The drive to Lake Tahoe felt like a much-needed escape from the relentless pace of Los Angeles. As Collin drove, the city noise faded behind them, replaced by the soft hum of the engine and the rhythm of the winding road. Reese gazed out the window at the tall, majestic pine trees lining the road, their dark silhouettes framed by the faint light of the late afternoon. The cool mountain air, filtered through the open window, ruffled her hair and seemed to clear the fog in her mind, offering the respite she hadn't realized she needed.
She glanced over at Collin, who was focused on the road, his jaw set with determination, but a familiar warmth lingered in his eyes. "You okay?" he asked, catching her gaze towards him, his voice light but concerned.
Reese nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure. "Yeah, just... a lot on my mind. But I'm glad to be here."
Collin flashed her a reassuring smile, "Me too and I promise, I'll make sure you don't think about work. No stress. Just us."
The truth was, Reese had barely taken a breath in weeks. The constant push to close deals now that she didn't have a major realty network backing her, the pressure to get the Mediterranean villa off her plate—it had all begun to overwhelm her. But now, in the cool, crisp air of the Sierra Nevada, she felt a small part of that weight lifting. This was her chance to reset.
When they arrived at the lodge, Reese's breath caught in her throat, it looked even better than how she remembered— charming, intimate, and nestled in a way that made it feel like they were in their own little world. The cozy cabin-like exterior blended beautifully with the natural surroundings. Snow dusted the edges of the roof, the peaks in the distance tinged with the last of the afternoon's sunlight. The sight was exactly what she needed—serene and calm.
Collin glanced at her as they stepped out of the car. "I've always loved this place," he said, his voice filled with the kind of nostalgia she'd come to recognize as a key part of his charm as they continued to renew their relationship. "It's perfect for getting away."
Reese gave him a small smile, She had to admit, there was a part of her that was looking forward to this weekend, despite the ghosts it might stir. Lake Tahoe held so many memories from their relationship before it had turned complicated, before they'd been engaged—and before things had unraveled.
They entered the lodge, and the warmth from the fire instantly enveloped them. The smell of pine mixed with cinnamon and wood, filled the room giving the space a comforting, inviting air. Collin led her down the hallway to their suite, and as soon as they entered, Reese was taken aback by the breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe stretching out before them. The room was intimate, a large fireplace casting a golden glow across the space. The large windows gave an unobstructed view of the snow-covered lake and mountains in the distance.
Collin placed their bags down with a soft thud and turned to her, his expression warm. "Well did I do good?" His brow arched waiting for approval.
"Collin this is...," Reese paused trying to find the right words, "exactly what I needed," she smiled warmly.
"And, it's all yours for the weekend. What do you want to do first?"
Reese set her coat on the bed and walked toward the windows, letting the beauty of the place sink in. The sight was enough to make her feel a little lighter, though there was still the weight of the Villa lingering in the back of her mind and for a brief second it flickered to the unanswered text message from Christian—his casual "Hello, Ms. Sutherlin," She brushed it aside, not wanting to taint the moment. It was just a message. She would deal with it later. "Let's go for a walk, or... maybe just take it easy for now."
Collin smiled, stepping toward her. "We can definitely take it easy. How about we grab some dinner later and then ice skate? I know it's a little cheesy, but it's fun."
Reese laughed softly. She hadn't skated in years, and the idea of doing something carefree like that sounded perfect. "I'm in," she said. "But if I fall, remember, you're picking me up."
"Deal, after the photo of course," Collin replied, offering her a playful grin.
After a peaceful dinner at the cozy lodge restaurant overlooking the glimmering expanse of Lake Tahoe, Collin and Reese bundled up in their winter coats, heading outside into the crisp night air. The world seemed hushed around them. The soft crunch of snow beneath their boots was the only sound that accompanied them as they walked towards the outdoor ice rink. The rink was framed by tall pine trees, each adorned with twinkling lights that shimmered in the cold night, casting a magical glow across the space. Reese could have sworn the scene looked straight out of a holiday movie—you know the moment when the big city girl falls in love with the small town guy who enlist her help to save some big Christmas event. A picture-perfect moment with the snow falling gently, the sky a deep velvet blue above, and the soft, warm light of the trees creating a peaceful, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
"This feels like we're in a snow globe," Reese murmured, her eyes sparkling with wonder as she gazed around.
Collin smiled, squeezing her hand gently as they approached the rink. "It does, doesn't it? It's perfect."
Taking her hand, Collin guided her onto the ice, his confidence on the blades clear from the way he moved effortlessly, like he had done it a hundred times. Reese, on the other hand, wobbled slightly at first, her legs unsure beneath her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been ice skating, but as she found her balance, the tension in her body began to ease.
"You've got this," Collin encouraged, offering a steadying hand as she took her first few cautious steps.
Reese looked up at him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Easy for you to say," she quipped, her heart lightening as she found her rhythm. She pushed off the edge of the rink with more confidence, her glide becoming smoother with each passing moment. They circled the rink together, the icy air rushing past them as they skated in sync, laughing and reminiscing about past trips to Tahoe and how Reese always ended up falling more than skating.
"Collin grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Remember that year Scott and Naomi came with us, and we played ice tag?"
Reese laughed, a fond smile creeping onto her face as the memory surfaced. "Oh, yeah! I think they had just started dating. Naomi was so hesitant to skate around Scott because she didn't want to fall in front of him."
Collin chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "You were just as terrified to fall in front of me," he teased, his voice light. "But that didn't stop you."
Reese raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming. "Yeah, well, you were talking so much mess about how good you were on the ice. I had to at least try to shut you up."
Collin's grin turned smug, clearly enjoying the banter. "And I was good. Still am, if you haven't noticed," he said confidently, a self-assured smile tugging at his lips.
Reese rolled her eyes, laughing. "Whatever. I caught you a few times."
"I let you catch me," he responded smoothly. "I didn't want you to end up with ice burn. You were falling every two minutes."
Reese playfully swatted his arm. "I wasn't falling that much."
"Oh, trust me, you were," Collin teased, his tone warm but teasing. "But you were doing great for someone who couldn't stay upright for more than five seconds."
Reese smiled, remembering the chaos and fun of it all. "It was worth it though. The falls, the bruises—totally worth it."
Collin chuckled, his arm instinctively reaching out to steady her as she wobbled slightly. "Don't worry, I've got you," he said, his voice soft but filled with affection.
After a while, they reluctantly left the rink and made their way back to their suite where the soft glow of the fire in the corner added a romantic touch to the intimate space. The holiday lights outside twinkled like tiny stars against the darkened sky, casting a soft, golden light over the room. Collin had already set the mood, pouring two glasses of wine as they both sank into the plush sofa, the heat from the fire enveloping them in comfort. Reese closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth settle into her bones. She was finally able to just relax, to be in the moment.
Collin's voice broke the quiet, soft and soothing as he leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You look beautiful, Reese. I'm so glad you agreed to let me take you away this weekend."
Reese turned her face toward him, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Me too," she replied softly, her gaze locking with his. The closeness between them felt natural now, and she was grateful for the space to simply be with him.
Collin's hand found hers, his thumb brushing over her knuckles, slow and deliberate. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers gently, as though testing the waters.
Reese's heart raced for a moment, the familiar pull of desire stirring within her, but she let herself relax, sinking into the kiss. It was soft at first, tender, as though they were rediscovering each other, and in that quiet moment, Reese let herself give in to it.
As the kiss deepened, her body responded, instinctively pressing closer to him. But then, just as she felt herself completely enveloped in the heat of the moment, a flash of something—someone—crossed her mind. Christian. She pulled back slightly, her breath catching in her throat. Reese shut her eyes, trying to push Christian's presence aside. She wasn't going to let him ruin this. Not again. Not tonight.
Collin, sensing her shift, cupped her face gently, his thumb stroking her cheek. "Reese...I'm sorry. I did promise no romance but I can't help myself."
Her heart fluttered at his words, and Reese leaned into his touch, finally surrendering to the moment. The kiss resumed, this time with more urgency, more passion. Reese's hands slid up his chest, pulling him closer.
As they pulled away briefly, their foreheads resting together, a smile curled up on Collin's lips. He kissed her again with a fervor that made her forget about everything else, his hands tracing the familiar paths of her body as if they were reclaiming lost time.
Each kiss was slow, deliberate, as if he were savoring every second, every inch of her. Reese's hands gripped his shirt, her fingers digging into the fabric as his lips traveled down her neck, pressing gentle kisses along her skin, sending shivers of desire through her body. Reese's breath quickened, her heart racing as his kisses grew more urgent, more demanding. He explored the delicate line of her collarbone, his lips hot against her skin, each kiss a claim.
"You know I never stopped loving you," Collin murmured against her skin, his breath warm, as his lips continued their journey.
Reese's body responded instinctively, her own hands trailing down his back, pulling him closer. They were lost in the intensity of the moment, the world outside forgotten, consumed only by the heat between them.