Mountain grump, p.3
Mountain Grump, page 3
That could be why I tripped over my own two feet. I was glancing over my shoulder. I thought I saw him in the hallway, but I was mistaken. It was someone else in blue jeans and a dark-gray T-shirt.
The man is absolutely sinful.
I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about him.
He’s arrogant.
Thickheaded.
A pain in the ass.
Even if he did carry me down the hallway and put me ever so gently down into the booth, just remembering it makes my cheeks warm, and my stomach fills with butterflies.
“Are you feeling all right, Cali? Your face is all red and flushed.”
I grab my water glass, hoping to cool myself off. “I’m fine. It’s just been a while since I’ve eaten anything.” Or gotten laid. But I leave the last thought off.
Three
Logan
I’m up early, before the sun.
“Dad.” Julianna slips into my office in her pajamas. She’s wearing oversized flannel pants and a dark-red top to go with the ensemble. Her eyes are heavy, and she’s latched on to a mug of coffee.
I could use my caffeine fix this morning.
I glance up from my paperwork, going over the numbers for the third time. I have an accountant who helps and double-checks everything, but I prefer to keep in control of the numbers because I need to know how much is coming in and going out regularly.
“Yes?” I ask as she pulls me away from my work.
“Is it okay if I invite a friend from school over today?”
A huge smile grazes my face. “I would be delighted to meet one of your friends.” Since moving here over the summer, Julianna hasn’t made a lot of friends, or if she has, she hasn’t seen them outside of class. But it’s winter break, so I’m hoping she’ll do more than just work for the resort for the next two weeks.
“Izzie’s cool, and she says she can snowboard.”
“One of her parents will need to sign a liability waiver,” I say.
“I know, Dad. You don’t have to worry. Izzie is really good on the slopes.”
“Even so, she still needs a parent or guardian’s permission and the form filled out.”
Julianna rolls her eyes and groans. “Fine. I’ll make sure she has it done.”
“And I’d like to meet her parents.”
“Oh my gosh! Why do you have to be so cringe?”
“Cringe?” I ask, shaking my head. I put my pen down and rest my hands on my desk. When did my teenage daughter become such a handful?
“Like, you know, embarrassing?”
I stand and step around the desk. “All parents are cringe when you’re fifteen.” I wrap my arms around my daughter in a hug, and she groans like it’s torture.
“Not all. Izzie’s parents are cool. Her dad works for this investigation firm. They’re like private investigators, hostage negotiators. They save people’s lives.”
I loosen my grip around Julianna. “What’s her dad’s name?”
“I don’t know. They both work for the company.”
“Well, when her mom or dad drops her off at the resort, I’d like to meet them.”
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes at me and heads out of my office.
The smell of Julianna’s coffee permeates the small space, even without her in it. I grab my empty mug and head down to the lounge.
Cali is seated across from the coffee machine, book in hand. Her dark hair frames her features, and I try to sneak by without having to say hello.
“Thanks again for helping me last night,” she says.
I glance over my shoulder as she puts her book down, a bright, sunny smile on her face.
“It was nothing.” I punch the code into the coffee machine and wait for it to brew a latte.
“Carrying me across the hallway wasn’t nothing,” she says, insisting that I acknowledge her appreciation.
“How’s your ankle this morning?” I ask. She’s got her foot up on the ottoman, but she’s not icing it.
“Better.” She lifts her pants leg to reveal an elastic bandage wrap. “I tend to be clumsy.” Her smile lights up the room, and all I want to do is sink back into the darkness of my office.
Why am I so glum? Moving was supposed to help me refocus and move past Jess, the woman who ripped out my heart when I walked in on her with another man in my bed.
I force a smile. “You should pick up a pair of flats in the shop.”
“No, thanks. I don’t need to spend on a pair of overpriced and uncomfortable shoes in your store.”
“They’re actually quite comfortable. Julianna helped pick out the women’s slippers and boots that we sell.”
“Well, then I might have to glance at them if your daughter is the one responsible for your inventory.”
She slides her foot off the ottoman and gestures for me to have a seat.
Does she think I enjoy conversing with her? I grab my latte that’s finished and consider dumping it for black coffee. There’s only so much sweetness that I can handle in one morning, and Cali wins that award.
“Sit.” Cali gestures for me to join her.
“I have work,” I say, and glance at my watch.
“You’ll always have work. Make time for your guests.”
Standing across from her, I exhale a heavy breath and sip my drink. “You should elevate your ankle. I’m not sitting.”
“Fine,” she says with an exasperated huff, and rests her ankle back on the ottoman. “Are you always this difficult?”
“Are you always this demanding?” I quip.
A wide grin captures her face. “Yes, most definitely. I realize we haven’t exactly gotten off on the right foot.” She grimaces at her words. “Can we start over?”
“It’s not any big deal,” I say.
“It is to me. Your daughter is bright and has some great ideas. She was showing me her videos on her phone, and I’m serious about wanting her to intern for me.”
“And I’m serious about not letting her waste her talent on being an influencer. I’m happy it worked out for you, but my daughter needs more structure. She can’t be chasing butterflies and marketing the next big craze to young minds.”
“Is that what you think I do?” Cali asks. Her brow pinches, and I’m sure I’ve insulted her, albeit unintentionally. She can’t help what she does for a living.
“I’ve worked with influencers before. They all tend to be young and bright-minded but think their follower count is tied to their self-worth. I don’t want that for my daughter.”
“Let me interview you, and then you can make a sound judgment on my job.”
“You’re not getting an interview,” I say, finishing the rest of my drink in one swig. “You have a better chance of shooting a video of a bear riding a snowboard downslope than me talking to you on camera.”
She quirks a grin.
She thinks I’m funny.
“I’ll get that interview, Mr. Henderson.”
I don’t bother to correct her and tell her that she won’t, over my dead body. I don’t do the media. I don’t speak to the press. I hate being the center of attention and in the spotlight.
“I have work to do,” I say, and head out of the lounge without so much as a goodbye.
I swear I can feel the heat of her stare as she watches me walk out of the room.
“Dad!” Julianna barrels into me as she rounds the corner. “I’ve been looking for you. Izzie is here with her mom.”
I follow Julianna across the hall and toward the main entrance. Izzie is a bit punk with her black leather jacket and denim skirt. She’s got thick black eyeliner that accents her blue eyes.
“Hi, I’m Logan,” I say, holding out my hand to introduce myself.
“Ariella,” the woman says, “this is my daughter, Izzie.”
“Stepdaughter,” Izzie says with a smile. “Please don’t tell us we look alike.”
I wouldn’t dream of it. The kid is punk gothic, and the woman has her hands full. I can relate. Do I need to worry that this phase might rub off on my daughter?
“Izzie mentioned that you needed me to sign a permission slip?”
I quirk a grin. “This isn’t school, but I need a parent or guardian to sign a liability waiver. It’s a requirement for all guests.”
“That’s fine. Lead the way.”
I escort her toward our check-in desk, where guests typically have to pay for a day pass. I grab the forms behind the counter, handing them to Ariella. “Are both of you joining us today?”
“No, just me,” Izzie says, and watches as her stepmom fills out the forms. “I’ve been doing this since I was a kid.”
After Ariella leaves, I ensure the girls are comfortable going out onto the slopes alone. Izzie has spent plenty of hours at the resort snowboarding, long before I owned the place. It’s a relief not to have to worry about them.
I remind both girls to stay together on the trails before heading to check on the rest of the staff.
Cali wanders into the shop, and I watch from across the hall, curious if she will have another fit regarding our prices.
I should wander back into my office and ignore the woman who has caused me nothing but a headache.
At least Julianna is distracted with her friend today and not yammering on about Cali and her social media presence. I might have to lock myself in my office and not return until that woman leaves the resort.
When she heads toward the register with a box in hand, I take that as a good sign that she’s not being belligerent with my staff.
“Do you always stand out in the hallway staring at pretty women?” Wyatt asks.
I glare at my brother. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Is it that obvious?
“Liar,” Wyatt says with a laugh. “Jules told me about your little kerfuffle with Cali Sinclair. Are you going to liquor her up and convince her to write a puff piece about this place?”
“That would be unethical,” I grumble.
“But a whole lot of fun,” Wyatt quips. “I haven’t seen you that transfixed over a girl since—well, honestly, never.”
I raise an eyebrow and turn to face him.
I don’t say it, but he does.
“Jess wasn’t the right girl for you. Yes, she gave you Julianna, but that’s it. You deserve to be happy.”
I huff at his remark. I don’t deserve anything. “Can we not talk about Jess?” Her name on my tongue makes my stomach sour.
Wyatt grins like I just took the bait. “Are you going to ask her out? Because if you’re still not interested in dating, I’d like to hook up with her.”
I growl and grab his shirt, pushing him backward several strides, and shoving him against the wall. “You’re an asshole,” I sneer.
“For liking a girl?” Wyatt asks.
“For suggesting a hookup. You don’t even know her. She could be married.”
“Jules tells me that she isn’t.”
That caught my attention. Why the hell does my daughter know the status of Cali’s love life? “Even so, my place of business isn’t a brothel. Keep your dick in your pants.”
“Wow, just because you’re not getting laid doesn’t mean you need to take it out on the rest of us.” Wyatt smirks and leans in closer. “If you wanted her for yourself, all you had to do was say as much. I’ve never seen you get jealous before, and it’s not a pretty color on you.”
“Get back to work,” I snap, and step away from him.
Cali’s soft footsteps trail closer as I turn around and see her coming toward me. “Are you always such a grump to all your employees?”
Wyatt glances back over his shoulder, catching part of the conversation, and I glare at him to keep moving.
“That employee is my brother,” I mutter.
“Oh wow.” Cali’s eyes light up. “Is he part owner, too?”
If she goes after him for an interview and he accepts, I’ll put him on toilet duty indefinitely.
“No. He works for me.” I clear my throat and change the direction of the conversation away from her interest in Wyatt. “New shoes?”
She’s donning fur-lined boots. They’re flats, which should keep her from another injury. They’re beige and fashionable. Nothing she can wear on the slopes, but I don’t expect her to go out anytime soon after her recent ankle injury.
“I took your advice and bought myself a pair. I also used your discount.”
“My what?”
“You know, the sleeping with the boss discount?” She smirks and winks at me before turning and heading down the hallway.
My jaw hangs open, and it takes a minute for me to catch up with her. I’m stunned by her remark. “We didn’t sleep together. Did you hit your head?” I quip as I catch up to her.
“No, but I got a nice discount.” Cali’s smile is bright. “And your employee behind the register felt super bad for me. Apparently, you’re a grump to all your employees.”
“That isn’t true.” Why is this woman tormenting me? Did Wyatt put her up to it? Maybe he hired her to show up at the resort to make my life hell. I wouldn’t put it past him, trying to get me laid and to move on.
“Don’t believe it? Go ask him,” she says. Cali is all smiles, and somehow, my grumpy disposition does nothing to affect her. Like she’s immune to me. It’s probably for the best. I’d ruin her if given a chance.
“I don’t need to ask him anything. If you keep the shenanigans up, I will have to ask you to leave the resort.”
“You can’t kick me out. If you do, I’ll make sure to create the most scathing review for your resort. It’ll destroy you.”
The woman is threatening me. I’m appalled that she thinks she has the power to take me down. “Good luck trying to get anyone to read your little blog.”
“You really don’t know who I am,” Cali says.
“Am I supposed to?” I ask. Julianna mentioned it yesterday, but I can’t remember or care.
She smiles, tight-lipped, but doesn’t say anything further. “It doesn’t matter.” She wanders down the hall, and it’s impossible not to stare at her perfect ass as she sways her hips.
I swear she’s doing it to steal my attention, and it’s working. I need to stay away from her. She’s a distraction with the kind of body that would fit perfectly with mine, pinning her under me, showing her who is in charge.
I'll bet she moans loudly when she comes, sweat coating every inch of her naked skin, head tilted back, eyes closed.
I can’t let her affect me and get inside my head. Sleeping with her isn’t appropriate. She’s a guest, and I run the resort. That’s the last type of review I need showing up anywhere: Handsome Billionaire Bachelor gives private tours at the Blue Sky Resort. Expect your panties to be twisted in a knot as he ties you up and rails you off the slopes.
Cali breezes past the equipment rental desk that Wyatt is managing. He smiles at her, and I want to growl at him for even paying attention to her.
She’s mine.
Four
Cali
I didn’t actually tell the kid at the checkout counter that I’m sleeping with Logan, but I did ask if there’s a friends and family discount.
For the record, there wasn’t.
The shoes blow out my budget until my next paycheck, but this time it’s something I need to splurge on. I can’t risk another ankle injury, and I have a tendency to roll my ankles in heels.
Why the hell did I think it was wise to wear heels to a ski resort?
My phone buzzes as I head back to my room to unload my heels. I glance at the caller. It’s Bridget, my boss.
She’s probably calling to check up on the status of my interview. I haven’t posted anything online since arriving, which is not good. She likes our accounts to be active, and since we typically post multiple times per day, my ignoring social media doesn’t do us any favors.
“Hello,” I answer, biting down on my bottom lip.
“Cali, how is it going? I haven’t seen any online activity from you.”
She gets right to the point. I rub my eyes. I’d rather lie down and nap than go in front of the camera right now and make a video. And Logan isn’t going to let me film him. At least not willingly.
And his daughter is underage. While I’d love to have her help me, I can’t put her on camera without his permission. We don’t want to get sued.
“I’ve been trying to make contact with the owner.”
“Logan Henderson?” Bridget asks. “Is he that hard to find?”
“Oh, he’s constantly underfoot,” I say a little too loudly.
“What’s that, Cali?”
I grimace and inhale a deep breath.
Exhale.
I try to regroup my thoughts before I end up fired. “Logan is great. He’s just not interested in interviewing with us or anyone else.”
“I don’t care how you get the interview, but I didn’t send you to the resort for a free vacation. Do your job.”
I roll my eyes, grateful she can’t see my expression. “I am doing what I can to get in with Mr. Henderson. At the moment, I’m working an angle.”
“What kind of angle?” Bridget perks up at the sound of me working and gathering information.
“He has a daughter. She’s fifteen and knows who I am.”
“Interesting.” I swear there’s a smirk adorning her face. “Use it. Is he single?”
“I don’t know.” I didn’t notice a wedding band, but that doesn’t mean he’s not attached. I keep my mouth shut about the shoe incident earlier at the store. And how I told Logan that I informed the clerk I should get the shoes for free because I was sleeping with the owner.
Not my finest moment.
I was trying to flirt with him. The man is gorgeous, with dark ink on his arms and a brooding personality. I can’t help but imagine what it must be like to be dominated by him in the bedroom. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would go slow or be gentle.
