Chapter Thirty
Levi had returned to wearing his business clothes to work, much as he loathed it. Emily enjoyed removing them, and there was no way he’d come between his woman and her pleasure.
He grinned, remembering how they’d christened the new tent. He’d built a permanent bedframe and bought a new mattress for it. He’d built the tent in his favorite spot on the property for Emily, though he’d not admitted it was for her at the time. He’d wanted some place he could bring her where they could enjoy the view of the lake, mountains, and stars. Because suddenly nothing in life was as enjoyable without her at his side.
The phone rang on his desk and he picked it up, clearing his mind of memories of his naked girlfriend in their new tent. “This is Levi.”
“Hello, Mr. Cade. This is Hwan Kim from Shin Electronics. I was asked to reach out to you to schedule our annual meeting at your resort for next year. We’ll be doubling the numbers and wish to book early in preparation for the larger group. One of our important American clients contacted us after our stay with you this summer and expressed how much he’d enjoyed Club Tahoe. He wishes to return next year, and we certainly want to make him happy.”
Levi couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He thought he’d ruined their chances with the business conglomerate after the disastrous last impression. “It was a pleasure to have you. We’d be happy to accommodate your group next year. Let me put you in touch with Emily Wright, my resort manager. She’ll make sure everything is set up exactly as you want.”
Levi had promoted Emily. Sure, she was his girlfriend, but she’d also been performing the job of a manager without the title. He’d simply handed off the grunt work she was doing to their two receptionists and one of the executives on his team, all of whom were more than happy about the pay boost.
He’d been frugal these last few months, but with the four-year conference account he’d landed last week and now Shin Electronics booked for next year, things were looking up. Emily had also sent out the second round of marketing for the new children’s program. The feedback was extremely positive, with bookings increasing by another ten percent.
After losing major accounts and a small percentage of capital, thanks to Samuel Miller, they’d been struggling. They still needed to stay on their toes and maintain the forward momentum, but once Levi had learned of Miller’s behind-the-scenes activities, he’d fired the man and anyone associated with him. Using the information his finance director and Jared had pulled together, Levi had pressed charges against Miller and the others.
Lisa’s boyfriend, Jared, was a good man, and he’d quickly fit in with the rest of Club Tahoe’s team. He’d even found a new way to save money for the club, which allowed Levi to add a new charity to the roster. Levi wouldn’t have expected that from a finance guy. Lisa had done well for herself, and he couldn’t be happier for her, or for himself—he’d landed a great finance manager out of it.
Hunt rapped on the open door. “You beckoned?”
“Come in.” Levi stood and walked to the window, leaning his hip against the ledge, arms crossed. It was time he spoke to his brother. He wasn’t sure he could snuff the animosity that had brewed between them for years, but he was willing to work on it. “Have a seat.”
Hunt let out a harsh breath. “I’d rather stand. I’ve got work to do.”
“Fair enough. I wanted to invite you to a round of golf this afternoon.”
Hunt glared. “We don’t need to play a round of golf. Just tell me what you think I’ve done wrong, and I’ll be on my way.”
Levi sighed. Obviously, some things would take time. “There’s nothing to report. Just thought we should spend time together.”
Hunt eyed him. “Time together… Are you serious?”
“It will take work to get things back to how they used to be between us, but I’m willing to make an effort.”
Hunt blinked. He looked away and shoved his hand in his pocket. He didn’t say anything at first. “I loved her, you know.” He looked back. “Lisa.”
“That’s what Emily said.”
Hunt stared for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll meet you on the tee at five forty-five. Maybe we can squeeze in a quick nine before it gets dark. Gotta help Emily with the kids’ program first.” He shifted slightly. “I shouldn’t have touched Emily. I was angry.”
“Touch her again, it will be the last time you use that hand.”
Hunt shook his head, a light smile on his face. “Noted. See you later.” He left with ease in his gait Levi hadn’t seen in a long time.
This had been the right thing to do. Mending fences. Or at least pouring the foundation for mended fences. They had a long way to go, but there was hope.
Emily walked in, staring down the hall at what Levi presumed was Hunt’s back. “Did I hear that right? You’re going to see Hunt later? He wasn’t scowling just now. You two must have apologized.”
“Not in so many words, but it was implied. I asked him to play golf with me this afternoon and he agreed.”
She set a stack of files—which she never seemed to be without—on his desk and walked around to join him by the window. He pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arm around her small waist. Her hands fell on his shoulders, running down his arms. “But how will he know you want to work on your relationship?”
Levi raised his eyebrow. “Because I invited him to a round of golf?”
“Is that some kind of guy code for I’m sorry?”
“Basically.”
Emily gave him an incredulous look.
He grinned and leaned down to kiss her neck, unbuttoning the top button of her too-high collared shirt to give him better access to the good stuff. “We have thirty minutes before my next appointment.” He peppered kisses along the flesh beneath her collarbone, just where she liked it.
Her hands were already snaking up his shirt, which she’d untucked from behind. “This is so bad. How will we keep our hands off each other if we work together every day?”
He leaned back, confused. “Why would we do that? This is the most ingenious plan I’ve ever had.”
“You didn’t plan this.”
“Minor detail. Getting back to my point.” He reached down and squeezed her bottom. “Give me two seconds.”
“Huh?”
She stared in confusion as he strode across the room toward the door. He popped his head into the hallway and looked both ways. And backed up a step. And another.
“Levi,” Esther said, following him inside and closing the door behind her. She glanced across the room. “And Emily. Good to see you, dear.” She grinned, then did a double take at Levi’s disheveled shirt. He quickly shoved the fabric in his pants. It was like being caught necking by his mother. Only his mother hadn’t lived long enough to catch him necking, so Esther it was. “Happy to see you two are getting along so well.”
Was that amusement in her tone? Ah well. A small price to pay to be with Emily.
“Looking good, Esther.” She was wearing a fancy tracksuit. Probably something designer. The woman knew how to retire in style. “You here to confirm our lunch date next week?”
“I’m here to give you something. Privately, if that’s all right?” She looked apologetically at Emily, who’d picked up her numerous files.
“No, no,” Emily said, and headed for the door. “I was just—” She glanced at Levi. Emily was a terrible liar. Levi grinned and she glared at him. “Leaving.”
“I’ll be home once the sun sets,” he called, outing them.
He hadn’t talked Emily into moving in with him yet, but he was wearing her down. She wanted to wait a year, and he was okay with that. Levi would wait forever for Emily. Especially since they took turns sleeping at each other’s places, though she seemed to stay at his place more often. They both loved the land and enjoyed taking Grace on walks.
“Levi!” She glanced nervously at Esther, who merely smiled. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
Esther’s express
ion was unruffled. “Oh, yes, dear. That was evident the moment I introduced you two.”
Emily’s shoulders slumped and her mouth twisted into the cutest pout. “Really?”
Esther smiled again. “Really.”
They gave each other a quick hug and Emily was on her way. As soon as she left, Esther approached his desk, where he’d taken a seat. But she didn’t sit in the chair across from him. “I only came by to deliver this.” She pulled out a letter-sized envelope from her purse and handed it to him. “It’s from your father.”
Levi blinked. “Excuse me?”
She smiled sadly. “It was written before he passed. I don’t know what’s inside, but I was given strict instructions regarding when to deliver it, and the time has come.”
He held the letter stiffly in his fingers.
“I’ll give you space to read. But I expect you at the restaurant promptly at noon on Wednesday for lunch. I have a busy schedule.”
He looked up and frowned. “You’re retired.”
“Yes, dear. But retirement doesn’t mean the end of one’s life.” She fluffed her perfectly coiffed hair. “It’s only the beginning.”
Esther walked away, a swish in her step, and Levi cringed. He didn’t want to know what she meant by that. God save him from sexagenarians with a romantic life.
When she closed the door, Levi stared at the envelope again. His father had written to him? What could he have possibly said? They’d rarely exchanged positive words with one another; they’d been too alike, both of them too stubborn.
Levi tore the envelope open and unfolded his father’s stationery, swallowing as he did. Memories of his dad in the very place where Levi sat now flooded his mind. And then he read.
Dear Levi,
I planned for this letter to arrive after you’d been at the club a few months, so don’t give Esther a hard time for delivering it late. She did just as I asked.
You might have wondered why I paired you with Emily Wright as your assistant. The truth is I sent her in to fix things. She has the heart I lacked, the drive I respect, and she’ll be good for you.
I know you never wanted my advice on, well, anything. But if I’d been tasked with choosing one of the Wright sisters for you, it would have been Emily. Not because the flashy one wasn’t a pleasant girl, but because you need someone who can get you through the hard times. Someone who will soften the rough edges your upbringing might have brought on. Hell, you might have inherited the rough edges from me. In that case, you come by them honestly.
I love you, Levi. I should have said it more often. I should have done a lot of things. In the end, I didn’t want our last months together to be filled with guilt—mine or yours. But I’m telling you now, courtesy of Esther’s valued and dedicated service, that you are the man I would have chosen to run the resort, regardless of your previous experience. You’re strong, and you don’t put up with fools.
Sometimes life takes us on a journey we couldn’t have predicted. I know you’ll take good care of the club and my girl, Emily. And if you open yourself to it, the way I did with your mother, she’ll take good care of you too.
Love,
Dad
Levi sat back and dropped his head against the leather chair. He brought his hand to his eyelids and pressed down. He wasn’t crying. His eyes simply stung, that was all.
Damn his father. He’d be grinning right now if he knew he’d managed to affect his stoic eldest son this way. And how the hell had his father predicted things with Emily? Had he and Esther plotted this?
No, that made no sense. Esther said she didn’t know what was in the letter, and she’d admitted to seeing a spark between him and Emily when she’d first introduced them. Her predictions came later. Which meant his father had practically hand-chosen the woman Levi would fall in love with.
Levi really hated admitting when his father was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
He smiled. Let the old man be right. In this case, he’d let the whole damn world say I told you so, because Levi was the lucky bastard who got the girl.
Epilogue
Wes
Enough was enough. This was the second time she’d come into the pro shop. The shop was Wes’s territory. Not hers.
Wes stormed across the store, past the Torque Balanced putters they got in yesterday and the women’s golf shirts. Her back was turned to him as she stared up at the outerwear. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Kaylee’s shoulders stiffened, and she turned around slowly. “Hello, Wes. It’s good to see you.” Her eyes were wary, as though she were afraid of him.
What. The. Hell? This woman, she…she… “I asked you a question.”
“I’m shopping. Isn’t it obvious?” Finally, he glimpsed a bit of fire in her eyes.
That was more like it. Actually, he didn’t remember her having quite that much fire. She’d always been so sweet. Had been—as in, a part of the past. She’d lost that innocence the day she fucked him over.
“Exactly. Why are you shopping here? You know my family owns the resort. Don’t try to tell me you didn’t know what you were doing showing up out of nowhere.”
“I knew about the resort. I didn’t know you’d be working behind the counter. You had other plans, when last we spoke.”
His face heated, his hands balling at his side. He sure as fuck did have other plans. Plans she’d screwed over. Not specifically, but ever since Kaylee dumped him, he’d suffered a losing streak in golf he couldn’t shake. “I still have other plans. And I’d appreciate it if you’d get the fuck—”
A strong hand gripped Wes’s shoulder. “Everything okay?” Levi loosened his grip. “I’m Levi, Wes’s brother. You must be…?”
She swallowed, turning from Wes to shake Levi’s hand. “Kaylee. Nice to meet you. I remember hearing about you from Wes when we were in school together.” She gave Levi a shy smile.
What a fucking joke! She wasn’t shy. She was the opposite of shy. Of course, that part of her only came out when they’d been alone. For the rest of the world, and before Wes had gotten to know her, she had been shy.
Fine, that part wasn’t an act, but the rest…
Levi turned to him. “Emily and I are hitting balls on the range. Care to join us?”
The guy Kaylee had arrived with the other day walked up behind her. He put his hand on her arm. “We’d better get going, babe,” he said, smiling at Wes and Levi.
Wes turned abruptly and stalked to the counter where he’d been looking at the employee schedule. He shoved it in the drawer and motioned for one of the workers to take over the front.
Levi walked up. “That was rude. You didn’t even give Kaylee a chance to introduce her boyfriend.”
Ignoring Levi’s comment, Wes changed the subject altogether. “Batting it out on the driving range sounds good. I could stand to hit something.” He grabbed his clubs from behind the counter.
Levi gave him a worried look, but he followed Wes out and picked up his own clubs outside the door.
They made their way to the range, and Levi glanced over. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s what you said the last time. With equal anger behind it.”
Wes sent him a look that said, Don’t mess with me right now. “And I meant it the last time too.”
Levi shook his head, but a second later, his gaze snagged on Emily practicing her swing and a stupid grin came over his face.
Fucking hell. Wes had thought that once Levi finally caved and gave in to his feelings for Emily, it would put him and his brothers out of their misery. Levi had been a bear to deal with in the weeks leading up to Emily and Levi getting together. But Wes was wrong. Watching these two all lovey-dovey was about to make him lose his mind. Or his lunch.
“Emily, you’re pulling to the left again,” Levi said, and walked up behind her. “Though the rest of your form looks good.” His gaze slid down Emily’s body and rested on her ass.
Wes rolled his eyes. This was what he had to deal with now. Though he couldn’t complain entirely. Emily had picked up the slack he and his brothers left behind as they tried to run Club Tahoe. She’d been a big help.
He supposed he could turn away when they got mushy. Better to have Emily around to keep them out of trouble and keep Levi from biting off everyone’s heads.
He set down his clubs upwind from Levi and Emily, where he wouldn’t have to watch or hear his hard-as-hell older brother nuzzle his girlfriend’s neck like a lovesick dog. Only that placed him two spots behind Kaylee setting up.
What had he done to deserve her coming back into his life? She’d left him, and he’d moved on. Many times over, with more women than he could count. Still hadn’t gotten his golf game back, but he was working on that too.
She swung her club.
And missed the ball.
Kaylee had the worst form he’d ever seen. As far as he knew, she’d never played. Certainly not when they’d been dating. Why the hell would she start now?
And then he caught sight of her boyfriend in front of her. His form was a little better. Clearly, he was the reason for her sudden interest in the sport that had been Wes’s lifeblood for as long as he could remember.
Kaylee shouldn’t be here. It was too much of a coincidence that she’d shown up out of nowhere. And the last thing he needed was her making his game any worse than it was. Not when he was preparing for the tour qualifying tournament in two months.
He didn’t know why she was really here, but he was going to make damn sure and find out.
Wes and Kaylee’s story continues in Daring Wes, available on all retailers. Buy it on Amazon.
There are SEVEN other sexy alpha billionaires in this box set. Want to discover another heartthrob? Read on.
Mr. Perfect
JA Huss
Ellie is the “ridiculous” girl in the office. You know the one. She’s smart, funny, pretty, popular, perky, and… what does she do again?
Girl Meets Billionaire Page 98