by Claire Angel
Everyone murmured some form of hello as he nodded briskly. Mark made sure that we all had our luggage and led the way into the lot. There was a sturdy SUV with the company logo on it.
He helped load everything into the back before looking us over, his eyes resting on me again. “It looks like you are all in pairs apart from you?” His eyes met mine. I nodded, suddenly feeling like he was judging me. “You can drive up front with me. They can all sit together,” He suggested.
“Sure,” I replied as I walked around to open the heavy door.
Everyone piled in and I buckled my seat belt as I looked at the big man beside me.
He told us that there would be some lovely scenery on the way as well as shops if anyone needed anything. When he was finished, he started the engine and we were off. I couldn’t say that he was rude, but he wasn’t a ball of warmth either. Colton had been the same way when he moved to Chester before he met Hallie. Now he was much warmer to everyone and the same would hopefully be said for Mark.
I stole glances his way as he answered questions asked by the passengers. He came off as friendly enough but short. He answered the questions, but that was it.
I didn’t have a lot to ask since I was from the state. I wanted to interact less and just be on my own for the night. I wanted to get away from the outdoorsy smell that Mark had with a hint of peppermint. It was driving my libido crazy.
I watched him drive with avid interest. He had the seat set way back and his hands held the steering wheel with confidence. He was in control and knew it.
We approached a strip mall that offered some outlet stores. The older woman asked if we could stop. She said they didn’t have this store in Canada where she was from and would love to have a look.
Mark agreed through the scowl that only I saw, pulling into the parking lot and finding something as close to the stores as he could.
“How about we meet up in an hour?” He suggested, looking around the group.
They nodded and scurried off to shop as I bit my lip.
I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to find some new things.
“An hour,” Mark reminded me as I glanced back at him.
He made me feel so small beside his massive frame.
“I heard. I’ll be here,” I assured him as I slipped my purse over my shoulder and started wandering.
I popped into the Kate Spade store and looked at purses, leaving to look at something a bit more practical. I glanced over shoes and clothes, buying a couple of things. I knew that I’d shop closer to the park for souvenirs as well, but I couldn’t help stopping in a baby store on my way back to the car.
I found a neutral pack of onesies and bought them with a soft smile, tucking them into another bag. I noticed Mark watching me leave with a cup in his hand, his eyes looking me over shrewdly. I walked in front of him and found the group, combining my bags and putting them down near my luggage in the back.
Someone asked about food and he explained that there were a few near the inn as well as on the way. I hadn’t eaten since my quick breakfast this morning and flushed as my stomach growled.
“How far to the inn?” The father asked, stroking his daughter’s hair.
Mark seemed to soften. “It’s about forty-five minutes from here. Is she okay?”
“Honey?” The little girl looked at her father and smiled before nodding gently.
Mark seemed to look at me and I wondered if he heard my stomach earlier.
“We can stop. There’s a diner that offers a variety of food. Sound good?” Mark looked around as everyone nodded and opened the vehicle, so we could get in.
The diner was quaint, reminding me of the one I spent so much time in growing up in Chester. I found a table and picked up the menu as the others sat around me.
Mark sat across from me but close enough to make conversation, mostly with the father and daughter. She was nine, and this was their trip away from Michigan. He was a single father, and this was his week. Looking at her, I thought the girl looked fine with it. Mark looked more vexed as he sipped some coffee.
I ordered a burger and sent Hallie a few texts as I ate, missing her. It would be fun if they were here, but I’d still be the odd man out.
That was okay. I hadn’t met anyone that I fit with yet. That was normal. She distracted me with pregnancy stories and I chuckled as I read the words. This was going to be a wild ride and I couldn’t wait to buy her more stuff.
We got to the inn after nine and I was yawning as I checked in. We had to be up early in the morning for a trek into the park, including breakfast at the connected restaurant. I wanted to get some sleep and walked sleepily to the elevator to head to the second floor.
Mark joined me along with the older couple and they smiled at us.
“Eight tomorrow?” The husband confirmed as Mark nodded.
They told us good night and walked to their room as he and I turned the opposite way. I looked for mine and stopped in front of it, struggling to open the door with my card key while holding onto my luggage with the other hand.
“Let me help you,” He offered gruffly, taking the handle of the case as I used the card to open the door.
“Thanks,” I replied as I pushed the heavy door open with my foot.
I pulled everything inside and closed it gently before I flipped the switch on. The room was spacious. I let my shoulders slump as I stared at the bed. The tub must be in the bathroom and I looked in to see that there was a shower with generous counter space.
I kept walking towards the bed and set my case on the green and cream comforter. I opened it with the snap of the latch echoing in my ears. I pulled out some clothes to sleep in and set them aside before pulling out a bag to stick the dirty stuff in.
I settled for a quick shower to wash the airplane off, drying off and dressing quickly. I opened a bottle of water and sipped it. I was propped up against the pillows as I watched TV. I felt like I sat all day, but I was genuinely tired. I wondered if Mark relaxed behind closed doors. He seemed so uptight most of the time.
I was under the covers and nodding off with the screen lighting up the room. My phone was set to go off early. I snuggled under the covers as I sighed happily.
I jumped out of bed when the alarm went off and went directly to the shower. I thought about Keith, but Mark’s face and body interrupted with my imagination running overtime. I didn’t have time to take the edge off. Damn, I could have used a good orgasm.
I dried my hair and added some product to it to keep the frizz down as well as wearing a band around my wrist. I pulled on leggings and some stretchy jeans over them with a t-shirt and a fitted sweatshirt. My favorite purchase last night was some new hiking boots.
I looked down at my feet as I grabbed the small pack and room key.
Chapter 4
Mark
I was up early and waiting by the entrance to the restaurant just before eight. I knew everyone here from previous visits, nodding and greeting the familiar faces as they passed by. I’d had a few of the girls hit on me like Valerie did every fucking time I saw her, but I kept my distance. I just wasn’t there yet.
I heard voices and looked up to see my group heading my way. The couples were first. I was certain the young couple had stayed up all night evident by the circles under their eyes.
They still looked happy and it reminded me of when I first met Nina. I glanced away, seeing the petite blonde walking my way. She was looking at her phone and smiling before looking up to see me. Brianne. That was her name.
“Ready to eat?” I asked as they nodded and followed me in.
This was a higher-class breakfast buffet, something I preferred for a group. It offered choices and was usually on the faster side. We found tables and got our plates as everyone headed up to the food.
Brianne walked over with hers and added some fruit to it along with eggs and bacon. I went for all protein to keep my energy up since I wasn’t technically working out here. I sipped coffee, remembering how much I tossed and
turned last night.
I missed Lindsay.
We finished eating and paid before I walked out front of the inn. We were just going to walk the perimeter today and see some sights to get them warmed up. Tomorrow was the day that we’d be hiking up a mountain to see a beautiful lake.
We made our way to the entrance, and I told them facts about the park as people snapped pictures while murmuring to themselves. Sometimes I felt like they didn’t hear a damn word I said apart from solemn nods now and then.
The father and daughter did listen. She had the same kind of curiosity that Lindsay did. I focused on her, but my eyes drifted over to Brianne as she snapped pictures of the expanse of land in front of her. It was beautiful, and I glanced at her ass in the fitted pants before she started to turn to face me. Jesus.
I didn’t return the flirting I get on a daily basis and I was looking at a client’s ass. I needed to get paid and not by her. That was too complicated for everyone involved. It was an unspoken rule in the company. Jackson did it six months ago and things got ugly when the woman he slept with turned out to be married.
I forced my attention to the group as we hiked further into the park. People stopped to take more pictures, posing together as they asked others in the group to take the shot. I saw Brianne taking a selfie with a bright smile on her face and cracked a smile as she giggled. She was a pretty girl, and I sensed that she had some spirit in her. I remembered seeing her coming out of the baby store and looked at her flat stomach, wondering if the purchase was for her or someone else. I couldn’t assume anything since some pregnant women were highly active.
I approached a flowing creek and told them it was created by some of the lakes here. Given that we were in a high altitude and the weather was generally cool all year round, there was always snow. The winters could be rough, and business went down, offering me more time with Lindsay.
For now, I’d be busy.
There were trees around and a rock formation that the little girl walked over to climb as her dad watched carefully. From there, I took them to one of the lower lakes and watched as Brianne walked up on a rock and shot another selfie. She grinned and did something with her phone, making me wonder if she had someone at home.
The older woman asked me a question and I turned to her to answer with a quickly forced grin.
We walked for most of the day and saw the sights that didn’t require heavy hiking.
We went to dinner at a steakhouse near the inn. People had the option of doing whatever they wanted outside of the park but many times, we went places as a group. It was natural to make friends and bond on some level. Brianne, Jacob, and his daughter Jessica seemed to be talking a lot today and were sitting together. Jacob nodded my way and invited me to join them and I watched as Brianne glanced my way.
“Please do.” She scooted over, and I slipped into the seat, feeling her warm skin against mine.
I liked that she ordered a steak and potato since so many women ate light. After a day like we had, she needed fuel and Brianne laughed as she sipped wine, talking to Jacob as I watched them.
It wasn’t in a flirtatious way that they spoke. It was merely friendly, and I watched as Jessica joined in. The brunette was an intelligent girl and clearly loved her father as she looked adoringly at him. She even seemed to like Brianne a lot. I was starting to like the blonde more myself, caught up in her sweet citrus scent and sweat from the day. It was pleasant.
I glanced at her neck as she pulled her hair into a messy bun.
We walked to the hotel slower than the others, looking at the lights of the town. Brianne enjoyed two glasses of wine with dinner and seemed to be relaxed as Jacob excused himself to take Jessica to the store for something.
I led Brianne into the hotel and looked around. It was early at just past eight and I didn’t want to go back to my room. While we had a harder day tomorrow, I could still get plenty of sleep.
“Would you like to get a drink?” I asked her as she shot me a surprised look.
I hoped that she wasn’t pregnant since she was drinking wine with dinner. This would be her chance to tell me and Brianne glanced towards the lobby bar slowly.
“Sure. It’s early,” She replied with her hand grazing my arm.
We walked over and sat in a booth in the corner, ordering beers and settling in. I asked her where she was from.
“I live in Chester a few hours away. Are you familiar with it?”
“I am. It’s a small place with not much to do.” I said.
“I’ve lived there most of my whole life. I love it and have a good job with a law firm and friends and family. I wanted to get out and do something different, so I planned this.” Her smile was small as she reached for her bottle, sipping it slowly.
“I’ve always been in Montana myself. I live closer to the company now in a secluded cabin, but I’ve lived in bigger cities. I don’t mind them but there’s something about the peace I have at my cabin.” I smiled as I thought about it.
“I love that in Chester too. The mountains surround me and I get lost in it. I don’t know if I could live in a city. My best friend moved to New York for a time and ended up moving back recently. She wasn’t going to stay, but she found the right reasons to do so.” Brianne smiled widely. “I invited her and her husband along on this trip, but she found out she’s pregnant.”
“That’s great,” I said as I knew now why she was buying baby stuff. “You’ll be an aunt?”
“Not by blood but by love. Yes, I will.” She glowed as she sipped her beer again, making something spark inside of me as I drank my own.
She was a client. I had to remember that. When I walked her to her room, she gazed into my eyes and licked her full lips. I pushed back, telling Brianne to have a good night. We’d be meeting at eight at the same restaurant and I watched as she closed her door.
I could feel. That was a relief but not the fact that my attraction was towards Brianne. I had too much going for me to risk a fling right now. I had a shower to work out any needs I might have.
Chapter 5
Brianne
I had trouble sleeping after he walked me to my room. Mark was complex and gorgeous. I knew that he had a softer side to him.
I finally fell asleep and woke up to the alarm to repeat the morning all over. I showered and dressed in stretchy yoga pants with a hoodie and the same hiking boots. I chose to braid my hair over my shoulder and grabbed the pack and key before leaving.
I was excited about seeing Mark again. I looked ahead as I approached the entrance to the buffet, licking my lips and tasting the mint of the balm that I wore.
Mark was standing there in work out pants and a hoodie that clung to his taut body. His hair was down and his beard looked a bit scruffier as he glanced down at his phone. He grinned, and it hit me deep inside as I blinked.
“Good morning,” I heard a voice and looked over to see Jacob.
“Hi,” I greeted him as I smiled at his daughter. “Ready for this?” I asked her kneeling so that we were on the same level.
“Yes. It’s going to be so fun and I am taking tons of pictures.”
I’d learned last night that they were from California. He took her somewhere like this every summer and it was a tradition now. They’d been doing it on their own the last two years since the split, but Jessica seemed well-adjusted.
We walked into the restaurant and found a table after greeting the others. I could see by the looks they gave me that there was a suspicion that I was developing something with Jacob. That wasn’t the case at all. He was kind and Jessica was adorable but I didn’t feel attracted to him, not the way I was to Mark. I couldn’t help but smile as Mark joined us at our table and my skin heated up under my clothes.
He walked with me to the buffet and we filled our plates before going back to the fresh coffee at our table. Jacob asked about the hike and what it entailed as Jessica watched us with big blue eyes. Mark told him that we were climbing high at a rapid pace, but he was geared
with breathing assistance if needed. There was a higher elevation, but it wasn’t too serious.
We ate and paid our bills before Mark led us to the SUV. We were driving for a part of the trip today and hiking the rest. I sat in the passenger seat and looked out at the scenery that was almost too gorgeous to be real. I couldn’t wait to see the lake that we’d be hiking to today.
I turned at the sound of his voice as he described the hike. It was at a slightly higher than a medium level.
Mark parked and we got out, getting our bags on, and preparing ourselves. Mark led the pack, and I followed with Jacob and Jessica as we started up a hill. It was a narrow path that was surrounded by rocks and trees and we went in pairs. That left me alone in the back, but I could see Mark looking back at all of us. His eyes locked with mine and I saw the small smile on his face before he pulled his hair up into a bun.
Holy shit. He pulled that off well. Few men did, but I felt this warmth rushing through me as I focused on the trail.
We continued to go up until there was a plateau and we all got a good view of the lake and meadow. Mark walked back to me and I snapped a picture.
I heard him sigh. “Are you okay back here on your own? Want to come to the front?” His voice was gruff, and I stared at him for a moment.
“I am familiar with hiking. I’ve got this.”
“I just want to keep everyone together. We have just the day to make this trek up the mountain. Everyone keeps stopping to talk and take more pictures.” His voice was low as he grumbled, and I raised my eyebrow at him.
“That’s what people do on a vacation.” I shot back as he gazed at me with those powerful eyes. “Let them. How long does this hike take going at a leisurely pace?” I doubted that he’d ever done such a thing on his own before.
Mark was an alpha personality that likely had a plan for everything in his life.
“I’ve done it in two hours, but it typically takes five hours both ways,” He admitted as I narrowed my eyes.
