LITMIR.BIZ

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happened, he pressed the doorbell again and again and again. Sooner or later that kind of noise would get through to even a passed-out drunk.

      Sure enough, a moment later the door opened a crack. But, instead of Seth, a tousle-haired Vanessa peeked out at him. The sight of her sleepy, sexy blue eyes hit him like a punch in the stomach.

      When the implications of her presence registered, he felt like a fool. Swallowing hard, he nodded at her. “Is Seth home?”

      Covering her mouth while she yawned, she opened the door a bit wider and stepped aside so he could enter. She wore flannel pajamas in a plaid holiday pattern with some sort of fuzzy slippers. Somehow, she managed to look both cute and alluring at the same time.

      “Is Seth here?” he asked again, reminding himself to focus.

      “I’m not sure.” Brushing her hair back from her face, she lifted one shoulder in a delicate shrug. “He was earlier. We had dinner and then came back here so I could get settled. He wanted to go back out but I was tired, so I went to bed. In the guest bedroom,” she said pointedly. “Anyway, I’ve been asleep. At least until you started ringing the doorbell over and over.”

      “My apologies.” He thought about explaining and decided against it. Surely, she knew what kind of trouble her former fiancé could get himself into. “I’m just going to check on him,” he said. “Make sure he’s okay.”

      “Knock yourself out.” She wandered into the kitchen, still yawning.

      Seth’s bedroom door was closed. Remy knocked—three sharp raps of his knuckles on the wood. No answer. Reluctantly, he turned the knob and squinted into the dark room, hoping he could make out whether or not Seth occupied the bed.

      No such luck. Bracing himself, he flicked on the light switch.

      An annoyed groan came from Seth, sprawled out, fully dressed, on the bed. “Turn that the hell off.”

      Instead of complying, Remy eyed his baby brother, trying to judge how drunk Seth might be. Deciding it didn’t matter—he’d learned long ago how pointless it was trying to talk to someone while they were inebriated—he turned out the light and backed out of the room.

      “Is he all right?” Vanessa asked, her fingers curled around a tall glass of ice water.

      Remy grimaced. “I think so. I’m sorry to have disturbed you. I’ll come back and talk to Seth in the morning.”

      She regarded him, her gaze steady. “He and I are supposed to go ski Pine Peak in the morning before he goes to work. You might want to call him instead.”

      Again, the stab of envy. Though Remy wasn’t a skier of Seth’s caliber, he enjoyed a few runs up on the slopes as often as he could, time permitting. Though knowing his brother, he doubted Seth would feel much like skiing tomorrow. He’d be way too hungover.

      Saying none of this, he nodded. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Again, I apologize for waking you.”

      She waved him away with a sleepy smile. “No worries. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

      Damn, he hoped so. And once more, that odd combination of guilt and longing assailed him. Swallowing hard, he gave her a quick nod and left.

      All the way home, he called himself every kind of fool. He’d just met the woman, for Pete’s sake. And while he could definitely understand the lure of physical attraction, he wasn’t the kind of man who’d even consider making a move on his brother’s lady, no matter how irresistible he found her.

      His brother’s lady. The notion made him shake his head. Seth never stuck with anyone very long, never mind proposed marriage. Despite the fact that Remy helped his brother any way he could, Seth constantly seemed to be barely treading water. Maybe resuming his relationship with Vanessa would be the thing Seth needed to completely turn his life around.

      Remy definitely hoped so. But he couldn’t help but think there was something…off in all of this. For one thing, the reconciliation between Seth and Vanessa sure had happened quickly. Especially since she claimed she’d broken off the engagement. Yet they’d had one dinner and Seth had immediately installed her in his condo. Strange. But none of his business.

      Except for the insane pull of attraction he felt toward the woman who was once his almost-sister-in-law.

       Chapter 2

      Back home, Remy shed his clothes and once again climbed in between his sheets, then pulled his comforter up to his chin. He couldn’t shake the image of Vanessa in the soft flannel pajamas, wondering what it would be like to slip his hand under them and caress her warm skin. Guilt immediately followed that thought, because he knew he didn’t have the right.

      Despite thinking he wouldn’t, he managed to drift off to sleep. When he opened his eyes again, he saw his alarm was due to go off in five minutes. He shut it off and pushed himself up.

      Thirty minutes later, showered and dressed, he drank his black coffee and nuked instant oatmeal for breakfast. When he’d finished eating, he checked his watch. He had a morning meeting with a new advertising firm from Denver, so he wouldn’t have time to stop by Seth’s.

      As he drove to work, he couldn’t help but wonder if his brother had felt well enough to ski. He found himself wondering if Vanessa would go by herself, anyway, and wished he had time to head up to Pine Peak.

      Wishful thinking. And foolishness, completely unlike him. Remy considered responsibility his middle name and rarely took time off from work.

      Though right now, he sorely wanted to. He hadn’t been skiing at all this season. Of course, his sudden desire to go now had way too much to do with the intriguing beauty ensconced in Seth’s condo. Trouble, any way he looked at it.

      Shaking his head at his stray thoughts, he parked and reminded himself to concentrate on his job. When he walked into the elegant lobby of The Chateau, he greeted Mary, the redheaded concierge who was married to Johnnie Web, a firefighter and local hero. She smiled and greeted him back, her cheerful words making him smile the entire elevator ride up to his floor.

      As he stepped off and entered the bustling office, the uncharacteristic quiet made him pause. Usually, phones were ringing, people were talking and the hum of various printers or copiers made a pleasant cacophony.

      Today, more than half of the cubicles were empty—people taking off for the approaching holiday. He ought to know because he’d personally approved everyone’s requested vacation time.

      He’d actually been a bit surprised the Denver ad agency had requested a meeting today to pitch their ideas for a new campaign. While Remy had let it be known that he was actively searching for a new company, all the other major players had scheduled meetings for after the New Year.

      Since he actually admired this firm for wanting to get a jump on their competition, he’d agreed to the meeting, despite being short several members of his decision-making staff.

      Walking into his office, he looked around for his assistant, Heather. She came out of the break room carrying a donut and a cup of coffee, her long, brown hair up in her usual jaunty ponytail. “Well, good morning,” she chirped. “Someone brought donuts, if you’re interested.”

      Before he could reply, her phone rang. Heather rushed past him toward her desk, managing to get there without spilling any coffee. “Remy Colton’s desk,” she answered. Listening for a moment, her eyes went wide. “Please hold.” She eyed Remy, her expression carefully blank. “It’s The Lodge. You’d better take it.”

      “Okay, thanks.” He strolled into his office and closed the door. He couldn’t imagine why anyone up there would be calling, but picked up his phone and answered.

      “I’m sorry to bother you,” Denise, one of the shift managers, said. “But Seth didn’t show up this morning.”

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