Her Wanton Ways [Notorious Nephilim 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Carolyn Rosewood

he feel guilty over leaving her bed this morning?
    “Are you finished with work for the day?”
    He frowned in confusion then cut his gaze to the photograph again. What was his problem?
    “Blade said you like to start early in the mornings.”
    Cristian blinked a few times, then finally the anxiety and confusion left his face. “Oh, yeah…yeah. He’s right. I do. And yes, I’m done for the day.” He grinned and took her hand, looping it around his arm. “So, now that I’m free, what would you like to do?”
    Joelle glanced outside, where the freshly fallen snow shone like diamonds in the sun. “I know it’s cold outside, but I’d love to take a walk. I packed my snow boots, just in case.”
    Cristian’s face lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. “I’ll get my coat and boots as well and meet you back here in five.”
    Joelle was hoping the housekeeper was still in her suite so she could figure out where she’d seen her before, but she was already gone. She walked quickly through the suite, and everything was tidied up and fresh, so it didn’t appear she’d rushed through her duties. Joelle shrugged. She’d been here less than twenty-four hours. How much was there to clean?
    After Joelle retrieved her coat, scarf, gloves, and boots, she returned to the lobby to find Cristian waiting for her. She linked her arm in his as they exited a door at the back of the property. “This path leads to Pine Lake,” he said. “I think it’s the prettiest of the three.”
    “Isn’t the snow beautiful?” Joelle breathed in the fresh, clean scent, not minding how the air chilled the inside of her nose and lungs.
    “Yes. I love this time of year.”
    “Me, too.” She smiled up at him. His eyes sparkled as much as the snow, and she wondered what it would be like to fuck outdoors. She’d probably end up with frostbite on her ass, but it might be worth it.
    Their boots crunched on the ice packed under the powder as they walked along. As he led her closer to the lake, she gasped at the sight of snow-covered pines reflected in the water. “It’s like a painting. So perfect.”
    The longer they walked, the less Joelle felt the cold. Cristian’s hand in hers was as toasty warm as if they were indoors in front of a blazing fire. He pointed out markers on the trail where they planned stops on the sleigh rides. “Don’t know if it will ever happen though.”
    “Why not?”
    “We’ve been planning this second set of horse trails for over two decades. The other trail isn’t as long and gets crowded when we have a lot of rides booked at once. But we’re running into opposition.”
    Joelle stopped walking and studied his face. “Over two decades? Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?” A sliver of fear shot through her body at the look on his face. It was as if he’d suddenly realized he’d been caught in a terrible lie. As she watched the emotions pass through his eyes, she also realized his cheeks and nose weren’t red. It was no more than twenty degrees outside. How could he be so unaffected by the cold?
    She let go of his hand and the immediate blast of cold air took her by surprise. She glanced at the trees, but there was no wind. When Cristian took her hand again, warmth spread through her body. What the hell was going on?
    “I mean that our family has been planning it for that long.” His quick laugh sounded forced.
    They continued walking, but the beauty of the landscape was dimmed somewhat. Something odd was going on here, and an unsettled feeling swept over Joelle. “You mentioned opposition. Who’s opposing new trails around the lake? Doesn’t your family own this land as well?”
    He nodded. “Yes, we do. The opposition is coming from city planners in Chicago, who don’t have jurisdiction over this area, but there’s an alderman who’s trying to make a big name for himself. He’s getting too nosy about the resort and is using the planned horse trails as an excuse.”
    Fear shot