He lets out a shaky breath, and his desire is pressing against me as if it knows how wet I am for him. “I know you want me too.” I lean down to whisper in his ear. “It’s a shame we can’t.” I bite his earlobe gently, and he shudders.
I release him and stand up. Taking my wineglass again, I plop back down on the other sofa as he lets out a big sigh. Frustrated, dear boy? “Neal offered me a prime retail location tonight. Do you think he’ll still want to give it to me?”
Christian gets up abruptly and grabs his wine. “He’d better, or he’s a dick.”
I grin as Christian goes into the kitchen, and I hear more Merlot splash into his glass.
“I think we’ve already established he’s a dick. The question is if he’s an honorable one or not.”
This makes Christian chuckle as he steps in front of me with the bottle in his hand. “I don’t think he’ll give up on you so easily. You were incredibly sexy tonight. Only an idiot would.”
More wine trickles into my glass as Christian pours it. I ask, “You’re not an idiot, are you?”
Christian winks at me. “No, I’m not. I just haven’t figured out what I’m going to do about you yet.”
I cross my legs and bounce my foot. “For starters, you can help me with my budget. I think it’s done.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Really? Let me see it.”
A flutter of nervousness passes through me as if I’m turning in an assignment. I get my laptop from the kitchen counter, and music chimes as I power it up. “I’m exhausted. After I open the file for you, I’m going upstairs to read for a bit.”
“Okay. I’ll make notes for you, and we can go over them tomorrow.”
I hand him the computer, open to my spreadsheet. “Thanks. I really appreciate this.” I grab my wineglass and move toward the stairs with my entourage.
“Nika?”
“Yeah?”
“I know I was overprotective of you with Neal. You didn’t need me to be. You’re an amazing woman in so many ways, and I’m sorry if anything I did tonight made you think I thought anything less.”
“You didn’t. But thanks for making sure.” I walk up the stairs, and when I get to the top I realize I didn’t trip or spill my wine. It’s nice to feel in control.
I glance down at Christian and notice he was watching me. You have me confused as hell, but I don’t doubt your attraction to me one bit.
Chapter 26
Bacon sizzles, sharing the greasy odor that makes me salivate. I release the dogs into the wild, and Christian calls out to me. “Breakfast is almost ready, and I have notes for you to look over. You did a great job on the budget.”
Sunlight glistens on the fresh blanket of snow outside, and I watch wet noses snuff it as it dusts puppy faces. I let the dogs in, and they shake off white powder before running to the kitchen where Christian has their meals ready.
I walk over to help with cooking, but he shoos me away. “Get your coffee and read my edits. I can do breakfast.”
I take my steaming mug to the counter and sit to peruse my spreadsheet. He’s made notations of cost variances, but I don’t find major flaws with my work. A plate clattering on the granite makes me look up into his anxious face. He asks, “Not much to fix there, huh?”
“No. I’m surprised I didn’t get more wrong.” A grin forms on my face. “I think I can really do this.” I put a forkful of eggs into my mouth.
“Of course you can. Tell me about the lunch meeting tomorrow.” Christian slides onto the leather bar chair next to me. He’s cologne-free, and the faint scent of his spiced deodorant mixed with his unique musk tugs at me.
“Originally it was to find a prime location, but if Neal pulls through, I’m set. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to look at Gerry’s listings for backups.”
Christian sips his coffee and asks, “When do you meet with Neal?”
“I haven’t set anything up yet, but I can try to make it happen tomorrow too.” I send him a sly smile. “Want to come to that?”
He gives me an evil grin of his own. “You know it.”
“Okay, I’ll beg off lessons today and set things up. I have a few more pieces to go over, but I feel like I’m in great shape. If only next winter wasn’t so far away.”
A fork clatters on his plate when Christian sets it down. “You know, if you can get a space, there isn’t any reason you couldn’t open up this season.”
I open my mouth to object, but he holds up his hand. “A month is totally doable. Inventory would be your biggest problem, but I think we both have the power of persuasion in our favor.”
“Both?”
He leans back and crosses his arms. “Both. How would you feel about a partner?”
“Partner?” I shake my head slowly. “I’m not so sure about that. I’ve seen your fashion sense.”
He pretends to be insulted, but the twinkle in his eyes gives him away. “I would be your partner on the finance side and let you make all the product decisions.”
“Would this be a half-and-half thing, as in you’ll work as many hours as I do?” I take another bite of eggs and swallow without really tasting them.
“Yes. While teaching skiing is fun, running a business is more exciting. I could drop to part time or even quit and not care.”
I bite my lip in concentration as I consider his proposal. “Let me think it over. Opening in December is more attractive than waiting, and if you help me it wouldn’t be so overwhelming.” I nod and take a bite of bacon. Salty goodness fills my mouth as I imagine how much less stressful it would be with Christian’s capable help.
“Take your time. I’m actually going to get out of work today too, so I can do a few house things. Can we ride in together?”
“Sure, that would work.” My insides glow with happiness, but it’s not because of my attraction to Christian. It’s different, and I let myself smile.
***
I managed to schedule a meeting with Neal before we meet with Gerry, and we’re in my car on the way to town. Christian is fiddling with the heat, and I ask, “Are you nervous?”
“Not about the meeting so much as about how Neal brings out my caveman instincts to protect you. I know that’s the last thing you want or need, and I’m trying to find my chi.”
“Your chi?”
He chuckles. “Or something to keep me calm. That guy just begs to be punched.”
“Then let me do it. I wanted to punch him the other night too.”
“And ruin your manicure, princess?”
I drum my short, but pink-painted, nails on the steering wheel. “Good point. Okay, you can be my henchman. Be prepared to take him down when I give you the signal.”
“I like it when you talk dangerous to me. Especially the ordering me around part.”
And I like how your voice gets lower when you flirt with me. “Good, because I’ve been thinking about our partnership, and I’m not entirely comfortable sharing control. Since it’s your brain and manual labor I’m going to need instead of money, what do you say to sixty/forty?”
“I think that’s a good idea. I don’t need complete control, and this is your baby.”
My tires crunch on ice and frozen dirt as I pull into the parking lot behind Down Under. We’re meeting Neal at a coffee bar attached to the back of the Wine and Cheese shop and can access it on this side of the buildings.
We enter to the aroma of baked goods and pumpkin-spiced coffee. I remember Thanksgiving is a week away and that Derrick and Gretchen are coming to spend it with us. Neal is behind the counter, talking to a pretty blonde. She reminds me of Jess, and an evil smile is longing to come out. Instead I offer a model version. “Hi, Neal.”
Neal’s face lights up as he comes around to greet us. We exchange air kisses while he and Christian shake with a squeeze I’m sure hurt both of them. “Can I get either of you some coffee to go? We’ll be walking through a few locations, and I have a wonderful new pumpkin brew you must try.”
As if the other night ne
ver happened, Neal is pouring on the charm. We accept his offer.
When we get to the street, Christian cuts to the chase. “Did Dannika tell you we would consider something this winter?”
Neal raises his eyebrows just the slightest, and I guess it’s because of the “we.” He smiles and says, “My properties are in high demand, but I may have something for you. Most of my leases are a minimum of five years, and not everyone has a business that can last.”
Neal buttons up his long sheepskin jacket as Christian nods. Neal asks me, “Should we look at the spaces that could be available this year first? I have a couple of tenants who are struggling, and I think breaking their lease would be welcome.”
“Yes, please.”
When we begin walking, it occurs to me that if I had been alone Neal would have offered me his arm. Without it, I’m a little out of my element, but a new sense of power is surging through me.
We can’t get past a few people before someone stops him to say hello. Neal is a master at making it clear he can’t chat but that he’s noticed their presence and they matter. I take mental notes on how he does it because Neal could be my ticket to a successful entry to the local business community.
Chapter 27
I glance at Christian, and he winks at me. He’s amused by Neal’s networking on the sidewalk, and I nudge him gently as we listen. By the time my nose is getting cold, we reach the first location. Big windows take up most of the wall, and mannequins are behind the glass, dressed in casual clothing. The clear, functional door opens to a small landing and three steps.
An older woman with a few extra pounds pushes her glasses on top of her head and says, “Neal. How wonderful to see you.” She steps out from behind a small counter and hugs him in a motherly way. Interesting, I would have thought he flirted with all ages.
“Rebecca, you look lovely as always.”
She clucks at him. “Such a charmer, but save it for the young ones. It’s lost on me.” She gives me a wink that takes me by surprise. She’s got his number, and it makes me like her.
Neal says, “Rebecca, this is Dannika Hamilton and her friend, Christian.” I almost snort at the way he introduces Christian, but bite the inside of my cheek instead. “She wants to open a western-wear clothing shop, and I know you’ve been thinking about retiring to some place warmer.”
Tactful. I know she’s having trouble paying her rent. Rebecca says, “That would be nice. But I’ve got this darn lease for one more year.”
Neal replies, “Leases can always be broken.”
Rebecca turns to me. “If this space interests you, I would entertain the thought. Look around and ask me anything you might want to know.”
My mind has already started redecorating, beginning with the door. “Sure. Christian, walk with me.” I grab his hand and lead him around the shop. It’s a big space, and when I notice the sidewall has a door to a courtyard shared with a restaurant and a jewelry store, I get excited.
I whisper to Christian. “I love it, it’s huge. And look.” I point to the restaurant across the brick area. “Men can go get a drink while their wives shop.”
“It is a great space. Let’s see what else is available, but I think this one would work well if nothing else is better.”
We walk back to Rebecca and Neal, and she says, “Did you notice the storage? Here, come with me. She walks me back to a large rectangular area full of clothing racks and shelves of retail supplies.
Rebecca taps on the wall. “This could easily come down if you wanted to have more floor space, but I love it as storage and my office.”
I glance over at a neatly organized desk, and think that it would be nice to just roll racks of tagged clothing out to restock instead of doing that sort of work on the floor where customers can watch. The chore wouldn’t have to ruin part of the mystique of an exclusive shop. “This is fabulous. You’ve certainly made good use of this room, and I wouldn’t want to change it.”
My flattery is a hit, and Rebecca grins at me. We chat a little about my ideas, and she offers me any existing furnishings I may want if I choose to let her out of the lease. I thank her, and we move on to the next location.
We review three more but don’t stay long at any of the others because they lack the square footage for what I have in mind. By the time we’re supposed to meet with Gerry, I have my heart set on Rebecca’s shop.
“Neal, thank you so much. I’m sure you know I’m interested in Rebecca’s location, but I have a meeting with Gerry Jones to see what else is on the market. Can I get back to you with my decision tomorrow?”
He takes my hands, and I let him hold them longer than is comfortable. He says, “Yes, and may I say I hope you choose me?”
I can practically hear Christian’s growl. “You are most definitely in the running for landlord. I’ll be in touch.” He releases me, and I purposefully take Christian’s arm as we walk off.
When we’re far enough away to not be heard, he says, “I really hate that guy.”
I lean into him a little. “I think I’m flattered that he makes you jealous. If it wasn’t so fun to watch you two spar, I’d be angry. Because, let’s face it, you don’t have a claim on me.”
Christian stops and turns to grab my upper arms. “I know—” He halts and drops his hands.
I wait for what else he was going to say. When he doesn’t speak, I open my mouth to ask why, but change my mind. “We have to meet Gerry. C’mon.” I step away and begin to walk quickly because we’re already late.
Our meeting with Gerry is anticlimactic. We look over the listings he has for us, but nothing compares to what Neal had to offer. But our time isn’t wasted. We spend lunch learning about the ins and outs of running a business in Breckenridge, and I begin to realize how important having a presence in the network of professionals here matters. He also recommends a good business lawyer and even calls him to squeeze us in later today.
I thank him for his time and make plans to take Gerry to lunch again in the future. He’s one asset I want in my pocket.
We have an hour to kill before our meeting with the lawyer, so we head home to give the dogs a little exercise. The cold metal handle of a lacrosse stick bites through my gloves as I throw another ball down the street for the dogs. I keep three going at once, but it isn’t hard since I’ve trained my puppies to bring the ball back and drop it into the net of my stick.
We’re passing Christian’s house, and the buzz of a band saw hums. I ask, “Do you mind watching the dogs so I can go take a quick peek? I’m dying to see what they’ve done so far.”
“Sure, I’ll take them to the end of the street and back.”
With the drywall up now, the house is beginning to become real. I wave to the guys working on the kitchen and smile at a layout that’s exactly like mine. Upstairs is different. With only one master bedroom, there’s space for a large family room while still allowing for three other bedrooms.
It strikes me he’s only weeks away from being able to move, and my heart sinks. I’ve grown used to Christian’s company, and I’ll be lonely again when he’s gone.
When I get outside he’s waiting with the dogs. “Christian, it’s looking great. You should be able to move in before Christmas.
“I know. Then we can fight over who gets the lovebirds. Do you realize Derrick and Gretchen will be here next week? I feel like I haven’t seen them in forever.”
“I know. Me too. I wonder what they’ll think of us doing business together.” I joke. “My brother will be happy to know you’re around to answer all the questions I usually bombard him with.”
“And my sister will want to warn you about how controlling I am.” He takes the lacrosse stick from me. “But she’ll be happy to know that you seem to control me.”
I grab the stick from him and tease, “Do I now?”
He chuckles and I hand it back to him. I recall him agreeing that he doesn’t have a claim on me, and wonder what he meant. When we’re done with our whirlwind day, I’ll
have to ask because as I watch his body move and think about how great he’ll be as a business partner, I wish he would claim me.
Chapter 28
I had no choice in the matter; girl’s night was planned to be at my house so we can play pool. Christian was gracious and offered to cook, but the guys invited him to play poker instead. I’m glad because the things I want to talk about aren’t something I want to take a chance of him overhearing.
Casey has decided it’s margarita night, and she’s setting up my wet bar. When I come down the stairs carrying chips and salsa, she says, “Oh, my God, why haven’t we done this here before? Nika, you have everything anyone could need for any kind of drink.”
“Thank Derrick. He got a little carried away with stocking the man cave.”
Lori follows me with a layered dip and says, “Megan’s taking the hot stuff out now. Hook me up, Case.”
The blender whirls as Casey dips a glass into salt. Pale green slush pours into the tumblers as Megan sets a hot dish down on a trivet. Lori holds up her glass in a toast. “To the pool shark.”
We all clink glasses, and icy lime flavor chills my mouth. Megan says, “Okay. We’re all dying to know two things. One, what’s going on with your business plan? But two is way more important. What the heck is going on with you and Christian?”
I roll my eyes. “I wish I knew.”
Casey asks, “So after pool the other night, what happened? Did you get some?”
“No. But I swear it’s not because I didn’t want to.” I drag a chip through the Mexican dip.
Megan says, “There’s no doubt he’s attracted to you, so what’s keeping him from making a move?” She reaches for a spicy jalapeño popper.
“I’m not sure. We get close, and at the last minute he stops us from even kissing and says we can’t. He gives me the lame excuse that because we’ll be in each other’s lives forever it could get awkward. He made some comment about what if one of us wants nothing more than a fling.” I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s only into me for sex and doesn’t want to deal with me being a needy girl afterward.”
Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) Page 12
