And thus, Operation Triple-S (Seduce Sierra to Stay) is born.
I spend the next hour developing Operation Triple-S, about what would make Sierra happy. Even though it’s been years since we were together, I feel I know her so well, and I am going to use that to my advantage. First part, the easy wins. Excitement, adventure. Sex. I would show her how much fun I can provide her.
Then there are the deeper needs, which will be a little trickier and take longer to accomplish. But once I snare her with these, she’ll realize that Sagebrush is the best place for her, with me.
First, romantic love. My wooing will have to be subtle—not my strong suit—but I can make that happen.
Second, though she’d deny it, she needs a family connection. I remember how much she loved spending time with my mom,how envious she’d get of my sibling relationships growing up. I can persuade her to reconnect with my family to fulfill that need.
Third, community. She talks so much about how much she wishes she fit better with the climbing community, and I remember all the affection she used to have for Sagebrush and the people here before she ran away. I know that’s what she’s been searching for, even ifshedoesn’t realize that. It might take a little bullying, but once she sees that people don’t view her the way she fears they do, she’ll let her guard down with them again.
For the first part of Operation Triple-S, I go for an easy win. Adventure. And that leads to one of the best perks of being with me.
“Let’s go caving,” I tell her when she finally opens her eyes and blinks blearily at me.
Her eyes widen. “Oh, no, did I sleep over? Sorry about that.”
I don’t justify that with a response. My heart twinges when she immediately pulls away from me to stretch. I resist the urge to pull her back to me.
“Don’t we have to work today?” she yawns.
“You’re now an employee of Compass Mountain Tours. You should have the whole experience.” I grin. “Well, apart from being locked in overnight.”
“That’s the platinum employee-level experience,” she says solemnly. “Hopefully, someday the others can reach my level.”
“If they’re lucky,” I agree. “So what do you say? There are no deep caving tours scheduled today, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
“I get my own private tour?” she says with a teasing smile.
“Yep, I’m all yours.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” Too much.
Sierra doesn’t have much in terms of a proper caving outfit, so I lend her some of my clothes.
“How do I look?” she asks with a silly grin when she reappears from her room. She looks a little like a kid playing dress-up, the oversized cargo pants cuffed and baggy around her ankles, the seat of the pants ballooning around her hips. She’s tucked the shirt into her waistband, cinched tight with her belt, but there are still thick pleats around her waist.
“You look…cute,” I decide.
She gives me a mock look of outrage. “Not stylish? I was hoping to start a new fashion trend.”
I click my tongue. “Maybe stick to what you know.”
She gasps and slaps my chest playfully, and I catch her hand in mine. I can’t help pulling her toward me for a long, lingering kiss.
“Don’t get distracted,” she murmurs against my lips. “You promised me a caving adventure.”
I drive us to Compass Mountain, where we stop briefly by the office to grab some helmets, headlamps, and gloves. Then we head to Blackstone Cave.
I unlock the gate and make a big show of zipping the keys into my pocket.
Sierra grins at me. “Not looking for another overnight stay, huh?”
“As much fun as it was, we’d be much more comfortable having a sleepover in my bed at home. In fact, let’s do that later.”
She laughs, not taking the bait.
