Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection

by Crowne, K. C.

  I watched as she talked to someone on her cell phone. Her full, red lips formed a smile, and her face lit up as she spoke. She was beyond beautiful with long, blonde hair that glowed in the fluorescent bar lights. I watched as she flipped it over her shoulder and put her head back in laughter. Her eyes danced when she laughed.

  Cab Girl reached for her drink and sipped through the tiny straw, leaving it in her mouth as she listened. It slowly slid through her red lips and sunk into her drink. So unintentionally sexy. My eyes roamed from her lips, over her slim neck, down to her chest. She was wearing a sundress that revealed enough to jumpstart my imagination.

  Her chest heaved as she laughed, and I imagined what that creamy cleavage would feel like in my palms. The thought of touching her breasts got my cock involved, and I fidgeted in my seat to hide my hardening erection.

  Maybe I should say hello? No. She probably hated me. I was kind of a dick, but I’d been overwhelmed and just wanted to get to the hotel and get settled. Now that I was, I could admit that I might have handled the situation a little better.

  Cab Girl hung up the phone and stared off into space with a lovely smile on her face. Who was she talking to that could make her smile like that? A boyfriend? Maybe she was married.

  I didn’t know anything about her. Not even her name.

  I was still considering going over to say hello when she put the slim straw to her mouth again. She didn’t let it linger and slide from her lips. Instead, she sucked up the rest of her drink and rose gracefully from her stool.

  Disappointed, I watched as she meandered out of the lounge, her head turning constantly as she looked at everything around her. The view from behind was just as splendid. Cab Girl’s hips swayed as she glided in her high heeled sandals, taking her round ass along for the ride. If her hips can sway like that…

  With each step, the sundress flowed around what I would bet my salary at the lodge were perfectly smooth and toned thighs. My dick hardened again, and I turned back to my beer, ordering another while the bartender was close. I tried to put Cab Girl out of my mind by watching the hockey game on the big screen TV but couldn’t pay attention to it. To my relief, a cute brunette pulled up the stool beside mine and offered a flirty smile.

  My cock was bulging, and I knew I could charm this girl right up to my room. But something stopped me. My cock wasn’t hard for her. As stupid as that sounded, I just couldn’t bring myself to flirt back with her.

  I downed my beer and threw some bills on the bar. The morning would come early with the start of the conference. I should get some rest.

  * * *

  The beeping of my alarm clock woke me before the sun rose. I wanted to get a workout in before the morning session began, so I headed to the bottom floor where there was a large fitness room and indoor pool.

  The pool area wasn’t like other hotels I’d been too. Though it was indoors, it was set up as an outdoor retreat. A lit-up waterfall cascaded into the pool, and a tiki bar served food and drinks while a hot tub bubbled beside the pool.

  The gym was next door, overlooking the massive pool. The fitness room was no joke, either. The new state of the art equipment mesmerized me, and, yes, there was a sauna. And, of course, a juice bar and a huge changing and shower room. Don’t forget the spa. I saw signs for it all over the place. Exactly as it should be in any resort or hotel.

  While working out, I thought of taking pictures of everything to show Brad and Cole, but changed my mind. What would pictures prove? That expensive hotels in Las Vegas offered the works? I could just hear Brad. “We are a ski resort in Colorado. A mountain retreat. We don’t need all of that.” I sighed and immersed myself in working out my biceps and triceps.

  I showered in my room and dressed for the first part of the day’s convention. This morning was a conference featuring CEOs speaking about their failures and how they turned them into success. Later that evening, there was a meet and greet formal dinner. I would have plenty of time between the morning conferences and dinner, so I decided to dress casually for the morning festivities.

  The weather was warm bordering on hot, as late spring is in Vegas. I’d planned to do some walking that afternoon, so I opted for a black pair of dress shorts and a light blue Polo shirt. I strapped a belt around my waist and slid into a pair of black and blue Nikes. No work boots today.

  I checked my look in the mirror and was proud of my reflection. I flexed my newly worked out biceps and admired my toned body. Self-centered? Not really. I just knew I looked good and worked hard to do so.

  I took the elevator down from the thirtieth floor and headed outdoors. It was only a short walk across the street to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Once inside, I rode the escalator up a floor and followed the signs through the hallways to the first session. I turned a corner and saw people milling around, so I knew I had found the right place.

  From the top, I entered a room with stadium-style seating. It reminded me of a college lecture hall but on a much larger scale. And much fancier with a large stage below and all the bright lights.

  I took the first seat I saw as they were filling up quickly and greeted a couple sitting beside me. They introduced themselves as Billy and Victoria. They were about my age and seemed friendly, though we didn’t have long for conversation.

  The speakers took the stage one after another. I listened attentively and took down a few pointers. I was intent on learning a thing or two while I was there ─ but a certain woman’s face kept popping into the back of my mind. I looked for the bright, yellow-blond hair to no avail. I listened for that sweet, singsong voice between speakers. Nothing.

  I tried not to be disappointed. I told myself, you don’t know anything about her. It was possible she wasn’t even at the hotel for the convention. And I reminded myself that I was probably the last person she would want to see, anyway. Nothing worked, though. The more I talked myself out of thinking of her, the more I did think of her. I gave up and let her image fill my thoughts. I was glad when the morning session was over. I needed to get some lunch and fresh air. Maybe a beer.

  The Convention Center was massive, so finding an exit was an expedition since I’d never been there. Once outside, I looked up and down the busy street, trying to decide which way I should walk. It didn’t seem to matter, as both directions looked just as populated with people and places. Even in the daytime, the lights of Sin City shined nonstop.

  I walked around the block, doing a little sightseeing since I’d never been there. There were casinos galore, massive buildings full of individual character. I turned the final corner of the immense block and felt my stomach growl. I’d skipped breakfast, which I never did, and dinner was still a few hours away, with more speeches beforehand.

  I spotted a small bar that was just my kind of place. I wanted to avoid the overpopulated casinos for the moment. I chose an outdoor table and checked out the menu sandwiched between the ketchup and mustard bottles. A waitress, who didn’t look a day over sixteen, took my order: a burger, fries, and a cold bottle of beer. Most people wouldn’t think a fitness buff would eat like I did, but I earned my calories, so I enjoyed them when I wanted to.

  The double BBQ bacon and cheddar burger and fries washed down well with two beers. The waitress took my empty tray away and brought me one more beer. What the hell? I was on vacation.

  I was sipping on my bottle and people watching when someone caught my eye. The yellow-blonde hair grabbed my attention first, and though her back was to me and I couldn’t see her face, I knew by the swish of her hips and the bounce of her ass, it was the girl from the cab.

  She was walking on the opposite sidewalk, looking at the stores and whatnot as she walked. She seemed to be window-shopping, stopping in front of several shops without going in. She was already carrying several large shopping bags. Something on my side of the street caught her eye, and she started walking in my direction.

  Wait, what is she doing? Was she going to cross the street there? Right there? Yep, she was. E
ven I, who lived in the rural mountains, knew to use a crosswalk when crossing busy city streets. Cab Girl looked both ways, chose her moment, and started trotting across the four-lane street.

  I smiled at her courage. This was the girl who couldn’t even stand up for her own cab last night. Now she was running ─ well half-running ─ across a busy ass street! A car got close and laid on their horn. Cab Girl scowled and kept on going as if she had the right of way. She reached the sidewalk in front of me without slowing.

  I saw her exhale in relief, but before she could take another step, a guy on a bike sped directly at her. I watched in horror as she looked up just in time to sidestep the bike, but in the process, her bags were swept from her hands. Oh, my God! I rose from my seat and hurried over to help her.

  “That was a close one,” I told her as I bent to pick up her bags.

  She had bent down at the same time, and at the sound of my voice, she raised her eyes to meet mine. Her eyes grew as wide as saucers. “It’s you.”

  I grinned. “Yeah, it’s me.”

  Her eyes lingered for a moment longer, shock in them. They were a lovely mix of blue and grey. She blinked and dropped her eyes, retrieving her bags quickly.

  “Thanks, but I got this.”

  “Okay,” I said as we both stood up. “Are you here for the conference?”

  “Yes. Are you?”

  “Yeah, I am.

  “Humph.”

  I grinned and cocked my head. “I’m not sure what that means.” When I saw the look on her face, I added, “Or, maybe I don’t want to know.” She smiled a little. I would have to put the charm on hard to get out of this mess. “So, are you walking back to the hotel?”

  “Yes, I am,” she answered curtly.

  But she didn’t move, so I took that as a sign to keep at it. I gave her my most charming smile, the one that got me laid as often as I wanted. She didn’t smile back, which surprised me, and she turned to walk away.

  Damn, she was going to be tough.

  “Wait,” I called after her. “I’ll walk with you.”

  “It’s a free country,” she answered without stopping.

  I hurried back to my table and saw my waitress nearby. I practically threw money at her, yelled that I was sorry, but to keep the change. I trotted to catch up to Cab Girl. She turned her head slightly, and our eyes locked. I gave her a real smile, not my over the top charming one. She didn’t fall for the charm, so I figured I shouldn’t use it again and push my luck.

  “Can I carry some of your bags?”

  “No, thank you,” she replied in a clipped voice, her stride strong.

  Looking for the words to break the silence, I asked, “Are you enjoying the conference so far? I didn’t see you this morning.”

  She looked over at me. “You were looking for me?”

  I shrugged noncommittally. “I just knew you were at the hotel and wondered if it was for the conference.” She turned her head away, and for a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to respond.

  “I was down in the front. And, yes, I am enjoying the conference so far. I think the speakers gave good advice this morning, and I’m looking forward to hearing more.”

  I was a bit shocked at her answer. Beautiful? Yes. An Entrepreneur? No. I didn’t see it. But, I wasn’t going to say that.

  We reached the hotel, the blast of cool air refreshing after our brisk walk. She’d set a fast pace, surprisingly since she was wearing heels that made her legs look stunning. I needed to stop in my room to get ready for the dinner meet and greet. I assumed she was doing the same.

  “Are you going to the meet and greet tonight?” I asked her.

  “Yes, that’s why I was out shopping. I accidentally ripped the dress I was planning to wear. Got it caught in the closet door somehow,” she informed me, frowning.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. But I am glad we ran into each other.”

  She didn’t look at me, but I noticed her eyes widen. She nodded. I wanted to ask her to join me at dinner, but first, I should find out more about her.

  “Who are you here with?” I casually asked her.

  “You saw me arrive alone,” she answered sarcastically.

  “Yes, but you could have been meeting someone.”

  “True,” she mused, glancing at me, and I wondered if she was debating telling me the truth. “I’m here by myself.”

  “Cool. Me, too.” I got a smile with that answer, which was a start. “You want to join me at the meet and greet? I mean, since we’re both here alone.”

  Cab Girl looked at me thoughtfully. “You think that’s a good idea?”

  “Why not?” I replied with a shrug. “You’re the only person I know here. We should sit together.” I grinned.

  “We know each other now?”

  “We shared a cab,” I reminded her.

  Here came the famous glare. “In case you’ve forgotten, you blatantly stole my cab.”

  “Whoa, wait a minute. If I stole your cab, I wouldn’t have let you get inside of it,” I informed her.

  “You let me get inside of my own cab? Oh, thank you. You know, I had that cab first, and you busted right in front of me to take it for yourself,” she countered.

  “But I didn’t take it for myself. I shared it with you, remember?” I quickly defended myself. The conversation wasn’t going as I had intended it to go.

  “I do remember, and I’ve already thanked you for sharing my own cab with me,” she said curtly and picked up her pace as she headed for the elevators.

  “Wait, would you?” I called after her before she disappeared through the crowd. She stopped and turned, bags swinging in her hand. “I’m sorry for taking your cab last night. I really didn’t do it on purpose. It was the rain. I had my head down coming out of the airport and just saw bright yellow, so I ran to it. When I noticed you, I felt bad, so I hoped you would share it with me,” I confessed. I put my hands in my pockets and studied my shoes.

  Finally, she spoke up. “I accept your apology. I’ll meet you in the lounge at five-thirty.”

  With that, she was gone. But I was smiling. Then, I remembered I still didn’t know her name.

  Emily

  I tossed my bags onto the bed, exhausted and wishing I’d let the man carry them. What just happened? The last person I would have ever expected just asked me to join him at the meet and greet dinner.

  The pace of my heart quickened. Mr. Smug? Really? What was I going to do? I was so confused. It all happened so fast ─ too fast.

  I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Deep breaths calmed my nerves. Okay, so I had a date with Mr. Smug. A date! Was it a date?

  I looked in the mirror at my disheveled hair and groaned. I woke up late that morning and only quickly ran a brush through it, causing it to frizz, and the humidity of the city air didn’t help any either.

  I needed to shampoo. I grabbed my undies and bra, a sexy black lace combo. I had splurged for this trip, my entire weekend wardrobe newly purchased. I wanted to make a statement. Leave an impression. Upon reflection, I realized my lacy bra and panties shouldn’t be making any statements because no one should see them, but I liked them and felt sexy wearing them.

  Showered and dressed in my new undies, I massaged lotion into my moist skin. I enjoyed the feel my body’s curves, silky skin, and my mind wandered. A warm sensation grew in my groin.

  When was the last time I was with a man, I wondered. Too long. But don’t go making tonight more than it is. It’s just a meet and greet. And Mr. Smug only asked because he was alone.

  Mr. Smug? I giggled at the nickname I’d given him. That was the first name that had popped into my mind the night before, and it had fit at the time. But he hadn’t seemed so smug that afternoon. Which made me wonder who the real Mr. Smug was.

  I was intrigued, I’d admit. A good-looking man. Confident. Composed. Mr. Smug probably already was a successful entrepreneur. He certainly dressed the part, wearing that expensive suit last night. Who flies in a suit? A busines
sman, of course.

  I sighed. Don’t let it bother you. Not everyone here is an entrepreneur. That’s why many of us are here, to learn how to be one. I glanced at the clock and realized I only had a half of an hour to meet him.

  I dressed in a red, floor-length, tulle dress with a V-neck bodice, showing off some cleavage. The skirt was flocked with red velvet to create a subtle fishnet pattern. I’d spent way too much on the dress, but when I’d seen it that afternoon, I’d known it was for me.

  I did my hair up in a twist and applied makeup. I checked my look in the mirror and was pleased. Damn, I looked good. It wasn’t often that I had the opportunity to get all dolled up and go out. I was impressed with my results.

  Giggling, I slid on my red pumps and grabbed my matching evening bag. When I reached the elevator, my heart skipped a beat. All the nerves I’d managed to wash away in the shower came rushing back. I went through my breathing exercises as the elevator descended to the first floor.

  The doors opened, and I was relieved to see other eloquently dressed people, many of them couples, which made me glad to have a date. Looking around, I didn’t see Mr. Smug but had told him I’d meet him in the lounge. Taking one more deep breath to settle my nerves, I set a smile on my red lips and gracefully walked to the lounge.

  I looked around the room but didn’t see him. Walking to the bar, I wondered if he was just late. I’d have a drink and wait for him. I sipped on my Sparkling Apple Sangria and glanced at my watch after several minutes. He was fifteen minutes late.

  Maybe he’s not coming, I thought as I finished my drink. I didn’t want to order another drink before eating dinner. Face it; he’s standing you up. Sighing, I hid my disappointment and grabbed my bag. With one last, hopeful look around, I got up to leave.

  A group of young people was blocking my way. Drinks in the air, they were singing along to the music without a care in the world. As I tried to navigate around them, I heard a deep, commanding voice roar over the singing, “Out of my way!” I watched as the group parted like the Red Sea, and the most striking man alive emanated through the opening.