Matchmaker Backfire - Flora Ferrari Page 0,3

of a long airport check-in and an even longer, overpriced cab ride on icy roads all the way to the lodge in Vermont.

I shake my head, telling myself for the millionth time.

Nah. There’s just no way such a beauty could ever or would ever go for you, Carter. Nice try though.

“You local?” I ask the driver over the headrest, knowing he isn’t. Counting the skids and wondering if we’ll even get there without chains on these tires.

I haven’t seen snow on the ground for years, but I know well enough to have the right vehicle and preparedness for any terrain.

This guy has neither.

His eyes dart to mine in the rearview and I point ahead, urging him to keep his attention on the road.

It’s coming in thick.

I don’t know if it’s holiday weather either. More like snowed in for a month, but what would I know?

I haven’t been up this way for almost twenty years.

“Not local,” the driver says between gritted teeth. “And this is dangerous now! You’ll have to pay-” he starts, but I wave him off.

“I’ll pay you, buddy. No problem.”

Thing is, can this guy make it back?

Sighting the turnpike and directing him to it, I figure once he drops me off it’s up to him how he gets on after that.

I feel a buzzing in my chest, something I haven’t felt in ages.

Excitement at the prospect of a week in a three star ski lodge?

I know it’s more than that.

Catching up with Greg in person will be something, I’ve missed him. Him and his goofy matchmaking, which I’m sure he’ll try on this trip.

But I know what it really is.

The cab driver gives me a weird look once we pull up. I realize I’m grinning like a madman, my rock hard dick aching under my jacket as he passes his hand in front of my eyes.

“You okay, buddy? Remember we spoke about the extra?” he asks furtively, snapping his fingers before I chuckle, reaching for my billfold.

“I remember. Just having a bit of a daydream is all,” I remark, peeling off way too much before cautioning him.

“If it comes in too thick on the way back, make sure and stop at a motel, won’t you?” I ask him, watching his eyes dart to the cash before his fingers close around it.

“Oh, I’ll be sure to,” he says. And I have to let it go, realizing this guy isn’t my problem anymore.

He got me where I need to be.

“I’ll wait a bit,” he adds, jutting his chin towards the lodge. “Might get a fare back,” he murmurs.

“I’ll ask at the desk if you like?” I offer, watching him shiver already as I open the door.

It’s his lucky day as it turns out.

Some woman who looks more like a bundled up Barbie doll than anything else rushes from the bar into his cab once I tell the concierge there’s one if anyone needs it.

“She leaving so soon?” I ask him, casting my gaze to the check-in form after shuddering. She pauses to look like she recognizes me, but fortunately keeps going.

“It’s the weather I’m afraid,” he explains in a low voice. “Haven’t had anything like this for a while… we won’t mind if you choose not to stay, but there’s no refund on deposits, and if we do shift to a weather emergency… well…” he adds dryly, running his thick white tongue around his lips.

I shrug.

“I’m all set,” I tell him, lifting my single bag high enough for him to see, already looking forward to a hot shower and an early night.

Greg and Serena will be up tomorrow, and unless there’s a category five blizzard coming, I know Greg will have his chains on the SUV and be here as planned. If he wasn’t going to be, I would’ve heard by now.

Greg’s no dummy. He’s the state manager for an SUV accessories manufacturer.

I almost wish I’d gotten a ride up with him, would’ve saved my nerves but I’m here now.

Taking my key, I trudge outside again. There are rooms here, but Greg’s splashed out on adjoining cabins.

Kind of. One large cabin has been divided into three separate cabin rooms.

The concierge almost insisted he show me the way, but the white outside only made his icy smile a little colder.

Letting myself into my room, I wonder which adjoining room or cabin will have Serena in it.

I shake my head, groaning softly as I remind myself to stop thinking like this.

She’ll be here soon and you can’t think like that. I think