Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) (9 page)

I walked over to the phone and dialed the front desk while Derek got Bodie all ready for the outdoors. Derek played with Bodie and teased him for his choice in movies as they wandered out the door, and I began my appeal to wipe my slate clean.

Things could only go up from here.

I’d just hung up the phone as Bodie led Derek back into the hotel room.

“Who’s walking who?” I asked, unfastening the leash from Bodie’s collar.

“I’m starting to believe your story about Bodie. There was a golden retriever downstairs that he wouldn’t take his eyes off.”

“Are you serious?”

Derek nodded. “The owners looked quite concerned.”

Bodie hopped onto the couch and made himself at home.

“So did you get everything cleared up?” Derek asked. The glint in his eyes was hard to resist, and it wasn’t like he’d even attempted to kiss me, but there was something about him that made me wish he had.

“The movie had been on for fifteen minutes, and the lodge’s policy states they can’t refund after ten minutes on that style of movie.”

“You’re kidding. I wonder who the lucky person was to average out the timing on that one.” He shook his head, and his eyes locked on mine.

“Just ew,” I laughed. “But after much pleading and confessing to the remote being destroyed, they took it off the bill and charged me for the remote instead. I’d much rather have that on my record.”

“Still up for a drink?” he asked.

I nodded, and he glanced around the room. “I don’t see anything else he can get into while we’re gone.”

“I’m not getting my hopes up.”

This weekend was about fun, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my mind wandered to the what-if scenario. But maybe that was my problem. I always wondered about the “what-ifs” rather than allow myself to enjoy the moment.

Starting now, I would enjoy the moment. I slipped my hand into Derek’s, and he clutched it as we rode the elevator down to the lobby. The current running between us was electric, and I wanted more. And the only way I was going to experience more was if I let myself be free.

We walked through the lobby and found a small table next to the window in the bar. Another stone fireplace warmed the small space, and I glanced out the window at the blustery conditions outside. The blanket of snow mounded on the ground sparkled from the lodge’s lights, and I was grateful to be inside.

“It’s brutally cold out there,” Derek said, catching my admiration of the white stuff.

“Thanks for braving it for Bodie.”

“Anytime. The guy’s got loads of personality. Besides, I actually love being in the snow.

“I love everything about the snow.”

“I do too. It’s like nature’s way of muffling the outside world and insulating us from all the evils and worries. It gives us that one moment of peace.”

I was in awe of his explanation and agreed.

“It does. I always love that muted sound when everything’s coated with snow. It’s like walking around with earmuffs on. You’ll be getting a lot of it in Montana.” I smiled.

“They’ve already got three feet on the ground.”

“I just might have to come and visit.” The words popped out before I could take them back.

“I would like that. I’ll be working a lot.”

“Oh. I didn’t mean to invite myself. I’m sure—” I cut him off.

“And would love a reason for a break,” he continued, catching my glance.

I smiled, thankful he was so gracious.

“What will you be doing over there?” I asked. “Are you opening a gym?”

I honestly knew very little about Derek other than he’d been a fighter and trained Ayden, and I’d only gathered that information by happenstance.

“Training was purely a favor to Ayden.” He grinned and shook his head. “And I learned my lesson on that one. My plan is to finish up one of my screenplays.”

“You’re a screenwriter?” I asked, completely surprised.

“You could say that.” A roguish grin spread across his lips, and I sensed him relax.

“Interesting.”

“It can be, but most of the time it’s finding original ways to procrastinate and argue with my agent.” He dropped his gaze as if he’d said too much.

“I can’t imagine you being very argumentative.”

Looking extremely uncomfortable, he let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair.

“So have you been in the business long?” I asked. I didn’t want to come right out and ask if I’d know his work, but I was curious.

“Long enough to be skeptical and want to live just about anywhere other than Los Angeles.” He furrowed his brow and ran his fingers through his hair as if this line of questioning had suddenly turned troublesome.

A server came over and took our drink orders. She was very friendly and hadn’t been involved in the earlier mystery dinner. A flash of recognition ran through her gaze when her eyes landed on Derek, which made me wonder if he’d been frequenting this bar a lot.

“Do you mind me asking what your script’s about or is that too personal?”

He brought his eyes back to mine and reached across the tiny table and touched my cheek sending a spark through my entire body. I honestly couldn’t wait for more, if I could just get to more.

“You’re extremely special.”

Like “special” or
special
?

“I could take that a few ways,” I laughed.

He shook his head and brought his hand back. “I’m starting to realize you have absolutely no idea who I am.”

I bit my lip and stared at him harder. What was I missing?

“You know, I feel kind of foolish. I don’t even know your last name.” I twisted my lips into a pucker as I thought about what in the world he was talking about.

“Binter.”

“Derek Binter,” I repeated. “Still not ringing any bells.”

Our server slid the drinks in front of us and asked if we needed anything else, which we didn’t. She also informed us the drinks were on the house and gave a funny look to Derek.

I glanced at Derek who only shrugged, so I took a sip of my spiked cinnamon hot chocolate and felt the warm liquid slide down my throat. That ought to do the trick for the hard-hitting questions.

Derek took in a deep breath, and the look in his eyes told me he hadn’t planned on going here with me; yet here we were, and I had to admit I was completely fascinated by what he was about to tell me.

“Derek Binter probably wouldn’t.” He scowled. “But Derek Binterelli might.”

I gasped and nearly dropped the hot chocolate out of my hand before setting it back down, trying to collect my calm.

I was having drinks with Derek Binterelli. The Derek Binterelli who I’d hung posters of on my wall when I was a teenager and followed until he seemed to vanish into thin air. He’d started to party and lose control and in a blink of an eye, it was over.

No more magazine covers, roles, or tabloid stories until several years ago when he resurfaced, somewhat.

“So you’ve heard of me.” He grimaced slightly.

Was I supposed to be honest in this situation or act like I had no idea who he was? I chewed my lip and brought my gaze up to his brown eyes. How in the world had I not recognized him? Those soft luscious lips and brooding eyes were the death of my teenage years.

“You’re a lot more good-looking now.”

He almost choked on his beer and shook his head.

“It’s true, and I would know because I had posters of you plastered all over my room.”

The cute dimple in his left cheek surfaced again and he groaned.

“You wrote that film about the fighter, and you pissed everyone off by not showing up to receive your award for best screenplay,” I added.

He nodded.

“What was that movie called again?”

“
The Fighters
.”

“That would make sense for a title. See, if you had shown up to accept your awards a few years ago, everything this weekend would have been clear as day. I would have recognized you.”

“Is that a good thing?” he asked.

“I actually have no idea,” I confessed.

“The script you’re working on is the sequel?”

“It is.”

“Are you afraid of not living up to the first one?” I asked. It came out more blunt than I anticipated, but he didn’t seem bothered by it. Instead, his dimple deepened.

“I am, which is why I’m behind schedule. I’m hoping the move will help put things in perspective.”

“What things?” I asked

“Love and family.”

I nodded. Truth be told, I hadn’t seen the movie that won him award after award in Hollywood. The topic hadn’t interested me. I wasn’t into boxing.

“You haven’t seen the movie, have you?” His grin widened.

“No,” I confessed. “But I’m sure it was excellent.”

“The stars aligned.” He shrugged and took another sip of beer.

“It wasn’t just luck. The movie obviously resonated with millions. It’s rare for fans and critics to love the same thing. That’s talent and a story that means something to many.”

“Possibly or it could just be a great marketing campaign and a production company that doesn’t want to lose money.”

“If only it was as simple as pouring money into a project…” I arched my brow. “You have talent.”

“You haven’t seen it so that’s—”

 “Even more reason to listen to me. Let’s rewind shall we? I’m the one who could barely remember you in the first place. I have no reason to kiss your ass. I doubt we’ll see each other past this weekend.”

“Is that really what you think?” he asked, leaning forward. His gaze was my downfall so I glanced out the window to distract myself.

“Which part?”

“That we won’t see each other past this weekend.”

“I’m a realist. There’s no real reason too.” I sucked in my breath. “I’m not into prolonging the inevitable. I went into this weekend with the idea of strictly having fun with no expectations.”

“How’s that working for you?” he asked.

“So far so good. But I hadn’t expected my teen idol to be sitting across from me.”

“Does that change things?” he asked, almost resigned.

“It shouldn’t. But I can’t help but wonder why you’d be here with me when you can have your pick of just about any actress or model.”

“How do you figure?” He circled his index finger along the wood grain of the table.

I arched a brow but didn’t respond.

“That’s not what I’m interested in.”

I thought about his online dating confession and wondered if that was a front. Why would someone in his position do an online dating site? Maybe he was just acting. Maybe this entire weekend was his last easy fling before he went to Montana.

I looked into his eyes and knew that couldn’t be the case, or I didn’t want it to be the case.

“Did you really do the online dating thing?” I asked.

“Do you think I’d lie about something that traumatic?” His brows furrowed, but there was a hint of a smile behind his gaze.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Besides the wackos that actually showed up for the dates, I also got one who postponed a date three times, and then when we were finally set to meet up, she just didn’t show. I never heard from her again, and she even shut down her profile.” He shook his head and threw his hands into the air. “I’m beginning to think it’s me and even imaginary people on the interwebs can sense I’m not the one for them.”

“When was that?” I asked casually, even though my heart raced wildly. I had postponed the guy I’d stood up three times. Please let it not have been Derek.

“A month or more ago,” he laughed.

“What name did you use?” I took another sip of my drink. The person I’d canceled on wasn’t named Derek. It was LuckyCharm76. His first name was Chance.

“I don’t know if I’m ready to embarrass myself to that degree or not.”

The server came by, and we both ordered more drinks, this next round a little more substantial.

“Oh come on. I think you’ve already breached that wall,” I teased.

“Are you saying I should be embarrassed about my past as a teen idol?”

“From what I remember about the Big D…”

“You remember that nickname?” He smiled.

“I probably remember far more than I should ever confess to. You had quite the persona.”

“It was hard to live up to.”

The server delivered our drinks, and I took a sip of my vodka martini.

“It was probably really difficult.” I set my drink down.

“You’re teasing me.” His eyes narrowed as he studied me.

“Possibly.” I took another sip of the smooth vodka and flashed a smile. “So how did Lily get you here this weekend?”

His lip turned up slightly and he shook his head.

“Come on. You’ve got to tell me.”

“Lily and Ayden are very convincing. Not to mention I would never miss Jason and Gabby’s celebration.” He swirled his drink in his glass but didn’t take a sip. “They told me I took things way too seriously, and I needed to just let loose and have fun.”

“Do you take things too seriously?” I was surprised we’d both been delivered the same line.

“I have high expectations, and I don’t like to fail,” he said in all seriousness. “And relationships are the one thing I seem to fail at miserably.” His eyes locked on mine. “So I thought a weekend of fun could be exactly what I needed. You?”

“Same. But it’s never been my style. I tend to freeze up and run away.”

“You don’t seem to be running away.” The look in his eyes was dreamy and took my breath away.

“Yet,” I added, and he shook his head, beaming.

“They also told me a cute redhead would be at the festivities.”

“Really? Have you seen one yet?” I teased.

“Right in front of me.”

Even though I led him right into that one, I couldn’t help but love what his words did to me.

“I’m not a natural redhead.”

“Your olive skin kind of gave that away,” he confessed.

“You do pay attention.”

A few beats of comfortable silence sat between us.

“I spotted a covered patio with a fire pit from my room.” He took a sip of his whisky. “I ordered marshmallows to roast. They’re waiting for us at the front desk, if you’re game.”

“I’d like that very much.”

He stood up and took another swig of his drink before holding out his hand for mine. I stood up quickly, almost losing my balance as my imagination ran wild. Would I be able to really let loose and be with him? Was he even asking for that? I had no idea, but I quickly wanted to throw my worries and speculation out the window. I wanted to forget about tomorrow and be in the moment without dragging emotion and sentiment to everything I ever touched.