by Lea Coll
Henry’s hand landed on the small of my back, settling me. I smiled gratefully at him as he leaned down whispering in my ear. “You’ll be screaming out my name soon.”
I barked out a laugh, not expecting him to say that. “What?”
He grinned as he opened the door so I could duck under his outstretched arm. “I’m that good, baby.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I laughed to cover my reaction to his perfectly timed double entendre. At the same time, my heart sped up at his use of the word baby. An image popped in my head of us wrapped up in each other, naked, me screaming his name while he was deep inside me. The thought made my panties wet and my breathing shallow.
“Hey, man.”
I cleared my head of the image of Henry and me together as Henry’s head turned in the direction of the man’s voice. “Dax. How are you doing?”
Dax clasped Henry’s hand. “Good.”
“Thanks for taking us out this morning,” Henry said.
Dax’s gaze slid to mine, his face alight with mischief. “Don’t worry. I’ll collect. Is this your New Yorker?”
I held my hand out. “Kelsey Turner, and I’m a Californian transplant to New York.”
Releasing my hand, Dax asked, “You ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” My face heated as I exchanged a look with Henry, the reminder of his promise throbbing in my core.
Dax showed us the helicopter going through his preflight checks as Henry gave me a helmet and headset.
When I was suited up, Henry clasped both of my shoulders, saying in a low voice, “You got this.” He tapped my earphone. “I told Dax to turn his off so I could give you the tour.”
Something about his reassuring touch and the low timber of his voice calmed me. I loved the idea of his voice in my ear. Nodding, he helped me into the helicopter, sliding into the seat next to me, strapping me in. I was grateful for his help because my nerves made my fingers shake.
I had no idea what the ride would feel like. The minimal research I’d done this morning did nothing to prepare me for the pitch of my stomach when Dax yelled back, “You ready?”
“You betcha!” Henry called out over the steady rhythm of the blades.
The helicopter rolled and dipped as it lifted into the air. Grabbing Henry’s hand out of pure instinct, I clutched it tightly as it rested over his muscled thigh. He leaned closer, placing an arm over my shoulders, pulling my back against his chest so he surrounded me. It felt like he was protecting me as well as soothing me. I loved it. It was almost worth the fear I felt as the helicopter lifted further into the air, making the office and hanger look tiny.
Henry dipped his head closer, “This is the San Sophia Ridgeline.”
Once we were at cruising altitude, my fear dissipated with the spectacular views of the mountains. Up close, the mountains were awe-inspiring. I felt tiny as we flew past the pine trees and the snowcapped mountains, every detail evident from this vantage point. Flying over the town, the gondola cars glided up the mountain to the town of Mountain Village. Skiers in colorful gear dotted the trails, congregating outside the lodge at picnic tables.
“Mountain Village is even cuter than Telluride.” The village was another town on the top of the mountain complete with a ski resort, restaurants, shops, and inns.
Henry leaned in, his breath tickling my neck. “I’ll have to take you on the gondola lift.”
“I’d love that.” I couldn’t imagine living here year-round, it was like an endless vacation.
“There’s the Inn at Lost Creek. My competition.” His tone was grim.
I eyed it critically. It was in the heart of Mountain Village, the gondola cars gliding past to its station. “That one has a different feel. I would think it attracts tourists who want to stay in town close to the gondola and ski slopes. Are there any others?”
He showed me the Peaks Resort & Spa and the Telluride Resort, both with a different feel but were luxurious.
“I don’t think you need to worry. You’ll attract a different tourist. One who wants to stay in a smaller lodge, getting a more authentic feel of the mountains.”
“You think so?”
“Definitely.” Most of the other resorts were located at the top of the mountain. There were plenty of inns and lodging options in Telluride, but not many like Henry’s lodge. “Mountain Haven Lodge is unique.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“It takes a while to build a business, but I’m sure you’ll continue to grow if you emphasize what makes your lodge different—your family’s history. You could take more pictures of the ranch, blow them up, and hang them throughout the lodge.”
“Okay.” He was attentive, receptive to my ideas.
“Emphasize the family’s history on the website.” I shifted in my seat, the ideas flowing freely, excitement building in my chest. “Maybe I could help you write it?”
“You’d research my family history?”
“Oh yeah. I’d love to hear about it.” I wanted to know what it was like growing up here, working on the ranch.
He looked down at me with a newfound respect. “I think you’re onto something.”
“Let me help, please?” I wasn’t sure why it was so important to me, but it was. I wanted Henry to succeed. I wanted him to be happy. I couldn’t imagine the lodge sitting empty because he’d failed. It was a treasure that needed to be shared.
“I’m not going to turn down help. Writing isn’t my thing. I can take you to meet my parents. You can ask them questions. I’m sure my mom has a ton of pictures you could sort through.”
He’d moved closer while he was talking, his chest bracketing my head. I fought the urge to lay my head at the crook of his neck, getting a better idea for what it’d be like to be close to Henry, more than a friend of a friend or someone he was guiding around town. I could imagine turning my head to kiss the soft skin of his neck, grazing it with my teeth before soothing it with my tongue, watching goosebumps erupt as I gripped his thigh, letting the anticipation build.
Henry lifted his arm, drawing my attention to an old stone building. “That’s Ames Station. The first commercial power generating station.”
It was a charming building with a river running by it. When I saw the waterfall, I smiled up at him. He met my eyes, seemingly happy at my discovery. Joy emanated from him. He loved being up here, enjoying the scenery. Was part of his excitement that he was sharing this with me? I turned back to the window not wanting to miss a minute of the ride. I knew it was something I’d never experience again.
My stomach dropped as the helicopter lifted higher in the sky.
Henry squeezed my shoulder. “He saved the best for last.”
When the tall waterfall came into view, my mouth dropped open. I covered it with my free hand, not wanting to let Henry’s go. The mountain was covered in white, the falls almost entirely frozen.
“It’s Bridal Veil Falls. Three hundred and sixty-five feet. The tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado.” Pride was evident in his tone.
I glanced at his eyes which were peeled to the falls before turning my attention back to the site of the frozen water on the sharp rock face and squeezing his hand, not because I was afraid, but because my eyes were filling with unshed tears, I was so overwhelmed by its beauty. There was no way I could ever thank Henry enough for making me see there was more to life than my job. Than my solitary existence. How had I lived my whole life stuck in one place, never seeing this?
“You can climb up and rappel down.” His voice rumbled through my back into my chest.
“That sounds amazing.” A shiver of excitement ran through me. I wanted to try it.
“It’s steep but it only takes an hour.” He said it as if he could read my mind.
I shifted to look into his eyes. “Is it crazy for me to say I’d like to try it?”
His gaze lowered to meet mine, then dropped to my lips. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all.”
For a moment, we w
ere the only ones in that helicopter. Everything faded away―the falls, the noise of the blades. There was nothing but the rush in my head and the pounding of my heart under my ribs.
I ripped my gaze from his, turning back to the retreating falls. If we weren’t wearing a helmet and headpiece, I would have thought he’d lean in to kiss me, but he didn’t, and we couldn’t.
The helicopter lifted up and moved away from the mountains probably to head back to the hanger, to reality. The one where I didn’t have flings with mountain tour guides.
When we returned, Henry moved his arm and hand from mine. I was immediately cold from the lack of contact. His warmth and his voice had sustained me when I was scared, making me brave, making me think I could do or be anything.
But if that was true, wasn’t I strong enough to be with him for one night? Was this my chance to seize the moment, soaking up everything Telluride had to offer, including Henry? Or would he turn me down because of Gray and Elle, worried it would make things awkward?
We stood next to the hanger while Dax finished his post-flight routine then walked over to us, his helmet dangling from his fingers. “Well, how was it?”
“It was amazing. There aren’t even words for how awe-inspiring that was. Thank you for taking us up.” I was on a high from that ride, one I never wanted to come down from. It was like I was still soaring through the air, my stomach dipping.
Dax nodded at Henry. “Thank Henry for that.”
Henry slapped his shoulder, thanking him again, turning me back to his truck. We climbed in. Glancing at my phone, we’d been up for an hour. It was a long time yet not long enough. I had a feeling if I pursued something with Henry, a day or a week wouldn’t be enough. I’d crave his contact even from New York. Or would I have one more nice memory to put in my journal, a picture of us together to sustain me through the cold, dreary New York winters?
Chapter 7
Henry
* * *
Kelsey surprised me with her offer to help with the history of the lodge. I’d focused on the physical elements of building the lodge, renovating the cabins but not what made Mountain Haven Lodge different from other options in the area.
Rigby’s Ranch is what made us unique. We were small, family-owned and operated, and we could boast an authentic stay. Not the luxurious, separated feel of the resorts, but a secluded option with nothing but views of nature. No gimmicks.
I parked the truck at the lodge, considering the building. Hope filled me that it could work. I just needed to create a niche for the lodge that tourists wanted. The future no longer seemed out of my control.
“Would you be willing to come over to dinner at my family’s? Then you could ask questions and get some pictures from my mom.”
I hoped she hadn’t reconsidered since her impulsive offer in the helicopter. I felt bad that she was helping me when she was supposed to be relaxing, but I couldn’t turn down her help. Not when she’d offered so sweetly, not when it was the perfect excuse to spend more time with her.
“I’d love to.” Her eyes were soft.
I searched her brown eyes for any indication she’d changed her mind. “Are you sure you want to take this on? You’re on vacation.”
“And planning a wedding but I want to help you.” She sighed, taking in the lodge. “I think you have an amazing thing here. I want you to succeed.”
“We have our big family dinners on Sunday. I’ll tell my mom to pull pictures.”
If anything, her smile widened. “I can’t wait to hear what it was like to grow up here.”
“It’s not as amazing as you think.” For me, it didn’t seem any different than any other child’s experience. Except, I’d learned to ride horses, ski, snowboard, and rock climb at a young age. I guess it was a different playground than other kids had.
“Growing up near a beach was great, but this? I can see why Elle chose Telluride when she was choosing a place to open her barber shop.”
“That’s right. I remember Gray saying she came here as a kid.”
“She said there was something about this place that drew her in. I’m starting to see what she was talking about.” Her gaze was fixed on me.
Was she still talking about Telluride or was she referring to me?
“You named the lodge Mountain Haven for a reason—it’s a place to escape to—to get away from reality. You could use your marketing to capture that feeling.”
She was talking business. I should have been paying attention, instead, I was lost in the sincerity I saw in her eyes, the excited way she used her hands as she talked. I wanted to close the distance and taste her lips. I wanted to see the hitch of her breath when I moved closer, the flutter of her eyelids when I tipped her head back. I hesitated because I wasn’t sure we were on the same page.
I cleared my throat. “You seem to know a lot about marketing.”
She laughed. “It was my major. I just kind of fell into my current job. I didn’t see a reason to leave because I loved it.”
“This might make me a selfish bastard, but I can use any help you’re willing to give.” I majored in business, so I had ideas of my own, but somewhere along the way, I hadn’t pursued them. I’d gotten caught up in the day-to-day grind of running the lodge.
She reached over, squeezing my hand. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
The answer stuck in my throat. Starting out as friends of friends, I should have been happy she trusted me enough to consider me a friend, but selfishly, I wanted more. I wanted all of her. I wanted to show her a good time in every way that mattered.
I nodded tightly as her laugh filled the cabin. “I’m excited to get started. I’ll look at your website.”
“You can use my computer in the office.”
She nodded. “Great. Yeah. That works.”
I climbed out of the truck, meeting her by the door of the lodge. She was talking about helping me, and all I could think about was getting into her pants. Gray and Elle were going to kill me when they found out.
Except they were happy. Who were they to say I shouldn’t have my own little slice of happiness, even if it only lasted a week or two?
I led her into my office, powering up the laptop, bringing up the website, then stepping back as she sat in my seat. I leaned against the door frame, watching her eyes narrow as she concentrated on the screen.
In the helicopter, I thought she was as affected by my proximity as I was. She might have been reacting to the view, but I didn’t think so. For a moment there, I thought she wanted me to kiss her. If we were alone, I might have lowered my head, testing the waters.
“It looks great.” Her admiration was clear.
I moved closer, watching as she clicked through the pictures of the property and the neighboring attractions. “I hired someone to design it.”
“You don’t mind if I add something a little more personal, maybe a section about the property’s history and your family?”
“That sounds great, but I don’t want to take you away from the reason you’re here. I stepped closer, placing a hand on the desk, the other on the back of her chair. “You’re supposed to be relaxing, not working.”
“I don’t mind. I promise.” Her words were sweet, but her eyes widened at my stance. All I had to do was lower my head and capture her lips with mine. But was that what she wanted?
Instead, I pulled up a chair next to hers, listening as she went through other options for the website.
When she finished, she turned to me. Her eyes bright with excitement, her cheeks flushed. Was she as attracted to me as I was to her?
I had to know. I lowered my head; she tipped up her chin. I hesitated, waiting for the question about what I was doing. When it didn’t come, I lowered my head until I was hovering above her mouth, her warm breath gliding over my lips. I cradled her chin, tipping her to me.
I shouldn’t want her, yet she was everywhere, consuming my every thought. If I kissed her, she wouldn’t be a mystery anymore. It would prove s
he was like every other woman I’d been with, interesting but not earth-shattering.
Her eyelids fluttered shut as she whispered my name, “Henry.”
I gently touched my lips to hers, caressing her jawline with my hand. At her whimper, I moved my hand to her neck, the thick weight of her hair falling over me. Her mouth opened for me as I followed her with my tongue, my cock hardening in my pants.
Her hands clutched the buttons of my shirt, not pushing me away but pulling me closer. Her hands traveled up my shoulders and around my neck, pressing her chest against mine. With both hands in her hair, I angled her the way I wanted her, taking the kiss deeper.
Every brush of her finger across my neck sent tingles down my spine. I wanted more. I needed more. Breaking away from her mouth, I forced myself to pull back, her hands falling away.
Her lips were swollen, her eyes wide with confusion. Unsure if she was appalled at the kiss or frustrated, I’d stopped. “What…what was that?”
I stood up.
“I had to know.” My brain felt sluggish, my mouth not able to form words.
“Had to know what?” Her voice was quiet as she stood, taking a step toward me.
Did she want to keep kissing me?
“If there was anything there. If we were on the same page. I don’t know. It made sense in my head before I kissed you.” Now, nothing made sense. If anything, it made me want her more.
“Elle and Gray. We’re friends.” Her face was a mixture of disappointment and longing.
“Nothing can happen between us,” I agreed.
“It doesn’t make sense.” She gestured between us. “We don’t make sense.”
Then why did it feel so right when she was in my arms?
“I live in New York. You live here.”
I shook my head, wanting to preserve my pride. “I don’t do relationships.”
“I don’t either.”
It was none of my business, but I wanted to know why she didn’t. “I want to do it again.”
