“It’s no joke. Now, you better get home and get some sleep. I expect you to be professional and not an asshole to her.”
I sighed loudly and then I headed toward the door. Before I opened it, I turned to look at Michael. “You’re going to owe me big time.”
Michael nodded and said, “Sawyer, if you bring back Aria’s family, yes, I’ll owe you big time.”
CHAPTERTWO
Taylor
As soon as I closed the door to my cabin, I doubled over with my hands on my knees to catch my breath. One of the best ways I’d found to stay in shape is by running down to the main road and then back up the hill. The dirt road is narrow and winding, and the round trip ends up being close to a mile and a half. I consider myself to be in good shape, but even so, my lungs and chest are burning by the time I get home. I blame the altitude of Vail.
It rained some overnight, and the ground hadn’t absorbed as much as I thought it would. Still bent at the waist, I glanced at my sneakers that were covered in mud and the joggers had dried mud splattered on the lower half.
“Just lovely,” I muttered as I toed off my shoes on the doormat.
I padded across the light hardwood floors in my damp socks to the kitchen and took a bottle of water out of the fridge. After a few moments of chugging down half the bottle, I headed to the main bathroom to take a shower. I turned the faucet on and closed the shower door to let the water warm up before going into my bedroom to get some comfy clothes for the day. I grabbed my favorite navy lounge pants and a cozy black fleece top from the closet, then I plucked a pair of gray panties and a black sports bra out of the dresser.
I returned to the bathroom, and steam had already covered the mirror with a sheen of condensation. I set my clean clothes on the counter and then peeled my damp running clothes off before I stepped into the shower. I took my time, savoring the warm water. As I ran the sudsy sponge over my body, I planned out my day. I thrived off plans, even if they entailed nothing.
Today I’d planned to have a lazy day. Really, I wasn’t doing anything, and I was looking forward to it. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. I worked several weeks straight and all last weekend at Michael’s party. Despite my protests about not needing time off, Michael insisted and told me to take the next few days off.
I got up early and worked out, but I needed to stay in shape. My plans included starting a fire, sitting on the couch by the fireplace with one of my new books, and sipping some coffee.
I rinsed off the sponge and returned it to the basket before turning around to face the spray of water. When the water hit directly on my sensitive nipples, I raised my hands to cup my breasts and feel their weight. My thumbs brushed over the hard points, and I pinched them and rolled them between my fingers.Hmm, maybe I’d text Dana this afternoon and see if she’s up for dinner later.
After I rinsed and dried off, I got dressed and put my hair up in a black elastic band. I cherished days like this... once I allowed myself to relax. I loved my work, but I also looked forward to days when I could unwind and relax. I liked keeping busy, though, too. Keeping busy kept my mind off old things. Being a workaholic made it difficult for me to actually settle down and relax. Deep down I was a perfectionist with a touch of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
And as far as I was concerned, there was not a thing wrong with that.
Before leaving the bedroom, I collected my book from the nightstand and stepped into my fluffy slippers. I set the book on the coffee table and went to the fireplace to start a fire. Once that was going, I made a cup of coffee.Almost time to relax.
I set the mug of coffee on a coaster on the coffee table next to my cell phone. I always kept it close just in case. I pulled the cream-colored sherpa throw over my legs and opened up the book.
“Chapter one,” I read out loud.
I was instantly enthralled in the story and was startled when my phone chimed at me. I dropped the book onto the floor and leaned over to reach my phone. My heart began to pound wildly, as if I’d been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
“Relaxing and doing nothing really isn’t good for me,” I mumbled as I looked at the screen. I frowned when I saw it was a text from Michael.Was something wrong?
I know you’re off today, but something’s come up. Please call me at your earliest convenience. Thanks.
I quickly found his contact and pressed the call button.
“Taylor.” Michael’s voice filled my ear.
“Hi, I just received your text.”
“Thanks for calling back so quickly.”
“Your message seemed like there was something urgent going on.”
“Yes, I need you for a very delicate job.” I threw the blanket off my legs and sat up straight to pay attention. “It involves going to Sweden tomorrow morning for a quick trip. Are you available?”
Was I available? I was always available for anything Michael needed.
“Of course.”
“Can you come to the hotel so I can explain the details?”
