Holiday Romance Collection - 6 Books Bundle (Erotic Romance - Holiday Romance) (9 page)

“Come, we’ll go to the spa and soak in one of the hot tubs for a bit,’ Alondra enthused, “it will loosen up those muscles. And I’ve just been told there’s a karaoke evening tonight at the one pup, so we can have some fun.” Alondra concluded, hooking her arm through Danielle’s.

“Oh wait! I owe -” Danielle started, then turned to look at her instructor in question.

“Gareth.” he supplied smiling slightly. 

“I owe Gareth here a drink for making him fall.”

“Oh well, I’m sure he knows which pub I’m talking about.” Alondra returned nonplussed, looking towards Gareth.

“Yes I do, I’ll meet you ladies there this evening, say around about nine,” He returned nodding his head slightly, before continuing, “the pub really starts thumping around about that time.”

“Great, thank you. We’ll see you there.” Alondra replied before tugging slightly on Danielle’s arm to encourage her to move along. 

That evening Alondra and Danielle entered the crowded pub, there was barely enough room to move, and with the door closed the place was almost stifling. They made their way to the bar to order drinks, calmly easing along with the ebb of the patrons, until they finally made it to the darkly stained wooden bar.

“Where are we going to sit?” Danielle called, raising her voice slightly above the noise, whist tugging on Alondra’s arm.

“Let’s get some drinks first then we’ll have a look around, I’m sure we’ll find somewhere.” Alondra replied, also raising her voice. 

Just then, Danielle felt someone push up against her and was about to object and tell the person to back off a bit, when the tingling started all the way up her back. “Sorry it’s a bit more crowded here than I thought, happy to see you could make it though.” Gareth spoke up, his voice came over her head, she had just managed to hear the last part over the noise. His hand landed on he small of her back as he moved away slightly, her body immediately experiencing a loss of sensation as he pulled away, only his hand confirming that he was still behind her. Its contact caused heat to course up her spine and tingles to erupt over the immediate area, she was tempted to lean into his touch but thought better of it when Alondra turned towards her and handed her a drink.

“Hey there, Gareth is it?” Alondra smiled in greeting, “You look pretty good out of your snow-gear, almost didn’t recognize you. So what are you having?”

“A beer for now, Heineken.” Gareth replied.

“Ah! A cheap quest?” Alondra returned playfully before signaling for the bartender, turning from them to ask for a beer.

Gareth moved slightly and came to stand almost between the two of them, allowing him to easily converse with either of them, his hand moving from Danielle’s back.

Danielle turned to look at him, her breath catching slightly. If he had looked good in snow-gear, it was nothing compared to him in a pair of jeans with a jacket. His dark head of hair and brown eyes seemed darker still in the dimmed light. His gaze captured hers and he smiled warmly, pulling a smile from her in response, “I see you’re better on your feet without the skies.” he teased her lightly.

“Well, walking is easier than skiing.” Danielle quickly replied. 

“Ah, but skiing is a lot more fun.” he playfully professed.

“If you say so.” Danielle deadpanned. Just as Alondra turned back towards them, handing him his beer and playfully injecting “If I had known it was this easy to draw the attention of some of the guys on the slopes, I would have run over a few of them a long time ago.” as he took the beer from her.

‘I’m sure you have no trouble in that department,’ Gareth sincerely replied before raising his beer, “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” Alondra replied, lifting her glass and nodding her head.

A sudden bolt of irritation shot through Danielle. She wanted for Gareth’s attention, and for the first time took and adverse exception to men’s tendency to flock around Alondra, seeking her attention and approval. She lowered her gazed to her drink, releasing a small sigh as Alondra and Gareth continued their banter.

A short while later, the remaining lights in the pub dimmed, and immediately the volume within the pub’s walls lessened as everyone’s attention turned towards the small stage in the one corner.

Danielle also turned her attention towards the stage, her movement along with the crowded circumstance caused her to bump into him. Gareth moved to steady her, his proximity caused his scent to drifted up to tease her nostrils, resulting in her fighting the desire to lean forward more and take deep breaths, wanting to memorize it. Instead, she move back slightly and averted her gaze, before mumbling “Sorry.” 

“I stand corrected, you appear to be clumsy on your feet as well,” Gareth returned playfully. “I’d best keep an eye on you, or every guy in the room will expect a drink before the night’s out.” He returned, before moving slightly, coming to stand beside her, his hand casually placed on the bar behind her. His arm brushed lightly against her back, as she once again became overly aware of his presence, the expanse of his chest just beside her and his scent filling her senses.

The first contestant for the evening was horrific, utterly incapable of holding a note. Everyone however encouraged in good spirits, some even singing along to drown out the sound.

Danielle chanced a glance about the room, it suddenly feeling like it was closing in on her. She felt his body brush against hers again, noting that everyone’s gazes were turned towards the stage, all but one, who seemed to be looking pointedly at them. Danielle’s head tipped slightly, feeling the frown form her forehead as the following tune deaf contestant took to the stage, within moments damaging the eminence of the song they were trying to sing. She returned her attention to the stage for a short while, before once again looking in the direction of the unknown man, who was still looking at them.

A few songs down the line, Alondra grabbed her hand and tugged her along, “Come on, we’re going to sing.”

“What!” Danielle exclaimed as Alondra lead her in the direction of the stage. Alondra had never before been willing to do something as mortifying, and Danielle became a little concerned that her need to explore new things, stemmed from her recent split. 

“Come on Danielle, live a little! And anyway I know you carry a tune better than any of these guys.” Alondra professed as she pushed through the crowd. 

Danielle shuffled along in Alondra’s path until they came to a halt in front of the operator. She did not even hear what Alondra said to the man, only noticed her going through the song list, possibly searching for something they knew, before finally selecting something.

“Come on.” Alondra said, handing her a microphone and dragging her onto the small stage. Danielle looked out over the crowd of faces, hoping that she did not stumble off the small stage, seeing it hardly had enough space for both of them to stand on at the same time. Her heart pounding in her throat,
God please don’t let me make a fool of myself,
she thought as she noticed multitude of people looking up at them. “What are we singing?” she asked Alondra when they had finally found their footing.

“Crash Boom Bang by Roxette.” Alondra answered slightly louder than necessary in her left ear.

“What!” Danielle returned, stunned.  

“Well we’re in
Sweden
, it’s only understandable that the majority of English songs available on the selection list would involve a Swedish band.” Alondra replied, before adding, “At least you know all the words.”

When the music started, and Danielle had first had get over the sudden croak that formed in her throat, and after Alondra’s jostling, she actually enjoyed singing the song, with everyone humming encouraging along.

When they finished their song, everyone cheered and Alondra gripped her in a sideways hug, “See, that was fun.” she enthused before leading her off the stage, handing back the microphones and making their way back to the bar.

Danielle felt the heat rise in her cheeks as men openly flirted with them as they passed.

Alondra ordered some more drinks, asking the bartender to remove their unfinished ones.

Once they settled, Danielle once again felt the already familiar sensations against her back, as he once again spoke over her, addressing Alondra, “So you two are budding rock stars.” his tone was light, playful.

“Not quite.” Alondra replied, turning her attention to him “But it’s fun.” 

“Yeah I saw that,” he replied, his body just touching Danielle’s, “Well now you have to stick around for the awards.”

“Awards?” Alondra asked, surprised, “I thought it was only for fun.”

“Patrash, what’s the prize tonight?” Gareth addressed the man behind the bar, his hand for a moment moving against Danielle’s back, before once again settling on the bar. She fought to contain the gasp that wanted to escape as the skin along the line he had traced came alive.

“It’s a limited edition beer mug, only a thousand others like it.” The barman replied.

“Well there you go, all that hard work for a beer mug.” Gareth jostled, as another contestant stepped onto the stage, clearly already having had too much to drink.

“I think by popularity you two should win it. It’s not everyday we have two pretty girls on the stage.” Gareth professed, once again shifting slightly behind Danielle, his chest for a moment brushing against her back. Danielle felt heat course over her body at his words.

“Oh and you are a charmer.” Alondra returned, as she took their drinks from the bartender.

“Guilty as charged.” he concurred, and Danielle once again felt her heart drop. She wished she had Alondra’s confidence around men, often finding herself uncertain, incapable of actually figuring out just what they wanted. She looked at her friend, whom she knew could use the ‘
pick me up’
bantering with men inevitably gave her. She had accompanied Alondra to ensure her friend didn’t sink into some depression over the holiday season, and realized that the attentions of an attractive man, who found her attractive, was just what Alondra needed.

She glanced around the pub, and once again took note of the one guy watching them, before turning her attention back to Alondra and Gareth’s shared banter. She was thankful however that Gareth at least had the decency, unlike other guys in the past, to keep her included in the conversation, not cutting her off by placing himself between her and Alondra. Therefore, she accepted the state of affairs and waited out the results.

They were indeed crowned the winners of the evening, and even had to sing another number before being allowed off stage with their prize. After which, Gareth accompanied them to the resort, and Danielle was the first to say her goodbyes.

“I’ll see you two in the morning, on the slopes.” Gareth professed as Alondra also said her goodbyes. Then added, looking at Danielle “We’ll get you skiing in no time.”

“Somehow I doubt that.” Danielle returned, disbelievingly.

“Well then I look forward to being knocked off my feet again.” He playfully returned,

“Like that’s something to really look forward to.’ Danielle deadpanned.

“Well, good nigh.” he said moving from them through the main lobby of the lodge.

Danielle was puzzled by Alondra’s actions, especially since Alondra had mentioned to her that she would not mind taking on a temporary lover whilst they were there. It was only when they entered the room that the reasoning behind her actions came to light. For if Alondra had invited Gareth to their room, Danielle in all likelihood would have had nowhere to sleep, she also did not fancy bearing whiteness their mutual appreciation of the other’s body. Knowing that with it having been as late, that he most probably would have remained for the night, really leaving her with no options.

“He’s cute.” Alondra stated as they entered their room

“Yeah, he is.” Danielle returned, handing Alondra their trophy, “here you go.” Whilst still pondering on Gareth and Alondra’s actions, she unguardedly voiced her thoughts “Don’t know why you didn’t close in on him, he seemed willing enough.’”

“Not my type.” Alondra quickly dismissed, Danielle’s question.

“What!” Danielle returned in surprise, “You have a type for this?” she questioned in disbelief. 

“Not really, but he’s too sweet, too considerate, more your type actually. And I got a distinct feeling it was more you he was after.” Alondra replied setting the trophy on the small side table.

“I didn’t.” Danielle replied, crouching down to undo her boots. When Alondra did not answer her, Danielle looked in her direction, only to find her friend studying her, before shaking her head, “You never were one to read the signals.” Alondra professed.

“What signals?” Danielle returned in disbelief returning her attention to her boots.

“Body language, ring a bell.” Alondra teased. 

“There was not much to read, he was talking and flirting with you all night,” Danielle returned as she pulled of her one boot.

“And pushing up against you. Yeah, I can see how he would be interested in me.” Alondra facetiously replied.

“He was just more considerate than most men, keeping me in the conversation, we both know men are more attracted to you.” Danielle finished, tugging off her other boot as well.