Loving Lies

by Renee Field

  My goal is to get the owners to sell this resort for a low-ball price. Even if they pay fair market we’ll make a killing once we tear all of this down for the mine.

  I step into a large building with the sign “Stone Cliff Tavern” hanging from hooks and welcome the AC. It’s a seat yourself venue so I claim a table at the back where there’s less people and where I can watch the entrance.

  I take out my phone and type in the Wi-Fi password the office said would work best at the center of the resort which includes the tavern, restaurant and the main building, and pray it will work.

  Within seconds my emails are pinging to my screen. I’m so lost in the flux of emails I barely pay attention to the waitress when she says, “What can I get you for a drink?”

  “Whatever’s on special,” I say, without looking up.

  She darts away without a word and it’s only when I look up that I see Bruce walk through the entrance. Why is he here? Bruce is grandfather’s right-hand-man and even though I smile and wave him over, I’m not happy.

  “So, Bruce what brings you out here?”

  “You. You grandfather likes to keep an eye on you, especially with this being your first big deal and all and he’s got a lot at stake with this project. Did you find anything interesting on your drive up here?”

  An image of the lake flashes through me but I’m reluctant to reveal that even though I plan to get a mineral sampling done of the surrounding area.

  “Nice to know the old man is so trusting. All I found was dust and more dust. There’s not much around here. So how long are you staying?”

  He chuckles and it’s the type of laugh that makes your innards cringe. Bruce is probably pushing sixty with a pot belly he established in his mid-thirties. He’s bald but somehow thinks he’s a ladies’ man. It’s a total delusional notion that any woman under the age of fifty would give him the time of day, but he doesn’t care.

  “Here’s your special,” says the waitress.

  I don’t glance up as she pushes the large clear mug my way but at the last minute she squeals and the drink lands all over me and the table. Bruce laughs which makes me furious because I know, as usual, he’s acting like a dick-head and probably pinched her ass.

  I’m busy moving myself and my phone out of the way while she darts to the bar and only when she returns do I give her my full attention. She’s not at all what I expected and for a second all the air I’d been holding gets sucked out of me. Damn she’s hot! She’s rocking a Mohawk hair style and the minute she kneels by my side, attempting to wipe up the beer from my jeans, all the blood heads to my frigging dick. In the position she’s in, the words “Enjoy the View” printed on her black shirt take on a whole new meaning. The cups of her lacy, black bra peek out and I can’t help but grab her hand when she starts patting the napkins near my crotch. My skin feels tight and I’m pissed at getting dunked in liquor but equally annoyed she’s so damn distracting.

  She’s mumbling an apology but glaring at Bruce like he’s soon to be road kill.

  “It’s okay. I’m good,” I say, accepting her handful of napkins so I can tend to the job myself.

  “This wouldn’t have happened if you’d kept your fingers to yourself,” she says to Bruce and I instantly I like this woman. She’s now standing with her shoulders back and one hand on her hip like she’s about to lay into the old guy. With her attention turned to him I get the chance to check her out. She’s easily six feet and in the black cotton pants, which I’m assuming are part of the staff uniform, I’m left admiring her ass. God I’d love to get my hands on those cheeks.

  Bruce leans toward her and says, “Sorry about that. Old habits die hard.”

  “And fingers can break just as hard.”

  Oh, now I’m so in love with her. Bruce laughs and then says again he’s truly sorry and she doesn’t speak for about thirty seconds.

  She turns her graceful neck and fixes me with a hard look. “I’ll be back with your new drink. And grab your food order if you’re looking to get anything from the kitchen. I’d recommend something quick because it’s closing in twenty.”

  With her back straight, and the tray balanced on one hand, she marches back to the bar and even though I know I shouldn’t be gawking at her, I can’t help it. There’s something magnetic about her.

  “Nice ass.”

  “The only person here being an ass is you. Stop doing that.”

  “Like I said, old habits die hard. But she’s got spunk. God, I’d love to get between those thighs.”

  I cringe. Nothing makes my stomach heave more than listening to Bruce and my grandfather get crude. Normally, I’d play along just to make them think I’m one of them, but not tonight.

  “So you staying just for the night?” Please say yes.

  “Oh yeah. I’m here today and gone tomorrow. This was just a check-in. Listen, the staff told me the owners were gone all day, but you’d best get yourself acquainted with them tomorrow. This place is a land full of cash and your grandfather has big plans for it. Don’t screw this up.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Here’s your drink. It’s on the house.” The waitress arrives, and I discover she has the loveliest teal blue eyes I’ve even seen. She might rock the hair cut, but I get the distinct impression from the olive hue of her skin and high cheek bones she’s more European than Native.

  “Thanks so much, Alyssa.”

  She seems startled that I’ve called her by her name, but it’s clearly spelled out on her name tag. I’m trying to break the ice. She simply scowls like I’m the one in the dog house and not the one who palmed her ass.

  “Your order.”

  “Ah, I’ll have a steak.”

  “Make that two,” says Bruce.

  “You sure you don’t want the fish? They’re fresh from the lakes around here.”

  “Think I’ll pass,” I say.

  “You sure? ’Cause I heard they caught a magnificent specimen earlier today.”

  There’s something in the way she’s smiling and saying it that makes me wonder what’s up. I made sure no one was around when I went for my dip so I’m feeling more than puzzled.

  “No. I’ll just have the steak.”

  “And how would you like it.”

  With her, naked on the side. I refrain from voicing my thoughts. “I like my meat slightly on the rare side.”

  I take a sip of the drink and I’m the one coughing up a storm. A full smile blooms on her face.

  “It’s disgusting, I know. But they assure me the locals like it.”

  Only if you like tar. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Wish I was. I’ve tried my fourth and I think it’s getting better or maybe my taste buds have died,” says Alyssa.

  Those two sentences tell me a wealth of information. One, she’s not from around here and two she hasn’t been here that long. She’s probably one of the new summer college students.

  “Yeah, think I’ll stick with regular draft from now on.” I wipe my hands on my jeans when all I want to do is lean closer.

  “I’ll have a rum and coke,” says Bruce.

  She’s so drop-dead gorgeous, I find myself getting tongue-tied and all I can think about is ditching Bruce so I can continue this conversation with her in private. I vow to hang back for closing.

  An hour later Bruce leaves and I watch as the staff start to close up.

  “Is there anything else I can get you?” asks the large guy who has been behind the bar all evening. I get the distinct impression he knows exactly why I’m hanging around and this is his way of telling me to get lost.

  “Naw, I’m good.”

  “We open tomorrow at seven a.m.”

  He turns and walks away, firmly dismissing me. I walk out the door and then casually lean against the outside wall of the tavern. After about ten minutes I leave, realizing she must have gone out another exit.

  I’m making my way down the lane to my cabin when I spot her silhouette up ahead. I quicken m
y pace until I’m almost behind her.

  She stops walking to fidget with her large purse and I’m wondering if I should stroll past to make it look like I wasn’t waiting around for her, but decide instead to go for the honest approach.

  “So you’re new to this place, too?” I say as I come alongside her. With dusk firmly setting and the still hot summer breeze flying through the darkening sky I get a hint of her exotic perfume which reminds me of coconuts and patchouli.

  “It’s that obvious. Listen, about tonight. I’m really sorry about that. I can’t remember the last time I dropped a load on a customer, but then again the last guy who pinched my ass almost lost his fingers for good. Guess I’m out of practice.”

  “Bruce is a dick and I’m the one who should apologize for his behavior. He thinks he’s fourteen still and that women will fall for it.”

  “He needs therapy,” she says, with a soft, light laugh that I instantly fall in love with.

  “So what brings you to Stone Cliff Resort, Mr.…?”

  “No mister, please. It’s Blake.”

  “Well, you already know my name.”

  “Alyssa, right.”

  She nods but I swear I see a flash of sadness cross her beautiful face. I notice again those lush, Angeline Jolie lips which are a sinful tease. She fidgets with the strap to her purse and then we both resume walking. We walk past the tennis court and I’m wishing once again I knew how to play that damn sport.

  When she comes to another, larger building she turns to me. “This is my stop.”

  “Looks like a college dorm.” It’s basically a four-storey concrete building with faded wooden shingles but you can tell with one glance this place hasn’t made it on the make-over list yet.

  “That pretty much sums it up.”

  I don’t want her to step up those wooden steps, but hauling her into my arms would probably make her scream. “My cabin’s the last one down that road.”

  She peeks over my shoulder trying to see it. “Hope the décor’s better than the dorm rooms.”

  “The girl at the front desk told me it’s the last cabin to be redone and oh my god, the inside is so bad it’s not funny,” I say.

  She gives me a good once over. “I heard from the staff the cabins already redone are really nice. Sorry you got stuck with an ugly one. They probably told you they can move you on Monday but I overheard of the crew say they were having water problems in a few of the new cabins so don’t hold out hope.”

  We both laugh and before I can stop it, I blurt out, “Would figure. Do you want to join me for a drink?”

  She stills and gives me a hard, assessing look while biting her lower lip like she’s contemplating my insane invitation. “Ah…”

  “I promise I’m not an axe-murder.”

  “Shit, I hadn’t even thought of that,” she says, and I notice a gleam in her eye from the flickering light by the side of her building. “No, it’s just that we’re not supposed to fraternize with the customers.”

  I figured that, but hearing her say it makes me feel like a dickhead because I honestly don’t care about some stupid rule the owners have imposed, but I certainly don’t want her to get fired.

  The door to the building opens. “Everything good out here?”

  “All’s great, Donald. Thanks. Just saying goodnight.”

  Donald doesn’t say anything. He stares me down and I realize this guy with the intense look is the same person I’d seen earlier wearing the painters outfit. He nods and then thankfully goes back inside.

  “I better go in,” says Alyssa. “That was Donald Brake, the manager, and he’s a stickler for rules. Today he was extra grumpy. One of the painters didn’t show and I guess they’re working on a tight schedule to get them all painted so he spent three hours finishing up one of the cabins himself. From what I heard from the rest of the staff, he complained about it non-stop.”

  I realize she’s prattling to cover up her nervousness but I’m also hoping she’s thinking of my offer. “Can I get a rain check?”

  She glances back at me as she takes a step up and her foot immediately slips. I catch her before she can fall and the feel of her, all woman, in my arms heats my blood.

  “Oh my god, I can’t believe that happened,” she says, clearly surprised. She doesn’t squirm out of my hold so I gingerly lower her down until her feet are back on solid ground while mine feel like they’re floating. I keep my arms around her waist and before I can stop myself I’m leaning down to steal a kiss from her.

  A light goes on inside illuminating our space and she instantly breaks free.

  “I’ve got to go.”

  I let her race away this time. If there’s one thing Alyssa will come to know over the course of the next few days is that I’m one determined man. This summer, I vow, will not be all about business. That old expression—all work and no play—will not apply to me.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Alyssa

  What the hell was I thinking? Christ, if Donald had caught me I could have gotten fired. And I need this job. I’m not going back to working eight hour shifts in the bar and then six hour shifts in a store room. It’s all Blake’s fault. I can’t believe he’s the same guy I saw totally naked. That image of his magnificent body, which I tried so hard not to think about as I got about four inches from his package when wiping the spilled drink from his jeans was pure torture. My fingers itched to get a little closer. Nice to know that my actions gave him a boner. He couldn’t very well hide his erection in those tight jeans even though he moved out of reach to take care of the mess I’d made.

  The memory of the feel of his body up close and personal with mine makes my nipples harden and moisture quickly pools between my legs. Christ, the last time I had a man paying any attention to my body was a good six months ago. Dry spells for me are not a good thing.

  I’ve often wondered if my father knew how many men I’ve had in my bed and if it even mattered to him? Then again that day he found me in bed with a friend he didn’t care. Even after all his hurtful words he made it clear to me that being a virgin wouldn’t change his mind. He was going to marry me off. You don’t have to be a virgin anymore to broker a good marriage if you come from a wealthy family. You just need money and the right connections. That’s his way of thinking. Not mine. That’s why when I woke up six months ago from another one-night stand, not even able to recall the rocker’s name in my bed, I realized the only one I was hurting was myself. I’m not giving up on guys but I’m definitely looking for more than a one nighter. When I left home, I changed my name and appearance and left my father’s world behind me. I think I took men to my bed as a slap to his face but the reality is they meant nothing to me and I deserve better.

  I give myself a mental shake as I try to avoid thinking of Blake’s lips. God the guy could kiss. I almost wish we hadn’t been interrupted. Maybe a one-nighter with him would be worth getting fired.

  I throw my purse to the side of my small bed. When will I ever be able to resist the bad ones? Sure they come across as hot all Alpha male, but the deeper you dig the more dirt you discover. I am so not going down that road again. Then again if anyone looked closely at me they’d get the surprise of their life. Hard-working, partying city gal three years ago who had servants to answer her every wish. I can’t help but cringe when I think about how awful I was to the hired help. I never once picked up the clothes on my floor and was generally a slob. That is so different to how I juggle my life now. I pull out the plastic bag that holds my tips and dump the contents onto my bed. Tonight I’m the one counting change because when I left my socialite-life behind, I learned a hard lesson. When you’re wealthy you really don’t think that much about your money. When you’re working twelve hour shifts to pay rent and buy food you count every quarter.

  A knock on my door startles me. I yank down the blanket to hide my change. Another lesson heard earned.

  “Coming.”

  I open the door to Kat, the scholarship student who is work
ing in marketing at the resort, all but bouncing in her pink, fuzzy slippers. Kathryn, who some of us have nicknamed Kat, is usually all business and seeing her so excited makes me instantly wary. She’s very straight-laced but she’s also genuinely nice.

  “I did it.”

  “What?”

  “I found you a room for your photography stuff.”

  She walks into my room and gives me a once over.

  I sit on the bed, near my change. “Slow down. What are you talking about?”

  “The other night at the bonfire when you were telling me how much you missed not being able to develop your photos, I got to thinking why can’t you do that here. I spoke with Noah and he said there’s a room in the back of that winter maintenance storage building close to the end of the resort that you can use.” She sits on my bed, ignoring the jingle of loose change.

  “Really?” I’m trying hard to digest her rapid fire information. I thought I’d have to stop developing my pictures all summer, but this news makes me feel really happy. I’ve always been a picture freak—think selfies before they were popular—but last year when I bought my baby I discovered a whole new side to myself. I not only like to take pictures, I love everything about the process. I learned how to develop pictures thanks to the first man who hired me for a bartender gig. Joe was close to seventy and I think he viewed me as a lost daughter. He taught me all I know about drinks, how to avoid asshole men, and how to work the angle for lighting when it comes to picture taking. A year ago tomorrow, I realize, and it will be a year since he died. My gut twists when I recall finding him that morning stiff and very dead in the back storage room. I cried real tears of sorrow and realized too late how much he meant in my life. We might not have known each other long but he looked out for me and I can’t express how much his trust and confidence in me helped to shape my new life.

  “Yes. Really. Noah has the key, but he says you have to clear it out.”