I grinned back at her. “Maybe. My personal views don’t matter. Love is big business.”
She shook her head.
We were interrupted by the sound of an approaching helicopter.
I glanced out the window, catching sight of the copter. “Looks like the fun is about to begin.”
When I really wanted a woman, nothing could stop me from getting her. Watch out, Ashley Harte.
Chapter 3
Ashley
“There it is! Up ahead.” Gary nodded toward the speck of a clearing on a heavily timbered mountainside.
All around us the Cascades rose tall, jagged, and a little snowcapped still, even in the heat of summer. Gary had given us the complete tour, naming the peaks and sights as we flew over. Lazer’s lodge sat on the west face of a mountainside. The view from it had to be almost as spectacular as the view from the copter.
Gary brought us closer and closer and then down and down, landing us neatly on a clear helipad near the main entrance to the lodge. Once we landed, he jumped out and helped us down as if he was used to this particular duty. A man in black slacks and a white shirt came out of the lodge to greet us and take our bags.
It felt like we were at a private luxury resort and the young man was the bellhop on duty. There was an instant where I wondered whether I should tip him. It was like I had a tipping obsession or compulsion.
“I’ll take these to your room, ma’am,” the bellhop said to me. “Mr. Grayson wanted to greet you and show you to your rooms personally. These will be waiting for you when you’re ready for them.” He grabbed the bags and walked off toward the lodge just as Lazer appeared in the doorway.
Lazer was dressed casually in shorts and a T-shirt. And lounging insouciantly against the doorframe of his magnificent lodge with the sexiest grin on his face. Making no move to come toward us, although he gave us a quick wave and a nod.
It was so like him to make me come to him. Yes, we were engaged in a subtle power struggle. We were on his turf now. I was at a disadvantage. Score one, Lazer.
As always when I saw him, my heart momentarily stopped before pounding into action like a racehorse on the final stretch. Much more renowned and knowledgeable experts than me have been asked through the ages, How do I know if this is love or just a crush?
The answer, which I have repeated many times to my clients, is that it’s complicated. But experts agree that one sure sign of love is whether you think about your “beloved” when they’re out of sight. And long to see them again. If a person is truly out of sight, out of mind, you’re mostly likely dealing with a crush. Sure, you have fun when you’re together. But that’s it. They leave no lasting impression on you.
To which I add my own matchmaker’s observation. It may also be a sign that you’re not ready to settle down yet. Are you still thinking something better will come along?
Because out of sight, out of mind often means looking at other people.
The wisdom of the ages and my own advice had me completely spooked. Lazer was never far from my thoughts, or out of mind. Quite the opposite. Even so, whenever I saw him in person I was struck by how my fantasies of him didn’t do him justice. How was it that I thought about him constantly and yet he was always much more magnetic in person?
I wasn’t sure what that said about me. Was I subconsciously trying to get him out of my head? More likely it was the incessant interior monologue war my logical side waged against my emotions, always trying to point out how completely unsuitable he was.
Oh, logical side, you’re probably right. But get your little devil off my shoulder.
Damn, my wild side wanted him. My romantic side longed for him. My business side was looking forward to learning from him. And all sides were eager to begin the game we were embarking on.
Lazer’s gaze travelled down me in a completely appraising, delightfully wolfish way as Lottie and I walked toward him. Not in a creepy wolf-whistle-from-a-construction-guy way at all. In the totally appreciative way of a man who loves women and simply oozes charm.
His grin was totally disarming. It was hard not to be distracted by his confidence and the bulge of his biceps. But most of all by the delighted, intelligent, teasing twinkle in his eyes.
He caught Lottie into a hug first, acting more like an old friend than a business partner. He must have whispered a compliment in her ear, because she smiled delightedly, almost girlishly, and waved whatever he said away with a sweep of humbleness.
I was up next, a jealous second. When he caught me up in a loose hug, I had to resist the urge to hold him tighter and linger longer than a business partner should.
I swore I wouldn’t let him see me flush, but he felt so good wrapped around me. His cologne transported me back to that first night we met. To that moment when we were naked and entwined, rapturous and out of breath. I didn’t want to let him go. Couldn’t. Wanted to feel him inside me again. Wanted him with my entire body. I was lost in him and didn’t want to find my way out. I forced myself to remember that this was business, not personal.
“How was your trip?”
Yes, of course, he asked me the innocuous question. No praise for the new outfit I wore. No compliments or flattery. Maybe this was what we’d agreed on. But I hated it.
“Perfect.”
Our eyes met and held. I studied him, looking for a flinch or a chink in his knight’s gallant armor. He looked back at me with the same battle-ready expression—had he impressed me sufficiently? Would I blink?
Yes, oh yes, I was impressed. By every little thing he did. By the way he lived. By the way he’d made sure we were pampered on our trip over. By his thoughtfulness. As he expected me to be. I played my poker face.
“Good to hear.” His eyes danced with the thrill of a competitor who knew he’d met a worthy opponent of equal skill.
I wasn’t exactly playing hard to get. But I wasn’t going to be another of his easy conquests.
“Welcome to Lazer Lodge!” He stepped back to allow us to enter, and extended an arm in welcome. “You’re the first to arrive. Peter and our headhunting team won’t be here until tomorrow afternoon.”
I took my time and gave a long, sweeping glance over the exterior of the lodge. The A-line roof in the center. The magnificent river rock façade. The large, solid beams.
So this is how the other half lives, I thought as Lottie and I walked in.
Lazer Lodge was larger than any one man needed. Who was I kidding? It was more than any one small corporation needed. But the lodge, however intimidating in size, was also casual and warm in atmosphere. Fashioned like a Depression era hunting lodge with a contemporary twist, it was very much in the Northwest style. It blended with its surroundings in a perfectly natural and artistic way.
I paused in the entry to take it all in. I had a penchant for architecture and interior design. If I hadn’t been a matchmaker, I might have pursued them as a career.
The main living area was several stories high, with floor-to-ceiling windows across from us on the view side, giving it the impression of being nestled in the trees. A very expensive, very adult tree house. A row of sliding doors opened to the cantilevered patio deck and pool we’d seen from the air.
A large river rock fireplace filled one wall. It was surrounded by a cozy furniture grouping of large leather pieces.
Though air-conditioned and cool on the hot day, the lodge smelled pleasantly of fir and forest. Earthy. As if the windows were open and all the coolness was due to nature.
“This is your home away from home?” I arched an eyebrow as I stared at him, wondering what his main residence looked like. I’d seen the penthouse condo he kept in the city for the convenience of overnighting after staying too late at the office. Both of these places put mine to shame. I couldn’t even imagine what his main house looked like.
“Yeah.” He looked almost modest. “As a kid I always wanted a cabin in the woods.” He shot me a lopsided grin.
“Some would say this is a bit more than a ca
bin.”
He laughed. “You’ve had a long trip.”
He knew full well that our trip hadn’t been the least bit taxing. He’d made sure of that. How many other women had he flown in and pampered?
I tried not to think about that. If I could always fly in such luxury, I’d travel all the time. I knew that for sure.
“I’m betting you’d like to freshen up before we get started this evening.”
As we’d planned this corporate retreat, I’d asked Lazer for a casual gathering the first night so I could meet his friends/my new clients and business partners in an unintimidating social setting. I wanted to get a feel for them and how they acted when they were in their comfort zone. We’d agreed that drinks and dinner by the pool, and an icebreaker of my design, was the perfect way to introduce Lottie and me to our new team.
“I’ll give you the full tour after you’re settled. Feel free to change into shorts. We’re casual here. Not business casual. Casual casual. I’m as dressed up as I’m getting the whole week. And the guys are programmers and geeks. T-shirts and shorts are as dressed up as they ever get.” He paused, still flashing that boyishly disarming grin. “The guys will be arriving later. In time for dinner. This way.”
I felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head as he led us past room after gorgeous room to the wing of bedrooms. We came to Lottie’s room first.
“I put you at your own end of the hall across from each other to separate you from the guys as much as possible. They can get boisterous.” He pushed a solid, dark, rough wooden door open. “Lottie, you’re here. I put you in the special corner room. The guys don’t deserve it. I think you’ll appreciate the view of the forest to the south. Lots of wildlife. You might even spot a bear. Or a cougar. Or our elusive Bigfoot.” He gave her a look like he was pulling her leg.
“Bigfoot!” Lottie stared at him. “I’m not sure I want to see that.”
He shrugged. “They smell bad. Their screech is ear-piercing. They like to move bulldozers and building equipment when no one is around. We had some problem with weird things happening when I was building the place. But they’re harmless.” His voice was always so charmingly jovial and teasing.
He patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ve never actually seen one.”
When he took my arm, his touch was electric. “Ashley, you’re across the hall. I have some work to catch up on. Let’s meet by the pool for drinks in an hour.
“In the meantime, if you’re thirsty or hungry, there’s a fully stocked bar and mini-fridge in each room. Help yourself. It’s all free. I don’t change an arm and a leg for a small can of pop and the pretzels like the hotels do.” He winked and smiled adorably.
Lottie stepped into her room. He guided me to mine. As he opened the door for me, he leaned in and whispered, “I gave you the best guestroom. The one I reserve for partners. The corner room. I think you’ll like the view. It’s better than Lottie’s, believe me.”
Why did his tone have so much innuendo in it?
“Thanks.” I met his gaze, my throat dry. “I appreciate it.”
“You have your own private balcony,” he said as I stepped inside.
My eyes went wide, but I tried to play it cool. I also had my own fireplace and bearskin rug. This wasn’t just a room. It was a corner suite, with views in two directions—to the west across the end of the cantilevered deck and mountains beyond, and to the south.
Fresh flowers sat on the nightstand. A beautiful white robe was placed artistically on the upholstered bench at the end of the bed. The décor was definitely woodsy, but elegant, with clean lines.
“You should have everything you need,” he said. “If we’ve missed something, let the staff know. They’re here to wait on you. Text them or grab them in the hall. The numbers are in top drawer of the nightstand. The guys will be staying in the other rooms down the hall.”
I forced my gaze from the room and looked him in the eye. “Where’s your room?” It slipped out, but yes, I was curious. Unfortunately, my eagerness to know might have been a little too obvious. I remembered his bed at the condo only too well.
His eyes danced with amusement and the corners of his lips curled up. “My master suite is an entire floor to itself.” He leaned close to me. “I only show it to special guests.” He cocked one eyebrow suggestively.
“You’re terrible!” I laughed. “If I’m understanding your meaning, according to the rules of the matchmaking game, you’re not supposed to be showing that room to anyone until you’re exclusive.”
His killer smile didn’t slip in the slightest. “Who says I play by the rules? I’ll see you by the pool in an hour.” He turned and left, pulling the door closed behind him. Leaving only a lingering scent of his intoxicating cologne.
I let out a deep sigh and simply stared around me for a minute, trying to grasp how anyone lived like this. The room was huge and airy. Filled with afternoon light, yet, despite the southern and western exposure, neither too bright nor too hot. I walked around the suite, trying not to openly gape at all of its many wonders.
My suitcase was already stowed in an oversized, rough wooden armoire, a one-of-a-kind piece that only a high-end designer could find.
I couldn’t help ogling and fondling the robe on the bench. It was the most beautiful thing. French terrycloth. Unlike typical terrycloth, incredibly thin. And softer than the finest pima cotton. Styled with a built-in belt and a one-of-a-kind handmade gold closure that was a collector’s piece itself.
I recognized the designer. I’d been lusting for one of these robes forever. But even if I could have justified the expense, they were nearly impossible to get your hands on. Unless you knew someone. They sold out as quickly as they were made.
I picked it up and held it in front of me before a full-length mirror. The cut! The way it draped—absolute perfection! A robe like this cost over a thousand dollars, sometimes much more, depending on how elaborate the handmade clasp was.
I laid it carefully back on the bench and wandered into the bathroom. A deep soaking tub with curtain-less windows above it occupied the prime spot against the wall, a glass-encased shower next to it. The tub was private only because of the densely growing trees that screened it from public view.
A basket full of obviously expensive bath bombs, shampoos, soaps, and gels sat in the corner of the tub. I lifted one of the beautiful pink and white bombs and inhaled. It was flecked with gold leaf and smelled as heavenly as I imagined it would.
I set it back down. Again, it was hard not to be impressed by all this. And the thoughtfulness, consideration, and obvious seductiveness behind it. Even the shampoo was the high-end brand I preferred.
My mind raced—just what kind of woman would look past all this and see the man behind it? And want him only for him, even if none of the rest of this came along for the ride?
I had the sinking feeling that that kind of woman wouldn’t want this lifestyle if it were handed to her. She was going to be a hard woman to find. Especially given I wasn’t sure I wanted to find her.
I toured the rest of the suite and marveled at the view. Besides the view of the mountains and forest, I had an excellent view of the patio and pool. At last, I changed into a casual sundress. I had a role to play at dinner. I was relaxing in a chair with my thoughts and a bottle of cold seltzer water from the fridge when Lottie knocked on the door. I invited her in.
She closed the door behind her and took in my room all in a glance, then whistled softly, almost beneath her breath. “Wow.”
“Mmmmm.” I nodded. “This can’t be that much more magnificent than your room?”
She shrugged. “And yet it is. Mine is nice. With a view to the east over the entrance and the south to the forest. But this one!” She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “This is clearly the VIP suite. It must be twice the size of mine.” She grinned. “The perks of being the boss.”
I laughed. “I guess so.”
Maybe Lazer was pampering me. Or maybe he was
just showing off.
Lottie spotted the robe on the bench and walked over, lightly fingering it. “When did you get this?”
“Oh, it’s not mine.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“It came with the room. You don’t have one?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Ashley, really?” She used her don’t-play-coy-with-me tone. As if I was just being naïve. “I’m sure it’s yours now. That tiny thing wouldn’t fit most of us.”
I bit my lip and sighed, my heart pounding. Showering me with gifts, Lazer? Why?
I shrugged. “I assumed everyone got one.”
She inspected the robe more closely. “A robe with a gold clasp? I don’t think so.” She paused and scrutinized me. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
I shrugged again and played innocent. “What would I have to tell you?”
She sighed. “There was a lesser robe in my room. Hanging in the closet. A nice, thick terrycloth robe. One size fits all. Clearly expensive. Like the upscale hotels provide for guests. Nothing this nice.” She shot me a skeptical look. “You sure there’s nothing?”
“Lazer’s making a point, is all,” I said. “That he knows how to spoil women. He’s our most high-profile client only under duress. He likes to believe he’s a Casanova of the highest order. He thinks he doesn’t need our help. Don’t let him fool you by this show. He needs us more than he knows.”
The suspicion left Lottie’s face. I’d already told her the reason Lazer agreed to be our client. Including his reluctance to find a wife. She grinned like a conspirator. “Men.”
We laughed together at Lazer’s folly.
“Who lives like this?” Lottie looked around the room again and made such a whimsical expression that we both cracked up.
“Lazer, apparently. But only on weekends.” I took a deep breath. “Who are we going to match him with, Lottie? Who deserves all this?”
Harte Strings: The Billionaire Matchmaker, Part Two Page 3
