by Parker, Ali
I checked the time and figured I better show up for at least one of the activities Joe had scheduled. “Come on, guys. We’re going to the hall to play games.”
The girls fell in step behind me. I was halfway there when I heard my name being called. I turned to see Kassie jogging toward us. “Wait for me.”
“Hey! I thought you ditched us.”
She groaned. “I forgot I used the grandma died excuse last year. Joe called me and told me I either get my ass up here or not bother going in on Monday. He sure can be a hardass when he wants to be.”
“Girls, go on ahead and I’ll meet you there,” I told them.
“Sorry,” she muttered. “I sometimes forget they are there.”
“They’re not exactly invisible,” I joked. “It’s not so bad up here.”
She curled her lip and looked around. “There are so many trees.”
I gasped. “No! How dare trees grow in the forest?”
“Stop. You know what I mean. There are probably birds sitting on branches right now, just waiting to shit on my head.”
I laughed. “Actually, most of the birds that would be hanging out in the trees have gone south for the winter.”
She looked at me, raising one eyebrow. “Since when did you know shit about birds?”
“Since I just got a very lovely lesson about birds from a very hunky man.”
She looked left and right. “Where? Where is this hunk? I want a hunk.”
“No.”
“Don’t tell me you saw him first,” she complained.
“I did see him first, but no, you’re not going to mess around with him. He’s a very nice guy and I don’t think he’s your type.”
She studied my face. “You like him.”
“No.”
“Oh my god, you like him!”
“Shh,” I said, slapping at her shoulder. “You are so damn loud.”
“Where is this man? Does he work here? Please don’t tell me he’s one of ours.”
I smiled. “He owns the place.”
“Oh, wow. What does he look like? Give me all the details.”
I was very happy to describe Gabriel to her. “It isn’t just his looks,” I told her. “He’s just, I don’t know, the total package.”
“Damn, you got it bad for this guy. You should go for him.”
I scoffed. “I’m not going for anyone. Come on. We’re already late for the gaming hour Joe set up.”
She groaned. “I hate this. Even worse, I’m supposed to be rooming with George.”
I shuddered. “Gross. Why would they put you with George?”
“Because he’s the only one that doesn’t have a roommate apparently. He’s like ninety and farts all the time. I don’t want to be cooped up in a tiny cabin with him.”
“You can crash at our cabin,” I told her.
“Yeah, right. Four of us in one of those tiny cabins? I don’t think so.”
I smiled. “I’m not in a tiny cabin. I’m in the owner’s cabin.”
She gasped before grabbing my arm and pulling me to a halt. “What? You’re sleeping with him?’
“No, he’s in my cabin. There was only one bed. He gave me his cabin since I had the girls.”
“Damn, that was nice of him, and hell yeah, I will be taking you up on that offer.”
We walked into the dining hall together. Joe popped his head up from where he was sitting and frowned at Kassie.
“You’re in trouble,” I whispered.
“Shut up. This is so stupid. How are we going to be a better team by playing fucking Monopoly? In. The. Woods.”
I found my girls sitting on the floor with two other kids working on a jigsaw puzzle. I hooked my arm through Kassie’s and led her to one of the open tables where a scrabble game was sitting. “Sit. We have to look like we’re having fun.”
“You want me to play Scrabble?” she asked with disgust. “My god. I could be at home, getting ready to go to the club. Instead, I’m playing Scrabble. I’m officially old.”
“Twenty-eight is not old and one night without the club will do you good,” I said.
“Please tell me there is alcohol.”
I smiled. “There is. They’ll bust it out with dinner.”
“Thank god. Are we going to be served hot dogs on a stick?”
I laughed. “If they do, I know my girls will be over the moon. They’re dying to eat camp food.”
We set up the game, but we did very little spelling. We chatted and gossiped and did a good job pretending to have fun. Secretly, I was having a blast. It was good to be away from home. I didn’t have to worry about laundry or getting the dishes done. It was nice to just sit back and play a game.
“I’m starving,” Kassie complained. “I feel like we’re in prison.”
I kicked her under the table when I saw Gabriel step into the dining hall. “There he is,” I hissed. When she turned to look behind her, I kicked her again. “Don’t look!”
“Ow, dammit! How am I supposed to see him if I don’t look?”
“Well, don’t make it obvious that you’re checking him out,” I said, doing my best not to look directly at him.
Kassie let out a low whistle. “Damn, are you sure I can’t have him?”
“No,” I growled.
“If you don’t go after that man, I will. That is a man that deserves to be chased and ridden hard.”
I kicked her again. “Will you keep your voice down? We’re surrounded by people we work with and my kids.”
She grinned before reaching for some tiles and putting them on the board. Her fingers were blocking my view. The moment she pulled them away, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. “What is that, like twelve points or something?” she asked with a mischievous grin on her face.
“You can’t put fuck on the board,” I hissed.
“It’s a word,” she retorted.
I was about to explain to her why she couldn’t when Gabriel appeared beside the table. “Interesting word choice,” he said in that sexy voice.
“It was mine,” Kassie said, looking up at him. She flipped her blonde hair off her shoulder. “I guess being in the mountain air brings out my devilish side.”
“You have no other side,” I hissed under my breath.
“Would you ladies like a drink before dinner?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes!” Kassie said, jumping up from the table and nearly upending our game. “Where? What kind? Never mind, I don’t care. Where?”
Gabriel’s deep laugh enveloped me. I wanted to lean into it. “Go right through that door. Leo is in there. I’m sure he’ll help you out.”
Kassie practically ran from the table. Gabriel took her vacated seat.
“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “She’s really not used to being out of the city.”
“Was she here last night? I don’t remember seeing her and she doesn’t seem the type that would ever be overlooked.”
I laughed. “No, you can’t miss Kassie. She wasn’t here. She showed up a bit ago after our boss called and demanded she get here. She’s not big on the outdoors stuff.”
He nodded. “I get it. I hope you’re enjoying yourself, though.”
“I am,” I said, looking directly into his eyes. “I really am.”
“Good. I better check on the others. I’ll see you later.”
I watched him walk away. Every time he showed me a little bit of attention, I felt all gooey on the inside. The man was dangerous. I was glad I was leaving tomorrow. I couldn’t be around him and not want to jump his bones.
Chapter 11
Gabriel
It was an easy dinner service. Joe had requested Mexican food. Our regular catering company was more than happy to oblige the request and cooked up a feast. When it had been delivered, the smells emitting from the foil pans made my mouth water. With the group served, Leo and I helped ourselves and took a table near the kitchen entrance. We tried to stay out of the way while being nearby in case someone needed somethin
g.
“Oh great,” Leo muttered under his breath.
I turned to see what it was that had him groaning. Joe had stepped forward and was now standing at the front of the room. No one seemed to notice. They were all eating and talking amongst each other. I had been stealing looks at Cadence all evening. She was laughing with her friend, her girls chatting as well. I was enamored with her. I couldn’t stop looking at her. Leo had called me out on it more than once.
“Everyone!” Joe shouted. “Can I have your attention please?”
I waited, watching until the room finally settled and looked his way. “Here we go,” I whispered.
Leo chuckled. “I better open more wine.”
“I want to thank all of you for coming. We’ve had a great time the past twenty-four hours and I am truly honored to call you my team. I have the best team! Give yourselves a hand!”
There was some clapping, but the looks on the faces of the people did not match their actions. I waited, hoping that was the end of his speech. It wasn’t.
“I want everyone to thank our wonderful host, Gabriel. Gabriel, will you please stand up?”
I wanted to tell him no—it was his party, not mine—but I got to my feet, not wanting to offend the man. “Thank you. I’ve enjoyed having you all here.” I sat down, feeling a little self-conscious. I hadn’t been expecting to be recognized.
“The people here in this room have made our company one of the best. I appreciate all your hard work. I appreciate the families that support you. I’m only sorry more of your families couldn’t come. Please pass along my thanks to them. I’m looking forward to another great year with all of you. Let’s enjoy our last night here!”
The round of clapping was sincere as people held up their glasses and cheered the end of his speech. I was tempted to clap. Joe took his seat once again before hopping back up. The looks on the faces of his people was hysterical. Hysterical and sad.
“I’m sorry,” Joe started. “There’s one more person I must thank. Cadence, will you come up here?”
I looked at her, saw the embarrassment and reluctance to go up. Her friend pushed her, encouraging her to stand. I watched her move. She was wearing the same jeans but had removed her coat. She was wearing a pretty black sweater with a high neck that perfectly framed her face. She was stunning.
“Thank you, Joe,” she said, her voice low.
“Cadence has recently been tasked with training our new hires, a job no one envies, but she handled it like a pro. Cadence, I speak for everyone here when I tell you how much we appreciate your hard work. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today. You make us all better. I’m so grateful to have you as part of my team. Can everyone please give a round of applause for our own dear, sweet Cadence?”
The clapping was in earnest, with her friend Kassie making some catcalls. I could see the discomfort in the way Cadence was standing. There was a faint blush on her cheeks as well. She looked absolutely miserable. I liked that she was humble. A lot of people would have primped and preened under the adulation, but not her. She looked like she was ready to bolt for the door.
When Joe gave her a slight nod, giving her the go ahead to leave, she practically ran for the hallway that housed the bathrooms and my office. Joe took his seat again and everyone returned to their meals. No one seemed to notice Cadence had left the room.
“I’ll be back,” I said to Leo.
“I won’t wait up,” he said with a laugh.
I walked down the hall. She was just coming out of the bathroom. “Hi,” I greeted her.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes, fine. I just hate when he does that.”
I smiled. “He apparently values your work.”
“Because he is right about the office falling apart without me,” she muttered. “He could really do a better job of hiring the right people.”
“They all seem to respect you,” I said.
We were standing face to face in the poorly lit hall. I could hear the noise in the dining area as everyone seemed to talk at once. We were essentially alone in the hallway. No one could see us. She was looking at me with those beautiful eyes that were silently giving me the approval I was asking for without even realizing I was.
“I suppose,” she whispered.
I stepped closer to her. “I bet you’re the center of attention wherever you go,” I told her. “You have a way of commanding a room.”
Her lips quirked up. “Some people don’t like that.”
“I do.”
Her eyes dropped to my mouth. She wanted to kiss me. I wanted to kiss her.
“Hey,” a woman’s voice cut through the moment like a rusty blade.
I closed my eyes, praying for patience. “What’s up?” Cadence asked, looking at her friend.
I took a deep breath and stepped away from Cadence. I didn’t need to be kissing a guest. That was not the kind of business I was running.
“The kids and I want to head back to the cabin,” she said, looking at me, then Cadence. “You stay here and do whatever it is you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything,” Cadence quickly answered.
“I was just going into my office,” I said. “Have a nice night.”
“I’ll see you later?” she said it as a question.
I smiled. “Yes, absolutely.”
She gave me a sexy smile before following her friend down the hall. I went into the office, closed the door behind me, and leaned my head against it. “Dumb move, Gabriel.”
I didn’t want to get into the habit of kissing the guests. I didn’t want people to get the impression I was on the prowl. Men would never let their ladies stay at the retreat. It would be bad for business if I became known as the gigolo.
I wasted an hour in my office, making sure the guests would be out of the dining hall. When I finally emerged, Leo was already starting on the cleanup process. I jumped in to help, wiping down tables and righting the chairs.
“What was that about?” he asked after some time.
“What was what about?” I asked innocently.
“You and her.”
“Nothing. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
He laughed. “Bullshit.”
I sighed. “I checked on her and then her friend showed up and ended anything that might have happened. So nothing happened.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Don’t be. It wasn’t ever going to be anything. She has her own life.”
“Still, a little extra spice in your life is good for the soul,” he said with a laugh.
“My soul is just fine,” I assured him. “I don’t want to give the business a bad reputation. If we start acting like predators, we’re going to scare the people away.”
“It isn’t like you have to advertise what you’re doing,” he said.
“These things have a way of getting around whether you want them to or not. Even the suggestion of impropriety is too much.”
He left it alone. I wasn’t going to lie and say I didn’t want something to happen. I absolutely did. I would have loved to have kissed her. Unfortunately, one kiss would have left me wanting more. I didn’t think she was the type of woman I could kiss once and walk away from.
Leo and I worked together until everything was cleaned and ready for the farewell breakfast in the morning. “See you tomorrow,” I said, waving as he walked to his car parked behind the dining hall. My truck was in back as well. They were kept out of sight of the guests. I didn’t want anyone getting the idea they could park close to the cabins.
I walked to the small cabin, happy it would be my last night in that bed, but not happy it meant she would be gone. I closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed to take off the hiking boots I always wore. I liked to be prepared for anything. Proper footwear was a must.
I stripped off the sweater I had on and then the T-shirt. The cabin was warm, a little too warm for my liking. I liked it cool.
I loved sleeping outside under the stars, the cold breeze washing over me as I slept. I couldn’t wait for spring. Leo and I were already planning a getaway. We were closing the retreat for a week and doing part of the Appalachian Trail.
I stepped out of the cargo pants and kicked them to the side. I missed my books. It felt too quiet. I grabbed my phone, figuring I’d do a little internet surfing. I settled in on the bed, pulling up one of my favorite blogs about hiking.
I heard a soft knock on the door. It had to be one of my guests. I got up and pulled on my pants, not getting them all the way up before the knock came again. Whoever it was, they were impatient. I walked to the door and opened it a couple of inches.
“Hi,” Cadence said in a breathy voice.
“Hi,” I replied, my pants hanging open on my hips.
She looked at me expectantly. “Can I come in?”
“Um, yeah, sure,” I said, opening the door. “Is everything okay?” I noticed she was wearing a fluffy pink robe and a pair of sandals. It wasn’t exactly appropriate attire for walking around after dark.
“Yes.”
“Are the girls okay?” I asked.
She nodded. I closed the door behind her. The cold air washed over my bare skin. “They’re at your place with Kassie. They’re all sound asleep.”
“Oh,” I said. I looked down at my bare chest, feeling very underdressed.
“I was wondering if we could pick up where we left off earlier,” she whispered.
“Left off earlier?” I asked.
She reached for the belt around her robe and untied it. I stared with rapt attention. I wondered if I had fallen asleep on the bed and I was now dreaming. The robe fell open, revealing the light thatch of hair between her thighs. My eyes trailed up to the exposed cleavage. She shrugged off the robe, letting it slide down her arms and onto the floor.
She stood completely naked. I couldn’t move. Hell, I could barely breathe. I drank in the sight of her gloriously naked body. Her breasts were round and full with beautiful dusty-rose nipples. My eyes drifted over her soft belly, looking at the runway strip of hair at the apex of her legs.
