“I just figured since he’s VIP and all…”
“No. If that’s what he needed, I don’t have a problem with that.” But she looks torn.
“What?” She’s not entirely happy.
“Be careful, Charlie.” It takes a lot for her to sound this serious. “You read the file. This man literally charms the pants off women.”
Yesterday I might have laughed at this. In fact, yesterday, I had. But today. After spending a few hours in his company… I pick up the report and fan myself. I can’t help thinking he’s a problem. A problem that messed with my sleep.
But I’m at work. He’s a guest. “I’ll make him an itinerary. He’s a little…lost up here.” I don’t want to say any more than that but it’s my job to ensure guests keep busy, or not, whichever they need.
I’m not sure what he needs yet.
She slides me a suspicious glance. “I trust your judgment. Have you seen the invoice from Whitewater Outfitters?” She’s moved on to new business already. I locate the invoice for her, and she drifts back into her office.
It’s a busy morning. A large party checking out requires most of my attention. When I close them out and finally glance up from my computer, I hear the doors whoosh open; I don’t need to look up. I feel him.
Another day’s worth of stubble only accentuates his chiseled features.
Sauntering over to my desk, he traps me in his gaze. Our eyes lock for all of ten seconds before he lowers himself into the same seat he had yesterday. “Hey.” He looks like he just took a shower. The hair sticking out from under his cap is wet and curling but he smells fresh and masculine. Manly.
Freakishly intoxicating.
“Hey.” I open my notebook. “I’m glad you came by. Still bored?”
He’s drumming his fingers on the armrests. Although not as bad as yesterday, that tension, that unsettled feeling, lands on my shoulders.
He shrugs. “I found the weight room.” His words draw my attention to his arms and chest. Lean, sinewy. I press my knees together. Don’t imagine him shirtless.
I clear my throat. “Up for trying something new today?”
His eyes narrow at me. “What’d ya have in mind?”
I slide a printed schedule toward him and his eyebrows raise.
“I’ve been thinking about you,” I say. And then I realize what that sounds like. “Um, and what activities you might like to try out.” A series of activities played out in a bedroom come to mind, and I decide to stop talking.
A devilish grin appears, and he winks. “Now you’re talking.” But then he looks down at the paper I’ve given him.
“Massage? From you?”
I shake my head. “From Cora. She’s great.”
“Not interested… Archery? Are you serious?”
I lick my lips. “Have you ever tried archery?” He takes a pencil from the cup on my desk and crosses it out. Didn’t this man go to summer camp?
“A Yoga class. Do you teach it?”
I roll my eyes. “I used to teach it, but–”
“Not since you got knocked up.” He shakes his head mournfully and hovers the pencil over it. “Unless I can have a private session?”
I can’t help but wonder if he’s serious. I’m sure Teri would approve it, but…
I rub the back of my neck. This is dangerous. Being alone with him. Except I keep forgetting. I’m fricking huge. What can possibly happen? “Maybe.” Perhaps I can work this to my advantage. “If you do two of the other activities on my list.”
He reclines in his chair, crosses his arms and just stares at me. I force myself to hold his gaze even though it feels like he’s reading my soul.
