by Krista Lakes
The phone continued to buzz and he continued to ignore it as he focused on speed and taking the turns. He pushed harder, taking the icy turns just a little bit faster. The car slid, but he stayed in control.
He was on vacation now and there was no way he was going to let anyone ruin that for him.
It had been a rough month. He needed this.
He took the corner and the ski resort came into view. It was only then that he stopped driving like a madman. Blue Aspen Resort and Spa was one of his favorite places to ski. He’d skied nearly every continent, yet Blue Aspen Resort always felt like home. He loved the powder on the mountain and the warmth of the hot springs. Just driving up and seeing the resort entrance lowered his blood pressure.
Nathan swung his Ferrari into the valet parking and stepped out. The sun had set and the snow was coming down in big fat flakes that stuck to his hair. He took a deep breath in of icy air and smiled.
The two SUVs squealed into the valet line behind him. From the passenger side came a very large, and very angry looking man. He looked a little pale and clammy.
“Told you the Ferrari would handle just fine,” Nathan told the man with a shrug, striking a nonchalant pose leaning against his car.
Gregory glared at Nathan as he approached. “That was not fun.”
“Hal’s an excellent driver. He managed that pass like a champ.” Nathan couldn’t help but grin. He’d pushed his Ferrari to the limit on speed through the mountain pass. The two SUVs with his personal security had struggled to keep up.
Gregory stood in front of Nathan, glaring down. Nathan wasn’t a short man, but standing next to Gregory, he certainly felt like one. Gregory was nearly seven feet of pure muscle and strength. Nathan was fairly sure Gregory could kill a man with a single finger. Special Forces tended to teach those kinds of skills.
“You ride with Hal next time then,” Gregory told him. “That was awful. I hate it when you drive like that.”
Nathan grinned up at his bodyguard. “You said the Ferrari couldn’t handle it. I just needed to show you that it could.”
“No, you just wanted to push the limits,” Gregory replied. He shook his head like a tired parent. He sighed. “You need a coat.”
Nathan chuckled and reached into the car. He pulled out a long wool peacoat and slid it over his shoulders. “Happy?”
Gregory didn’t look amused.
“Let’s go check in,” Nathan said with a grin. He tossed his keys to the valet and headed inside. This was on of the few places that Gregory let him lead. The security risk was low here. It was another perk of staying in Blue Aspen. They were used to keeping celebrities and wealthy patrons safe and comfortable.
Nathan stepped inside and admired the Christmas decorations. He’d had his house in upstate New York mimic the style here: warm and contemporary. No gaudiness, just elegance. He didn't have a tree, though. He didn't see the point.
Two women stood at the check-in desk speaking with the receptionist. Nathan knew he could waltz up and demand service, but he didn’t feel the need to be a dick. Besides, it sounded like they were nearly done.
He took a position a respectful distance away from the desk where it would be apparent he was next in line.
“Excellent. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Please enjoy your stay here at Blue Aspen.” The receptionist smiled at both of them. “Do you need any assistance with your bags?”
“I think we’re okay. Thank you,” replied the woman with a dirty-blonde ponytail. She bent over and picked up her duffle bag, swinging it over her shoulder.
And then turned and walked directly into him.
He wasn’t used to not being seen. Nathan was usually the center of attention everywhere he went. She looked up at him, her green eyes going wide.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, stepping back and just barely avoiding running into her friend.
“No harm,” he replied, chuckling to himself. She was pretty, with freckles across her nose and dotting her cheeks. They were nearly obscured by the blush quickly filling her cheeks, but they were still there. He found he rather liked them.
The woman quickly hurried off, following her friend to the elevators. Nathan chuckled to himself. Although the woman was embarrassed, she didn’t know who he was or she didn’t care. If she had cared, she would have said something. Or grabbed her friend and at least giggled.
The truth was, he was the CEO of Paradigm Technologies and a billionaire.
Another perk of Blue Aspen was that his celebrity status didn’t matter. Everyone was a celebrity here, even if they weren’t. He wondered if maybe she was an actress or a model, but not a traditional one. She was on the shorter side and definitely nowhere near Hollywood skinny. She was definitely pretty enough, though.
“Good evening. I’m here to check in,” Nathan said, walking up to the counter.
“Of course, Mr. Reed. We have your usual suite prepared to your specifications. There’s a bottle of Dom Perignon chilling in the foyer as our gift to you.” The receptionist smiled and slid a card across the desk for him. “Is there anything I can send up for you?”
Nathan pocketed the card. “No, thank you.”
The woman smiled as Nathan turned around. His security team was already bringing in his things. They would have the smaller rooms adjacent to his. The warmth of the lodge finally permeated the wool of his coat and he took it off, carefully folding it over his arm.
“You left your phone in the car.” Gregory handed him the phone. Six new calls.
“You know you could have just thrown it in a snowbank,” Nathan told him. “I’m not talking to them.”
Gregory chuckled. “I know. But it’s fun to watch the veins on your neck pop out every time it rings.”
“I thought you were supposed to be watching out for me,” Nathan replied. “That’s not watching out for me.”
“No, that’s just watching you,” Gregory replied. “I've got to get my kicks somehow.”
“You’re a terrible bodyguard,” Nathan said, putting the phone in the pocket of his jacket.
“Yeah, but you’d be dead and bored without me.”
Nathan shook his head slowly as they walked to the elevators together. “Remind me to fire you later. Or at least dock your pay.”
“I’ll get right on that.” Gregory checked the elevator before Nathan got on.
Nathan had no intention of firing Gregory. If anything, he’d give the man a raise. Gregory was more friend than employee at this point.
The phone buzzed and danced in Nathan’s pocket. He reached in, hit the button and put it to his ear. It was Lucy, his secretary.
“What?” It came out a little harsher than he intended.
“RentTech,” Lucy said without preamble. “Nathan, I have news on RentTech.”
RentTech was Paradigm Technologies latest acquisition. As CEO, it was Nathan's idea to purchase the small company, but unfortunately, RentTech was turning into a money pit. Nothing seemed to go right. The board of directors for Paradigm was not pleased with their CEO or RentTech.
“I can fix it,” he told her. “They just need a little more time-”
“Nathan.” Lucy's voice was firm as she cut him off. “The board sold it this morning. RentTech's gone.”
Nathan staggered slightly, his hand going to the wall to support him. “What?”
“That's why I've been calling you,” Lucy explained. “I know you're on vacation this week, but you deserved to know. RentTech is gone.”
“Damn it.” He slammed his hand hard on the wall. All the work these past few months. He'd put everything into fixing RentTech and making it a successful part of Paradigm Technologies. Granted, there had been precious little success. RentTech was a disaster.
“I'm sorry, boss,” Lucy said gently. “I know how much this meant to you. I know you put your reputation on the line for this.”
Nathan closed his eyes and counted to five. “Well. It's done then. Time to w
ork on something else.”
“Enjoy your weekend,” Lucy said. “I have things ready for the next company we've purchased. It's Elements Computer Technologies. I already did the legwork while you focused on RentTech. This next one will be a success. Promise.”
Nathan nodded. He owed Lucy big for this. He'd focused all his energies on trying to salvage RentTech even when the board said to drop it. Lucy had managed his other responsibilities for him in the mean time. Things like preparing for another company to join Paradigm's umbrella.
“Thanks, Lucy.” Nathan sighed.
“Just give me a good bonus later,” she told him. “Have fun at your party tomorrow.”
She clicked the line off and Nathan stood staring at his phone.
He'd failed. He should have felt devastated. Crushed.
And he did, but there was also a relief. No more stupid inane meetings. No more frantic emails that everyone else seemed to ignore. Sometimes he wished he didn't have this job. But then that would mean the money would stop. He couldn't let that happen. Money was everything.
He used to create technology. That was how he'd gotten into the tech world. Why Paradigm had hired him all those years ago. He'd risen to the top of the company, but he didn't create or innovate technology anymore. Now, he just managed it. It was starting to drain on him.
“You okay?” Gregory asked. Nathan had forgotten the man was still there.
“Fine.”
Gregory grunted.
“What?” Nathan asked as the doors opened. Grunts were an entire language for Gregory.
“You're not fine,” Gregory said. “You look like you need a drink.”
“RentTech. It's gone.” That's all Nathan needed to say.
Gregory grunted again.
Nathan looked over at him. “What? Tell me.”
“You really want my opinion?” Gregory asked him. He checked the hallway before letting Nathan off the elevator. The suite door was open with Hal standing in front of it. That meant Hal had checked it and it was safe.
“I do,” Nathan told him as they both entered the suite. Hal stayed outside by the door.
“The RentTech mess was awful,” Gregory said simply. “The sale to Paradigm was always about the money, not the company. It was a bad match. It wasn't for you. You did everything you could. The board gave you a shitty job.”
That was basically the opinion Nathan had come to himself about the rocky results of the company purchase. It was good to hear someone else say it. “Why do you say that?”
“The past month has been hellish working for you. It's made you short-tempered. You're unhappy. You're exhausted.” Gregory shrugged. “These aren't good things for you.”
“Yeah, but RentTech was supposed to make me a lot of money,” Nathan countered. “It would have been worth it.”
“Says you,” Gregory replied. “It didn't look worth it from where I'm standing.”
Nathan sighed. Money was always worth it. Money was everything.
“My advice to you is to take this weekend. No work. Don't talk about it, don't think about it,” Gregory said. “Give yourself a break.”
“That's kind of the plan,” Nathan replied.
“You say that, but then you work.” Gregory crossed his arms and looked at Nathan. “You always work and it makes you miserable.”
“What do you mean?” Nathan went to the bottle of Dom and popped the cork. He offered the bottle to Gregory, but the bodyguard shook his head. He was working.
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, Boss,” Gregory said slowly. “When you deal with RentTech, you’re short tempered. You don’t joke with the boys. You don’t smile as much. That week the board made someone else handle things, you wouldn’t stop whistling and humming. Drove poor Hal bonkers.”
Nathan poured himself a glass of champagne and sipped thoughtfully. “It drove Hal bonkers?”
“You were off key. The guy has perfect pitch.”
Nathan chuckled.
“I’ll try not to hum this time.”
Gregory grunted again.
“What?”
“Don’t do this again.” Gregory frowned. “You work too hard. You need a girl. Or a guy. But someone. You need more in your life than just work and money.”
That was more work advice than Nathan had ever heard from Gregory. The man must really be worried about him.
“Here.” Nathan handed Gregory his phone.
“What do you want me to do with this?” Gregory asked. The phone looked tiny in Gregory’s massive hands.
“Throw it in a snowbank. Give it to the less fortunate. Melt it down and make art. I don’t care.” A sense of freedom started to wash through him. “It’s my weekend off.”
Gregory set the phone on the ground and stomped it with his heel. The entire thing shattered.
“Wow. I didn’t think you were going to take me literally.” Nathan took another sip of champagne. “I feel better already.”
Gregory grunted.
This time, Nathan just shook his head and poured another glass of champagne. He was definitely on vacation now.
Chapter 4
Holly
“Is that your stomach?” Holly asked. A low grumble filled the elevator.
Aliyah shifted her feet uncomfortably. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” Holly asked. Beads of sweat popped out on Aliyah’s forehead and she looked pale. Her beautiful skin was usually a rich milk chocolate, but right now, she looked like she’d been Photoshopped into black and white.
“My stomach,” Aliyah whispered. She swallowed hard and stared at the elevator buttons, willing the elevator to get to their floor faster.
When the silver doors opened, Aliyah bolted, leaving behind her bags as she sprinted down the hallway. Holly put Aliyah’s bag over her shoulder and followed behind at a much more human pace.
“Wow,” Holly said, coming in the front door of their hotel room.
It was bigger than her apartment.
The style was elegant western. Wood furniture with rustic accents decorated the living room, but the main appeal was the huge windows overlooking the ski slope. It was too dark to see the full view, but Holly could tell it would be impressive in the morning.
The bathroom door to Holly's right slammed shut and Holly could hear Aliyah inside. It did not sound like a pleasant time.
“You okay?” Holly called through the door.
Aliyah just moaned and Holly shook her head.
“I’ll put your stuff in the room,” Holly told her, shouldering both bags and heading to the bedroom.
Two queen beds took up the bedroom facing a huge flat screen TV. The bed frames were wooden and heavy. The beds looked warm with thick down comforters. The pillows were soft and fluffy. Holly could barely wait to crawl into bed and snuggle down into the soft sheets.
She set their bags down, one on each bed. She opened her bag and pulled out her toiletry kit to put in the bathroom.
The master bath was huge. There was a big shower with two shower heads and a steam control function, but it was the tub that caught Holly’s attention. A big, beautiful soaking tub. It was deep and long enough that she could stay submerged sitting or laying down. She wouldn't have to choose between having cold shoulders or cold knees.
She was already planning on a long bubble-bath at least once this trip.
Holly grabbed some pink stomach pills from her toiletry kit and headed back to the living room. She could still hear Aliyah loosing her dinner in the bathroom. She tapped gently on the door.
“Medicine,” she called.
“It’s open,” croaked Aliyah.
Holly cautiously pushed open the door. As an elementary school teacher, she’d seen her share of barf. It wasn’t her favorite thing, but she could handle it.
Aliyah looked miserable. Her dark hair hung limp around her pale-green face. “I don’t feel so good. I think the sandwich was a bad idea.”
Holly held out the pink tablets. “Here. I�
�ll go get you some ginger ale from downstairs. You want anything else?”
“A new body,” Aliyah groaned. “Or a time machine.”
“I’ll see what they have at the market.”
Aliyah began worshiping the porcelain god once again and Holly quickly escaped. She took the elevator to the lobby, figuring that there had to be a small convenience store there. There were always small shops with overpriced aspirin bottles and expensive energy drinks in hotels.
The fire in the lobby fireplace crackled and danced as she came down. Everything was warm and cheery. Soft holiday music played overhead and the smell of fresh-baked cookies still filled the air. The receptionist looked busy checking in new guests, so Holly decided to explore on her own. She followed the scent of the cookies, hoping they would lead to baking rather than a scented candle.
The scent came from real cookies on the end of a bar. She didn't get one, instead going for a drink. Two stainless steel drums etched with mountain scenes sat on the counter next to the cookies. Big heavy mugs waited next to the containers. Holly glanced around before taking a mug and pouring some liquid out from one of the containers. It was hot chocolate, the real kind, not the mix. Holly sighed with pleasure, filled up her mug the rest of the way, and took a sip.
It wasn’t the ginger ale she’d promised Aliyah, but she wasn’t going to say no to hot chocolate.
She moved down the bar, peering over the counter and looking around. She hoped to find some sort of drink fountain.
“You looking for something?” a male voice asked.
Holly spun, nearly spilling her drink all over the speaker. She managed to keep it all in her cup, which she was grateful for. It was the man she’d run into at check-in. The last thing she needed was to spill hot chocolate all over him as well.
“I’m actually trying to find some ginger ale,” Holly explained. “I didn’t want to bother anyone.”
The man smiled. He no longer wore the suit. Now it was comfortable sweat pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt. His brown eyes looked more relaxed and he smiled easily at her.
“There’s a drink station over here,” he explained, pointing to the other end of the bar. Tucked behind a potted plant was a traditional soda dispenser with cups and lids stacked neatly beside it.