Adventurous Love

by Lea Coll

  “No.” I wasn’t scared to date; I just wasn’t interested. When my relationship with Selena ended, I was upset that she’d moved on before I had. I was still stuck on our dream of running the ranch, making a life together, and she was already living with someone else, planning their future together. Living the carefree life of a college kid felt empty to the life she was creating.

  “Then why haven’t you dated anyone seriously since?”

  I lightened my voice. “How do you know? Maybe I don’t tell my mother everything going on in my life.”

  Her expression turned serious. “What I know is that if you were dating someone, you’d bring her by for Sunday dinner like Gray did with Elle.”

  I was going to give Gray shit the next time I saw him. I didn’t begrudge him happiness except when my mom used it against me. “I will when I meet someone worthy of your dinner table.”

  That part was true. I had no intention of parading just any woman through my family’s home. That invitation meant something to me.

  Mom bristled. “Maybe your standards are too high.”

  “It’s not that.” I dated tourists—women up for a vacation fling. I had no plans to leave. They’d never stay which should make Kelsey perfect for me. The only difference was we had mutual friends. I might see her again.

  “Then what it is? Because I want you to be happy. I want you to find someone to run this place with like I did.”

  The thing was, running the ranch with someone was my dream, but it hurt too much to even think of that anymore. I’d been content to be solo.

  I was honest with Kelsey; my focus was on the business. Everything hinged on its success—my parents’ ranch and eventual retirement…my future. I couldn’t imagine having to sell the ranch, and my parents living in some condo. And what would I do? I’d majored in business and agriculture with the idea that I’d run the ranch and lodge. I didn’t have a backup plan.

  I stayed to help my dad with some chores before heading back to the lodge to make sure the rooms were ready for the next day. Then I took over for Sally at the lodge so she could head home. Sally was retired so she only wanted to work a few hours a day. Any time one of us wasn’t at the lodge, I told guests they could call me for anything they needed. Kelsey walked in while I was telling a young couple my recommendations for restaurants in the area.

  I nodded to Kelsey, she lifted her books, nodding toward the study, indicating she was going to read. I’d check on her when I was done. Turning my attention back to the young couple, I gave them a few brochures based on what they were interested in.

  When they went up to the room, I ducked into my office to check the reservations for the next few weeks. There were a few, but I wanted to be sold out when the season picked up in a few weeks.

  Leaning back in my chair, I ran my fingers through my hair. The view through my window was one I’d taken for granted having lived here my whole life. Kelsey made me see it with new eyes. Remembering she was in the study, I stood, wanting to check in with her, make sure she was having a good time. I took my promise to Gray seriously. He’d moved here on my recommendation years ago. I considered our friendship a good one even if he had kept his family’s history from me for years.

  I walked into the study, the room warm from the fire burning in the hearth. Kelsey must have started it. She was reclined in the leather chair, her feet propped on the matching ottoman, her head bowed over a novel. The Guide to Telluride book sat on the coffee table. I moved further into the room, angling my head to see the cover of a bare-chested man with his arms around a beautiful woman. Their gaze could only be described as smoldering. Amused, I asked, “Is it good?”

  I expected her to look up. When she didn’t, I tried again, “Kelsey?” When there was still no response, I eased closer, touching her arm gently so I didn’t scare her as I repeated her name.

  Kelsey startled. “I’m sorry. What?”

  She shifted on the chair, the book falling closed in her lap, cover up.

  “You didn’t hear me when I called your name several times? I asked if the book was good.”

  She looked down at the cover. Her cheeks pink, she turned it over. “Sorry. I get sucked in when I’m reading. In college, my roommate used to snap her fingers over the book to get my attention.”

  At the word sucked, I fell into the chair next to hers, resting my elbows on my spread knees, hopefully covering the twitch in my cock. Had she been reading an erotic scene? Is that why she was embarrassed? “It must be pretty good then.”

  With a sheepish grin, she held up the Guide to Telluride book, “This is what I should be reading, but I couldn’t resist a romance about being snowed in with a grumpy man.”

  I wondered if she pictured me as the grumpy hero when she was reading. “You read romance?”

  She laughed. “It’s one of my guilty pleasures, but I don’t have much time to read in New York. This is a luxury.”

  I leaned over squeezing her knee, the touch a charge of warmth zinging through my arm and ricocheting through my chest. “You’re on vacation; you should be indulging in whatever you want.”

  Her eyes darkened, the muscles of her thigh under my fingers spasmed as if reacting to my touch or my words, maybe both.

  I wanted to ask what she wanted. Did she want a fling with a mountain man? If so, I fit the bill. But offering that was falling back into who I’d been the last few years. Kelsey wasn’t merely a woman passing through town whose time here was limited.

  Not wanting to think about what she was reading in that book of hers, I cleared my throat. “Speaking of indulgences, I wanted to see if you wanted to take a helicopter ride with me tomorrow afternoon to see the mountains and the waterfall from a different angle.”

  Her eyes widened. “That sounds amazing. How much does it cost?”

  I tried not to think about being in a confined space with her, no barrier but the pilot, my voice in her ear describing the sights. Would she lean into me or hold my hand? Would she be thrilled or scared? “He’s a friend. He’ll do it for free.”

  “Is this what it’s like living in a small town? Friends, people readily offering to help you, offering you amazing excursions for free?”

  “I guess. I never really thought about it.”

  “You’re not secretly paying for it, are you?” She tilted her head, her lips tugged into a smile.

  Thinking back on my conversation earlier with Dax, I assured her, “Trust me, he’ll make sure I pay him back.”

  Her shoulders lowered as she relaxed. “It sounds amazing. How can I refuse?”

  “You can’t.” I wanted to think I was referring to her not refusing me, but we weren’t at that point. We were still strangers, spending time together because of our friends.

  Her breath hitched.

  Whether it was our proximity or the confidence in my words, I wasn’t sure. I felt like I was walking a tight rope with her, being a friend despite wanting more. How bad would it be to mix fun with pleasure? Only the thought of Gray’s anger or Elle’s disgust when it inevitably ended, kept me from offering myself.

  Though I wasn’t sure how much longer I could resist. We had the rest of this week for excursions and then the next to help with the wedding.

  I slapped my thighs, rising to stand. “Be ready at four.”

  A slow smile spread over her lips. “I should be writing down all of my experiences on this trip, taking a million pictures so I’d have something to look back on when I’m back at work with nothing but the view of the skyscrapers and black snow under my boots.”

  “I hope they’ll be good memories.” I’d be an ass if I tainted them, making her hate Telluride, or at the very least, reluctant to come back if something transpired between us then ended badly.

  “The best… so far.” There was nothing but sincerity in her expression. I wanted to erase the distance between us, making a different memory she’d never forget. Backing her against the wall, bracing my hands on the wall on either side of her head so I
could claim those full lips with mine.

  I hovered by the door, knowing I should leave but not wanting to. The desire to taste her clashed with the urge to hear more about her life in New York; did she stay in or go out with her friends?

  I mentally shook my head. When had I ever wanted a woman’s body as much as her history? This thing with her was risky, threatening my solitary existence.

  She tilted her head, considering me for a moment. “Thank you for making this a trip to remember. I thought I’d be helping out with the wedding the whole time.”

  “We will be next week when the wedding stuff is delivered. Until then, we should take advantage of the time we have to see what makes Telluride so special.”

  She stood, making her way to me, her hips moving in an exaggerated motion. I’m wondering if it’s on purpose. “I’m starting to think that what makes Telluride so special isn’t the mountains, the quaint historic buildings, or this cozy lodge; it’s the people.”

  “Yeah?” I swallowed over the sudden dryness in my throat. Was she talking about me?

  She stood so close, I could smell her flowery shampoo or reach out to brush her hair behind her ears.

  Her hand rested on my chest, inches from where my heart is threatening to beat out of my chest. “You’re pulling me out of my comfort zone, exposing me to new things.”

  “Everyone should experience Telluride once.”

  “I can come back and visit Elle and Gray anytime I want.” Her words landed like ice down my shirt.

  This was why I should leave her untouched. I’d ruin this town for her. I couldn’t do that. The way I reacted to her, there was no way we could have a fling and pretend like nothing ever happened.

  Chapter 6

  Kelsey

  * * *

  This morning was all about Elle’s last dress fitting before the wedding. Sitting on the couch, the chandeliers sparkled in the three-sixty mirrors at the Little White Dress Bridal Shop. Elle hadn’t sent me any pictures, wanting me to see it for the first time in person. The bridal assistant, June, walked out of the dressing room with a small smile playing on her face as Elle followed. I got glimpses of a white skirt, happiness skirting Elle’s face. I didn’t get the full effect until June stepped aside.

  A sweetheart neckline and cinched waist gave way to a flowing skirt as she stepped onto the raised dais in front of the mirrors. Elle’s eyes were soft, sparkling with emotion as she turned from one side to the other. “What do you think?”

  Her question was directed to me.

  “It’s absolutely beautiful.” Understated and elegant.

  Elle smiled as she continued to admire herself in the mirror. “It is, isn’t it?”

  June carefully placed a tiara on her head with a long veil attached.

  I sucked in a breath. “You’re a bride. A beautiful one.”

  “It’s so hard to believe.” Elle’s eyes misted over.

  “You found the one.” The man that she’d stand beside forever with a baby soon filling their arms. I could see her dark head bowed over a baby as she cooed to him or her, Gray’s arm around Elle’s back as he gently rubbed the baby’s head. They’d be a unit.

  The image sucked the remaining air out of my lungs.

  “I did, didn’t I?” Her hand rested on her belly.

  I stood, coming closer to see what she saw in the mirror―a radiant bride and mother-to-be. “You’ve never looked more beautiful.” She was glowing.

  Was that love or was it the pregnancy? Or was it happiness? It was all three. A tingle started at the top of my head drifting downward, making me feel lightheaded and my knees soft.

  “Thank you.”

  I swallowed over the emotion clogging my throat. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “Everything fits, so this will be the last time you try it on before the big day. We’ll steam it one more time and you can pick it up next week,” Jane said, hovering behind us.

  “I’ll get it for you. One less thing for you to worry about. Then I can store it at the lodge.” I was here to ease her burden this week, not to get sentimental, wishing for things I’d never have.

  “That would be great.” She smoothed the skirt. Was she thinking the dress represented a new beginning, a life with Gray?

  I’d do anything for Elle now that she’d walked back into my life. She was the one person I felt that way about. Elle had Gray, her baby, and the Rigby family. In New York, I was just one more person running on the hamster wheel. No one paused to take stock of their direction, they kept moving. It was that or get run over.

  There was no careful consideration of your future or what you were missing by staying the course. Just the never-ending race to get ahead, to work harder than the next person. My heart clenched at the realization that in another week and a half, that would be my life again. When I planned the trip, I thought I’d be bored, counting down the seconds until I could go back, but now, each moment was one I’d treasure.

  Watching me carefully in the mirror, she said, “You’ll find someone to fulfill you too.”

  I smiled, the motion feeling fake, like my face might crack from the effort. “I’m not sure I want the same things you do.”

  I knew better than to want them, to wish for more. You couldn’t control anyone’s urges or desires but your own. Finding someone to spend your life with was elusive.

  I was getting so far ahead of myself. The fact was I hadn’t met anyone I’d consider something long-term with. There was no requirement saying that we had to find someone, get married, and have kids. I was just longing for things because I was surrounded by Elle and her happiness.

  When I returned to New York, I’d remember what I loved about my life there. I’d take the promotion if it was offered to me.

  This place felt magical—like anything could happen—but it wasn’t real. I couldn’t reach out and grab what Elle had for herself. Life didn’t work that way.

  After grabbing a quick lunch with Elle, she dropped me back at the lodge. I lay on the comfortable bed, drifting off for a couple of hours. When I woke, I only had a few moments to get ready for the helicopter ride. I wondered if I’d get scared of heights. Would it be different than the view from a plane?

  A firm knock sounded on my door as I finished putting on warm clothes and hiking boots; carrying my jacket and gloves, I opened the door.

  Henry’s greeting smile lit me from within, spreading warmth from my chest outward until even the tips of my fingers tingled. “Are you ready to see something spectacular?”

  His words hit me in my chest. I wanted to see him, what he looked like under that soft-looking sweater, and whether his abs dipped into a deep V at his hips inviting me to go lower, tugging his dark jeans down until I saw all of him.

  “Kelsey?” He tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with concern.

  I tried to clear the image of his naked body from my head. “I’m a little sluggish from my nap but I’m ready.”

  He stepped aside so I could close and lock the door. “Are you nervous about heights?”

  “A little,” I readily agreed, relieved he hadn’t noticed my reaction to him.

  When I looked up, he stood close, too close. It was hard to breathe without sucking in his scent, pine, leather, and soap. He smelled fresh and clean, like something I wanted to explore on this adventure I’d sworn to take.

  “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll be next to you the whole time. I trust Dax. He’s a great pilot.”

  “Right.” Dax. The helicopter ride. Not pulling him back into the room, asking him to give me one more amazing experience to remember. Somehow, I knew sex with him would be as thrilling as a helicopter ride to see the San Juan Mountains.

  I smiled as if what he’d said assuaged my worries when he’d only increased them tenfold. The more we were together, the harder it was to resist this pull between us. As we walked side by side to his truck, I listed the pros and cons of asking him in for the night to find out if he was as good in bed as
I suspected. On the con side, he was friends with Elle and Gray. On the pro side, I wasn’t likely to catch feelings from one night with him, and there was a definite end date to our relationship because I was leaving soon. The pros list outweighed the cons when I thought of it as a fling. Then there wouldn’t be a need to tell Elle or Gray about it.

  He turned on the truck, shifting the vents toward me. “What are you thinking about?”

  My cheeks heated. “What the helicopter ride will be like.”

  “Like nothing you’ve ever seen before. If you think this is impressive, just wait until you see it from above.” He gestured at the San Juan Mountains. When I moved to New York, I thought I’d miss the beach, the sound of the waves crashing, and the feel of the sand between my toes, but now I was starting to think the mountains eclipsed my hometown.

  Anticipation shot through me, humming in my veins, tingling in my extremities. “You’ve been up there before?”

  “Oh yeah. Lots of times. Dax had to get so many hours when he was getting his license. There’s no better way to see Telluride.”

  “I know I’ve said it before, but thank you for arranging this.” I couldn’t imagine what he owed his friend for this favor. I’d looked up the helicopter tour company last night and a fifteen-minute tour was expensive.

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled, seemingly pleased with my reaction.

  Did he get satisfaction out of impressing me? When had that ever been the case? When I was younger, I was the one desperate for attention, willing to do anything to get it.

  Did he feel the same as I did? Was he resisting moving closer with every muscle in his body or was it just me?

  We pulled up to the Hellitrax’s hanger. There was a small office that looked like an afterthought and a large warehouse-like building where the helicopters were probably stored.

  Walking toward the small office, my nerves kicked in. Was this safe? The last time I took a risk, it hadn’t ended well, and flying in a helicopter seemed far riskier than attending a high school party when the parents were out of town.