesterday, and she hoped today would bring even more progress.

The peaceful moment shattered when the front door of the lodge opened with a heavy creak. Elara looked up. Her stomach dropped instantly. Derek stepped inside, brushing snow from his expensive wool coat with that familiar arrogant smirk she had once mistaken for charm.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with mock surprise. “Look who’s hiding out in the middle of nowhere like some runaway princess. I heard you were up here playing event planner for this old dump. Figured I’d come see if you were ready to stop being stubborn and let me fix the mess I made of your reputation.”

Before she could respond, Rowan appeared from the hallway. He crossed the room in long, purposeful strides and moved straight to her side. Without hesitation he slid a strong, possessive arm around her waist and pulled her close against him. His body radiated heat and quiet protective anger.

Derek let out a low chuckle. “Oh, this is rich. Got yourself a mountain man already? Cute. Real cute. But we both know you’ll come crawling back once the novelty wears off.”

“Is there a problem?” Rowan asked. His voice was ice cold and dangerously calm as he stared Derek down.

Derek raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Problem? Nah. Just catching up with my girl. This little reunion doesn’t concern you, buddy. Why don’t you go chop some wood or whatever it is you do up here?”

“She is not interested in anything you have to say,” Rowan replied evenly. “You are not welcome here. Leave now.”

Derek’s smirk faltered for a second before he recovered. “Come on, Elara. You really think this brooding lumberjack is going to save your career? I started those rumors, sure, but I can make them disappear just as fast. One phone call and your name is golden again in the city. All you have to do is admit you need me.”

Rowan’s arm tightened around her. “She does not need you. Get out.”

The tension crackled in the air. Derek looked between them, his eyes narrowing with clear jealousy as he took in how protectively Rowan held her. After a few more biting comments about how Elara would never make it without him, he finally turned and left, the front door slamming shut behind him with unnecessary force.

The moment he was gone, Rowan turned to Elara fully. His expression softened with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his deep voice gentle now.

She nodded, but her hands still trembled slightly. Seeing Derek again had shaken her more than she expected. The memories of betrayal and the months of struggle came rushing back. Rowan drew her gently into his arms right there in the library. She pressed her face against his solid chest and breathed him in, letting his warmth and steady heartbeat calm her.

“I hated seeing him near you,” Rowan admitted, his voice rough with emotion. “It made me want to throw him out into the snow myself.”

Elara looked up at him, her eyes soft. “Then do not let go.”

Something powerful shifted in his expression. He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her hard. This time there was clear urgency and hunger in the way his mouth claimed hers. Elara melted against him instantly, her fingers gripping the front of his shirt as she kissed him back with equal intensity.

Rowan walked her backward toward the stairs without breaking the kiss for long. They made their way up to her suite, hands roaming, breaths mingling, and hearts racing. Once inside the Aspen Suite, he closed the door behind them and turned the lock with a quiet click.

He backed her toward the large bed. They tumbled onto it together, still fully clothed. Rowan hovered over her, his strong body pressing her into the soft mattress. He kissed her deeply, their tongues sliding together in a heated rhythm that left her dizzy. His hand slipped under the hem of her sweater, fingers tracing the soft, warm skin of her stomach. Every touch sent sparks racing through her body.

“You feel so good,” he murmured against her lips before kissing her again, even deeper.

He trailed kisses down her neck, sucking lightly at the sensitive spot just below her ear. Elara gasped and arched beneath him. His hand continued its slow journey higher under her sweater until his palm cupped her breast through her bra. She moaned softly at the contact, her body responding with immediate heat. Rowan groaned in response, the sound low and masculine. His hips pressed down against hers so she could clearly feel how much he wanted her.

They moved together in a slow, sensual grind. Hands grew bolder. He pushed her sweater higher, exposing more skin to his mouth and fingers. She tugged at his shirt until he pulled it off, revealing the hard muscles of his chest and shoulders. Elara ran her palms over his warm skin, exploring every ridge and plane while he continued to kiss and touch her with growing confidence.

The friction between their bodies built steadily. Rowan gripped her hips, guiding her movements as they rocked together. His mouth found hers again in a deep, consuming kiss while one hand slipped just beneath the waistband of her jeans, teasing the sensitive skin there. Elara trembled with need, her own hands sliding down his back and pulling him closer.

They explored each other for a long time, learning every sigh, every shiver, and every place that made the other tremble with desire. Touches grew hotter and more daring, fingers slipping under clothes, mouths tasting heated skin, hips moving with increasing urgency. Yet they never crossed that final line. The sweet, aching restraint only made the fire between them burn hotter and brighter.

When the intensity became almost overwhelming, they gradually slowed. Rowan rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing hard, bodies still humming with unfulfilled need.

“I will never let anyone hurt you again,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Elara smiled softly and pulled him down for one more lingering kiss. In his arms, the shadow Derek had tried to cast completely disappeared. She felt safe, wanted, and more alive than she had in years.

They stayed tangled together on the bed for a while longer, talking quietly and trading soft touches as their heartbeats slowly returned to normal. Outside, the snow continued to fall, but inside the suite the world felt warm and full of promise.