Emily passed the pool area and headed to the beach and across the sand, her heels sinking with each step. She reached the dock that rested on one of South Lake Tahoe’s most active exclusive beaches.
Only it wasn’t very active tonight.
It was dark, the sky filled with milky stars, and there was a light nip in the air. A few guests lingered on the beach, but most filled the restaurants or busily thrust money down slot machines and tossed chips at the gaming tables.
Emily scanned the people outside, but none of them fit Levi’s imposing height and build.
She checked her phone. Almost eight. She couldn’t imagine what he did out here this late, but Esther said he’d be here.
Emily pulled up a new text to message him, and that was when she caught sight of a broad back in a crisp white shirt out of the corner of her eye.
The end of the dock was nearly invisible. But the white dress shirt Levi wore today stood out in the shadows, his back to her just as it had been earlier when he’d stared out the window of his office. His elbows jutted out, hands on his narrow hips. He appeared to be commanding the lake. And maybe he was.
Levi Cade could do anything: lead men, take down fires…break hearts.
For a moment, Emily considered turning around and walking back. He was by himself, and it seemed he wanted it that way. And then something occurred to her. Maybe he came out here because he was lonely.
When Emily felt alone growing up, missing her mom and the father she barely knew or feeling isolated and awkward around her peers, she’d make her way to the lake and sit on a jetty. Staring out at the water made her feel connected somehow—as though it were life itself, a part of everyone in some way. She’d imagine others silently pouring out their hopes and dreams to the lake the way she did.
Was that what Levi was doing?
Her feet were moving before she’d commanded them to. She took a deep breath as she neared, and sensed a subtle shift in Levi’s posture. Her heels weren’t exactly silent on the dock’s wooden boards.
“Levi?” No one was around, and he’d told her to call him by his given name.
He turned, his expression a mask. No pain, loneliness, or anger filled his face. Nothing to give away his feelings. Was this the wall her sister had mentioned?
Emily wished Lisa hadn’t brought up some wall Levi had built around himself, because now she couldn’t stop thinking about it. And why it was there.
She reached for her tablet and pulled up a screen of notes. “I made good progress this afternoon. With our short timeline, I thought it best to keep you informed.”
He looked back at the water, his shoulders sinking as though weighed down by the pressure of invisible hands. “Go ahead.”
She blinked. For a man running one of the most esteemed resorts in the area, he seemed…resigned. “I’ve updated the number of guests based on your information and informed the hospitality team. The gift baskets will be ready for the larger crowd, as well as extra spa personnel. I also confirmed with Shin Electronics that they would like a morning reserved on the golf course. Wes is working his end with the groundskeeper to make sure the greens are perfect, and that they have enough caddies for every golfer.” Levi hadn’t moved or acknowledged her comments one way or the other. For some reason, she desperately wanted to make things easier for him. “Let’s see—oh, and I also followed up with Bran about catering. He said you spoke to him, but he sounds a bit…”
Levi looked over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth tilting up humorlessly. “He’s stressed as fuck.”
“Uh, yes.” Emily hid a smile as she stared at her device. “That. So…”
Levi sighed. “Bring in catering for the first night—the cocktail meet-and-greet. The best you can find in town. We’ll supply the alcohol; the wine tasting you suggested. Bran will have to deal with catering for the rest of the week.”
Emily stepped closer so she wasn’t directly behind him anymore and could see the side of his face. “He’s planning the Sunday brunch menu for the mornings.”
Levi nodded.
“The rest of the meals he and I are still working on, but I’m confident we’ll come up with something that will impress them.”
“Good.”
Levi looked longingly at the lake.
There it was again. The sense that he’d like to be anywhere but here. Emily’s chest grew heavy. He wasn’t interested in talking to her.
Just because she was obsessed with work didn’t mean everyone else had to stay up until all hours obsessing over it too. His distance tonight might have nothing to do with her—but Emily knew better. She’d never held the attention of Levi Cade. “The rest can wait until tomorrow.” She tucked her tablet back in her bag and turned to leave.
“Emily.”
She glanced back.
“Thank you.” His voice was deep, sincere.
The small acknowledgment eased the weight in her chest. “My pleasure.”
He nodded.
Emily smiled to herself as she continued up the dock. She could do this. Be there for Levi. Help him with something that didn’t come naturally to him. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t. If any man could run this place, it was Levi. He was strong and intelligent. And if his heart wasn’t in it, maybe Emily could help him with that too. She might not have glittering beauty or charisma, but she had enough passion for business for the both of them.
Her shoes clacked on the wooden planks as she made her way to the end of the dock and stepped onto the sand. And then she heard a large splash.
Emily swung around, but Levi was no longer standing on the edge of the dock.
For a moment, her heart raced. Was he in trouble?
What was she thinking? He was an ex-fireman. Levi Cade saved lives. And then she saw his white dress shirt on the bench he’d been standing near, along with his shoes. She looked out at the water and caught sight of long, muscular arms cutting across the obsidian.
Lake Tahoe was gorgeous and pleasant on a hot day, but the water was by no means warm. That didn’t stop Levi from making steady progress toward the center of the lake, which could be as far as ten miles—twenty to the other side. But no sooner did she wonder how far he planned to go when he stopped and floated on his back, looking up at the sky.
Emily slowly turned around and continued walking.
Levi Cade was a complicated man. And he wanted to be alone. She’d help him, then she’d move on.
Lisa was wrong if she thought Emily could break down Levi’s walls. He was out of her league. Some more attractive, charming woman would unlock the door to his heart. Not that Lisa had mentioned anything about getting through to Levi’s heart, but that was what it would take, wouldn’t it? He wasn’t the type of man who opened up to just anyone. And he had four brothers; he didn’t need another friend.
Emily held her head high as she made her way out of the lobby and past the guests entering the hotel. She walked to one of the farther parking lots and unlocked her small hybrid, throwing her bag inside and sinking into the driver’s seat.
She gripped the steering wheel and a shiver racked her body. Then another. Even if she wasn’t the woman to break down Levi’s walls and make him fall in love with her, nothing had changed in the four years since she’d been away.
Because she still wanted to be that woman.
Chapter Seven
Emily made sure Esther’s going-away party was as classy as the lady herself. She’d heard enough wonderful things about Ethan Cade’s longtime assistant over the past week to know the woman had been the heart of Club Tahoe. And how would Emily fill those shoes? The truth was, she wouldn’t. Esther had given Levi and his brothers a piece of family they’d needed. The most Emily could do now was help them run Club Tahoe to the best of her ability.
She nudged a lavender rose and poppy centerpiece on one of the tables a touch more to the right. “Is the Dom Pérignon chilling behind the bar?” she asked the serving girl passing at a quick pace.
The girl
stopped and faced her. “Yes, ma’am. And the appetizers are ready as well. They’ll be served as soon as our guests arrive.”
Emily checked the time. People should be getting off work and joining them any moment.
They’d planned the party for Friday evening so that employees could attend and not feel rushed. Emily even wore one of the knee-length dresses her sister had brought over. The back of the emerald dress was cut out to just above her rump, but Lisa had assured her it was classy enough for a work party. Emily would have to take Lisa’s word for it, because she felt a distinct draft she wasn’t used to.
Her fingers touched the dark, stretchy lace the same color as the rest of the dress that cut in at her waist and went up to her collarbone, leaving her shoulders and arms sleeveless. At least the front went high, even if her arms and back were bare. She wore the gold bracelet her sister had chosen, but she’d drawn the line on the large hoop earrings. She was already staggering in strappy heels that hurt the balls of her feet. She didn’t need one more uncomfortable accessory.
Emily checked the time again. People should be here. Where were they?
She was considering rounding up employees from their desks, when a warm, masculine hand settled on her lower back.
“You can put that thing away now,” Levi said.
He wore a navy jacket and slacks with a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing smooth, lightly tanned skin. His hair, which he seemed to be growing out a bit, was stylishly rumpled. Or he might have rubbed his hand across the top of his head; he wasn’t the type of guy to fuss with his hair.
In any case, that wasn’t what had Emily’s pulse pounding at her throat, or her hands shaking as she tucked her device in her bag.
Levi lifted her workbag off her shoulder and handed it to a passing server carrying a tray of champagne glasses. “Put it behind the bar, please.” He grabbed one of the glasses off the tray before the guy left and handed it to her. He looked around. “You’ve done a great job. Esther will be happy.”
She nodded, but couldn’t speak. Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. Because his hand was still on her back, and her body’s response was to shoot heat rockets throughout her limbs.
She was pathetic. It was a back. Not a breast. Not a thigh.
And by the time she’d recovered her composure, Levi had already dropped his palm and moved on to greet the finance director. He also turned and greeted Ed, the groundskeeper, giving both men equal time and respect.
That was one thing she loved about Levi. He never put on airs. The guy had grown up in a mansion, but you’d never know it. He was as down to earth as they came. Of course, that didn’t stop Emily from getting nervous around him. But that was because he was the sexiest man she’d ever known. And she had way too many womanly hormones coursing through her when he was near.
She gulped down the glass of champagne and squeezed her eyes closed as bubbles tickled the back of her throat. She signaled for another. She’d gone over everything three or four times; the party would run efficiently with or without her complete sobriety. Tonight, in this dress, with Levi looking dashing in his casual suit, she needed something to numb her overactive imagination.
Levi made the rounds at Esther’s party, sending a warm smile to the guest of honor. Esther would be sorely missed, and not just because she kept this place running. She made Club Tahoe tolerable.
But for the first time since Levi began his sentence as CEO, he thought he might have another reason to tolerate the old place.
Levi Cade had noticed and admired just about every part of a woman’s body since he was fourteen years old, but he might have missed one incredibly sexy aspect. Since when did a woman’s back become the center of attention? Damn if Emily in that dress hadn’t stopped him in his tracks after he’d entered the room.
Normally, Emily wore fitted skirts, which he greatly appreciated. His assistant had a nice backside, and it gave a man something to look forward to each day, even if all he did was look. However, tonight she’d surprised him and shown off the upper body she usually hid under boxy blouses and cardigans.
The elegant fabric of her dress covered most of her body, but the dressmaker had done all of mankind a solid and cut out the fabric on her back. She was tall, with a small waist, and now that she wasn’t hiding her torso with ill-fitting tops, he was able to take in her small, shapely breasts too, covered though they were. Her back, however, was all creamy skin, toned, and with delicate bone structure that drew a man’s eye to the heart-shaped thing of beauty resting at the bottom of her spine.
Tonight was a night to celebrate. Perfectly acceptable for a man to stare at his assistant’s ass, right? Technically, he wasn’t working, so he didn’t think he was breaking any boss-employee rules.
He made a mental note to check the HR forms, just to be safe. Not because he planned to go near Emily. Though he had touched her bared skin—purely to get her attention. Had nothing to do with being drawn to her beauty like a bug to the neon light that would be its death.
No, Levi had no intention of going near Lisa’s little sister. Emily was a Wright. And Wright women were beautiful, but not to be trusted. Even the damn name lured men in, giving them a false sense of security. Wright, as though everything would be all right. But if you got close enough…zap, just like the damn bug zapper. She’d take your heart and crush it in her soft hands, then stomp on it with her pointy heel for good measure.
Been there, done that. Not doing it again. Levi lifted his chin at his brother Hunt. Another reminder of the past and women to avoid. Only Hunt wasn’t looking at Levi. Hunt’s eyes were on Emily.
“Goddammit.”
“Excuse me?” One of the head chefs glanced at Levi.
He cleared his throat. “Godric Hammit. I see Mr. Hammit just arrived.” He waved vaguely. “I should greet him. Excuse me.”
Leave it to Hunt to scout out the most beautiful woman in the room. And since when had Emily become the most beautiful woman in this place? She usually wore no makeup and shapeless tops, and hid behind her hand-held tablet. Levi preferred her that way. She didn’t draw the wrong attention. She didn’t draw Hunt’s attention.
“Brother.” Levi slapped Hunt’s shoulder in greeting. He might have put extra muscle behind it.
Hunt winced. “What’s wrong now?”
“Oh”—Levi looked around casually—“nothing.” He caught Hunt glancing at Emily again. “As long as you keep your hands and eyes off my employees.”
Okay, so it was a double standard. Levi had just convinced himself it was fine to stare at Emily in her sexy dress. But Hunt was a different matter altogether. Much like his name, he was lethal to women. Levi didn’t want to see his innocent, young-looking—though sexy—assistant caught in Hunt’s snare.
Hunt rolled his eyes. “Since when is looking a problem? And you’ve got to be shitting me. When have Club Tahoe women been off-limits? I believe we all lost our virginity at one point or another to a wealthy wife or daughter staying at the resort. I can name at least three servers you slept with in high school.”
“That was when we didn’t work here. And looking is forbidden when it comes to you because you don’t stop at looking.”
Hunt grinned lewdly. “True.”
Levi’s mouth twisted into a frown. “Like I said, eyes off.”
“Sure, sure.” Hunt grabbed a second glass of champagne. “Catch you later.” He headed for Emily.
Levi rolled his neck and stood for all of two seconds before he was following his brother. Would anyone notice if he throttled Hunt in the ballroom?
Probably. Esther wouldn’t like that.
Dammit.
He sighed. Fine. He’d have to use other means to protect Emily from Hunt.
Emily held a glass of champagne and was in a conversation with the head chef of Club Tahoe’s steakhouse, who was young and good-looking, if you were into that sort of thing. The guy’s facial hair was too well manicured. Levi never trusted a man who plucked his
eyebrows.
Hunt approached the two of them, and Emily gave him a sweet smile. She had no idea how poisonous his younger brother could be. Or maybe she did. She was Lisa’s sister, after all.
“Emily, would you like to see a Club Tahoe secret?” Hunt said.
“Secret?” Her gaze flew to Levi, who’d stepped up beside Hunt. A vee formed between her eyebrows. Probably because Levi’s jaw was clenched tight, his eyes focused on his brother like he wanted to rip off a limb.
Levi reached past his brother and placed his hand on Emily’s lower back, just as he had earlier. “You mingle, Hunt. I’ll show Emily the secret spot. We have work to discuss for next week.”
Hunt swiveled his head, eying Levi angrily.
That’s right, brother. I’ve got my eyes on you.
Levi had told himself he wouldn’t touch Emily again, but this was for safety purposes. His brother needed to know she was off-limits. Banned from Levi too, but that was another issue.
Hunt never saw any woman as forbidden. Not girlfriends, nor wives. According to Hunt, as long as she was willing, she was there for his taking.
Levi wasn’t seriously interested in Emily, but that didn’t mean he’d allow his viper of a brother near her. Emily might be a Wright, but he got the sense she was a good girl.
Hunt would touch Emily over Levi’s dead body.
Chapter Eight
Levi stared straight ahead as he walked Emily out of the party. Now what?
He’d talked Emily into leaving with him so he could get her away from Hunt, and now he needed to show her some secret spot he had no idea existed. Since when did his brothers have a spot at Club Tahoe that Levi didn’t know about? Considering Hunt, he’d probably made the whole thing up. Which left Levi forced to figure out what to do with Emily after getting her alone.
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