Goodbye Gifts_The Steamy Version

by Elena Aitken

  Dylan shrugged and followed his brother to the checkin desk where a stunning woman with long dark hair stood behind the desk. She didn’t immediately notice them as she was busy tapping on her keyboard, but when Trent cleared his throat, she popped her head up with a well-practiced smile. Dylan was pretty sure he saw that smile wobble when she recognized Trent, but it only lasted a second.

  “Trent,” the woman said. “What can I help you with?”

  “Carmen Kincaid, I want you to meet my little brother, Dylan.”

  Dylan extended his hand and locked eyes with the most stunning eyes he’d ever seen. They reminded him of a glacier-fed mountain lake he’d hiked to once, so cool and green, and beautifully compelling. “Carmen,” he said, enjoying the way her name felt on his tongue. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Her eyes flicked shut for a split second before she put her hand in his and he gently squeezed it. He had to resist the ridiculous urge to kiss it. There was something very compelling about the dark-haired beauty. He’d have to settle for a handshake.

  “Likewise,” she said. “Welcome to Castle Mountain Lodge. Trent has only told me a little bit about you. But he did mention you’d never been here before. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

  There was something about her eyes that Dylan could not look away from. “I’m sure I will,” he said. “So far I like everything I’ve seen.”

  Dylan wished he could think of something wittier to say, but words totally eluded him. He held her gaze, and to his surprise and distinct pleasure, she didn’t look away. He didn’t let go of her hand right away, enjoying the warmth and weight of it in his own. It was only when Trent cleared his throat that Dylan remembered his manners and with an apologetic smile, he released her.

  “Carmen is the customer service manager here,” Trent said. “She’s a huge asset to the Castle Mountain Lodge team, and she’s actually being considered to fill my position after I’m gone.”

  Dylan thought he saw Carmen blanch, but whatever emotions had passed over her face were gone, replaced by a warm smile she aimed in Trent’s direction. Dylan had the sudden and insane urge to pull her back so she was facing him with that smile. Their whole life, Trent always got the girl, while Dylan played the role of the wingman. Not that Trent kept the girl very long. He wasn’t known for his long-term relationships. And it wasn’t that his older brother was better looking than Dylan either, he knew that. He also knew it was easier to play the sidekick role, because he didn’t have time for women in his life anyway. And even if he did, women seemed to pick up his vibe of indifference, and kept their distance.

  “Well, congratulations,” Dylan managed to say. “That sounds like a great opportunity.”

  “Thank you.”

  The three of them stood awkwardly for a few moments before Trent said, “Carmen really has a reputation of going above and beyond for the Lodge, don’t you, Carmen?”

  She narrowed her eyes at Trent, and Dylan had the distinct impression he was in the middle of a private issue.

  “Well,” Dylan said uncertainty. “That’s great. In fact, that sounds like exactly the type of person we need at the Springs. Any chance we can convince you to move?” He was joking, but both Trent and Carmen looked taken aback, so he added, “Or at the very least, maybe you can give me some tips about what to look for?”

  Trent smacked him on the arm. “That’s a great idea, brother. Isn’t it, Carmen?”

  They both looked towards Carmen. Dylan had just been making small talk, but now that the invitation was out there, he did think it was a great idea. Any excuse to spend more time with her.

  “In fact,” Trent said. “Maybe you could show him around the Lodge a little bit, too.”

  He saw the uncertainty cross her face, and Dylan held his breath that she’d say yes. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to spend some time with the beautiful woman in front of him, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt like that about any woman.

  She looked between the brothers, a question in her eyes. “Actually,” Carmen said after what seemed like a very long time. “Trent beat me to it, but I was going to ask you if you’d be interested in meeting me for a drink later so I could point out a few of the finer points of the Lodge. What do you think?”

  What did he think? He thought it’d been awhile since he’d been asked on a date, and the very last thing he needed while he was at the Lodge was the distraction of a woman, but at that moment he couldn’t think of anything he’d like more.

  “We do have a lot of business to take care of while I’m here,” Dylan said. He couldn’t even believe the words that came out of his mouth. He should be jumping at her invitation, but old habits die hard. And work came first.

  “I’m sure you can sneak away at some point, Dyl,” Trent said. “We have the meeting with the Braxtons later, but maybe after that?”

  Dylan nodded, and locked eyes with Carmen. That cinched it. “Sounds great,” he said. “It would be nice to hear about the inner workings of a resort like this from someone besides my brother.”

  She smiled, and ducked her head a little, causing a strand to fall over her eye. Dylan stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching out and tucking it behind her ear.

  “So later, then?” she said.

  “Sounds good.”

  Trent and Dylan left Carmen alone to finish her shift, and more importantly to them, so they could get ready for the first of what were going to be very important meetings.

  Trent showed Dylan the meeting rooms where they’d be conducting the majority of their business, including a makeshift office area for Dylan.

  “I knew you’d want your own space, little brother.” Trent waved his arm around the boardroom with a printer and a few office supplies set up on one end. “It’s not much, but it’s better than working out of your room. Plus here, you have a view.”

  And what a view it was. Dylan turned and stared out the window at the majestic mountains. Even with all the time he’d been spending in Cedar Springs, the small town where the Springs resort would be based, Dylan hadn’t had much time to actually enjoy the mountains and all they had to offer. Even just staring at them seemed to be enough to bring down his blood pressure and give him a moment to relax.

  All Dylan had been doing lately was working. While Trent had hung on to his full-time job, Dylan had focused solely on getting the construction of the Springs resort going, and pulling together the financing they’d need to complete the project on time. Together, the brothers were building one of the biggest resorts in the Rocky Mountains, based around a little known naturally occurring hot spring that up until recently had been a local secret.

  He was so lost in the view, Dylan failed to keep up with Trent’s chatter about their impending meeting. It took him a moment, but Dylan focused on the task at hand.

  “Everything’s ready on my end,” Dylan said. “We still have an hour or so?”

  “About that.” Trent looked at his wristwatch. “I need to run and take care of a few things. But you should find everything you need in the room next door. The Braxtons will be here in just under an hour and we can get started. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to give the front desk a call. Carmen will take care of anything you need.” Trent wiggled his eyebrows and if he’d been standing any closer, Dylan would have punched him. “She’s hot, right?”

  Of course he agreed, but he wasn’t going to give his brother that satisfaction. Instead, he shrugged.

  “You can’t fool me, little brother.” Trent laughed. “She’s a hottie and I know you think so. I’d have to disown you if you didn’t. And lucky you, she seems interested. Not that I know why.” He rolled his eyes. “But maybe you can have a little fun while you’re here? You work too hard.”

  “I’m fine,” Dylan said. “Besides, I could say the same for you.”

  “Maybe,” Trent said. “But you’re the one going for drinks with Carmen. Not me.”

  Before he could reply, Trent left to ta
ke care of his business, and Dylan was left alone. He knew he should be using every moment he had to prepare things for the meeting, but he couldn’t keep his mind off the dark-haired beauty with the intense eyes, and the promise of spending more time with her.

  CHAPTER TWO

  She had a busy day ahead of her, and definitely didn’t have time to think about Trent, or more specifically, his brother, Dylan. But Carmen couldn’t seem to do much of anything else since running into them in the lobby.

  Dylan was insanely good-looking with his dark hair and dark eyes. But there was more to him than just his looks. She’d felt it the moment she’d locked eyes with him. What was that saying, still waters run deep? That’s what it was. He didn’t say much, but she could tell there was a lot going on in his head. Maybe she’d actually have a chance to see what was going on with him, since they’d be going out for a drink later.

  Why had she asked him out? The question ran through her head for the dozenth time even though she knew exactly why. He was incredibly gorgeous and there’d been no doubt that there was a spark between them. If anyone asked, that’s what she’d say. That’s why she broke her no-dating rule. It had nothing to do with what Trent said earlier or may or may not have been implied. Nothing to do with helping her get the job of her career. No. She shook her head.

  Carmen took a deep breath and straightened her shirt in an effort to refocus on her work. She stared at the computer screen, but didn’t see any of the names or reservation details. She needed to think about something else. There was no point in making herself crazy over something she couldn’t change after the fact. She might as well just enjoy her drinks with Dylan. That’s all it was. Nothing more.

  She was still standing behind the desk when the arrival of a young couple provided the perfect distraction. “Hello,” she said, slipping easily into her role, “and welcome to Castle Mountain Lodge. My name is Carmen. How can I help you today?”

  “We’re checking in,” the man said.

  “He surprised me with this trip for our one-year anniversary,” his wife said. “Isn’t he the sweetest?”

  Carmen smiled genuinely. “That’s very sweet.” She felt a twinge of jealousy as she processed the checkin. The couple in front of her was roughly the same age as she was, and they’d found happiness. She wondered what the woman did for a living. Had she given up her future for her husband? It was a ridiculous thought and one Carmen knew she had no business in having, but she couldn’t help it.

  For a crazy moment, she considered asking the woman if it was worth it, but common sense prevailed and she handed over their welcome package and sent them on their way.

  When the couple was out of sight, she dropped her head to the desk and silently reprimanded herself.

  “Are you okay?”

  The voice shocked her back to her senses, and Carmen jolted up right, looking directly into Dylan Harrison’s eyes.

  Perfect.

  “Mr. Harrison,” she said, stumbling over his name. “How can I help you this afternoon? I hope everything is okay. If there’s anything I can—“

  “It’s fine.” He held up his hand and smiled. It wasn’t Trent’s lady-killer smile, but it sent a shock through her and she blushed. “I wasn’t coming to complain,” he said.

  Carmen forced herself to relax. She took a breath and said, “Well, I’m glad to hear that. What can I help you with then?”

  A ridiculous part of her hoped he wasn’t coming to cancel on their date, or whatever it was. Even though that might be the best solution to the situation she’d put herself into. Trent couldn’t hold it against her if she’d tried to take Dylan out and he’d canceled. Not that it would help her with her currently skewed sense of right and wrong. She wasn’t thinking clearly.

  Dylan crossed his arms, and leaned on the desk. “It’s not a big deal, really,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “But I have a meeting starting in twenty minutes in the Spruce Room, and Trent said there’d be a projector for me to use.”

  She nodded. “He did mention that.” Carmen turned to her computer and started tapping on the keyboard. “Yes,” she said. “He reserved the Spruce Room, a screen, and coffee service. But there’s no projector on the order.”

  “Really? Leave it to Trent to forget the details.” Dylan sighed, but he didn’t look angry. “I’m sorry.” He stood and shrugged apologetically. “Is there any way we can get one on such short notice?”

  “Of course, Mr. Harrison. I’ll figure it out right away.” She reached for the phone. “I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.”

  “It’s no trouble,” Dylan said. “It wasn’t your fault. And please, call me Dylan.” His lips curled up into a smile again, and for a second, Carmen lost focus.

  “Sorry, it’s habit.”

  “No problem.” He tapped his hand on the desk and turned to leave.

  It wasn’t until he’d disappeared down the hall that she shook herself out of the trance she was in and punched in the number for Erin, who was in charge of managing the boardrooms and meeting rooms. She had a job to do and it wasn’t going to get done if she didn’t stop behaving like a silly school girl. She’d never let a man affect her like that before, and she wasn’t about to start now. Especially with a man who happened to be Trent Harrison’s brother and that she happened to invite out for a date only to further her career. It was skeevy. It was awful, and totally not like her. The last thing she needed was to develop actual feelings for him.

  Erin picked up the extension, and Carmen immediately barked into the phone. “I need a projector.”

  “Pardon me?”

  Carmen caught herself. It wasn’t like her to snap at the other employees. She prided herself on handling even the toughest situations with grace. She took a breath and tried again. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault, but I need to know if we have a projector available for a guest meeting. It was left off the order and he has a presentation in less than twenty minutes.”

  “We should have,” Erin said. “Just give me a…yes. I have one. I can—“

  “No,” Carmen interrupted. “I’ll do it.” She scanned the lobby. It was slow, and as the customer service manager, she really should take care of these issues herself. At least, that’s what she told herself.

  “Carmen, you really don’t have to—“

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I’ll be right there to pick it up. Mr. Harrison is an important guest. I want to see to this problem myself.”

  And, she thought. Carmen quickly dismissed the thought. No. She was just trying to do her job to the best of her ability. That was it. There was nothing more to it.

  She hung up the phone and with a quick word to Joe, who was manning the other checkin computer, she took off for the events office.

  Even as she walked down the corridor, she knew there was more to her quest to keep Dylan Harrison a satisfied guest of the Lodge. How could there not be? Ever since he’d looked at her, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her head. The whole thing was ridiculous and if she could just see him again, in a professional capacity, she’d certainly be able to diffuse whatever it was that was going on in her head.

  “Carmen, I’m so sorry that there was a mix-up,” Erin said as soon as she stepped into the room. The woman handed the projector case to Carmen. “It wasn’t on the list and—“

  “Don’t worry. It wasn’t your fault. I’ll take care of it.”

  She immediately spun on her heel and before Erin could trip over herself with any more apologies that weren’t necessary, she headed out the room and down the hall towards the conference rooms.

  There was only ten minutes before the meeting started when Carmen walked in the room. She expected to find Dylan buzzing around, stressed because of his lack of equipment, and generally behaving as she would if things weren’t going according to plan and she had an important meeting. Instead, she found him lounging in one of the chairs, his leg crossed at the knee, flipping through a sheaf of papers.

  She stoppe
d in the doorway before announcing herself. It was ridiculous. More than ridiculous, but he looked so at ease. So comfortable and calm that she didn’t want to disturb him. Of course, she must have moved, or made a noise, or maybe he just sensed her, but he spun around easily in his chair. When he saw her, his face split into a smile.

  “Carmen,” he said as he stood and crossed the room towards her. “You didn’t have to come.” He took the projector from her, but locked eyes with her for a moment. “But I’m glad you did.”

  Her mind spun with what that comment was supposed to mean. There was no way it could mean that he was glad to see her; he’d just seen her at the front desk.

  “I really need this projector.” Dylan moved over to the boardroom table and started unpacking the equipment. “The investors will be here any minute, and without it, my whole presentation would be useless.” He looked up and met her eyes again. “You’re a real lifesaver, Carmen. Thanks.”

  Of course. He’s just happy to get the equipment. She forced the smile that suddenly felt hard to hold. “Just doing my job,” she said. “Good luck with your presentation, Dylan.”

  She turned to leave. The disappointment at his lack of response rushed through her, followed by confusion, which was ridiculous. He was a means to an end for her. Even if it was underhanded, and beneath her to accept Trent’s offer, she’d done it. And now she had to live with it. It would be a whole lot easier if she stopped whatever feelings she was having for Dylan altogether.

  “Carmen?”

  Automatically, she turned to look at him, a thrill slicing through her at the sound of her name on his lips.

  “You do your job really well,” he said. “I’ll see you later?”

  “Of course.” She sucked in her bottom lip and nodded her head.

  Before he could say anything else that concreted exactly how ridiculous Carmen’s feelings for him were becoming, she left. Carmen got all the way down the hall before she stopped and leaned up against the wall, tipped her head up to the ceiling and closed her eyes.