by Ali Parker
“True. Harper doesn’t want me because of who I am.”
“If I heard you correctly, she doesn’t want you at all.”
“You’re supposed to be making me feel better,” I reminded him.
He smirked. “I’m doing what I can. I think you should just try being honest and upfront.”
“I’ve tried. I’ve been pretty upfront with her. I think that’s the problem—I scared her off.”
“Okay, I know I didn’t have great ideas, but you know her better than I do. What do you think would impress her?”
“I have no idea. I’ve tried to impress her. I’ve been nice. I’ve been polite. I’ve stayed away. I’ve been the consummate gentleman. I don’t think it’s getting me anywhere.”
“Caveman. Go straight up caveman.”
“Are you suggesting I bonk her over the head and drag her back to my cave?”
He shrugged. “It worked for them.”
“I know this sounds funny, but this is all very serious to me. I want her. I need her in my life. I can’t even look five years into my future without seeing her. I don’t want to think about tomorrow without her in my life.”
He let out a low whistle. “You’ve got it bad.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I do. I really do. I need her. How do I make her see it?”
“I wish I had the answers for you. I really do. I have a feeling I might one day need that good advice. When you know how to do it, let me know. Hell, you could probably write a book about it.”
“I don’t know. I need to go for a walk.”
“It’s like ten degrees outside.”
“Maybe I can close the pool,” I spoke aloud.
“Go to the fancy gym you’ve got in this place. It’ll be good advertisement.”
“Going to come with me? Spot me?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to sweat today. I look too good.”
“Come on. We’ll get in a quick workout and then hit the pool.”
He groaned. “I wanted a drink, not a workout.”
“Too bad. Get up. You can borrow some of my stuff.”
“I don’t want to wear the shorts that have had your junk rubbing up against them.”
“Why are you so gross? The shit gets washed.”
“I’ll buy some in the gift shop. Is Cori still working the gift shop?”
“She works in the pop-up shop, and she isn’t selling trunks,” I said, shutting him down.
“Fine. Let’s get this over with. You suck at day drinking.”
I laughed as I got to my feet. “Let’s go. I’ll let you use my employee discount to buy the shorts.”
“Oh gee, will you?”
“Of course. That’s what friends are for.”
We walked out of the lounge and to the gift shop before going up to my suite to change. I didn’t stop thinking about how I was going to convince her to be with me. It was all I could think about. I wanted her to at least look at me and see I was serious about being with her. Nick had offered some pretty terrible advice but there was a small thread of good advice underneath the bullshit.
I needed to do something big and spectacular. I didn’t want to be cheesy, but I wanted it to be meaningful. I could feel her on the verge of giving into what I knew she wanted. She was close to caving, but if I pushed too hard, I would send her running in the opposite direction. Big yet subtle but flashy.
My mind was running through ideas as I tried to puzzle it out. Back then, the hotel and room service on prom had been enough. I remembered how happy she had been when I told her about the room. I wanted to see that same kind of joy and excitement on her face again. I wanted her to throw her arms around me and hug me.
Something big.
Chapter 32
Harper
There was a banging in my head that wouldn’t quit. I rolled over in bed and pulled a pillow over my head, but it didn’t stop. It just kept pounding. I wasn’t even hungover. Why in the hell was there banging?
That was when I realized it wasn’t in my head. There was someone banging on the door to the suite. I rolled over and looked at the clock. I wasn’t late. I didn’t smell smoke. There wasn’t a fire.
I threw off the blanket and stumbled out of my room. I made it to the door the same time Parker opened her door. “What is that?” she groaned. “It’s so early.”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to hurt whoever it is.”
I jerked open the door and stared at a man in a Santa costume with a room-service cart. “Ho, ho, ho,” he greeted.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m bringing you your room-service order,” he said and pushed the cart inside, nearly running over my toes.
“I didn’t order room service.”
“Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas.” He chuckled and handed me a red envelope with a gold ribbon around it.
“What is this?”
“Have a great day!” he said and left me with the cart and the envelope and a lot of confusion.
I opened the envelope and read the note aloud. “You are an amazing woman who deserves to have an amazing evening. Take the day to pamper yourself. You’re in a spa after all. Your itinerary is attached. I know you didn’t have time to go shopping yesterday and I apologize. I’ve arranged an appointment for you at a local boutique. Pick anything you want. It’s on me and don’t say no. This is my way of thanking you for your hard work. I’ll see you tonight. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Oh. My. God.”
I spun around and found Parker standing within a couple feet of me. “What?”
“That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard.”
“I can’t accept it.”
“Yes, you can,” she said and lifted a lid off one of the trays. “Bacon. You can definitely keep the bacon.”
“But a dress and a spa day?”
“Yep. Keep it and save me some food. I’m going back to bed. This is way too early for me.”
She stumbled back into her room, closing the door behind her. I stared down at the cart and lifted the other lids. It reminded me of that morning after prom. He ordered the breakfast and then crushed my heart.
I made myself a small plate before sitting down at the table and rereading the note. Damn if the man wasn’t romantic. He always knew just what I needed. A spa day sounded amazing. And I had planned on bowing out of the party tonight because I didn’t have an appropriate dress to wear. Yesterday, things got a little too busy and I wasn’t able to leave. I couldn’t very well order an evening gown online and expect it to fit.
He was making sure I didn’t bow out. I smiled and ate another piece of bacon before taking a quick shower and slipping into a pair of capris and a flowing shirt. It wasn’t appropriate winter wear, but it was perfect spa wear. I was excited for another spa day. The first one was lovely.
I walked into the spa and checked in. I was escorted back to a private room and given another robe to put on. I went through the whole process—massage, facial, mani-pedi, and even got my hair cut and styled. I wasn’t sure if I was going to leave it up or down. I needed to find the dress first.
I went back to my suite, changed into some jeans and a sweater, and was about to call a cab when I saw Chase’s driver, Dwayne. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Me? Am I ready?”
“Yes.”
“Are you driving me?”
“I am.”
“Oh, then I’m ready.”
He smiled and pushed open the door for me. I was really feeling like royalty. He drove me to a boutique that was located in a small mall filled with a variety of upscale stores. It was way out of my budget. I almost stopped myself from going in. I felt out of place.
“I’ll be waiting,” Dwayne said, urging me to get out of the SUV.
I climbed out and went into the mall, feeling like an intruder. It took me back to my childhood. We were poor. My friends shopped at the exclusive stores like it wasn’t a big deal. They flashed their parents’ credit card and
bought what they wanted. I always felt like the salesclerks were watching me, making sure I didn’t steal anything. I didn’t look like my friends and I didn’t dress like them. That was what I felt like now.
I found the boutique and tried the door, only to find it was locked. Disappointment flooded me. I should have known it wasn’t real. I was clearly in the wrong place. Before I made a bigger fool of myself, I turned to rush back to the waiting SUV.
“Wait,” I heard a woman say.
I stopped and turned to find a tall, leggy brunette looking at me. “Me?” I asked.
“You’re the one Chase Adams sent over?”
“I’m the one.”
“Come on in.”
“Are you closed?”
She waved a hand. “Chase asked if I would reserve the store just for you alone. It isn’t like we have a booming business just yet. I was happy to oblige. I could have had the usual girl run the store, but when he made the request, I had to meet you.”
I was feeling very self-conscious. “I’m Harper Lincoln.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Harper. I’m Tawny Lassiter, the owner of this fine establishment. Actually, the owner of all of it.”
“You own the mall?”
“I do,” she said with a smile. “I’m still working on filling the spaces. If you build it, they will come, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Come in, come in. Let’s see what would look good on you. You would look good in just about anything but I’m guessing tonight is extra special.”
“Not that special,” I said.
She wasn’t listening to me. She moved around the store, pulling dresses before putting them back on the rack. “I heard the grand opening was a huge success.”
“Chase really did well.”
She made a snorting sound. “Yeah, Chase did really well. In hiring you.”
“What?”
“I know who you are. Everyone in town knows who you are. You’re the magician behind that resort having such a successful opening.”
“No, it wasn’t just me.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, please don’t play the shrinking violet with me. We are strong women trying to kick ass in the corporate world. Be a bulldog. Fight, and when you win, you bask in that glory. Chase never would have had such success without your help.”
I wanted to throw my shoulders back and accept the accolades. “I appreciate the kind words.”
“It’s the truth. I’m guessing that’s why he is giving you this special little treat.”
“He wants me to go to some thing tonight,” I said, trying to play it off.
She looked at me like I was crazy. “Some thing? This is the biggest thing. This is all those rich assholes rubbing elbows and trying to figure out who made more money this year and how much money they are going to make next year.”
“Are you going?”
“You’re damn straight I am,” she answered. “I have to play with the big boys if I want to be one of the big boys.”
“I understand,” I said, knowing it could be difficult to play in the big leagues.
“All right, now, I like black, but you have dark hair. You might look better in something red. A sultry siren.”
“I like black. I prefer black. It’s slimming.”
“Why would you want to slim that body?” she asked, leaning back and openly ogling me.
I fought the urge to cover myself. “I, uh, I like black.”
“You’re right. You’ll look amazing in black with that milky-white skin. You need some sparkle.” She pulled off a dress that looked about three sizes too small and thrust it toward me.
“This is too small.”
“This is perfect,” she said.
I didn’t share her opinion. “I am usually a size or two bigger.”
“You go try that on and I’ll look for something else.”
She was just a little overbearing. I knew when I was defeated. I carried the dress into the dressing room. I looked at it on the hanger and cringed. I was afraid I was going to rip the seams if I tried to pull that over my ass. I gave it a try and stopped a moment before things turned really ugly.
“Let me see,” she shouted through the door.
“No. It’s too small.”
“Nothing is too small,” she insisted.
The woman was skinny and perfect. She had no idea what it was like to be a little on the curvy side. I stepped out, holding the dress up to my chest. “You’re right,” she said. “That is not the right cut on you. We need to give you more curves.”
“More curves?!” I exclaimed. “I think that’s part of the problem. I have more than enough curves.”
“Take it off and I’m going to find another one. I have the perfect dress in mind.”
The woman was a ball of energy. She was brassy and overbearing and I liked her. The door opened, shocking the hell out of me. She handed me the dress and winked before stepping out of the dressing room. She was crazy. I took the dress, pleased to see it was a little bigger and much more suited to my figure.
I put it on, barely managing to get it zipped up the back. I looked at myself in the mirror. The deep V in the front was a little daring, but it was sexy as hell. I turned to the left and then the right. It was way outside of my comfort zone.
“Don’t even think about taking that off before I see it.”
I slowly opened the door and stepped out. She whistled before clapping her hands.
I did a slow turn. “It feels a little revealing.”
“You have assets that should be revealed.”
“I’m not sure I can wear this.”
“Oh, you’re wearing it.”
“I think I should look for something a little less, uh, Hollywood.”
“You’re in Vail. This is an extension of Hollywood.”
“But I’m supposed to be a professional. Chase is going to introduce me to the other business owners.”
She waved a hand. “Dress to kill so they never forget you.”
Her motto explained the way she dressed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Let’s find shoes. You need something sparkly to match those pretty little diamonds on the neckline.”
I wasn’t going to argue. She clearly had a much better sense of style than I did. I tried on several pairs before we agreed on a pair.
“I like you,” she said with a smile. “I’m going to keep you in mind when it’s time to do a grand opening on this place. Assuming Chase will share you.”
“Thank you again for all of the help. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yes, you will.”
I got into the back of the SUV with my bags, feeling like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. But I wasn’t a prostitute. Was I? Technically, I’d only slept with Chase once. I didn’t want to believe he was doing all this in order to get me in bed with him again.
I wasn’t going to think of it like that. He was a good man doing a good thing. He appreciated my work, and this was the way he was showing me. It was the way he did things. He was generous and showed his appreciation with gifts.
Chapter 33
Chase
I slipped on the jacket that was tailored for my body. Unlike a lot of men, I didn’t mind a tux. I liked the confidence it gave me.
I straightened the jacket before adding cufflinks. I did a doubletake in the mirror. Everything needed to be perfect. This was my night to really wow her.
I had a lot riding on tonight going well. I wanted to woo her. I was going to give her the full treatment. I was going to wine her, dine her, and show her such a good time she was never going to want to leave me.
“Don’t fuck this up,” I said, looking directly into my own reflection. “One shot. One night. If you don’t secure her, she’ll leave you.”
Tonight was a risk, but I had to gamble. I was hoping when she met the other business owners that would likely recruit her, she would see they were all assholes. None of them would treat her a
s well as I would. I would pay her well and give her everything she needed. Those other guys wouldn’t understand her true worth. I did.
After staring at myself in the mirror far longer than would be considered appropriate, I left my room. It was a little strange to be picking up my date for the night next door to my room, but when you lived in a hotel, that happened. Our party was downstairs as well, which really made things convenient.
I knocked on the door of her suite. I actually felt nervous, like I was picking her up for prom. When the door opened, the air in my lungs gushed out. For several seconds, I couldn’t breathe. I knew my jaw was hanging on the floor, but I couldn’t seem to close my mouth.
“Gorgeous,” I whispered. I was struggling to string words together to form a sentence.
She smiled. “Thank you. You look very handsome in your tux.”
I nodded. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She was stunning. The dress hugged her curves and gave her just enough sexy without being too much. She looked like a Hollywood starlet.
She was going with me, and I knew everyone was going to be looking at her. That made me both proud and preemptively jealous at the same time.
“I got you this,” I said, lacking all smoothness as I thrust the black box at her.
“What? What is this?” I watched as she opened the box and then looked up at me. “Chase, these are beautiful.”
“Emeralds. I saw them, and I thought of you. Your eyes.”
“These look really expensive,” she commented.
“Please take them,” I said. My voice was harsh. I was still struggling to get my shit together. Everything I planned to say evaporated. My idea of being cool and casual vanished. I felt like a bumbling idiot. I could barely speak coherently.
“They’re very pretty.”
“They’d look nice with the dress,” I commented.
She smiled and picked up an emerald earring. “I think you’re right. Come in for a second and I’ll put them on.”
I could tell she assumed they were borrowed for the event. They weren’t. They were hers. I would break that to her later. I wanted to see her in the jewelry I picked out for her. She returned to the living room a minute later. Seeing the emerald necklace nestled just above her cleavage gave me a strange feeling. It was like marking my territory.
