Goodbye Gifts: (The Steamy Version) (A 'HOT' Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Book 5) (7 page)

“Aw, you didn’t have to dress up for me,” Dylan said with a smirk.

Trent took his jacket off and slung it across the back of the chair. “Okay, smart ass. I didn’t have time to go back to the apartment to change. Man, I’m not going to miss that staff accommodation,” he said. Trent took a deep pull of his beer. “I can’t wait until I can move into my own suite at the Springs. Please tell me the construction is almost finished.”

“It is,” Dylan said. “Don’t worry about any of that. I told you I’d handle it.” He didn’t bother adding that he’d need the Braxton investment dollars if he was going to get the resort finished as planned. Trent knew things were tight, but he had no idea just how tight things were. And there wasn’t any point worrying him about it. “So, were the Braxtons happy with the proposal?”

“They seemed to be.” He put his half-empty beer down. “I’m going to need another one of these.”

Dylan waved over the waitress again. “Sorry to bother you,” he said. “But my brother here would like another beer.”

The waitress bent low in front of Dylan, in a move that was not lost on him. “How about you?” she purred.

It took Dylan a moment to register the shift in the girl. She hadn’t flirted at all with him while Carmen was sitting there; in fact, he'd hardly noticed her. But maybe, thinking back on it, she’d given him a few signals after Carmen had left, but either he was really out of practice, or just completely clueless since he hadn’t picked up on it. It was probably the latter. “Sure,” he said cautiously. “I’ll have another.”

“Coming right up.” She backed away and winked before turning and wiggling her hips all the way to the bar.

Trent let out a low whistle. “Looks like someone has an admirer,” he said.

“I’m not interested.”

“You’re kidding, right? That’s Jessica, and I have it on good authority that she—“

“Doesn’t matter. I’m not interested.” Dylan held up a hand to ward off his brother’s explanations on what exactly made Jessica so special. “I don’t have time to date,” he said. He flashed back to Carmen and the conversation they'd had about their non-date. If she gave him the chance, he may have to reconsider his policy.

But hadn't he already? Dylan rolled the beer bottle between his hands and remembered the way she'd smiled when he handed her the flower and chocolates. Her face lit up with the goofy gifts. The distinctly first-date gifts. Things with Carmen were becoming way too complicated for a situation that was supposed to be simple. But complicated or not, he couldn’t help himself. He wanted to spend more time with her. He just had to convince her of that.

“Earth to Dylan.” Trent waved a hand in front of his face. “Hello.”

“What? I was just thinking.”

“About Jessica?”

“No.” Dylan tipped his beer back, draining it.

“Whatever,” Trent said, dismissing him. “Did you secure Carmen?”

Dylan sat up and put both hands on the table. “Pardon me?”

“Whoa, calm down.” Trent held up both hands and raised his eyebrows as if his brother had totally lost his mind. “I meant did you secure her for the Springs. Weren’t you supposed to be taking care of that for me tonight? You did say you’d ask her, didn’t you?”

Embarrassed, Dylan looked down at the tablecloth and fidgeted with the coffee spoon.

“You did ask her, didn’t you, Dyl?”

“Not really.”

“Not really? What the hell does that mean?”

“I didn’t have a chance.”

“Over dinner? You didn’t have a chance to ask a simple question?"

“We were busy talking about other things."

“Oh,” Trent said, dragging out the word. “I see what’s happening here.”

“No you don’t.”

“Oh, yes I do.” Trent sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You like her.”

Dylan matched his posture, but couldn’t find the words to protest the truth. Instead, he stared at his older brother, challenging him to look away first.

Jessica returned with two new beers. She sat them down in front of the men, raised her eyebrows and retreated without saying anything.

After a minute, Trent shook his head. “There's nothing wrong with that,” he said. “As long as you know it's not going to last."

"I thought you wanted me to go out with her." Dylan eyed his brother suspiciously. "And that's all we're doing."

"That's good," Trent said and took a swig of his beer. "Because you're right, I did want you to go out. I wanted you to have a little fun, stop working for a few minutes. Have a fling. That's why I suggested Carmen. She doesn't date. I thought maybe she'd be interested in a fling too."

"I don't do flings."

"Well, you don't do relationships."

Dylan picked up his beer and examined the table. "Neither of us does,” he said quietly.

"And for good reason, little brother. I taught you well."

"You taught me something alright." Dylan rolled his eyes when his brother wasn't looking but he couldn't stop thinking about what Trent had just said. He suggested Carmen? What did that mean? Carmen had asked him out.

Trent narrowed his eyes and regarded his brother. “Why do I get the impression there’s more to this? You like her, don't you?”

“Trent," Dylan warned.

“That's it, isn't it? You like her." Trent slammed his beer down on the table. "Leave it to you to screw up a fling."

"It's not a fling and—“

"But you like her."

“Drop it,” Dylan growled.

Trent opened his mouth to say more, and for a moment, Dylan thought he might have to remind his brother that although he might be older, he was not stronger. Wisely, Trent shut his mouth and opted for another taste of his beer.

“I’ve gotta go,” Dylan said. He abruptly pushed away from the table and stood. The room was too hot to sit in. He had to move, had to get some fresh air and clear his head. He had too much going on to let his thoughts get clouded by a woman.

“You invited me.”

Dylan didn’t bother arguing with him. He threw some money on the table and left. Without thinking about where he was going, he walked to the end of the corridor, and straight out the doors into what looked to be a bricked courtyard area. He hadn’t had time to explore the Lodge fully, and who was he kidding, he still hoped Carmen would be able to show him around. In fact, he’d looked forward to the prospect of seeing the sights with a beautiful woman by his side. Trent didn’t need to know what he may or may not be feeling towards Carmen. Especially since Dylan couldn't figure it out himself.

The courtyard was lit with only a few lanterns hanging from the trees. His eyes adjusted to the dim light and he started walking. The space held a few benches and tables that looked like they’d been put there for picnics or card games among the guests. As he walked, the space narrowed into a path that led to a pond, with a rocky waterfall at one end. It was just far enough away from the main lodge to be quiet, and he could only barely see the lights from the main building, but the few lanterns there were provided enough glow that he wasn’t sitting in complete darkness.

He picked his way up the rocks, to a flat boulder where he could sit close to the water but not get wet. The sound of the water flowing over the stones into the pool below soothed him, as he was sure it was intended to do. Dylan leaned back on his hands and gazed up at the stars that covered the night sky in a splatter. The only other place he’d seen such a display was in Cedar Springs.

There were a lot of similarities to the two places, but as much as he was enjoying Castle Mountain Lodge, Dylan pictured the Springs differently. It would be more serene, with a spa-like atmosphere. The environment would promote healing, both spiritual and physical. It would be a focus on the individual self, not the way the Lodge focused on couples. The perfect place for a man who avoided relationships.

From everything Trent had told him, Castle Mountain was gaining a reputation for love. More and more weddings were being booked, and couples were escaping to the mountains to rekindle the spark that daily life may have eroded. And he’d heard his share of stories about love discovered at the Lodge, too. So why hadn’t Carmen found love? The thought popped into his head before he knew it.

He ran one hand through his hair and tried to focus again on the Springs, but it was no use. Carmen occupied his every thought. Her piercing eyes that held so much depth. He wanted to know everything she was thinking. Every guarded secret she held. Never had a woman captivated him so completely. He wanted to know more. No, he needed to know more.

Dylan picked up a loose pebble and tossed it into the water. Up until an hour ago, he'd actually thought he might be able to have that chance. Even if it was a purely platonic relationship and she allowed him to take her up on her original offer to show him around, he'd take it. After all, he wasn't lying when he'd told Trent he didn't do flings. He didn't. For him, it was all or nothing with women, which is why it was almost always nothing. He picked up another pebble and threw it in, watching the ripples along the water. The problem was, every time he was within a foot of Carmen, all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and claim her mouth with his. And that was hardly platonic.

CHAPTER FIVE

Carmen put a cup of coffee in front of Morgan and slipped in to her own seat across from her at the small table in the lobby. They’d claimed two wing backed chairs in a quiet corner in front of one of the windows. Far enough away from the front desk business, and yet still within sight of the door since Carmen was expecting her guests to show up within the hour. After ending their date the night before so abruptly, she’d spent all her waking hours, and even some of her sleeping ones, thinking of nothing but Dylan Harrison. And she’d only come up with one conclusion—she needed advice from a friend.

“Thank you for meeting me here,” Carmen said. “I know it would have been nicer to meet anywhere else. I feel like I spend my whole life in this room.”

Morgan laughed. “It’s a good thing it’s so beautiful in here then.” She added a packet of sugar to her coffee. “Seriously, it’s no problem. I understand.”

“If I missed my parents’ arrival, I’d never hear the end of it.” Carmen shook her head and added her own sugar. “Trust me, this is a small price to pay. And I did want to talk to you about something.”

Morgan stirred her coffee and leaned forward. “This sounds juicy,” she said. “Do tell.”

“Relax. It’s not that big of a deal.” That was a lie, Carmen thought, but didn’t say. It was a big deal; at least, for her it was. All she’d been able to think of was Dylan Harrison with his disarming smile and the way her body thrilled when he touched her.

“It wouldn’t happen to be about Trent Harrison’s little brother by chance, would it?”

Carmen did a second take at her friend, who was trying unsuccessfully not to smile. “How did you—“

“Astrid.” Morgan smiled apologetically. “She mentioned that you were going on a date. So of course I had to know all the details.”

“It wasn’t a date.”

Her friend tipped her head and raised her eyebrows. “Okay,” Carmen admitted. “It was sort of a date. But like I said, it’s no big deal.”

“By the look on your face, I’d say it’s a big deal.” Morgan took a sip of her drink. “A very big deal. Now spill.”

There was no point putting it off. After all, that was the whole point of asking Morgan to meet her. She desperately needed some sense knocked into her. She took a deep breath. “Have you met Trent’s brother yet?”

Morgan shook her head. “Up until yesterday I didn’t even know he had a brother.”

Carmen nodded. “Well, he does. Obviously. Anyway, he’s here right now for some business meetings for that new resort they’re opening.”

“Oh yes,” Morgan said. “I do remember Bo saying something about that. They’re developing some hot springs or something.”

“That’s it.” Carmen tasted her coffee, trying to calm herself. “And as you’ve heard, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Dylan.” That was putting it mildly, she thought. “He’s very…nice.”

“Nice?” Morgan raised her eyebrows.

“And handsome.”

“Ahh, and there it is,” Morgan said, with a smile. “The real reason for our little coffee date today.”

Carmen dropped her head into her hands. “Yes. It’s terrible.”

Morgan had been taking a sip of her own coffee and for a second, Carmen thought her friend might choke on it. She sat up in her chair and waited while Morgan got a hold of herself. “Terrible?” Morgan repeated, when she regained control. “Why on earth would meeting a handsome man be terrible? It’s about time you met someone.”

“Because I’ve told you a million times, I don’t want a relationship.” Carmen stared at her friend as if she had suddenly sprouted a tail. “Seriously, do you ever listen to me?”

Morgan waved a hand in Carmen’s direction. “Cut it out. You know I listen to you. Now tell me what’s really going on. And you better make it quick, because if your parents show up, I get the feeling you won’t really feel like sharing this bit of information with them, too.”

“Ugh.” Carmen dropped her head to the table. “My parents are a whole separate problem.” She sat up. “But I really can’t think about that right now. I need your help with Dylan.” Morgan made a motion with her hand that basically told Carmen to spit it out. “I think I like him.”

“And that’s a problem, how?”

Carmen closed her eyes for a moment, debating on how much she should tell her friend about Trent’s offer. In the end, the need to confide in someone won out.

“Well, besides the fact that I don’t have any time at all for a relationship right now, I may have agreed to go out with him as a sort of favor.”

“A sort of favor?”

Carmen leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “Trent asked me to take Dylan out as a favor. Something about him working too hard and needing to have some fun before things got crazy with the Springs. The thing is,” Carmen swallowed hard before continuing, “he kind of told me if I did it, I would have a better chance at getting the manager job.”

Morgan’s hand flew to her mouth. “He did not.”

Carmen nodded.

“Like a prostitute?”

“Oh my God, Morgan. No!” She took a quick look around to see if anyone had overheard. She lowered her voice and added, “It’s not like that at all. Trent just asked me to take him out. Show him around the Lodge a little.”