Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) (13 page)

T
he next morning I work on figuring out retail space options in Breckenridge, partly because I’m excited and partly because I dread running into Kelly. But by ten I force myself to go to the mountain. I’m skiing with Lori, and the snow is calling.

Lori is sitting by my locker when I arrive. “Hey, have you been waiting long?”

“Nope.” She points up to an envelope taped to the metal door. My stomach sinks because I guess it’s from Kelly.

“Oh, boy.” The tape rips off the metal when I pull the envelope.

“Yeah, sorry. I heard about your fight with Kelly. It was kind of the talk around here this morning.”

“I’ll bet. I do have a flair for the dramatic.” I grin even though I’m not feeling the least bit happy. I flip the envelope over, and the paper is soft in my hand, but I don’t open it.

Lori says, “It sounds to me like you had a good reason. What happened?”

I move my gaze from the letter to her concerned face. “He thinks I’m a spoiled brat who should give away her money to live a material-free life like he does.”

She crosses her arms and leans back against blue metal. “Wow, like he knows what’s best for everyone else?”

“Thank you. I know I’m privileged. It’s just never been something I was judged for, you know?” I bite my lip and then tear open the envelope. It’s a sympathy card, and I immediately assume it was on sale because of how ugly it is and how cheap Kelly is.

When I open it there’s a generic sorry for-your-loss sentiment and handwriting. It says, “I’m sorry I killed our relationship. I do respect you. Please forgive me? Kelly”

Lori is holding a hand over her mouth and unsuccessfully trying not to laugh. It makes me break into a big smile. She says, “I’m sorry. But a sympathy card? What does it say?”

“He apologized with a bad attempt at humor.” I start chuckling and let her read it.

She hands it back to me. “It’s awful but kind of cute anyway.”

“I know. I need to apologize to him too. I wasn’t very nice.”

Lori looks down at her phone. “Want to do it sooner rather than later? Kaleb just texted asking where we were. He’s with Kelly.”

I sigh. “Let’s meet them. I should get this over with.” While my stomach is clenched over the prospect of dealing with confrontation, I can’t help but think there’s more to my discomfort than Kelly being judgmental.

A half hour later, we’re at the mid station. Walking through the two sets of doors, my nose is running and I sniff. Lori and I stand a moment to search the large lodge for the guys. She spots them first. “Over there.”

We walk over with deliberate heel-toe steps that clunk with our heavy boots. Kelly is facing us and watching me. His hair is wild-looking, as if he’s been running his fingers through it and pulling. It’s also badly in need of a cut.

He’s fiddling with the top of his water bottle. I think he really is sorry, and the chill around my heart thaws a bit. The tight shirt across his chest helps too. I say, “Hi.”

“Hi.” Kelly glances at Kaleb, and he stands.

Kaleb says, “Lori, come with me and get hot chocolate. Nika, we’ll get you one too.” He winks at me, and I flash a small smile in return.

Kelly reaches for my hand. This man sure does like to touch me. “I’m sorry. I was a real jerk yesterday.”

“I’m sorry too. I said some pretty mean things.”

Kelly shakes his head. “No, you really didn’t. You said the truth, and it stung.” He runs a hand through his hair and does pull a little before he drops it to the table with a thud. “I have an issue with rich people. The ones I’ve known have been assholes, and I let my past rule my thoughts about you.”

I pull my hand away because the warmth doesn’t feel so good anymore. “Here’s the thing. I am rich. I was before I became a model, and my success made me a lot richer. I won’t apologize for really liking it.”

I place my hands down on the table and lean in a little closer to speak quietly. “I do spend money like a spoiled brat, because I can. I’m not going to stop. I know it goes against what you believe. I get it.”

Saying it makes me realize what I want. I need to be liked, and knowing I’m always going to be fighting the rich-bitch idea he has doesn’t sound fun. I don’t want to work this out.

“It does.” He crosses his arms and sits back in his chair. “I really like you, Nika.”

I wonder if he just spent so much time wanting me last year that he’s having a hard time letting go instead of realizing we’re too different. “I like you too, Kelly, but I don’t think I’m who you need me to be.”

“Oh.” He sighs and reaches for my hand again, but I sit back.

“I have a real issue with needing to be liked. I don’t think I can handle being with someone that doesn’t approve of the way I live.” He’s about to speak, but I don’t let him. “I know you’ll try, but you shouldn’t have to.”

Pain flickers in his eyes, and it tugs at my heart. “You’re a great guy. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re pretty great yourself.” He gives me a half smile. “No hard feelings?”

I shake my head. “Nope. You taught me how to snowboard.”

He grins. “That’s me. Bringing skiers over to the dark side, one person at a time.”

Kaleb and Lori have returned, and I decide Kelly needs to say whatever he wants to save face, so I excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room.

Lori follows, and when we’re inside she asks, “So?”

“It’s fine. We apologized and decided we’re too different to be together.”

She squints her eyes at me like she doesn’t quite believe me. “You have a kind heart, Nika. And a good idea how guys work. Want me to peek out and see if he’s left yet?”

“No, I really do need to pee. He should be gone by the time I’m done.”

“Okay, I’ll see you out there.”

When I return it’s just Lori at the table. She says, “Hey, I’m hungry. Want to get lunch?”

“Yeah, I didn’t bring anything. Did you?” I rummage through my coat pocket in search of the twenty I keep just for this reason.

“I did, but I want something bad for me, like chicken tenders.” She places a squashed sandwich on the table that makes me grimace.

I pinch the corner of the plastic bag with two fingers as if it’s moldy. “Nice.” I throw it in the garbage can not far from us. “Let’s go see what kind of food trouble we can get into.”

We return with fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, cookies, and two diet colas. The greasy smell is so tempting the both of us are gorging on fries before we even sit. Lori says, “I’ll regret this later when I have a stomach ache, but it tastes so darn good.”

“Um-hmm.” I swallow my mouthful and sigh. “Only orgasms are better than this.” As soon as the words leave my mouth I see that familiar look of Lori stifling a laugh. “Shit. I’m not sure I want to know who’s behind me.”

Hands land on my shoulders, and Christian’s baritone voice caresses me softly. “Perhaps I need to start making your lunch if you think this compares to orgasms.”

I close my eyes and take it. Besides, I’m reveling a little in his touch. Lori asks, “How’s training?”

“Not bad. I’m not the bad-form poster boy, so that’s a relief.”

He pulls a chair over and sits down. Taking an onion ring from my plate, he drags it through ketchup. “I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you might spend the day crafting your business plan.”

“Oh, the thought occurred to me, but I had something to take care of.”

His eyebrows raise in question, but before I can explain Lori asks, “Business plan?”

“Yeah. We were talking last night, and I’m thinking about opening a women’s clothing shop.”

She squeals. “Oh, my God, that’s perfect for you! Tell me it’s going to be all that really expensive stuff—and cool cowboy boots, really cool cowboy boots.”

I chuckle and Christians says, “You know her pretty well.”

She says, “I’ll work for you. You don’t even have to pay me, just trade out.” Her eyes get big. “Wait until Casey hears. You’ll have an entire workforce of friends if you want.”

Her excitement is all I need to start sharing my ideas. Remembering how great she was at reorganizing the Kids’ Castle with me, it makes me think she’d be a good person to pull on board with this project.

Christian listens to us with interest but interrupts a few minutes in. “Gotta go, but I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yes, I’m cooking.”

“Looking forward to it.” He winks and walks away.

Lori cocks her head at me. “Hmm. I don’t suppose cutting Kelly loose had anything to do with your sexy houseguest, did it?”

“What? No.” She gives me a look of disbelief. “Wait. Why?”

“It’s just—I see a little something there, that’s all.”

“Well he does have a way of getting me flustered. The man is an insufferable flirt.”

She shakes her head. “I wasn’t talking about you.”

“Oh.” Christian gives off the vibe that he’s into me? Well, well, well. That makes my ego puff up and beam with pride.

I smile and Lori says, “Uh-huh. I thought you might like that. C’mon, let’s go burn off some of these calories.”

Chapter 21

Ch
ristian just left for his last day of training, and I’m working on my third cup of coffee and pouring over spreadsheets of numbers before I ask for his help. I can’t explain why, but I want to make sure I’ve done all I can and impress him with the brain that exists in my head.

I realize I’m in the fortunate position of having money to risk without it making much of an impact on my life, and I’m grateful. But I don’t want that luxury to let me be sloppy. No, I want to do more than succeed with this business. I have long-term plans to open multiple shops in the Rocky Mountain ski areas and crush this.

My phone rings, and I take the call from my favorite real estate agent, Gerry Jones. An older man that enjoys life’s pleasures, and looks like it, he’s charming in a jovial way.

“Good morning, Gerry. How are you today?”

“Very well, Dannika, very well. I’ve got a list of properties to show you and will e-mail you the information. As you know, downtown space is tough, but we may find you something to tide you over until prime spots open up. I was calling to schedule time to look at them.”

“Fantastic. I’m hoping we can have lunch too.” I know over a martini he’ll open up, and my goal is to get the gossip on local businesses that are struggling as well as who owns the properties. It’s a bit cutthroat, but I want to swoop in and get the lease before someone else does, and I’ll play the networking game to do it.

“Of course. Now let’s pick a date.”

After I get off the phone, I wonder if maybe I should invite Christian to come. Negotiations are his specialty, and I could use his help with nabbing the right lease.

I pick up my phone to text him and go through the texts I noticed when I took Gerry’s call. It looks like there’s a plan forming for going out tomorrow night. I text Christian before taking the time to reply to the group text among Megan, Casey, Lori, and me.

“Could you lend me your expertise for lunch next Tuesday?”

While I know work starts next week, not much happens, and the new guys don’t get a lesson unless they really want it. I’m pretty sure making money isn’t one of Christian’s concerns.

I’m still in my pajamas, but I don’t feel like a slacker considering what I’ve accomplished this morning. I tuck my bare feet under me as I plop down on the couch. He texts back quickly, and I guess he’s eating lunch.
“Yes. I’ll let you know for sure after I ask for it off. Do I get to talk money?”

Awesome.
“Oh, it’s much better than that. We’re digging for leases to steal.”

“Yes! I can break out my black leather.”

I chuckle, but when I imagine his butt and thighs in tight leather pants, my body heats up. I text back.
“I might need to assess this fashion choice first.”
I look down at the dogs gathering around me in my excitement. “Hang tight guys, we’ll go for our run in a bit.”

Christian replies.
“Are you asking me for a show?”

“I believe I am.”
I’m being shameless, but after what Lori said to me about him being interested, I feel quite brave.

He leaves me hanging without a reply, and I assume he had to go back to training. My mind flirts briefly with the idea that I went too far, but then I remember this is Christian, the guy that flirts like people drink water.