by Zara Chase
Ross shrugged. It was clear from his body language he didn’t intend to give much away. “Why does anyone stay anywhere?”
“Okay. I get it.” She flapped a hand, and smiled. “It’s none of my business.”
“We get that question a lot, all of us. It’s kinda hard to answer. I guess the place just gets under your skin after a while.”
“Yeah, it’s easy to understand why. I’ve been here in the summer and it’s real pretty.”
“That it is. One of us, Rick, who you’ll meet later, is heavily into environmental protection. We have rare species of flowers, insects and stuff here that are in danger of extinction. Well, they were until Rick started his crusade.”
“That sounds real worthwhile. I’ve seen the wild flowers here in summer. They’re beautiful.”
Ross leaned back in his chair and laughed, relaxed, confident and totally gorgeous. “Don’t tell Rick that, or he’ll have you recruited to his cause in a heartbeat.”
“And I might just sign up. I could help with photography.”
Ross didn’t look too happy with that suggestion, so Darcy backed off. “Well, I’m done here. I’d best go and sort out my work permit.” She stood up and took her tray to the workstation. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Sure.” Ross rummaged in his wallet and handed her a card. “That’s got my cell number on it. Call me from downtown if there are any problems with your permit.”
She took the card from him, and their fingers clashed, sending a frisson of excitement roiling through her, making her feel guilty for what she had to do to him. He trusted her, and she was about to abuse that trust. Neither of them spoke for a prolonged moment. They stood there in the center of the noisy, crowded cafeteria, simply looking at one another. Darcy, at least, was trying to figure out what had just passed between them. She knew without asking that Ross had felt it, too.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’ll catch you later.”
She left the cafeteria ahead of him because Ross got detained by a woman who had a question for him. She headed back to the ski-school office, collected her things and then got the cable car back down. She intended to catch the bus into town, but had time to spare. Nevella businesses operated on the siesta system and the government office wouldn’t open again until three.
She was unsurprised when her cell phone rang not long after she exited the cable car station.
“Did you get the job?” her caller asked.
“Yes. How is she?”
“Just fine.”
“Let me talk to Mum.”
The conversation was short, terse, but at least Darcy felt reassured. The call had had the desired effect, too. It reminded her of what was really important. Ross Lang was a big boy. He could take care of himself. She felt bad about what she’d agreed to do, but had no alternative. She really shouldn’t be listening to her libido when there was so much else at stake, but she was attracted to Ross in a way she hadn’t known for a very long time. Getting up close and personal wasn’t going to be easy. Women came on to him. Well, of course they did. She thought he liked her, but he’d already made it crystal clear that he didn’t mix business with pleasure.
“We’ll just have to see about that,” she said as she shivered her way to the bus stop.
Chapter Three
It was rare for all six of the residents at Hadleigh’s to be in their private lounge at the same time, but none of them would ignore a summons from Leo. They all owed him too much. Besides, they were buddies, there for one another.
“Looks like your Darcy is a keeper,” Ward said as he slid into the seat beside Ross.
“You took her on?” Leo asked.
“Yeah, you’ll meet her later,” Ross replied. “She’s good at what she does. A bit too good. Not sure why she would want to be here.”
“Your disgusting charm, most likely,” Jack said, grinning.
Leo’s head shot up from the papers he was studying. “You’re worried about her motives?”
“Yes. No. Fuck, I don’t know.” Ross took a swig from his open bottle of beer. “I don’t think she’s being entirely honest about her reasons for wanting to work in Nevella, but I can’t afford to be choosy.”
“Okay, buddy.” Leo nodded. “Keep a close eye on her. Things are sensitive around here right now, which brings me to the reason why I called you together.”
“What’s got Padron senior’s knickers in a twist this time?” Jack asked.
“Russians,” Leo replied. “You’ve all heard the rumors, I expect. Some have already piled into Nevella.”
Ross nodded along with everyone else, aware the Russians liked Nevella’s tax-free status, its cheap booze, cigarettes, and fuel. The tightening of European banking laws had put a stop to Spaniards laundering their ill-gotten gains in the principality, but Russians were showing no such restraint.
“A new consortium wants to build a luxury resort somewhere in the country.” A collective groan went up. “You’ve guessed it, gentlemen. Far from bringing the feud between the families to an end, the competition has driven them farther apart.”
“Because every valley wants to attract the development,” Ross surmised.
“Right.”
They hadn’t fucking better even think of building up on Afton Ridge,” Rick said, scowling. “We’ve finally got eagles nesting up there again, and a rare species of butterflies has returned.”
“We’ll worry about that when the time comes,” Leo said. “But I doubt they’d want to build up that high, anyway. It would be too expensive to get all the materials up there, and too inaccessible when the weather closes in during the winter.”
“Okay,” Jack said. “Let me guess. Padron wants us to put on a show for the consortium, so that Medina valley gets the business.”
“Got it in one.” Leo rolled his eyes. “All the other valleys will be pushing the boat out, obviously, and Padron wants us to eclipse them. Fuck knows how. That’s why I need suggestions from you guys.”
“Let ’em into the club,” Tyrell said promptly. “No other area in Nevella has anything quite like it.”
Everyone laughed, but Ross knew it wasn’t a serious suggestion. Not everyone was into BDSM. In fact, some people found it offensive. Arranging individual female companionship for the Russians would be a safer plan. Besides, Hadleigh’s raunchier side wasn’t open to the public, or to private membership, either. Participation was by invitation only, preventing it from becoming a business that required a Nevellian as a partner. It had started off small scale—a place for Leo and his buddies to enjoy doing what they …well, enjoyed doing most—and had grown from there. The local politicians, police, and government officials who enjoyed the facilities were discreet, and the club was the envy of the other valleys. They knew it existed but since it had no official status they could do nothing to take it over, which drove them crazy and gave Medina valley an edge Leo hadn’t intended when he started it up.
“I suppose I could fly them over the valley,” Jack said, yawning. “Give them a bird’s eye view of the facilities. Only one other valley has a chopper, although I suppose they could hire one in for the occasion.”
“Don’t suppose they’ll be interested in my environmental studies,” Rick said moodily. “But I can take them out on the husky sleds.” He leaned down to scratch the ears of Ruben, the favored husky who went everywhere with Rick.
“We can give them a tour of the pistes, I guess,” Ross said, sighing. “But all the valleys have decent slopes, and a good network of lifts. We need to think of something different.”
“We could do the torchlight thing we do on New Year,” Ward suggested. “You know, all the instructors coming down in a snake, holding flaming torches.”
“That might work better,” Leo said. “And we could offer bulk discounts for Russian ski classes.”
“We don’t have any Russian speaking instructors,” Ross pointed out.
“They all speak English,” Leo replied. “Anyway, I was thinking we
could do a grand dinner party on a Sunday changeover night, when we won’t miss out on too much custom if we close the bar to the public.”
“Yeah, I could do that,” Tryell, the head chef, said. “Vodka sauce with everything, right?”
Everyone laughed.
“I have a meeting with Padron in two days,” Leo said. “He’s getting antsy about it. Can you guys come up with firm suggestions for your respective areas before then, so I have something to calm him down?”
Everyone nodded. It was rare for Leo to involve them all in the Padron family business. He was obviously worried about this Russian thing, and his concern would motivate the guys. He had done so much for them all individually, and it wasn’t often they got the opportunity to give something back.
“You think they’ll have any of those blonde, leggy women with them?” Jack asked with a lecherous grin. “You know, like those tennis players they seem to clone.”
“You need to get laid, buddy,” Ward said, laughing.
“You are so right about that.”
“There’s one other thing we need to think about,” Leo said. “Two of the big travel companies are reviewing their hotel and ski-resort policy for next season.”
“Shit, not again.” Ross groaned. “They do this all the time, just so we have to play nice and they get a load of freebies.”
“It’s more serious than that,” Leo replied. “They’re thinking about pulling out of Nevella altogether. We’re no longer as competitive as we once were now some eastern European countries are getting in on the skiing act.”
“Ain’t a lot we can do about that,” Ward pointed out.
“Not at the moment, no. But we can make sure the punters we’ve already got have a good time. I’m thinking we need to make them realize they don’t need to come to Nevella with a tour company. Most of them are Brits and it’s easy enough for them to jump on a low cost airline and fly to France or Spain. We can arrange transportation from there, and Padron can arrange hotel rooms. But we’d need to do it without pissing off the tour companies.”
“Go into the travel business for ourselves,” Ross said, grinning. “Why not? We’ve got just about everything else covered.”
“Okay, that’s it, guys. Get back to me soon as you can with your plans.” Leo stood up, stretched, and glanced at the clock. “Right, it’s game time.”
All six of them gravitated toward the bar, just as the barman opened the door to the waiting crowd. The DJ had already cranked up the music. Tyrell disappeared into his kitchen. The rest of them occupied their usual corner at one end of the bar. Ross watched the crowd spill through the door, straining to see if Darcy was amongst them, surprised at how much he wanted her to be.
* * * *
Darcy got to the doors of Hadleigh’s bang on opening time at five o’clock, but there was already a long line of people ahead of her. She’d never set foot in the place before, but even she, who didn’t like loud bars much, had heard of it. She should have realized that, and asked Ross if she could get in before opening time to set up the video feed she’d taken that morning. She wanted him to see it, approve it. Approve of her. Hell, who was she kidding? She just wanted to see the man. Ross had gotten her juices flowing, no question. Why couldn’t he be butt ugly, bad tempered, and at least fifty years old? It would make it so much easier for her to do what had to be done if her raging hormones weren’t getting in on the act.
She saw him as soon as she walked through the door, standing with Ward and a gaggle of other guys at one end of the long bar. Their eyes clashed and he smiled that slow, sexy smile of his as he beckoned her over to join them. He’d changed into a black T-shirt that sculpted his hard torso, and another pair of tight, worn jeans, also black. He still wore his cowboy boots, and it looked as though he’d just washed his hair, too, because it was still damp.
“Hey,” he said when she reached his side. “Get the work permit okay?”
“Yes, fine.” He smelled of body wash, subtle cologne, and fresh air. He looked divine.
“Here, this is Leo Hadleigh. Leo, this is Darcy, our new videographer.”
“Nice to meet you, Darcy.” Leo took her hand, obviously summing her up without making it too apparent. “Welcome on board.”
“Thanks,” she replied weakly.
Wow, what was it about these guys? Leo was even more gorgeous than Ross, which was saying a lot. This plethora of testosterone, virile male, and awesome machismo was totally overwhelming. No wonder the place was so popular. Several other women had tried to join their group, but she noticed the guys closing them out without appearing to do so, and without giving offence. They’d clearly had a lot of practice.
“You already know Ward,” Ross said, slipping an arm lightly around her waist as though staking a claim. If only! “And this is Tanya,” he added, when a pretty, slightly overweight girl joined their party.
“Hi, Darcy. Welcome to the mad house.” Tanya leaned against Ward and gave Darcy a warm smile.
“Nice meeting you,” Darcy replied, instinctively liking Tanya. She was obviously special to Ward. His face lit up when she joined them, he immediately wrapped an arm possessively around her waist, and his gaze seldom left her face. What it must be like to inspire such devotion in a man, Darcy thought wistfully, especially a guy who looked like any of these. Not that it would ever happen to her, not here in Nevella, when she’d been sent to Hadleigh’s with the deliberation intention of causing problems for the very people who were being so nice to her.
“I’m working on Hadleigh’s website,” Tanya said. “And trust me, it needs a lot of work. Once I’m done with that, I’m going to give the ski school a better online presence. We might work together on that.”
“Sure, I’d love to.”
“This is Jack Gower, our chopper pilot,” Ross said. “And this reprobate is Rick Dwyer, our environmentalist. Oh, and Ruben, of course.”
Darcy felt herself being swept into their circle as she shook hands and ruffled the gorgeous dog’s ears. They made her feel safe, and she had no business even thinking that way—not when she had no choice but to do the dirty on them.
“Let me get you a drink, darlin’.” Ross lifted a hand and effortlessly attracted the attention of one of the overworked bartenders. “What will it be?”
“White wine would be good.”
“White wine for the lady,” Ross yelled over her head.
“Coming right up,” the barman replied, winking at her.
Stop being so damned nice to me, all of you! I don’t deserve it.
“I have some stuff I took this morning that I’d like to put up on the screens,” she said after taking a few fortifying sips of wine. “I’ve already downloaded it to my laptop.”
“Sure. Come on, I’ll show you where it all happens.”
Ross took her heavy laptop bag from her, placing a hand on the small of her back this time as he guided her through the rapidly filling bar to a door at the back of it. It was the DJ’s cubbyhole, but was also the perfect place to fire up her laptop and project her footage directly to the screens linked around the wall. It was all set up for her to do just that.
The DJ was above their heads, on a platform that overlooked the bar. She and Ross were squashed together in the small space below, which was full of electrical equipment. Their close proximity to one another made Darcy acutely aware of his hard, taut body and flowing masculine power as he moved about her, all lithe muscle and graceful coordination. She, on the other hand, was clumsy—a bundle of nerves and anticipation. She was fascinated by his biceps flexing as he lifted heavy boxes clear, making space for her laptop. Tension radiated between them—or was that just in her imagination? She ought to say something to ease the awkwardness, except she couldn’t think of anything appropriate that wouldn’t sound like she was hitting on him.
The thumping music echoed through her head, but she didn’t even hear it, couldn’t have said who was singing, or if she even liked the number. She absolutely didn’t want to
like Ross—that much she did know. It would be so much easier if he was arrogant about his looks and she could work up a little contempt for him. Unfortunately, the reverse was true, and she felt drawn to him, much like a moth to a flame.
Shit, this was so not good! She concentrated on what she was doing, or tried to, hoping Ross wouldn’t notice her hands trembling.
“Wow,” he said, when the screens came to life and the noise in the bar abated as people looked up and saw themselves on skis, some of them for the first time. She had learned a long time ago that those new to a sport most appreciated having their efforts preserved for posterity. “You took all that without even setting up properly?” When she nodded, Ross flexed a brow. “You’re good. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks. It was fun. Tomorrow I’ll be able to do a better job.”
“I love the way you caught those four kids on that toboggan. Their faces say it all. And that guy on skis, standing on his own with his back to the camera and the mist closing around him could go on Tanya’s new website for the school.”
“Oh, that was just fooling around. I can do better than that, but thanks.”
She looked up, aware they were standing almost toe to toe. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, his breath peppering her cheek. Even so, she somehow wasn’t prepared for his handsome face to be looming quite so close to hers as it actually was, or for the profound effect his close proximity had on her. Frozen like a rabbit caught in headlights, she simply widened her eyes as she drank in the sight of him, helpless against the raging force of her need, unable to move or speak. Her lips fell open and she moistened the lower one with the tip of her tongue as this odd, loaded silence in the middle of an otherwise noisy, crowded bar threatened to suck the atmosphere dry.
She knew she was staring at him like a lovesick teenager, practically begging him to kiss her. She was no longer in control of her reactions and there didn’t seem to be anything she could do to regain her composure and poise. Sexual tension was messing with her mind and self-control. She thought she heard Ross swear softly beneath his breath, but his arms remained at his sides and he made no move to touch her.
