Kitabı oku: «The Cattaneos' Christmas Miracles», sayfa 2

He stopped for a minute, leaning on a fence as he watched a single figure head down towards him. Dressed completely in black, the figure zig-zagged down the practically empty slope at an alarming rate of speed. Skiing was something he’d loved to do over the years and he could appreciate the skill and expertise. He frowned. Wasn’t the figure coming down just a little too fast?

There was a loud bang to his right. His head flicked to the side, just in time to see a car with a black cloud of smoke coming from under its bonnet.

He flicked back to the skier. Oh, no.

They’d turned to check out the noise too, and now it was too late. In the blink of an eye he realised they hadn’t slowed their descent enough. That split-second distraction had been too much.

They desperately tried to slow, but it was too little, too late and they hurtled into the tyres at the bottom of the practice slope with a sickening crash.

Leo didn’t think twice. He leapt over the fence and scrambled over the thick tyres. There was hardly anyone around, and it was clear he was the closest.

The figure was lying crumpled on the ground, skis askew and one of their legs in an awkward position. Leo slipped and slid on the snow. ‘Are you okay? Can I do something to help you?’

He knelt down next to the figure in black. Now he was closer he could see it was a woman. The black salopettes and padded ski jacket couldn’t hide the slim curves underneath. She still hadn’t responded. He touched her arm, ‘Hi, I’m Leo. Can I help you?’

There was a groan underneath him. The twisted leg moved and she gave a yelp. ‘Foitrottl!’

He smiled. He may not have understood the language—was it Swiss? German?—but he understood the sentiment. Not quite as ladylike as he might have imagined. ‘Well, at least I know you’re conscious,’ he said.

Her arms shot upwards and she snapped the fastener on her ski helmet and pushed her ski goggles upwards, revealing a mass of ice blonde hair.

‘What on earth was that noise?’ she said, switching to English. She was mad. She was more than mad.

Leo couldn’t help but smile again. As well as the avalanche of blonde hair, this lady had the clearest blue eyes he’d ever seen. She pretty much looked like some kind of ice princess but he could already guess how she would take that kind of comparison.

‘It sounded like a combination of a car backfiring and an engine blowing up. Either way, it was loud.’

She was digging her elbows into the snow and struggling to push herself up.

‘Can I give you hand?’ He stood up and reached out towards her.

For a second he thought she might refuse, but after the briefest pause she pulled one hand from her glove and grasped his fingers tightly.

He tugged—maybe a little more firmly than he needed to—and pulled her straight up into him. His other arm caught around her waist just as her weight hit her feet and she yelped again as her leg buckled beneath her.

He tightened his grip and pulled her against his hip. ‘Do you think something’s broken? Do you want me to call an ambulance for you?’

She was breathing hard and fast but her skin was pale. ‘Just give me a second,’ she gasped.

So he did. And even though it was freezing after a few seconds he was struck by the heat emanating from her slight frame. She was taller than most women he met, but still at least six inches shorter than him. He stood silently, watching a little colour appear in her pale cheeks and her breathing eventually starting to slow. She was holding her left foot off the ground and tentatively put it back down, wincing almost immediately.

‘Want me to carry you?’

Her frown was fierce but she didn’t bite his head off. Instead she leaned a little into him. ‘Nope, definitely not. Sorry to be a pest, but I’ve got a bit of an old injury. Would you mind just helping me limp back to the ski hut? There’s a buggy I can use there to get back to my chalet.’

‘Can you stand for a second?’ She nodded and he bent to retrieve her skis and poles before sliding his arm back around her waist and taking some of her weight. ‘Okay, then. What were you doing, practising so late? Most people are in the town by now.’

She gripped onto his arm with her other hand as she limped alongside him, being careful not to put too much weight on her foot.

Leo couldn’t help but ask again. ‘You’re sure that’s not broken?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m sure. Believe me. I’ve broken a few bones in my time.’

It was just the way she said it. He couldn’t help himself. ‘What—yours or other people’s?’

She threw back her head and laughed, then obviously put too much weight on her bad foot. ‘Ouch.’

Leo actions were instinctual. He dropped the skis, bent down and swept her up into his arms.

‘What are you doing?’ Her eyes were wide. She glanced around but it was late, the slopes were quiet, and there wasn’t really anyone else watching.

‘I’m carrying you,’ he said simply. He strode towards the large ski hut. ‘No point hurting yourself when you don’t need to. I’ll come back for those in a second,’ he said, noticing as she craned over his shoulder to look for her abandoned equipment. He looked down at her curiously. He could tell she was just about to object again. ‘So, have you broken a lot of bones? What are you—a ski instructor?’

There was a flash of something on her face as they approached the ski hut. She sighed. ‘Yes, I guess I am.’

He moved around the side of the building. Just like she’d said, there was a large SUV with snow tyres. ‘Want me to drive?’ he asked as he set her gently down next to the passenger door.

‘Will you carry me round to the other side if I say no?’ she quipped.

Leo smiled. Whatever else had happened today, things were definitely looking up. He winked at her. ‘Your wish is my command, Ice Princess.’

Ice Princess? Had he actually just called her Ice Princess?

If she had been feeling herself she’d toss her head and stomp off. Trouble was, she wasn’t feeling herself. She actually felt as if she might be sick all over her ski boots.

As her rescuer disappeared to retrieve her skis and poles, she wondered if maybe it was the shock of the noise of the backfiring car. Maybe it was her current feeling of stupidity for allowing herself to be distracted when she really should know better. Or maybe it was that whole host of memories that had come flooding back as she’d tumbled down the slope, too quickly and completely out of control.

She dug into her ski jacket and pulled out her key. As he returned, leaning her equipment against the SUV, she steeled herself to say words she’d never thought she would. ‘Actually, would you mind? I promise I only live a five-minute drive from here.’

The guy—Leo he’d said he was called—gave a quick nod as she pressed the button to open the doors. ‘Not at all,’ he said graciously.

He was being a gentleman. There was obviously a cheeky demeanour hiding under there, but for now she’d take the gentleman. Anything to get home as soon as possible.

She slid into her seat, suddenly aware she’d been a little rude. ‘And it’s Anissa—not Ice Princess.’

He smiled as he slid into the driver’s seat and pressed the button to start the engine. ‘Anissa.’ He gave a nod of approval. ‘Sounds like a kind of ice princess name to me.’

‘Do you know many ice princesses, Leo?’

He laughed and held out his hand. ‘Leo Baxter. From New York. Just here for a few days on...’ his face gave a little twist ‘...family business.’

She shook his hand. ‘Anissa Lang. And this Ice Princess has the illustrious other titles of part-time ski instructor, part-time chalet maid.’ He smiled. He had a nice smile, dark, curly hair a little longer than average and bright blue eyes that could stop a girl in her tracks. Just as well she was sitting down. She held his gaze just a few seconds longer than she meant to.

He didn’t look away. His grin just got wider and she felt colour rush into her cheeks. What on earth was she doing? She took a deep breath and focused on the view through the windscreen instead. It was safer.

He pulled the car out of the parking lot and stopped at the road junction.

‘Right.’ She pointed.

‘Were you doing a lesson?’ he queried. ‘I didn’t notice any students on the slopes with you.’

She shook her head. ‘Too late for lessons. And students wouldn’t be allowed on that slope. Too dangerous.’

He gave a nod of his head as he continued down the dark road. ‘You don’t say.’

A wave of nausea rushed over her and she put a hand to her mouth. ‘You okay?’ he asked quickly, his cheeky quips instantly replaced by concern.

She swallowed and pointed a little further down the road. ‘Take the next left, please. I’m just at the end of that road.’

She leaned back against the seat and gave a sigh. ‘Maybe I hit my head. I’m feeling a bit queasy.’

His eyes were laced with concern, but he didn’t say anything else until he pulled up outside her staff chalet. A few seconds later he’d stopped the car, jumped out, rounded the car and opened her door. ‘Let’s get you inside. Maybe if you sit down for a few minutes and get some water, you’ll feel a little better. If you don’t, I’m sure I can find a doctor in the resort to check you over.’

She really wanted to argue with him, but getting inside her chalet seemed like the priority right now, so she let him help her out and up the steps to the chalet, not even objecting when he took the key from her slightly shaking hand and opened the door for her. He flicked on her lights and slid his arm around her waist, helping her inside.

She sagged down onto her sofa in relief, unzipping her ski jacket and taking a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes a few seconds later, Leo had already started the fire.

‘Well, if I’m Ice Princess, you must be Prince Charming.’ She smiled.

It was odd. She didn’t feel threatened by the complete stranger who was currently inside her temporary home and finding his way around. She was actually feeling relieved there was someone else with her right now.

‘Oh,’ she said in surprise as he sat down on the coffee table opposite her and lifted up her ski boot.

Those blue eyes twinkled. ‘Prince Charming? Isn’t that the guy obsessed with shoes? Let’s get these ski boots off and you can see if you’ve done any damage.’ He really was too handsome for his own good.

He undid the clips, loosened the boot then gave it a gentle tug, pulling it off. She clenched her jaw, waiting for wave of pain she’d normally feel if she’d done some damage. There were a few twinges but nothing severe.

He pulled off the other boot, holding her foot for a little longer than necessary. ‘Okay?’ His question seemed sincere, so she nodded as he moved so her feet could rest on the table in front of her. ‘You still look really pale.’ He glanced around the room. ‘How about something medicinal? I think you’re in a bit of shock. Do you have any brandy?’

Her brain really couldn’t think straight. Brandy. Yes. She had some of that. She waved her hand. ‘Cabinet behind you.’

Two minutes later she heard the clink of glasses. She leaned forward and peeled down her socks. No obvious swelling. Thank goodness. She gave both of her feet a cautious circle. Whilst one was definitely sore, it wasn’t as bad as she’d initially feared.

A glass was pressed into her hand and Leo lowered himself into the seat next to her.

She took a sip of the brandy and pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure if giving someone alcohol for shock is really the official treatment.’ She gave her head a shake. ‘You know, St Bernards don’t really have brandy around their necks.’

He smiled and raised his glass. ‘What can I say? I’ve always been one for old wives’ tales.’

She looked at him curiously. His face was a tiny bit flushed in her rapidly warming chalet, but there was no question that this was one of the most handsome guys she’d seen in a while. Mont Coeur was no stranger to numerous jet-set playboy millionaires, but he didn’t seem quite the type. She took another sip of her brandy, which warmed on the way down.

‘I’m not sure I believe you—you don’t look like an old-wives’-tales kind of guy.’ She sighed. ‘But then again, I’m not the type of girl to let a stranger drive her car—or come into her chalet—so I guess it’s just a night of firsts.’

There was a definite twinkle in his eye. She nudged him.

At any other time alarm bells would be going off in her head. But the one thing she instantly felt around this guy was safe. That was it. He had a safe kind of smile. She liked that—that and those bright blue eyes. ‘Want to take that wool coat off before you die from heat exhaustion?’

Her heart skipped a few beats. Had she really just said that? More or less invited him to stay a bit longer?

Deep down something was flickering inside her—and it was nothing to do with the fire. Everything about this was so out of character for her. Under normal circumstances she would probably have tried to hound her rescuer back outside the door. But Leo just seemed...different.

There was something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite figure. He had the tiniest air of mystery around him—that and a whole load of sex appeal. A lethal combination.

He laughed, unfastened the coat and shrugged it off. ‘A night of firsts,’ he repeated. There was a strange kind of look on his face. ‘I guess it’s certainly been one of those.’

There it was—the air of mystery that just seemed to reel her in. She turned a little towards him. ‘What do you mean?’

He shook his head. ‘Let’s just say I’m glad of the distraction.’

Now she was definitely curious. ‘Well, from my experience, most people come to Mont Coeur to either ski or...’ she raised her eyebrows ‘...to show off how rich they are. Which category are you in?’

For a second he was silent, then he took a long, slow swig from the brandy glass. ‘I can just about hold my own on a ski slope. But I’ve never skied at Mont Coeur before. I came here at kind of short notice. I didn’t bring any equipment with me.’

‘So you didn’t come here for the skiing?’

He shook his head. He really wasn’t giving much away. But the way that he looked at her through those heavy-lidded eyes, it was making her stomach do a whole lot of flip-flops. Never mind skiing. Right now her stomach thought she was a gymnast.

‘But you were watching tonight?’

He nodded. ‘I’ve only been here a few hours. I haven’t even reached my...’ he put his fingers in the air ‘...“luxury cabin” yet.’

Anissa’s stomach gave a little twist. Please don’t let him be staying in one of the cabins I’m cleaning.

‘So, is it business or pleasure?’ She licked her lips, a little nervous at asking the question. For all she knew, he could actually be here with a wife or fiancée, and really only was being gentlemanly by helping her home. She unintentionally held her breath as she waited for the answer.

‘I imagine some people would expect me to say a bit of both.’ He gave another sigh. ‘But the honest answer is neither. In a lot of ways, I wish I’d never come. There’s nothing I’d like more than to jump back on the soonest flight to New York.’

Her stomach gave a little pang. The first interesting guy she’d met in a long time couldn’t wait to get out of Dodge. Typical.

But it was the way he’d said the words that mattered. As if they made him sad. ‘Then why don’t you?’ she asked quietly.

He met her gaze with his blue eyes. ‘Because I’m a bit in limbo. What I do next could affect other people—whether I like it or not.’

Empathy swelled within her. Connection. Because those words were so familiar to her. What she did wouldn’t affect anyone other than herself. But being in limbo? She raised her glass to him. ‘Limbo. I see your few days’ worth of limbo and raise you a whole year’s worth.’

He turned closer towards her, leaning in and letting her see the shadow on his jawline and the tiny lines around his eyes. That tiny movement made her catch her breath at what might lie ahead. The woody scent of his aftershave filled her senses. She liked it. It had a hint of spice mixed with earthy tones.

He leaned his head on one hand and gave her a sexy kind of smile. ‘How did a gorgeous girl like you end up in limbo in Mont Coeur? Have you always lived here?’

Gorgeous. He’d just called her gorgeous. She could almost hear the echoing voices of approval of her fellow chalet maids at her rapidly rising heart rate. For months they’d been telling her to pay more attention to the guys around her. For months she’d told them she had other priorities and that no one had captured her attention. And they hadn’t. Until now.

She shook her head and tried her best to play it cool. ‘I’m Austrian. But I’ve spent most of my life on skis, no matter where I’ve lived.’ She lifted one hand. ‘This last year? Let’s just say it hasn’t been my best—hasn’t been my favourite. Limbo is exactly the right word to describe the last twelve months of my life.’

It hurt. Every memory about it still hurt. From the physical pain of crashing down a mountainside. To the psychological pain of realising her hopes of winning an international skiing championship gold medal had just been ripped from her grasp. Then there was the emotional trauma of her fiancé and coach, Alain, dumping her.

Leo reached out and grabbed her hand, the touch of his warm skin shooting an instant tingle up her arm. His voice was deep. His other hand reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. It was a personal touch, an intimate touch, and the skin on her face was on fire with it. ‘How about, for one night only, we try and forget about the stuff that’s dragging us down?’

She blinked. Had he actually just said that?

The fire was flickering behind him, sending a warm glow around the room. Her heart missed a few beats.

No way. She wouldn’t. Not ever. She wasn’t that kind of girl.

But...

Somehow, tonight, she wanted to be.

She really, really wanted to be.

She prayed her voice wouldn’t shake as she uttered the words. ‘I could live with forgetting about everything dragging me down.’

He moved closer, his mouth only a few inches from hers, and she licked her lips in anticipation.

She paused for the briefest second. ‘Promise me you have no wife, no fiancée, no girlfriend.’

He gave a flicker of smile. ‘Promise. What about you?’

She smiled too as she leaned in. ‘Oh, I don’t have a wife, a fiancée or a girlfriend.’ This was reaching the teasing stage. Her favourite part.

He smiled back as he reached up and slid his fingers through her hair, anchoring his hand at the back of her head. ‘No significant other?’

She shook her head. ‘No significant other.’

His lips brushed against her ear. ‘Then how about we get ourselves distracted?’

She must be crazy. She must be losing her mind. But for the first time in a year all she could think about was how good it felt to be in the arms of this man she found wildly attractive and how in control she felt. She was making this decision. No one was doing it for her. Leo Baxter was hot.

And he was all hers.

This was one night. Everything else she could worry about tomorrow.

She smiled as she brushed her lips against his. ‘So...distract me.’

CHAPTER TWO

LEO BLINKED AS he heard the faint noise of someone shuffling around. There was only a tiny glimmer of light outside. The bed was uncomfortable and his mind took a few seconds to orientate itself.

Mont Coeur. The will. Sebastian. Noemi.

And then there was last night. Anissa.

He rolled over and leaned on one arm. Sure enough, Anissa was padding around the room, pulling on some kind of uniform.

She looked up. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. I have an early shift.’

He wasn’t one for overnight stays and awkward next mornings. Seemed like he’d had more firsts than he’d expected to. The jet lag and emotional trauma of last night had obviously just wiped him out.

He watched as she pulled her hair up into a ponytail. He’d thought she’d looked good last night, but even early in the morning she looked good. Something twinged inside him and his gaze connected with hers.

This was where things got uncomfortable. This was where he had to make a hasty exit and try and find the luxury chalet he’d never made it to last night.

He glanced around the room, trying to find his clothes. Anissa pulled on her jacket and Leo instantly swung his legs from the bed. She had to leave. And she wouldn’t want to leave a stranger in her house.

‘Give me a second to grab my things and I’ll get out of your hair.’

Images of last night flashed through his brain as he pulled on his shirt and trousers. Good images. Great images. And a connection he’d never thought he’d feel.

Anissa was standing at the bedroom door, watching him a little awkwardly. She sucked in a breath. ‘Thanks for helping me last night.’

He pushed his feet into his shoes and moved closer. ‘You’re welcome. How’s your foot this morning?’

She gave it a little stamp. ‘A bit sore, but that’s it.’

Maybe she hadn’t realised it but she was blocking his exit to the door. He stopped in front of her. ‘Last night was...’ He let his voice tail off, unsure how exactly to end the sentence.

‘The best sex I’ve had in years.’

He blinked, then laughed. It seemed that Anissa had no problem finishing the sentence for him. ‘Okay, then...’ he gave his head a shake at her quick words ‘...I guess I’d have to agree with that.’

Her blue eyes were fixed on his. His stomach gave a twist. Please don’t let this be something it isn’t.

His brain was all over the place right now, as were his emotions. In the space of a few months he’d found his parents, lost his parents, met a brother and sister he’d never known and been blackmailed into taking an interest in the family business. He didn’t have room for anything else right now.

‘I’m not looking for romance.’ Anissa spoke quickly.

‘Neither am I.’ The answer came out automatically, with a sense of relief.

‘And I never usually do anything like this,’ she added. ‘So please don’t think this is normal for me. Last night was just...’ This time it was her that couldn’t find the words to complete the sentence.

‘A one-off,’ he finished for her.

She nodded in agreement. ‘A one-off.’

They were still close. Close enough that he could smell the fruity shampoo from her hair that she’d pulled into a ponytail high on her head.

It would be so easy to lean forward and kiss her. To capture those lips in his again and pull her back down onto the unmade bed.

The truth was Anissa hadn’t been wrong. Last night had unexpectedly been the best night of his life. But in reality he hardly knew her. And his timing was terrible.

She stood back against the door to let him pass. The early morning light was filtering through the windows of the small staff chalet. It was small, neat and functional, with only a few hints of the woman who actually stayed here. A framed photo of her standing in her skis, the two brandy glasses from last night, the ski boots still lying on the living-room floor. He was struck with how much it didn’t really look like a home. The similarities between this place and his own penthouse apartment in New York sent a wash of recognition over him. How long had she said she’d been here? A year?

He picked up his coat and fastened it. Anissa moved in front of him and held out her hand towards him. ‘It was nice to meet you, Leo Baxter.’

Her body was rigid, and she was being formal, but he could still sense the hint of humour in her eyes.

He slipped his warm hand into hers. ‘It was nice to meet you too, Anissa Lang.’ Her handshake was firm and he found himself in no hurry to let go. Her pale blue eyes were fixed on his.

His heart twisted at the first flicker of a connection he’d felt in, oh, so long. He tilted his head a little to the side. He wasn’t sentimental. Never had been. Never would be—especially after recent events. But there was something about this girl beyond the obvious beauty and the passion she’d sparked in him last night. He gave a wry smile. ‘Bad timing, but in another world, another place I would have very much liked to know you better.’ He pulled her towards him and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

And before she had a chance to reply he turned on his heel and left quickly, walking out into the fresh snow and the rapidly wakening resort.

He had so much to think about. So much to consider.

And he didn’t have a single clue what he really wanted to do.

Anissa held up the rota again. ‘Oh, come on, someone swap with me. Please.’

Lucy leaned over Anissa’s shoulder and looked at the list of occupiers in the most luxurious chalets in the whole resort. ‘What’s wrong with Leo Baxter, then? Bad breath? Wandering hands? Suggestive comments?’

Heat rushed into Anissa’s cheeks.

Chloe laughed as she straightened her uniform next to them. ‘Oh, no, none of that.’ Then she glanced sideways at Anissa and shrugged. ‘Or maybe two out of the three.’ She laughed. ‘But, hey, who doesn’t want to go to the chalet of the gorgeous billionaire Anissa snagged a few nights ago?’

Lucy’s eyes widened. ‘That was the guy?’ She laughed too and shook her head. ‘Oh, no way. I’m not swapping.’ She pointed at Anissa. ‘You’ve gotta go clean the hottie’s chalet.’ She swept up her equipment. ‘And who knows what might happen—again!’ she added with a wicked wink.

Anissa’s stomach turned over as her colleagues left. Darn it. She’d managed to get out of cleaning Leo’s chalet the last few days as she’d been working with other girls. But she’d made the mistake of telling Chloe all about her mystery encounter and great night before she’d realised Leo was actually staying in one of the chalets she was supposed to service.

She checked her watch. She had another chalet to clean too. Maybe she could time things just right and manage to avoid Leo. He was here for...business, wasn’t he? Chances were he would be out at some point during the day.

She gathered her equipment and headed out towards the chalets. There was a large red SUV outside the one that a family was staying in, and nothing outside Leo’s.

She licked her dry lips and headed towards his, turning the key carefully in the lock as her stomach did somersaults. ‘Housekeeping,’ she called. ‘Anyone home?’

Her voice echoed around her. She stayed frozen for a few seconds, wondering if there’d be any delayed response, but after a minute she breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door behind her, looking around carefully.

Chalet was a bit of a misnomer. It might suit the place in which she lived, but it didn’t suit these massive luxury houses halfway up the slopes. She grabbed some of her cleaning equipment. The people who stayed here were millionaires at a minimum. They expected impeccable service. And as the chalet had seventeen rooms, this wasn’t somewhere you could whip round with a brush and duster in half an hour.

Her heart started to race in her chest. She really needed to use this window of opportunity wisely. She had to get in, and out, as soon as possible. Her brain tried to think logically. There was no way Leo was using all these rooms. Chances were she would have the main room, a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen to clean. She could do that before he got back. At least she hoped she could.

She automatically plugged in a fresh scented atomiser. It was changed every day—probably just to let the guests know that the chalet had been serviced. She grabbed her mop and bucket and dashed up the stairs to do a quick check around. None of the rooms on the top floor looked as if they’d been touched—everything was still pristine.

She ran down to the next floor. Leo was using the master suite. No surprise there. But it felt a little strange, walking into a room and seeing his belongings scattered around. The white bed was rumpled and unmade. She walked over and touched it, then pulled her hand back. It was weird. She was used to making strangers’ beds, picking up their clothes and folding them, restocking their bathrooms and kitchens. But this wasn’t a stranger. This was Leo. The guy who’d made her forget a year of feeling unloved and unwanted. A guy who’d actually made her feel attractive and sexy again.

She could smell him in this room. That woody aftershave he’d been wearing when he’d been with her, the way his stubble had scraped along her jaw...

She took a breath and sat down for a second on the bed. She’d been here a year and she’d never behaved like this. What on earth was wrong with her? What had changed the other night?

Even this, sitting on one of guest’s beds, was something she would never do. She glanced around, almost expecting there to be hidden cameras taping this terrible misdemeanour. She ran her hand over the bed sheet. Leo had slept here last night. Had he thought about her? Had she even crossed his mind?

What if someone else had shared the bed with him? She jumped back up, annoyed that her thoughts had even gone there. It was enough to bring her back to her senses.

She started stripping off the sheets, remaking the bed with clean sheets in record time. She wiped around the room with a damp duster, picking up a discarded shirt and pair of trousers and hanging them up. The bathroom was messier. He’d managed to get toothpaste and shaving foam all over the sink. And all four towels were lying on the bathroom floor, indicating they should be replaced.

What was it with guys and towels?

Anissa worked as quickly as she could. Normally she would take longer, ensuring the glass shower door was smear free and the mirror completely spotless. But that would all take time she wasn’t sure she had. A quick wipe would have to do.