“Do you like running the business side of the lodge?”
He huffs out a big breath. He should tell her it’s fine, that they are doing well, and he likes his job. But this is his mate, he can’t lie.
“We have about six months before we close for good. It’s...when my parents ran it, we were packed all the time. Bookings out for months. But when my dad was killed, things changed. No one wanted to come anymore. I’m not that great with advertising, and nothing I’ve tried has worked. Staying open loses us money every day. There are actually two guys here from a development group who want to buy the land.” He huffs out a strangled laugh.
“Is that good?”
“No. Even if the lodge fails, my brothers and I would stay. They offered us five million, but the land alone is worth way more than that. The town is even on some of it, which means the company would own part of the town. It’s not...it would be bad.”
“What do they want it for?”
“Not sure. When I found out why they were here, that was the first question I asked. They’re staying as guests while they ‘look over’ what we have to offer. It’s insulting.”
“Why not ask them to leave? Kick them out?”
He picks at the blanket in front of him, not wanting to tell the truth. “We need the money from their stay. Pathetic, isn’t it?”
She reaches out and touches his arm. He looks at her and only finds kindness and warmth in her gaze. His heart beats a little faster in his chest.
“No, it’s not pathetic. Needing business isn’t pathetic.” She removes her hand from his arm, and he wants her to bring it back. He can still feel thewarmth there.
“I can help, let me help. I’m an accountant, and I can take a look at your books. See if there are areas where you can save some money.”
“That’s ok, I don’t want to trouble you. We already have someone, Maury. He takes care of the things I can’t do.”
“Please?” she asks. Her eyes plead with him, and of course, with those eyes, he would let her do anything she wanted.
He nods his head yes, “thank you Chloe.”
Chapter Twelve
Chloe
They agreed she would look over his books the next day. The sun is already on its way down, and she can’t believe she spent the whole day with Axel. The breeze had picked up as they were packing up, and he took off his flannel and draped it around her shoulders. She slipped it on and reveled in the masculine scent it held. Woodsmoke and pine and spice. She wanted to roll around in it.
Giving her his flannel shirt left him in a tight black t-shirt. She asked if he would be cold, but he assured her he ran hot. He sure did, that’s for damn sure. She never had a man this attractive pay her any attention. In New York City, there were always attractive men walking around, self-proclaimed models, and God’s gift to women. But Axel’s still the most attractive person she’s ever seen. Even more attractive since he is incredibly kind and looks at her like she’s special.
When they arrive back at the lodge, the sun is gone and the stables are lit up by warm lights.He helps her down and sets her horse back in its stall. She appreciates the way his hands don’t really linger on her when he helps her off the horse. Don’t get her wrong, she would love for his hands to roam over her whole body. But he touches her gently, reverently, and then removes his hands like he respects her greatly. No man has ever touched her like that, and she loves it.
Chloe waits for him to finish putting the saddles away, figuring they can walk back to the lodge together. He surprises her by coming up quickly and quietly. His eyes lock on hers and search her face. She knows she’s smiling at him, and he smiles softly back at her.
“I had a lovely day with you, Chloe.”
“Me too,” she all but whispers her response, but she knows he heard her because of the way his smile gets a little bigger.
“I’d like to spend more time with you while you’re here.”
“I’d...I’d like that too.” Her face is getting red, and she hopes he can’t see from the stable light.
“Can I kiss you?” he asks. He is so earnest and kind in his request that she can’t help but lean towards him. He cups her cheek softly and kisses her one, two, three times before he pulls back. Gentle, chaste kisses that leave her wanting more. She keeps her eyes closed, not wanting to break this wonderful moment.
When she opens her eyes, his large hand is still on her face, thumb sweeping backwards and forwards over her cheekbone. She leans forward and kisses him again. His other arm slides around her waist, pulling her to him. She’s on her tiptoes, and he leans down, the kiss is long and sweet. No tongue, but more thanchaste. She’s never been kissed like this, like she was precious.
He pulls back first and nuzzles her neck, breathing her in deeply like he can’t get enough. She doesn’t want the moment to end. She wants him to keep kissing her under the moonlight. To take off her clothes and lie her down in the soft grass. But he kisses her one last time on the temple and takes her hand, pulling her towards the lodge.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he tells her inside the front of the lodge. He ushers her towards the dining room, and she watches him head towards the front desk, where Gunner is.
Danielle is in the dining room, already halfway done with her meal and playing on her phone.
