by Ali Parker
I heard Chase’s voice. “Hey.”
I spun around and found him looking cool as a cucumber as he strolled toward me. How could he look so calm? I could feel my messy bun falling all around my face and the clothes I was wearing were a combination of things I’d been wearing all week. There had been no time to even ask for my laundry to be done, not that I would have done that.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” he said, keeping his voice calm.
“You have that look. Just tell me. The sooner I know, the sooner I can fix it.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course, I’m fine.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Did you get any sleep last night?”
“I slept for a couple of hours. I’ll sleep later. What do you need?”
“I need you to slow down and take care of yourself. You’ve been running at warp speed for over a week. You’re going to drop if you don’t take some time off.”
I waved a hand and walked out of the dining room. I needed to check the children’s playroom and make sure it was decorated the way I requested. “I’m fine.”
I could hear his footsteps following me. “Where are your shoes?” he asked.
“They were in the way. I took them off.”
“Oh. Good. You need to relax any way you can.”
“If you tell me to relax one more time, I’m going to punch you.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Not in the mood, Chase. Not in the mood.”
“Promise me you’ll eat lunch.”
“Did you get that shipment of towels?” I asked, ignoring his request.
“Yes, I already told Cori.”
“Great, now I need to make sure she doesn’t put them all in that shop. We have to keep some stuff back.” I was walking and talking and didn’t even realize I had lost him somewhere. I didn’t care. I still had a million things to do.
Relax? Like that was possible. That was the perk of being the wealthy business owner instead of the peon busting ass to make said owner even richer.
I wasn’t sure how much later it was, but it felt late. I was on my knees adjusting some of the ornaments on the tree in the lobby when it hit me. Rather, I hit the wall. I was beat. I had that shaky feeling. The feeling of just wanting to crawl under the tree and take a nap.
“Harper?”
I groaned, finding the strength to get to my bare feet. “Yes, Chase?”
“I need your opinion on something.”
“What?”
“I need to show you in person.”
“Chase, I don’t have time for this.”
“It’s important,” he insisted.
I heaved a sigh. “Fine.”
“Follow me.”
I walked with him through the lobby toward the frosted-glass doors that led to the spa area. I was immediately met with soft music that sounded like a harp. The smell of peppermint filled the air. It was almost an immediate relaxation that overcame me.
“What?” I asked him again.
“I have a few spa treatments I want to add to the menu but I’m not sure they are worth it.”
“What are they?”
He waved a hand. “Just a few things,” he said casually.
He led me into a room where a pretty young woman wearing white scrubs was standing. The room was spotless, and clean white towels hung from what I knew was a heated towel rack. The smell of something fresh, maybe eucalyptus or lavender, permeated the air.
“What is it?” I asked, growing frustrated with the lack of communication.
“I need you to be my quality-assurance test.”
“How?”
He smiled at me. “Jocelyn is going to give you a series of treatments that we plan to offer as the basic package. Let me know what you think we should add or do away with.”
“What?” I gasped. “I don’t have time to sit here and do this.”
“I’m not qualified to make an assessment and I want every element of the opening to be perfect. I’ll check with you in a couple of hours and get your feedback.”
“Chase! I can’t be here for a couple of hours.”
He was already out the door, leaving me with Jocelyn staring at me with a silly smile on her face. “You can change in there,” she said. “A robe and slippers are waiting in there.”
I did want everything to be perfect and the spa was a major selling point. “Fine, but can you give me the speedy version of this package? I need to get back to work.”
“Absolutely.”
I got the feeling she was placating me. I went into the changing room, discarded my clothes, and slipped into the fluffy robe. It was comfortable and cozy. I slipped my aching feet into the slippers lined with soft fur covering soft memory foam that made me feel like I was floating rather than walking.
I got my massage before being whisked into a common area where I was given a mani-pedi, along with a facial. I was beyond relaxed after the pampering. I could hardly keep my eyes open. Chase showed up at the end of my treatment with a tray of food.
“Eat,” he ordered.
I lifted the lid and found cucumber sandwiches with sliced tomatoes and avocado on the side. “This is perfect. Anybody who has a spa day is going to appreciate a light and healthy lunch.”
“I have a smoothie too,” he said. “I didn’t bring it because it is supposed to give you energy. You need to take a nap. Then you can have it.”
I wanted to argue and tell him I didn’t have time, but I was curious. “Berry?”
“No, something green,” he said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t personally drink it but the health nut I brought on to run the spa claims it is a magic smoothie and cures all that ails you.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I think I’ll stick to water.”
“Good plan.”
I finished the lunch, and despite how light it was, I was full. Chase insisted on escorting me back to my suite. I had a feeling if I would have tried to refuse, he would have lifted me over his shoulder and carried me.
“Sleep,” he said again at the door. “I need you at your best. Frazzled and stressed is not going to help anyone. Parker is handling the tree and finalizing the dining-room décor. It’s going to be great. I want you to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can’t do that if you’re in a coma.”
“This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?”
“What plan?”
“You didn’t need a quality-assurance test.”
He winked. “But I like that shade of pink on your toes.”
I couldn’t be mad. “That was sneaky but thank you. I guess I was working myself a little hard.”
“Yes, you were. I’m going to go in search of your shoes. Wear something sensible. No one is expecting you to wear a skirt and heels.”
“But I’m supposed to be a professional.”
“You are still a professional in tennis shoes and jeans,” he said.
I nodded, appreciating the pass on wardrobe. “Thanks.”
“Goodnight. I’ll see you in a few hours. Do not come out of this room until you have slept for at least an hour, preferably two.”
“Yes, sir. You are the boss, I suppose.”
He offered another soft smile. There was a softness in his eyes as well. I had the feeling he wanted to kiss me. In my exhausted state, I didn’t think I would have rejected it. I kind of wanted it.
Instead, he walked away.
I walked inside my suite and directly into the room I was using. I dropped my robe, climbing naked between the expensive sheets and pulled the fluffy comforter over me. I was so relaxed. I knew Chase was taking care of me in the only way he knew how. I liked that he cared enough to be sneaky about it. It reminded me of better times between us.
I fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke up, I was a little disoriented. Then I remembered the nap Chase forced me to take. I smiled, stretching my arms out before throwing off the blanket. He was a good m
an. A caring, thoughtful man.
I stopped that line of thinking before it could get me in trouble. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down with him. It was easy to fall for him, but I was certain it would only end with my soul crushed once again. He would break my heart. I didn’t think I could survive round two with Chase. I could like him from a distance. I could appreciate the fact he was a kind, considerate boss without letting my heart get involved.
Chase was off limits. He was my boss. I was doing a job, and soon, it would be over. Soon, I would be moving on, no matter where that took me. Anything Chase and I once had was forever gone. We were young and naïve back then. Not anymore.
I quickly dressed, choosing a warm sweater and a pair of jeans like he advised. I already felt much better. I felt refreshed and ready to tackle the world.
I would thank him for forcing me to slow down, but that was it. It couldn’t be anything more than that.
Chapter 16
Chase
I nodded and tapped my finger on my desk while my other hand held the phone to my ear. The Santa coalition was no joke. There were phone calls every day ironing out more details.
At times, I felt like I was hosting Tom Cruise and Beyoncé. The list of riders was ridiculous. I wasn’t a fool and knew when I was being taken advantage of. These guys were pushing the limits of my patience. The only reason I was agreeing to any of it was because the advertisement had already gone out. We were officially booked to ninety-percent capacity for opening weekend.
I couldn’t throw in the towel now. I closed my eyes, praying for more patience. “I’ve ordered costumes,” I said again. “I don’t want anyone showing up in a tattered Santa costume. These are top of the line, fluffy, soft, and my guests will appreciate the quality.”
I listened to the man ramble on about some of the men preferring their own costumes. “If I can inspect those costumes, I’ll consider it. This is not something I’m budging on. This should be a good thing for you guys. They get to preserve their own costumes and they won’t have to worry about them being damaged.”
It was also going to save me the headache of dealing with their dry-cleaning demands. One look at those and I decided it was better to order new costumes. I didn’t want to be sued because someone didn’t like the way their red suit was handled.
I managed to get off the phone with a very thin thread of patience left. I was the one in need of a massage after that. With that part of my day over, it was time to focus on the hundreds of other little things that required my attention.
My door was practically kicked open, and Cori came through it looking annoyed as hell as she held out a box with a pretty red ribbon on it.
“Cori,” I said in a calm voice.
“Can you believe this?”
“Believe what?”
“Look at this!” she shrieked, holding out the box. “This is bullshit.”
“You wanted a different color bow?” I asked, having no idea what the hell she was pissed about.
“No! Not the bow, dummy. The gift. It’s a gift from Nick!”
“Oh, that was nice of him. For me?”
“No! For me!”
I couldn’t understand why she was angry over receiving a gift. Usually, she was thrilled to get anything. “Why are you mad? Is it not what you wanted?”
“He has no right to send me anything,” she snapped, dropping the box on my desk.
“Since when does someone need a right to send someone a gift? Isn’t a gift an act of goodwill?”
“Because he can’t give me a present!”
The box moved, and a scratching sound came from within it. I slid my chair back a few feet. “Just where did you get this box?”
“Jake brought it to me and said it had been delivered,” she said, backing up a bit herself.
“Do you have enemies? Did you just bring a bomb into my office?”
She shot me a look. “Why would someone send me a bomb?”
I smirked. “Trust me. I’ve thought about it a time or two myself.”
“You asshole. This isn’t funny. Open it.”
“You open it!”
“Be a man, Chase. If it’s a bomb, do you want me to blow up?”
“If it’s a bomb, you are the intended recipient. Why should I blow up?”
She waved a hand. “It’s moving again.”
“Open it up, Cori.”
“You do it!”
I got up and moved around the desk, my eyes focused on the box. “I’ll stand beside you while you open it.”
“That doesn’t help me live,” she retorted.
“Me either, but if it looks like it’s going to blow, throw your body over it and save me.”
She slapped my arm. “You are such an ass.”
I burst into laughter. “Just open the thing. Last I heard, bombs didn’t scratch or move.”
She growled, cursing me under her breath as she stepped forward. I watched her untie the bow and lift the lid. She squealed. “Oh my god.”
I wasn’t sure if it was a good oh my god or a horrified oh my god. “What is it?”
She reached into the box and pulled out a fluffy white kitten with gray feet. There was a red bow around its neck. “It’s a kitten,” she cooed, snuggling it against her face. “She’s so pretty.”
“Nick sent you a cat?”
“It’s a kitten. This isn’t fair.”
“What isn’t fair?”
“He knows I love kittens,” she complained.
I was so confused I didn’t even know what questions to ask.
Jake came into the office and stopped, looking at me then Cori and the kitten. “That’s what was in the box?”
“Yes, isn’t she so precious?” Cori said, rubbing the cat’s head. “I need some milk. And cat food. Jake, do we have any cat food?”
Jake shook his head. “I don’t believe that was on the menu.”
“But we must have tuna or fish. Help me find something to feed her. She’s starving.”
“How could you possibly know that?” I asked.
She scowled at me. “Because I do.”
She and Jake walked out of the office, leaving the box on my desk. I felt like I stepped into the Twilight Zone. None of it made sense, and what the hell was she going to do with a cat? At my resort? I couldn’t have a cat running around. People were allergic to cats. Cats peed and crapped everywhere. No way. No cats.
I walked to my desk and picked up my phone, calling Nick right away. “What the hell?” I asked when he answered the phone.
“I don’t know. What the hell?”
“You sent Cori a cat?”
“Ah, she got her present then?”
“She got a fucking cat, Nick. Why in the hell would you send my sister a cat?”
He laughed. “Because she likes cats.”
Something Cori said popped into my head. Was he wooing her? Flirting with her. “Is this your way of asking her out? Do you have a thing for my sister? I have to tell you, I’m not sure I’m okay with that. I’ve seen how you are with women. I don’t want you flirting with my sister and getting her hopes up only to stomp all over her heart. I like you, but I will kill you.”
“Relax,” he answered. “A friend of mine breeds Persian cats. Someone returned the kitten and she didn’t want to go through the hassle of vetting a new buyer. I know Cori loves kittens, especially white fluffy ones. I thought she would like it. It is the season of giving, after all. Besides, the cat is defective, not enough gray or some shit. Or too much gray? I don’t know. I don’t care. It was supposed to be something to make her smile. Cori is rescuing the cat. You know how much she loves a good cause.”
“A cat?” I repeated. “I don’t know, man. That’s a lot of responsibility. I’m not sure she’s ready for that.”
“Yes, a cat. She is always going on about how she wants a family. This is a good place for her to start.”
I rolled my eyes. “You do know a cat is nothing like a baby, right?”
I wasn’t going to tell him what she said about Nick giving her anything. “She’s off feeding it my hundred-dollar fish,” I muttered. “And then she’s probably going to make it a bed out of one of my expensive down comforters. I can only imagine what she will do for a litter box.”
“I knew she would spoil it.”
“Are you sure this isn’t some move? I know you and your moves. You like to make women swoon with grand gestures. They cry, and you get to look like a hero.”
“No, I am way too busy with work to chase women. I like to tease her. I know she hates me. I figured giving her a present would really get her goat.”
He had no idea. “Then I can get on board with that. She is fun to tease.”
“How are you?” he asked, deftly changing the subject. “Are you running around like a mad man trying to get ready for the big day?”
“Yes, I am and now I have to figure out where to put a cat.”
He laughed again. “Cori isn’t going to live at the resort, is she?”
“No, but she’s here now and will be for a few weeks, which means that ball of fur will be as well.”
“Put it in her room,” he answered.
“They leave hair everywhere, along with other fun surprises. I’ll never be able to rent that room.”
“You can clean the carpets. Relax, this will make Cori happy. Don’t you want her happy?”
“Couldn’t you have gotten her a pair of shoes or something? That makes her happy.”
“I could have but a pretty little kitten seemed like something that would make her smile. Did she smile?”
“Yes, after she discovered it wasn’t a bomb.”
“A bomb? Who the hell would send her a bomb?”
“I don’t know but you should warn someone when you send them a box that makes noise.”
I heard him laugh again. “I have to go. I’ll call her later, or not. No, I won’t call her yet. She’ll pretend to be pissed at me for some reason or another. Good luck with the opening.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I said and hung up.
I stared at the box sitting on my desk. I couldn’t remember ever giving someone an animal before, but it seemed like a very intimate gesture. It was something boyfriends did for girlfriends or parents did for kids. It didn’t seem like one would just send an acquaintance a living, breathing creature. I wasn’t sure I believed him when he said he’d done it to tease her.