Tempting Gifts

by Elena Aitken

  “Just like that.” Jason smiled and closed his eyes before he slid in next to him.

  “I saw you over there.”

  He’d expected the voice, or at least hoped for it when he’d set them down so close to her, but hearing it made him happier than he cared to admit because it meant she had noticed him. Slowly, as if it was no big deal, he opened his eyes and looked at her.

  She was beautiful. Her long blond hair piled up on her head in a messy ponytail; her bikini top only enhanced the curves he’d noticed before through her uniform. She was definitely stunning. Especially without his cousin Conrad anywhere to be seen.

  “Did you?” Jason replied with a slow smile.

  The look she gave him in return was killer. Smoldering eyes bored into him, and he had to fight the instinct to reach for her and pull her close. Not only because it was a completely ridiculous urge to have considering they’d only just met, but because he was pretty sure he’d get slapped and his very young, very impressionable nephew sat very close by.

  “I was talking to him.” Lisa turned so her whole body was angled toward Kayden and very obviously, away from him. “You’re a very good swimmer, Kayden.”

  “Thanks.” Kayden sat straighter and pushed his shoulders back. “But not as good as my Uncle Jason. Do you know him?”

  Her smile was sweet, and it was obvious she enjoyed children. She wasn’t just one of those who pretended to like kids because that was their job; she actually did. “We’ve met.”

  She didn’t even turn to him, which stung more than Jason cared to admit, but she was so charming and totally beautiful, that he brushed it off and watched as Lisa continued to engage Kayden in conversation, which he absolutely ate up.

  ““Well, I think you’re pretty good.” She smiled and gestured with her head toward the other pool. The knowledge that she’d been watching them lit a fire deep inside him. Maybe this woman who pretended to be irritated by him actually liked him. Even a little bit. Or maybe it was his nephew she liked so much? Judging by the way she still ignored him and fawned over Kayden, that was more likely the case.

  “Did you see my cannonball?” Kayden grinned proudly. “I’m going to be big and strong, like my uncle one day.”

  Lisa nodded, but still didn’t look in Jason’s direction.

  “I’m going to have muscles like him one day.” Kayden jumped up and pulled on Jason’s arm. “Don’t you think he’s strong?”

  She had no choice then but to look at him, and when she turned and met his eyes, he was positive he saw a flicker of something behind her gaze. Desire? Heat? Or maybe it was just irritation. It was hard to know.

  But when Lisa’s lips turned up in a smile and she said, “Oh I think he looks plenty strong,” Jason had no doubt there was desire in her eyes or at the very least, a flicker of interest. And despite all the logic telling him he needed to walk away and leave her alone, he knew that wasn’t going to happen.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  It was Lisa’s favorite part of the day. Only three kids were in the Cub Club so far, and while she knew there’d be more, she still had another hour before the chaos started. It was good chaos, and she loved every minute of it, but when the little room filled up with happy, excited kids, the noise level could rise exponentially. And for even the most dedicated worker, that could get exhausting.

  She looked around the room. Two little girls and one little boy played with an animal set on the rug in the middle of the room. It was amazing how boys and girls could play together so well when they were little, and then as they got older, something shifted. Until they were her age, and she couldn’t seem to be in the same room with a man and have a functional relationship with one. Not that she knew what a functional relationship even was, she mused.

  She shook her head and focused on the tasks at hand. Which meant preparing for the hike they’d promised the kids. She scanned the table in front of her and the snack bags she’d had sent up from the kitchen. Morgan usually trusted her with most of the preparations for the outdoor activities, because even though she’d been at the Lodge for just over a year and dated the outdoors activities director, she still couldn’t seem to fully embrace the outdoor lifestyle. Lisa laughed. And that was considered a functional relationship.

  “What’s so funny?” Morgan appeared by her side.

  “Nothing. I was just thinking about how ironic it was that you’re practically married to Bo, and you hate the outdoors.”

  Morgan picked up one of the snack packs and examined it. “I don’t hate the outdoors.”

  “Okay, you distinctly dislike it.”

  Morgan laughed. “I’d like to think it’s a little better than that. I’ve changed a lot in the last few months. I actually like hiking now. Just don’t ask me to camp out,” she added with a smile and they both laughed.

  “I suppose everyone has their limits.”

  “That’s exactly it. And my limits involve my own bed and indoor heat. Or at the very least, room service.”

  Lisa raised her eyebrows.

  “And no, Bo bringing me coffee in a tin cup made over the fire doesn’t count. Give me a hotel any day,” Morgan added.

  “Well, as long as it works for you guys,” Lisa said. And it did work for them. They were one of the happiest couples she knew. Despite their differences, they made it work between them. Maybe it was because of their differences.

  Lisa shook her head and concentrated on the task at hand. She had spent far too much time thinking about men and relationships in general for the last few days. It wasn’t like her to give men more than a passing thought, and she’d promised Morgan. It was a promise she’d keep.

  She looked over to where Morgan consulted a clipboard and checked things off a list.

  “It looks like we’re only waiting for four more kids today,” she said. “It’s a pretty small group. That’s perfect because we won’t need another adult. It’s just the two of us.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They both looked over when the bell over the door rang.

  A mother, with a timid little girl clinging to her leg, walked through the door. “I’ll go get her checked in and settled.” Morgan headed toward the door.

  Lisa spent a few more minutes going over the checklist and made sure the first-aid kit was well stocked. When the bell over the door rang again, Lisa assumed Morgan was still there and would handle the check-in. She kept her head down and focused on what she was doing. The sooner they got organized, the sooner they could head out.

  “Excuse me.”

  Lisa turned in the direction of the voice. A voice that made her pause and her stomach flip.

  Jason.

  Lisa glanced around quickly, and found Morgan sat with the little girl on the floor. She was obviously upset, and probably suffered from a bit of separation anxiety. Morgan looked up and gave Lisa a helpless look. Understanding, Lisa headed toward Jason and Kayden, who stood proudly next to him.

  “Hi.” She spoke to the little boy. “Welcome to the Cub Club. It’s good to see you again.”

  “It’s good to see you, too.”

  Lisa glanced up, annoyed, and saw a devilish grin on Jason’s face. What was it with this guy?

  “I was talking to him.” She held out her hand. “Hi, Kayden. How are you doing this morning?”

  “Fine, thank you.” He nodded seriously; he’d obviously been taught very good manners. But then he turned and said, “Uncle Jason, she’s pretty.”

  “Yes she is.”

  Lisa looked up and expected to see another grin on Jason’s face. Instead, he had a straight face. Impossible to read. Lisa shook her head and focused again on Kayden.

  “Are you ready for a hike this morning? It’s going to be a beautiful day so we’re going to head out on the trails and see if we can spot any animal tracks.”

  “Animals? Will there be bears?”

  “There might be some, but don’t worry, we won’t see any. They don’t like people, so they hide.”

/>   Jason rubbed the boy’s head. “You’re in good hands, buddy. And you’re going to have way more fun than the adults. We’re doing boring family talking and stuff.” He straightened and handed Lisa some papers. “These are the permission forms from his mom.”

  “She didn’t want to come?”

  “I like to hang out with Kayden whenever I can,” Jason said. “So I kind of take over. Is that okay?”

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I don’t usually meet uncles who are so involved is all.”

  “Well, you’ve never met me.”

  She had to give him credit; he was definitely coming on strong. And as much as she wanted to play along and flirt back, she didn’t. She wouldn’t. The last thing she needed in her life was a one-night stand. Especially with a guest who could cost her her job. Not even one she was as insanely and unexplainably attracted to as Jason. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.

  “Okay.” She dragged out the word. “Well, I think the papers are all good. So you can sign him in here. And Kayden, you can go play until it’s time to leave. There’s lots of fun things to do. Do you like Lego?”

  He nodded and Lisa pointed in the direction of the bin full of blocks.

  Like most boys, he didn’t need to be told twice. With only a backward glance toward his uncle, he took off, ready to play.

  “So you can pick him up at three today,” she said. “We’ll feed him lunch since we’re going on a hike.”

  “Sounds like a fun day.”

  Lisa focused on what she wrote on the clipboard, which was nothing of importance, but she needed something to focus on besides him. “It will be,” she said without looking up.

  “Do you do a lot of hikes?”

  “Yes, we do.” Lisa clipped her pen on the board and looked up sharply. “I really have a lot to do. Is there something else you need before you leave?”

  His face changed. The smile faded a bit. “Look,” he said. “I just wanted to—”

  Before he had a chance to finish his thought, the door opened again with the last of the children they were waiting for. “I’m sorry. I have to take care of this.” Without waiting for a response, Lisa turned her attention to the new arrivals, and out of the corner of her eye, saw Jason slip out the door. It wasn’t until much later that she realized, with a twinge of regret, that she never did hear what he’d been about to say.

  ~ * ~

  There was so much more he could have said. Should have said. But Lisa was so obviously uninterested in him. Hell, she was downright irritated by him.

  Or was she?

  He wasn’t stupid; he’d been around enough to know when a woman was into him. And she was. Except she wasn’t. And even if she was, what was the point? The last thing he needed in his life was another relationship—look at how the last one had turned out. Even if Nikki hadn’t been in the car accident that day, he’d never have been able to ignore where she’d been coming back from that night. You just couldn’t ignore that kind of thing. The fact of the matter was, with or without the accident, their relationship was over. The fact that she’d been killed on impact only complicated things. Especially his feelings. How did you grieve for someone who’d been deceiving you for months? She’d broken his heart, long before she’d died.

  He made his way down the hall, and tried to process his thoughts. “Maybe Jen’s right?” he muttered.

  “Right about what?”

  Dammit. He turned to see his twin sister grinning from ear to ear. “I’m always right. But what is it this time?”

  He waited for her to catch up and they fell into perfect stride together as they made their way to the main lobby, where they were supposed to pick up an agenda with some of the day’s activities.

  “What do you think of me going to work for Porter Properties?” He totally changed tracks because as dangerous as it was to talk about the family business, it was less of a minefield than talking about relationships. Especially when both of them were completely dysfunctional.

  Jen eyed him carefully. She was no fool, and she knew her brother better than anyone. There was no doubt that she wasn’t going to fall for his lame distraction technique, but she didn’t push it. “Why would you ask?” she said slowly. “You’re not really considering it, are you? You know Dad would love it, but do not joke about it because the last thing I need to hear about is how you’re teasing him with promises and then changing your mind. I really don’t need that and if you even think about waving this in front of him and then running back up North, I will hunt you down and drag you back here.” She narrowed her eyes at him and they both knew she’d follow through on her threat. Jennifer had been working in PR at Porter Properties since she’d graduated from college. She handled herself and the family dynamics beautifully, but she’d made it clear from the beginning that she didn’t want anything to do with management. Of course that hadn’t kept their father from trying to sway her, but everyone in the family knew it was Jason he really wanted to take over the business. And it was Jason who was the best suited for it.

  If only he could be convinced of it.

  And maybe he was. Time healed a lot of things, and maybe it was time to try something new.

  “I was thinking of it.” He watched his sister’s face closely, but if she was surprised, she hid it well.

  “Good.” She continued walking, and Jason had no choice but to follow her.

  “Good?”

  “What did you expect me to say?” He knew she was playing with him, but still, he’d expected a little more enthusiasm out of her. Or at the very least, some sort of sharp comment about why it had taken him so long to smarten up.

  “I guess I thought you’d tell me how smart I was and bow at my feet in gratitude or something like that.”

  He ducked swiftly but wasn’t fast enough to miss Jen’s hand as she spun around to smack him on the shoulder.

  “What was that for?” He rubbed the spot, but couldn’t hide his smile. It didn’t matter how old he got; it was still good to know he could get under her skin. “I mean, I don’t think it’s asking too much for you to be in my debt for coming to save you.”

  She raised an eyebrow in his direction and rolled her eyes. “Actually, I don’t think you should say anything yet.”

  Jason almost tripped over his feet. That was not the response he’d expected to his ribbing. “Wait. What?”

  Jen stopped walking again and put a hand on her hip. “Look. I know you thought we’d all be jumping up and down at your announcement. Not that telling me is really an announcement. But…” She looked around quickly. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea to broadcast it yet. I mean, come on, Jason. Conrad will say something to make you mad, or push you too far, and you’ll change your mind again. You’re not ready.”

  He had to shake his head to be sure that he really heard what he thought he heard. Jen and the rest of the family had waited for years for him to be ready and now that he was, she told him he wasn’t? He wasn’t a little kid who was going to take his ball and go home if Conrad pissed him off. He was a grown man, for Christ’s sake, making a career choice.

  “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about.”

  She tilted her head and gave him a patronizing smile that she knew he hated. “Jason, you know I’d love to work with you and don’t even get me started about how Dad’s going to react. But do you really think you can work with Conrad? He’s still the same jerk he was before, and you’ve never—”

  “Don’t, Jen.” His sister was the only one besides himself and Conrad, of course, who knew the truth about Nikki. And no, maybe he hadn’t forgiven Conrad yet. But he could get past it for the sake of the company. Couldn’t he? “Don’t use my past to determine my future. That’s not fair.”

  For a minute, he thought she was going to push the issue, but she was smarter than that. Jason didn’t often lose his temper, but he might if he was backed into a corner and Jen didn’t deserve that.

  “Well, why don’
t we go and test that theory?” Her face transformed into a devious smile and Jason instantly knew he wasn’t going to like whatever it was that she suggested. She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the lobby. “We have the whole day ahead of us, and that means there’s a whole lot of family fun to be had. No time to waste.”

  Jason swallowed down a groan and trudged after her. After all, he really didn’t have any room to argue. He’d swallow his irritation, put a smile on his face and prove to his sister that whatever happened in the past between him and his cousin was just that—in the past. Even if he wasn’t so convinced.

  ~ * ~

  With Morgan bringing up the rear, Lisa relished the opportunity to lead the children down the wooded path. She loved the outdoors, but even more, she enjoyed teaching children about the simple pleasures that being outside could bring. Kayden had become fast friends with Nate, a little boy about the same age. Together, they stuck close to Lisa, who entertained them with stories of the animals who lived in the forest.

  “Tell us about the bears,” Nate said.

  Lisa purposely had avoided any mention of bears because Kayden seemed to be a little nervous about them earlier. She glanced in his direction. He didn’t say anything but Lisa didn’t miss the tension in his jaw as he listened carefully.

  “There really aren’t many bears here,” she said. And then she darted forward on the trail and stood next to a tall yellow tree. “Do you know what type of tree this is?”

  “It’s a pine tree,” Kayden said.

  “Do bears eat them?” Nate peered around the tree, likely looking for something more interesting.

  “It’s not a pine tree,” Lisa said. She focused on Kayden.

  “But it looks like one.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “Do bears climb them?”

  “It’s actually a really cool tree called a Larch. In the summer, it looks just like a pine tree, with needles and everything. But in the fall, it turns this beautiful bright yellow and loses its needles just like a leafy tree.”

  “That’s cool.” Kayden grinned. He looked at his friend. “Don’t ya think?”