by Kat London
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
EPILOGUE
You can make a big difference!
Exclusive Content
Also by Kat
About the Author
Contents
Title
Copyright
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
EPILOGUE
You can make a big difference!
Exclusive Content
Also by Kat
About the Author
GETTING DIRTY
Kat London
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Kat London
www.katlondondauthor.com
GETTING DIRTY
by Kat London
All rights reserved.
Published by Kat London Books.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
ONE
If I had to guess I’d say that the evenings were darker in the mountains. I was a local girl, born and bred in the resort town of Canmore, smack dab at the brink of the Rocky Mountains. All around me my beloved scenery stretched upwards, blackened by the setting sun that fell behind the great white peaks.
The flickering bonfire allowed me to see everyone at the party. I was surrounded by the faces of all the locals I’d gotten to know over the years, like my supervisor Ali, who had been in the mountains since getting her pilot’s license four years ago. And there was my newest friend, Blake, who had started working as a tour guide the same time I did two years ago. But where Blake handled white-water rafting, I preferred the lead guide on overnight hiking trips up the mountainside.
Next to Blake was a dark-haired hottie I’d never seen before. He had to be at least six feet tall, which was nice for me because I was five eight—a little taller than the usual girl. I pulled my white t-shirt lower, revealing my D-cup cleavage through my stretched V-neck. They were my best assets by far. Unlike my co-workers, I had a few extra pounds to fill out my curves, and my breasts were the top two features that drew a man’s attention. Then I downed my drink, and grabbed another one, before sidling up to Blake.
She was texting like a madwoman on her phone. “What’s up?” I asked, eyeing the dark-haired hottie on her other side.
She glanced up from her cell phone. “Hey, Cher. I’m texting back Darian. He just landed in Houston.” Blake frowned. “He wants me to join him.”
Butterflies jumped in my stomach. “How romantic,” I said, bumping her shoulder with mine.
Blake and Darian had met only three months prior, at the beginning of white-water rafting season. He was here with his business, Hunter Logistics, and had brought a crew of truck drivers with him for a little R&R. But Darian got more than he bargained for with my bestie Blake. He fell head over heels for the tiny blond, which led to the long distance relationship dilemma that Blake was currently having.
“It’s not that it wouldn’t be fun,” Blake said, chewing the inside of her cheek. “It’s just I’m still busy with tours. Darian knows this, but he just likes to tease me. He wants me to come on my days off this week. And of course, he insists on paying.”
“How long is the flight?”
Blake looked up from her phone sheepishly. “Three hours.”
“Ohmygosh, girl,” I groaned. “You have to go. Do it for me. Get out of this place and have a little fun.”
“Do you think I should?” Blake smiled wistfully. “I miss him.”
I took a long swig of my drink as a pang of jealousy hit me in the gut. What I wouldn’t do to have someone like Blake did—someone who actually texted me back for something more than a booty call. Maybe it was this place—too much of a carefree lifestyle. Why couldn’t I find a little piece of love? I groaned again, this time drawing attention from people near us. “Go! I would. You’re crazy not to.”
“Eeep!” Blake squealed. “I’m going to go call him. Thanks, Cher. You’re the best.”
“Watch out for bears,” I said, lifting my red cup in the air.
I watched my friend disappear into the crowd, away from the fire, hidden in the darkness. Then remembering why I came here in the first place, I frantically searched for the missing hottie. He wasn’t around. I took another long sip, trying not to look like some crazy stalker as I glanced at the crowd.
“Bears?” A familiar voice came from behind me. I spun around and found my old friend Gavin walking toward me. “Did someone say bears?”
I laughed. “I was just warning Blake to be careful in the dark.”
“Whew.” Gavin pretended to wipe sweat from his forehead. “You can’t just go around yelling ‘bear’ in the mountains. That’s as bad as yelling ‘bomb’ on a plane.”
I punched Gavin in the arm, surprised by how solid he felt under his plaid jacket. He owned the local flower shop and was the last person I’d expect to be so ripped. “Don’t be silly.”
He flashed me a quick smile, and then motioned to the picnic tables. “I see a couple of spots open. Want to sit with me.”
I looked around for the dark-haired hottie once again. He was definitely gone. “Sure.”
We sat on the picnic table, I straddling the wooden bench while Gavin tucked both legs underneath. Not only did this way give me the ability to scan the crowd for the missing hottie, but I also found picnic tables awkward. Either my legs were too long, or my breasts got in the way. Big-boobed girl problems. It’s a tough life.
Gavin started talking about an overnight hike he had booked tomorrow when we were interrupted by none other than Mr. Hottie himself.
“Hey, Gav,” he said, leaning against the table next to Gavin. I tilted my head to the side to get a better look—dark tanned skin with a five o’clock shadow along his jawline that I imagined running down the inside of my thighs right before he put his—
“Kyle, this is Cher,” Gavin said, bringing me out of my daydream.
I gave my best sexy-eye stare as I stretched out my hand, making sure to arch my back enough that Kyle couldn’t help but see my cleavage. His eyes glanced down to my hand as he stretched out his own to meet me. As we shook, I noticed his glance had moved right where I wanted it. Game on.
“So what brings you to Canmore, Kyle?” I leaned forward on the picnic table, giving him all of my attention.
“Kyle’s a lifesaver,” Gavin said. “I needed someone to finish off the summer season for me in the store when Jacques left.”
I scrunched up my nose at the mention of Jacques. That guy had deemed himself the player of Canmore, and though I’d had my share of Jacques in the back of his shaggin’ wagon on more than one occasion, I wasn’t sad to see him leave. Him and his patchouli smelling van.
“Well, we’re happy to have some new blood in town.” I let go of Kyle’s hand and noticed he still hadn�
�t broken his stare. “I notice you don’t have a drink.” I held up my cup. “I’m almost done mine. Why don’t we go get one together?”
“Sure,” he said, watching me as I got up from the picnic table. I downed the last half of my cup, hoping no one noticed, and linked my arm in Kyle’s as we went to find a keg. I glanced back and noticed Gavin frowning as he watched us walk away.
Three drinks and a few shooters later, I was feeling just right. Kyle loved to dance, and when he did he got right close, holding onto my ass as he pushed himself against my hips. He’d even swapped cell numbers with me. This was exactly what I needed—someone new. A fresh start. After living here forever, I’d had my share of short romances, but nothing seemed to ever work out in my favor. I learned long ago that I could use my assets to get a guy, but it was the holding on part that never seemed to work out.
When the song ended, I pulled Kyle through the crowd to get another drink. Before we got very far, someone cried out from the top of a picnic table. “Wet t-shirt contest! Winner gets a free dinner for two!”
Kyle tugged on my arm. “You have to enter.”
I glanced at the tables and saw a row of girls, all in similar t-shirts as me. They were a variety of shapes and sizes, but I wasn’t keen on being put on display. “I don’t know—”
“Oh come on, please. You’re just too damn sexy not to.” Kyle nuzzled into my neck sending shivers down my shoulders. “Then after we can take this party back to my place, if you know what I mean.”
“Ugh, fine.” I squealed, covering my face in embarrassment as I worked my way to the front of the crowd. When I climbed up on the table a bunch of people I knew cheered. I wasn’t the only local up there—but I definitely had the biggest breasts. I took my place at the end of the picnic table and noticed that Gavin was nearby. He was still frowning.
As the guy in charge dumped water on us, each girl screamed. When it was my turn, I saw why. The water was ice cold. It poured down my dark dreads, onto the front of my shirt. I could feel my nipples instantly contract under the thin white cotton. Thankfully I’d left my bra on.
The crowd cheered loudest when it was my turn, making me the winner. Before the guy came back with my prize, my cohorts had all jumped off the picnic table, leaving me alone at the end. Before I could process what was happening, I felt the table start to tip.
“Whoa!” Gavin said, running toward me with his arms out. I landed awkwardly in his care, my arms flailing, almost hitting him in the face. I wrapped my arms around him, as he set me on the ground, getting me back on my feet.
“Thank God you were there,” I said, hugging him.
“Ah, you’re cold!”
I stepped back, suddenly self-conscious by my exposed bra and the two large wet circles I’d left on Gavin’s plaid jacket. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled, then crossed my arms in front of me. I looked away, searching for Kyle.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Gavin said, peeling off his jacket. “Why don’t you take this instead? Seriously. You’re starting to shiver.”
The thing about the mountains in August was that the evenings were crisp, even when you weren’t drenched from a wet t-shirt contest.
I thanked Gavin as he covered me up, then started searching for Kyle again. I spotted him right next to the fire, making out with one of my wet t-shirt cohorts. What the hell? I turned back to Gavin, feeling even stupider than I did a second ago.
His gaze had followed mine, and he looked back at me uneasily. “Well, kid, you win some, and you lose some.”
Why did I always feel like I was on the losing end?
“Here,” I said, starting to take his jacket off. “You should take this back. I think it’s time I went home.”
“Keep it,” he said. “I’ll come by tomorrow and get it when I book that hike I was telling you about.”
“Oh, yeah,” I said, barely hearing him. “See you then.” I turned away from the party, half-tipsy, and fully-embarrassed as I worked my way home. I only lived a couple of blocks away, in a townhouse I shared with a couple of friends. The nice thing about being a townie is you know where all the good real estate is.
When I got home, I hung up Gavin’s coat to dry, and stripped off my wet clothes, slipping into a dry t-shirt and shorts. I stopped at the fridge and eyed up the leftovers—some of my roommate’s tofu pie. It just wasn’t going to cut my shame-eating need. So instead, I trudged down the stairs to my bedroom and buried myself in my covers.
My phone beeped from my nightstand. Could it be Kyle? I grabbed my phone and saw it was Gavin.
Did you get home safe?
I texted back.
Safe in bed. C U tmw.
I checked my social media for anything exciting. Nada.
Gavin texted back.
Night.
I smiled and sent back a wink with a kiss. At least I still had friends, even if I didn’t have any romance. But would it hurt the universe to dish out a little love my way? I peered out my bedroom window, staring at the stars that twinkled above the mountain peaks and made a little wish.
Just one time, let it be my chance to find someone.
TWO
The bell to Three Sisters Adventures dinged above my head as I slipped inside. Ali was already inside; deep behind a stack of paperwork on her supervisor desk. The sounds of Blake banging around in the locker rooms came from behind the front office.
“Fun night?” Ali asked peeking up from her computer.
I shrugged as I slipped behind the front counter. I did have a headache from one too many drinks last night, and couldn’t help but think it was all for nothing. “It was uneventful, as usual.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Ali said half-paying attention as she stuck her pen in her mouth and started typing. Eww. Mental note. Do not touch any of Ali’s pens. “That was a nice bra you had on,” she mumbled past the object between her lips.
My face instantly flushed hot as I met Ali’s gaze. Her eyes were wrinkled at the sides as she tried to contain a smile. Did she see me in the contest? Ohmygod. How embarrassing. I bee-lined the coffee machine and kept my back to here as I filled my mug. The aroma of dark roast French vanilla filled my nose, and my headache faded for a moment. Caffeine was just what I needed. That and keeping my back to Ali as long as possible.
As I cradled my precious mug, the sound of Blake’s voice made me jump. “Cher! I need you in the back ASAP!” I slid off my seat and smiles as Ali rolled her eyes as I passed her desk.
Blake was nowhere to be seen in the locker rooms, but I could still hear her banging about, so I continued out back to the garage. I found her next to my work Jeep, with all the camping gear spread out around her.
“What’s up?” I asked eyeing the pile of madness she had created.
She looked up, face flushed and eyes filled with excitement. “I fly out first thing in the morning. I can’t believe I’m doing this!” She continued speaking faster and faster, and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. “I mean, really—Houston—I’ve never been there before. What will I do? But at least I get to see Darian, right?”
“I think you and Darian will find plenty to do in your hotel room alone,” I teased. “But seriously. What are you doing with all of my camping gear?”
Blake looked back at the pile of equipment sprawled out around her. “This is my thanks to you for pushing me to go to Houston. I’m packing up the Jeep for your trip today, so you don’t have to.” She looked back up and tucked a stray strand of dark blond hair away from her face.
“You don’t have to do that.” I lifted my mug of hot coffee and took another sip. Sweet Jesus, I needed this jolt to wake me up.
“I insist,” she said. “When I left the party last night I saw you with that cute guy, and it looked like you two were having such a good time. So I figured you might have had a late one. Like I said, thanks for the push to go to Houston.”
“Anytime,” I said, holding up my mug in acceptance, and turning back to the office. Ohmygod. Blake came back to the bonfire
last night. I hope she didn’t see my debacle on the picnic table as Ali had. Embarrassment fluttered in my gut. I didn’t need my friends to see my sad-ass attempts at romance.
I grabbed my clipboard took a seat at the front counter and started looking through my notes for the trip with Gavin and his staff. I was surprised when I learned he had three staff members, not realizing his business consisted of more than Gavin and a delivery guy. Now that Jacques was gone, he wouldn’t be joining us. I pulled out his sheet and replaced it with one for Kyle.
I thought back to last night, trying to see where I went wrong. Kyle seemed interested up until the wet t-shirt contest. But it couldn’t have been the contest that made him lose interest; he was the one pushing me to participate. But if it wasn’t that, then what happened? Maybe this trip would let me show him I was more than just a pair of tits.
The door dinged, and I looked up to see Gavin, dressed in his usual plaid shirt and jeans. His hair was messed a bit, and I could see something behind his ear, just above where his jaw met with his nicely trimmed extended goatee.
“Hi, Gav,” Ali said from behind her desk.
“Morning.” He waved, then turned his attention to me.
I set my clipboard down and leaned against the front counter. “Are you ready to have some fun?” I asked.
A smirk played at the edge of his lips. “I’m always ready to have fun with you. And guess what? I’ve got something for you.”
Confusion set in. “For me? What?”
“First,” he said, pulling an envelope out of his pocket, “you left this behind last night.” He slid the white paper across the counter toward me. “It’s your prize from the wet t-shirt contest.”
Ali grunted from behind me, and my cheeks instantly got hot. “Thanks,” I said, not meeting his eyes as I grabbed the envelope. Would I ever live this down?
“And this is from me,” he said, reaching up to his ear and pulling out an odd-shaped purple flower. Its top looked spiky while its bottom opened up showing a fuzzy ball of yellow.