Chapter Seven
Scarlett
Of course Clyde wouldn’t show up this morning. I’m sure I scared him off with all the virgin talk. I should’ve had the fun and talked later, or maybe never talked at all. I mean, why does anyone need to know I’m a virgin? It’s not like it changes anything, other than the fact that it’s going to be painful for me.
Dragging in a deep breath, I pull into the ranch and mentally prepare myself for the day. I can do this. I can prove myself to my father. I can stand up to the investor. I can show the numbers that prove this business is going to make more than he’s being offered over the course of the next ten years, though I know deep down that’s not what my father wants. He wants a quick out. He wants to maximize profits and get the hell out before I do something to mess all this up.
Maybe I would mess all this up. I already made the terrible decision to offer the guys a twenty percent raise to rush a row of cabins to impress my father. I mean, that’s not the best business decision. In fact, it’s a two hundred thousand dollar increase on the project I was already over budget on.
“Scarlett,” my father’s voice booms from the back porch of the lodge, but all I can see is the family of elk out grazing again today, which draws my mind back to Clyde. The second he pulled that gun, I knew I couldn’t trust him.
Why did I let him in? I hate myself and I’d give anything to transport back to my bed for the rest of the month. How could I be so gullible?
My father stands and climbs down off the porch, his arms outstretched for a hug. I can’t remember the last time he hugged me. “I’m taking off. I have a meeting out in San Diego come morning.” He kisses my forehead. “The papers for the ranch are on your desk. You’ll need a notary, but as long as they’re at the bank by the end of the week, you’re all set. Good luck with everything, kid. I like the boyfriend. He’s good for you. Got a real western spirit in that guy.”
My brows narrow and my head spins with confusion. I have a million questions, but they’re all stuck somewhere in my throat.
Why would my father give up on the investor so easily? Why is he leaving so fast? Why is he leaving the ranch to me? Yesterday he was hell bent on selling the place.
Dizzy, I make my way up to the second floor of the lodge, ignoring every question and set of eyes on me as I take the steps upward. My office is tucked into the back corner on one of the guest floors, though the door blends into the wall so you wouldn’t know it was there unless you were looking for the keypad. I could’ve put it anywhere, but I liked having a view of the mountain range while I work, and this spot has the best view of all. Craggy snowcapped mountains, evergreen trees, big glacial boulders, and a rushing river cutting through it all.
I press the code into the keypad and slide open my door, jumping when I see Clyde already sitting at my desk.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Sorry I didn’t stop by this morning. I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up.”
“What’s there to say, and how’d you get in here?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Your code is 123456. Anyone could get in here.”
I’ve been meaning to change the default. “Okay, but why are you in here?”
“I came early to get things sorted with your father.” He lifts his hands from the desk. “I crossed some lines, I’ll say that right up front, but I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about you losing this place.” ‘
My chest tightens. “What did you do?”
Standing from the chair behind my desk, Clyde wanders toward me. “I believe in you, Scarlett. I couldn’t watch him take all your hard work away from you.”
“Okay,” my brows narrow and my stomach churns, “so what did you do?”
He hands me the paperwork from the desk. “It’s yours. He signed it over to you. You sign this document and it’s official.”
I feel like my head is going to spin off my shoulders. “Can someone be straight with me here? What the hell is going on? What happened to the investor?”
“I’m the investor.” He clears his throat as he says, “Well, not the first investor. I’m the second investor. A silent investor. ”
I laugh. “Oh… okay. Well, you have no money, so how does that work? Did you sell him your soul? Do you have a bank account filled with gold I don’t know about?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Sort of. Remember that lot of land I was talking about, the one my parents left me?”
“The one with the gold river running through it?”
He nods. “It’s in one of the most desirable areas on the mountain. I was going to sell it to a buddy of mine who’s been asking about it for years, but your dad offered me a trade. Apparently, he wants to live out his gold panning fantasies.”
“What?” My throat is tight, and my stomach is knotted. “You sold your family property for me?”
“I told you, I believe in you.” He pulls me close. “There is one caveat, though.”
I swallow hard as he stares at me. “You have to kiss me good morning every day for the rest of your life. Not some bullshit kiss either. I want the real thing, every morning for as long as I live.”
I laugh and brush my lips against his gently. “So, let me get this straight. You sold your family’s property, a property that could be filled with gold, so that you could make my dreams come true, and all you want in return is a kiss every morning?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Another one at night would be good too, but I understand if you want to stop with one.”
My heart fills with warmth and gratitude beyond anything I’ve ever felt before. This man I’ve barely known longer than a few months sees my value more than anyone I’ve ever met. He sold his family property for me. Tears stream down my cheeks and warmth spills into my panties as I press against the bulge in his jeans.
“So, you didn’t avoid me this morning because I’m a virgin?”
He grins and kisses my forehead. “I couldn’t get you off my mind last night, princess. Your lips, your hair, the way you taste, the thought of sinking into your tightness. Fuck, every second of wanting you had me needing to protect you. So, I went to talk to your father, and here we are.”
“You’re an idiot. You know that?” I press into his chest and kiss his lips hard and fast as my hand rests above the gun on his hip. Why does it turn me on? Why does he turn me on? Why do I feel so safe with him? Why do I want to hold him and never let go?
“And you’re a pain in the ass.” He scoops his hand under my ass and squeezes. “I’d say it’s about time you get these spankings.”
I stare up at him and wet my lips as my panties soak in anticipation. “Oh yeah? I’m thinking it’s about time too.”