Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Walking up the wooden stairs in Fallon’s shop, I smile to myself as I remember a year ago and how much I never thought I’d see him again. Now, here we are, sharing a dinner table. Although, we never eat at it. When we find ourselves at home, and alone, I’m usually sitting on the counter with him standing between my legs, both of us taking bites between conversation and laughing and kisses.
I move toward the small conference room, seeing him through the glass. He sits at an oval table, facing me with Mr. Bassett across from him, his back to me.
“I understand what you’re saying,” I hear Bassett tell Lucas, “but we’ve owned those hills for two generations. You understand our hesitance to change something that suits us so well?”
Lucas lifts his eyes to me, and I see a gleam rise.
“I do.” He focuses back on his hopeful partner. “And I will not encourage you to sign a contract until it’s exactly what you want. I’m interested in doing what it takes to ensure you’re not only comfortable, but excited.”
Lucas has been helping Fallon here when he can, but Weston has kept him more than occupied. He started off with an office above Samson Fletcher’s barber shop, and now he and the town have cleaned up their City Hall enough to where the entire first floor can be used. There’s a food bank, a shelter, a small market has reopened downtown, and a bank will open in the spring. Still no police, and I worry Farrow is getting in his way. It’s baffling to watch them. They argue, but they do it while working out at the gym together.
There are still months of snow, though, so not much else can be done right now except planning his resort that he wants to build right next to Pine Tree Peak, the local slopes.
“Right now, you’ve got some hills,” Lucas explains, “and a grab-and-go eatery, and locals frequent your place because there are no other options.”
I stare at his relaxed posture in his chair, his ankle resting over the other knee. I love him out of clothes, and I love him in clothes. He’s just as hot in snow gear as he is in my shower.
I pinch the zipper of my ski jacket.
“When I build Summit Falls,” he goes on, “I don’t want to take business away from you. My goal is that it will bring in more.”
Pulling the zipper down, I watch as his gaze rises and feel the cool air touch the naked skin underneath my jacket. No shirt. No bra. No fear.
His lips part, and I grip the jacket, ready to close it if his guest turns around.
“I…” he stammers and clears his throat. “I understand being apprehensive about change.” He darts his eyes to Bassett, then to me, and back to Bassett, trying to fight the smile wanting to escape him. “You’re happy with the way things are. But is everyone else? This means more employment, conservation, enrichment for youth, more options for entertainment for local families…”
I open my jacket, flashing him, and his eyes widen. He can’t control it. He laughs nervously and bows his head, coughing to try to deflect. I hold it open, chills spreading over my skin every second his guest doesn’t turn around.
Lucas rubs his hand across the back of his neck, and my face is hot. My body is hot. Everything is hot.
“All right.” Mr. Bassett picks up the VR headset. “Show me this thingy again.”
They both stand up, and Lucas throws me a glare like the ones I get when I’m about to be given chores that make me sweat in ways I love.
“Who knew you were going to be the naughtiest?” a voice says next to me.
I slam my jacket closed, turning my head to see Aro on my right side and then Isobel on my left. Shit.
“It’s always the quiet ones,” Isobel muses, popping an almond into her mouth.
Lucas’s Dubai assistant has been here for a month, helping him plan the resort and find investors while she studies under Fallon. She heads back to Dubai in six weeks, but I’m hoping she visits often. I can understand this town is a step down from what she’s used to, but she’s worked with Lucas for years and can anticipate him. It’ll just be a hassle for him to train someone else.
Aro’s been assisting him in Weston as an “unofficial consultant,” meaning she gives him the inside information when Farrow withholds it.
I zip up my jacket, pushing the two of them back down the stairs and leaving him to work in peace.
An hour later, Isobel and Aro sit on a ski lift with Dylan and cruise over my head as I sit in the icy snow on Pine Tree Peak. Looking behind me, I see Lucas ride his snowboard, leaning back and expertly curving over to me where I’d fallen off to the side. Snow flies up as he skids to a halt.