7

NORA

Staring up at him brought back memories of our time together. It had been hours since we were all tangled up in each other, but it felt like forever. I wanted to do it again. But right now? I needed to catch my breath before I passed away from choking on coffee.

“Ma’am, breathe. " We’re going to call an ambulance,” someone was saying to me, but in my hysteria, I could tell them no mind. All my eyes could do as they watered up from all the coughing was wonder from Mr. Arrogant's face into my hands. His eyes looked panicked, very different from his usual cold and arrogant exterior. Mine, on the other hand, were torn up.

Is this how I die? Death by coffee. What a way to go.

“She's choking,” a voice cut through my thoughts, and I felt someone's strong arms wrap around my waist, making a few fast movements before performing a quick upward thrust.

I could feel my breathing begin to regulate and as I coughed up the coffee that literally threatened my life, all I could think about was that I forever owed whoever it was that had saved my life.

I blinked my teary eyes open, taking the napkin someone was handing me. A little crowd had gathered around, watching the scene unfold. I smiled sheepishly, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment from the moment. Shit.

“Are you okay?” a very familiar voice asked, and I turned around to see it was none other than Liam behind me. I opened my mouth to say something, but a small cough escaped instead.

“It's okay, you don't have to say a word. "My throat might be a little dry. Liam looked very good right now, his eyes soft and caring. I hadn't seen him in hours and even though we just met again in a very embarrassing situation, I couldn't help but admire his charm. I was right, he was definitely in the gym this morning. You don't get that kind of lean and toned athletic body from sitting around on your ass all day long.

Before I could put together an appropriate response, a staff member walked up to me, a Styrofoam cup of water in hand. “Here, drink this,” he said, a shell-shocked smile on his face. Damn, I must've terrified these people.

I looked around, seeing the small crowd, which still looked pretty worried but was beginning to disperse.

“I'm okay, thanks everyone,” I said, eliciting a small round of applause as they all went about their day.

I took a sip of my water, fingers trembling from the shock of everything that had just happened.

“Try not to choke on that,” Liam said, bringing my attention back to him. His arms were crossed, lips tilted in an arrogant smirk, and hair tousled unconventionally. I had to tear my eyes away from him so he didn't get smug anymore.

“Go away, Liam,” I said, downing my water completely.

“Hey, I might've just saved your life. The least I can get is a thank you,”

“A thank you?” I huffed. He wanted a thank you after leaving me all alone in the suite. He couldn't even stay until I woke up. Was what we had that meaningless? I mean, of course, it was meaningless, it just hurt a little to accept it.

“You know what? " Thank you,” I said, agreeing that he had indeed just saved me from a very embarrassing death.

“You're welcome,” he responded, eyes never leaving mine. With a sigh, Liam uncrossed his arms, lifting one to run his fingers through his hair and down over his face. He looked almost frustrated and serious, very different from the arrogant man I'd come to know.

“Listen, I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, and last night things just felt a little complicated,” Liam began, his eyes wandering everywhere but my face. My goodness, he looked uncomfortable.

Did sleeping with me really make him feel that bad?

“It's just…I just—”

“Liam, it's fine. I understand. What happened last night was a mistake that never should have been. " Don't worry, I'm going to be out of your hair and your life in a couple of days. " It's almost Christmas,” I said with a smile, even though I felt everything but smiles on the inside. It almost felt as though this man whom I barely knew was single-handedly ripping my heart in two. I knew what a breakup felt like, I knew the physical and emotional toll it took on a person, and I wasn't willing to do that to myself again.

“A mistake,” he repeated, his softened and frustrated expression falling into an unreadable mask. I could've sworn I saw his body go rigid, almost as though he was keeping his defenses up.

“Right, a mistake. Fuck, what was I thinking?” Liam was saying, but I didn't think he was talking to me. Then, he shifted his pointed gaze to me, indecipherable blue eyes chilling me from the inside out. “See you around, Sunshine,”

And before I could even utter a word in protest, he turned around and walked away. We were never together. In fact, what we had was very lust-driven. So why did it feel like he was walking out of my life?

~

I needed to do something productive with my time and, since hanging out with my roommate-turned-enemy was out of the question, I had to find other ways to entertain myself.

I could always throw myself into work, but I was here to kick back, relax, and have fun. Plus, sitting at a desk might have me worrying about everything going to shit in my life right now.

I walked into the resort's hall, eyes wandering about the place. It was past midday, and it looked like the staff were doing some decorating before the Christmas party. Perhaps I could help out, put my hands to good use, and keep my head out of the funny business with Liam.

Why was I thinking about him again?

“Hey there, are you lost?” a woman's soft voice drew me out of whatever daydream was going on in my head. I whipped around, the smile on my face growing as the beautiful woman’s face came into view. She looked about forty years old, but I could tell she might have been older, just with good genes or a very keen love for skincare. Her graying dark hair was pulled back in a loose pony.

“Hi, no I'm not. I was just wondering if I could help out. " There aren't many activities that I'm interested in, and I don't want to be idle,” I confessed, twining my fingers.

Her concerned expression softened into one of understanding.

“Oh, that's fine,” she said. We've got plenty of work to do here. We could sure use an extra hand,”

“I'd be happy to help out,”

“Come, walk with me. " I'm Elise, what's your name?” she looped her hand through mine, leaning against me like we were best friends as we walked together.

“Nora ma'am,”

“Oh please, call me Elise. Now tell me, you mentioned you aren't interested in many activities. What would you prefer?”

Elise was a couple inches shorter than my 5-foot-five frame, but her energy was almost through the roof. She was all smiles as we walked the length of the hall together. It wasn't the biggest hall, but it was large enough to fit the number of guests the resort had. The staff scampered about the room, nailing stuff, hanging decor, polishing the floor, and other things.

“I'm more of an outdoorsy kind of girl. Snowboarding, skiing, sightseeing, but with the snowstorm I don't think much of that can happen.”

“Actually,” Elise began, “the storm’s letting up. " Pretty sure we should be back outside by the morning. " Hope you bring some winter stuff with you because it's really chilly outside,” she flicked a finger underneath my chin, laughing as she added, “I really like that scarf you're wearing, it's very chic. Are you a fashion designer?”

I smiled, grabbing onto the scarf. I'd have wrapped it around her, but then my hickey-filled neck would be exposed. And that'd be mortifying.

“Not exactly, but I dabble,” I responded, thinking of my job back home.

“Well, I'd like it if you styled me for the party. " You'd be attending, wouldn't you?”

“Certainly. " I'd be honored,” I perked up, getting excited at the thought of doing something other than wallowing about.

“Wonderful,” Elise clapped her hands, “We can start with the ribbons." Oh, I wanted gold ribbons. Looking over there, Freddie was hanging up green ribbons. " Oh, I must stop him, Freddie!” she yelled, waving a hand at the man on a ladder hanging up some ribbons.

I smiled at myself as I picked up a pair of scissors. I might have a wonderful Christmas after all.