by Asha Daniels
“Hmmm… Rumor flying about Lone Wolf being on the market. Maybe that’s why. Damn shame. This place is so amazing.”
On the market? “What would they do with the place?”
“Bulldoze. Turn it into another resort or condos, which are all the rage. Here you go. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Try and keep on her good side and your life will be much easier.” Sheila patted her on the arm before walking away or more like running away. Fast.
Georgia sucked in her breath before knocking on the door. A prima donna she wouldn’t be able to get along with. This wasn’t just about competition.
“Yeah?”
Even the woman’s tone had a bite to it. She walked inside, her head held high. The look of the creature standing in a crisp white chef’s coat was the polar opposite of Sheila. Zoe’s hair was black as sin, her eyebrows a smattering away from resembling Morticia of the Addams Family. “Zoe? I’m Georgia Taylor.”
“That’s Chef Stephens and I know who you are. You’re late and you look ridiculous. While you’re not directly working under me, you will wear appropriate attire while in my kitchen or handling my functions. And don’t ever be late again.”
“Not a problem. I’ll make certain I stay out of your kitchen, Chef Stephens. Now, I am going to develop a very special social program that is going to give this resort a kick in the pants, something I suspect has been needed for one hell of a long time. From what I’ve seen of the menu, I’m surprised Lone Wolf hasn’t lost all their business given it’s the exact same as any other resort in Cheyenne.” You bet she was doing her best bluffing job since she had zero idea about any of the food, but she felt good acting like a bitch.
“Excuse me?” Zoe remained haughty.
“Yes. I do make certain what I’m getting involved in. All those three star reviews on Yelp certainly can’t help increase the number of guests.” Bravo. The woman was blushing. She’d hit a mark. “Uh-huh. Well, for my events, I expect, no, I demand top notch food from first course all the way through dessert. I can only hope that you’ll be able to provide quality food for various themed meals. That is, if that’s within your training.” Georgia had experienced enough attitude for being only six in the morning to last her a lifetime. She folded her arms and walked closer, allowing a swagger in her step. Yep, she could fall flat on her face given the slickness of the boots. However, this woman, this pinched face excuse for a chef wasn’t going to know of her discomfort.
Georgia could swear she heard applause coming from the other side of the door.
Zoe narrowed her eyes, dropped the clipboard on the steel table and headed straight for her, studying Georgia. Scrutinizing her. Her face was beet red, steam practically coming out of her ears.
Georgia refused to give the chef any reason to think she felt discomfort. No, she wasn’t going to do that ever again. If being in cowboy country might teach her one thing, it was going to be that she refused to take a back seat for anyone. “Am I missing anything?”
The tension could be cut with a dull spoon.
Exhaling, Zoe took a step back, glancing at anything and everything but Georgia. “What kind of social programs are you planning?”
“I’m in the final stages. Richard will be approving in the next two days. Then and only then will I bring you in. I certainly don’t want any of our competitors to get a sneak preview of what we’re planning.” She was ready to race out of the room. Confrontation wasn’t on her list of top enjoyments. Even disgruntled parents of the kids, and there were always those who lorded over her the fact they were doctors, lawyers or corporate moguls, made her go into panic mode every time. Not today. Grow that backbone.
“Fine. Two days. Then I’ll tell you what can be done.”
Georgia plastered on a butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth smile as she closed the distance. “No, in two days I’m going to tell you what will be done. Have we reached an understanding?” She raised her eyebrows after too long a silence.
“As I said, fine. Two days. We’ll see what you can come up with. Now, if you’ll excuse me, the breakfast crowd will be here soon.” Zoe shut Georgia down, as if she was no longer in the room.
She clenched her fists, held her breath and moved to the outer room. When she reached the kitchen, she was greeted by applause and whistles.
“Way to go!” Wally chortled.
“You have balls, if you don’t mind me saying so,” Mickey added.
“That damn chef might cut them off,” Fernando huffed as he piled biscuits onto a platter.
Georgia fanned her face and paced the room. “Please tell me there are no other employees like that in this resort.”
Mike chuckled as he motioned to a waiter coming into the kitchen. “Welcome to our life and you’re going to fit right in.”
“Only if I don’t kill all the hired help.” Georgia continued to fume.
“I like this girl,” Mickey continued cutting fruit. “Why don’t you stay and have breakfast?”
“I think I might throw up but thank you. Besides, I need a meeting with Richard.” Georgia wiped perspiration from the top of her lip. First, Savage then the ice queen. Things couldn’t get any worse.
“We’re all going to head up to Rattlesnakes tonight. Drop by and we’ll buy you a drink or five.” Mike continued laughing.
Rattlesnakes. Tonight, she was holing up in her cabin with a bottle of wine and a carton or two of ice cream. “What’s with that place, the resort I mean?”
Mike exhaled. “I used to work there. Like working in a modern day Candyland but guests love it. Just the owner and the managers are assholes. I like Richard and Shane isn’t bad either.”
“They’re new and shiny,” Mickey added. “But this place is real. Lone Wolf was just so rundown when Richard purchased the place. We can’t have all the new bells and whistles.”
“Sometimes it’s about a few touches here and there. Nothing more. That’s why women appreciate coming to a resort or any hotel.” Georgia’s mind was reeling.
“Yep. I like this girl. Down to earth.”
She noticed Fernando’s odd expression, his quiet demeanor. The man had a story to tell. “Great to meet you guys. We’ll see what the rest of this fabulous day brings.”
Fernando nonchalantly followed her. “The guys are being polite.”
“Meaning?”
He looked over his shoulder, as if searching for the chef. “Meaning there’ve been a few occurrences. You know, trucks that no longer work, cattle and horses disappearing. Even had a gas leak scare a week ago. If you ask me, I think Mr. Marshall has enemies.”
Hearing the words didn’t necessarily surprise her. “I’ll keep that in mind, but I’m here to concentrate on providing lavish parties.”
A grin popped onto his face. “Then maybe we can all have some fun around here. Would be nice.”
“I’ll do my best.” She thought about his words as he moved back behind the counter. Who would want to sabotage the ranch? You bet she was going to check out Rattlesnake Ranch.
Deep in thought, she headed for the swinging doors and the second she opened one, she heard a crack, a groan then a crash. And all just as she took a long stride out into the dining room.
She wasn’t entirely certain what she heard first, the slushing sound as her boot hit something wet, the waiter thudding hard against the ground or the crash of the dishes. Either way, she slid at least four or five feet on the slick carpet, she knew she was going to be the laughing stock of the resort. “Fuck!”
When she came to a stop, everything and everyone in the dining room had come to a complete stop. There was no other sound, no laughing or talking.
Until there was applause.
“Bravo.”
The male voice was one she knew and one she wasn’t certain she wanted to hear again. Liar. She dared to look up, straight into Savage’s eyes, his mesmerizing sensual eyes.
Bending over, he held out his hand. “Let’s get you up.”
Why did he have to have the
most adorable grin on his face, one highlighting his dimples?
“Oh my gosh. Are you all right?” This time the voice was Sheila’s.
“I’m fine.”
“She’s fine.”
When both she and Savage answered her at the same time, Georgia was ready to claw out his eyes.
“Okay, then,” Sheila chortled. “I’ll leave you in the hands of this very capable cowboy, but don’t forget your shirts. Looks like you’re going to need them.”
Georgia debated remaining where she was until Savage left the premises, maybe the entire world, but she knew he’d remain over her.
“Come on, sunshine. I won’t bite. At least for now.”
Accepting his hand, she remained mortified as he helped her to her feet. The way his hand grasped hers was the same as the morning, electrifying and totally outrageous. But she couldn’t step away or maybe she didn’t want to break the connection. He was far too tempting. As his eyes dropped to her chest, she slowly lowered her gaze. “I think I need to start this day over again. Maybe this month. Year.”
He chuckled. “Hold on there, little lady. I’ll get you all fixed up.”
As other guests came into the dining room, it seemed that every pair of eyes was watching them, as if seeing a juicy floor show. She tried to smile as Savage yanked a folded napkin from an adjacent table, moving close, this time his eyes twinkling.
“Here you go. You have some cheese and egg on your neck.” Savage bunched the linen as he wiped the cloth down from her chin, his gaze locked onto her face.
The vacuum swirled around them once again, this time creating enough heat that perspiration drizzled down the back of her neck to her shirt, from her jeans into her panties. Given her thong was already soaked from the earlier encounter; she was, quite frankly, nothing but a mess.
“There you go,” he whispered as he folded the mess into the napkin before sliding it across the top of her chest, gathering the last few crumbs.
Her legs began to shake, her arms felt heavy and she had to lick a bead of sweat from her lip. Only when she heard a few comments from the guests did the reverie break, slipping into Never Neverland.
“Ah, isn’t that sweet.”
“What a good boy.”
Georgia blinked and gave him a slight smile before doing her usual around men. She hightailed it out of the room. This was nothing but a disaster.
“What happened again?” Josh couldn’t seem to stop laughing. “You kissed her again. You came to her rescue and you two can’t stop bickering with each other. Did I miss anything?” He glanced at his watch. “And it’s only eight in the morning. What in God’s name is going to happen by say high noon? Shoot out in the OK Corral?”
“Funny. You’re a riot.” Savage stood out on the front porch of the main lodge, finally drinking the cup of coffee. The sun was bright, even through his mirrored shades, but he had a bird’s eye view of the little filly as she clomped to her car, throwing open the door, the slam almost rocking the porch.
Josh followed his gaze. “She’s a handful. That much I can see. Did you actually talk to her at all or just fondle the Georgia peach?”
“I told her she needed a hard spanking.”
Coughing, he slapped his chest. “Well, there’s a different way to catch a lady’s heart. Why didn’t you just tell her that you wanted to drag her back to the cabin and fuck her brains out?”
“Believe me, it was on my mind.” He inhaled, thinking about what little conversation they’d had. “She doesn’t want to have anything to do with me, but she’s got another thing coming.”
“Well, I don’t blame her for not wanting to mess with Mr. Neanderthal, but…” Josh burst into laughter. “Why does she have another thing coming?”
Savage glared at him then shot Georgia a look as she squealed out of the parking lot. “Richard wants her and me to work together, very closely.”
“Well, well. Interesting. That isn’t such a bad thing if you ask me.”
“I’m not asking you.” He wasn’t going to tell Toby or Josh what he was really doing. The single balance sheet he’d garnered a look at screamed that something was off, but he was leery of what he had to do. If anyone found out, especially given the attempted break in, he knew the gossip would create an impossible place to work.
“Dude. There’s obviously a connection there. She’s gorgeous. She’s hot.”
“She’s off limits, or have you forgotten about that?” He took a sip of coffee, wanting nothing more than to follow her.
Josh shook his head. “Excuses. That’s what you’re doing. Here’s the thing. If you don’t go after her, you know, ask her out, then Toby and I are going to seduce her.”
The sip of coffee went all over Josh then he choked, doubling over as the combination of laughter and indignation rushed into his system. “You. Wouldn’t. Dare.” The cough continued.
Josh blinked and wiped the strings of coffee from his face. “No lie, brother. Been decided. Toby had a little discussion with her this morning. They get along just fine.”
Jealousy. He’d never experienced the emotion in his life, but he was floored as the concept rattled his world, anger mixing in. “That’s not… I don’t…”
He patted his buddy on the back. “Relax, dude. Your decision to make, but I’m not kidding about the fact Toby is very attracted to her. Something for you to keep in mind. A spanking, huh? Everything you’ve ever dreamed of. A submissive woman being taken in hand. I can see it.”
The trouble was, he could too, including sharing her with his best friends. “I like her, Josh. I really do. As crazy as it may sound, she’s the only other woman who’s been able to strip away the armor.”
“Then she must be pretty darn special. I know you don’t like advice, but I’ve seen you truly happy once in your life. I know. You don’t want to talk about it, but someday you will need to.”
“Not right now, I don’t.” Savage didn’t want to go down that dark path. He’d spent far too much time psychoanalyzing his actions. “And I, no, we, fucked it up.”
“Damn, brother, you need to let it go. Second chances. All you have to do is believe in yourself.”
He gave his buddy a single smile. “You’ve always been my cheerleader.”
“Hold on now. I’ll take a lot of shit, but cheerleader?” Josh smirked.
“Would you prefer lifesaver?” He could see the change in Josh’s demeanor. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey, maybe I saved your life for a reason. Only you can decide if life is worth living. Gotta get back to work. Just remember what I said.”
“How could I ever forget? You’re gonna remind me at least ten times.” Savage snorted.
“That’s my current plan.”
As Josh walked back inside, he allowed himself to delve into the past for a few additional seconds then shut down that part of his life. Georgia wasn’t Macy in any regard, but the sweltering feelings he had inside, the muscular ticks and raging desire certainly were. The tour was going to be interesting. Maybe he’d have a chance to talk to her, really hold a conversation. If only she’d allow it. He snickered and glared at his lukewarm coffee, the taste suddenly bitter.
Second chances?
Only if the devil allowed.
Slamming the door signified exactly how Georgia felt right at this moment.
“And good morning to you,” Jessica huffed as Georgia passed by.
She stopped, turning sharply and headed back toward the kitchen, slapping her hands on the kitchen island. Seeing her friend in a sexy negligee, crimson in color, was a distinct reminder of her lackluster love life. Except for kissing bastards. “I hate life. Just so you know.”
Jessica took another sip of coffee before responding. Her gaze traveled to Georgia’s shirt. “Nice attire.”
“Don’t get me started. This was only the icing on the nasty, arsenic filled cake.” She’d seen the way Savage was staring at her when she’d driven out of the parking lot.
“I realize you
had an early morning, but what in God’s name could have occurred in such a short period of time? Except for whatever you’re wearing.” She gave her friend a saucy look.
“Not you, too.”
“Not me too, what? I just got out of bed. Well, after a very lovely call with Shane. Mmm…”
“Don’t rub in that you can get any man in the entire world.”
Jessica sighed and rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll give you one hint. My nasty demeanor and predicament has everything to do with some rugged asshole, who thinks he’s all that.” Georgia realized how much drama was in her voice and this had never been her, at least not really. She was the quiet teacher, the mousy girl who almost never raised her voice. Almost.
“Uh. Huh. That would be Savage and just like his name, he has you racing for the jungle.” Giggling, she took a step back.
She dropped her head into her hands. “We sparred, he kissed me, we sparred again. You know the deal.”
“I do. That means that you are both head over heels about each other.”
Georgia groaned. “What am I supposed to do about it?”
Jessica grabbed first one wrist then the other, yanking down her arms. “This isn’t rocket science or brain surgery. You like each other. So what? Explore. Enjoy. Fuck like bunnies. What’s so wrong with allowing your body to take over instead of your big brain? We talked about this, sugar. Or should I say Miss Sunshine?”
“What’s so wrong? What if I care about him? What if he cares about me? And, by the way, at least one of his friends seems to have a crush on me as well.” Georgia thought about Toby, his mannerisms and his words.
“Crush. Now you sound like you’re in high school. Live a little. If you realize you like one, both or all three, then go for it. What do you have to lose?”
“Go for it,” Georgia repeated. “To what end?”
“Who cares? Sex is fabulous, or didn’t you get that memo.” Jessica made a face at the coffee. “Today, we find a liquor store. I’m thinking Bloody Marys.”
“All three?” She wasn’t really asking.
Another laugh pushed past her lips. “What’s so wrong with that? I know what you enjoy.”