Chapter 6
Chapter Six
OLIVER
I was all too aware that Carolina was running the conference this weekend. I'd managed not to approach her the evening she was at the bar. She was due to stay one extra night, so I only had to avoid her for one more night. Since we had a charity event, I was confident I wouldn't' see her there, and then I'd duck out to get back to Joey.
But there was a push-pull that was hard to ignore. I wanted to see her, but I wouldn't be able to stay away from her if I indulged in one more night.
She had the potential to be addicting, and I couldn't afford a distraction. Eli had decided to move forward with the plans for the luxury cabins and then a spa. I needed to stay on top of the construction plans and the winter activities. I constantly worried that we wouldn't continue to generate money to support his expansion. Eli paid me to think about those things so he could relax and make decisions without the reality weighing on him.
I had responsibilities. I shouldn't be thinking about a gorgeous woman who was currently cleaning up the bridal show. I knew Eli checked in with the event coordinators once a day, and he'd help her if she had any issues.
I was more than a little jealous that Eli was the one who saw her every day. But I couldn't let on that I knew her. My brothers didn't know anything about my indiscretion, and I wanted to keep it that way.
I dressed in a suit for Kylie's charity event. Tonight, she was raising money for a local animal rescue. She had many causes, and I had taken on the role of her financial coordinator for her various charities. But I was happy to support my sister, especially after she'd lived in Paris for so many years. We were all happy she was living in Telluride again. We probably could have done without her marrying one of our friends.
When I came out of my bedroom, Maeve was sitting with Joey on the couch. They'd watch a show. Then she'd put him to bed.
"Thanks for coming over," I said to her.
"I needed my Joey fix." She acted more like an older sister to him than a babysitter. I was so lucky to have her.
"I'll be staying at the resort tonight."
"I'll have him in bed by eight."
"Good." I hugged Joey and said, "Listen to Maeve."
He rolled his eyes. "I always do."
He was a good boy, and I could trust Maeve. I felt uneasy that there was no reason for me to stay at the resort overnight. I think a part of me anticipated running into Carolina tonight.
I'd decided not to seek her out, but if I ran into her, then all bets were off. I wanted one more night with her to see if it was as amazing as I remembered. I'd almost convinced myself that my memory was faulty.
My mind was playing tricks on me. It had to be because no one could have this kind of effect on me and make me reconsider all my rules and reorganize my priorities.
I headed to the lodge, wondering what Carolina had planned for the evening. I didn't like the idea of her sitting by herself at the bar. I wasn't the only one who was drawn to her. She was a striking woman with her sleek black hair and porcelain skin. When she sat in hotel bars she was a temptation for other men.
I tightened my tie as I entered the lobby of the lodge.
"Good evening, Mr. Wilde," William said.
I managed to remember our employees’ names, and I knew how much each one made and the scope of their duties. Eli wanted to create a relationship with each one of them.
I headed to the grand ballroom with views of the mountains. It was dark now, but the lights on the slopes were visible. I was proud, knowing it was our family's legacy. I wouldn't do anything to mess that up. It was too important. My brothers and my parents were relying on me to keep this place running.
If Eli had his way, he'd spend everything without a thought as to the future. I was the realist. The one who reminded everyone we had to proceed cautiously.
My youngest sibling, Kylie, stood next to her husband, Tyler, and was surrounded by a group of people who probably wanted to hear about her latest cause. She'd made quite a reputation for herself. She was supposed to be the resort's event coordinator but had branched out to help more nonprofits. Eli had picked up the slack, but eventually we'd need to talk to her about replacing her.
I went to the bar with the plan to talk to Kylie when the crowd around her dissipated. I'd just gotten a drink from the bartender, Matt, when Eli walked in with someone on his arm. It was Carolina in a gorgeous red dress that highlighted her black hair and creamy skin.
My heart rate picked up. Why was she on Eli's arm. Jealousy shot through me, hot and heavy. I barely resisted crossing the room and demanding answers. Carolina wasn't mine, and Eli didn't owe me an explanation. He didn't even know about us.
But I was more than a little irritated that she was with him. Didn't she know that it would bother me? Did she not care? Was she just like Tina, only worried about what she could get from someone? When Carolina realized I was just the numbers guy, and Eli was the one in charge, did she move on to him?
My jaw clenched tight as I watched Eli introduce Carolina to other people. She smiled at everyone and made small talk. Her hand was hooked through Eli's elbow.
When I couldn't wait a second longer, I left my drink at the bar and crossed the room, stopping in front of Eli and Carolina.
"You came," Eli said.
"I said I would." Eli had been on me more and more to be more social. Not to hide in my office. Going to events like this was expected, even for Xander.
"Glad to see it. Oliver, this is Carolina Cromwell. She's the organizer for several of our conferences."
I shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. I take it everything went smoothly this week."
"It was perfect. Thanks to your brother." Carolina inclined her head toward Eli.
I glanced over at Eli, trying to gauge what the hell was going on between them. Was this professional, or had he spent the night with her? He didn't have the responsibilities that I did. He could give her what she wanted.
I curled my hands into fists. Of all my brothers, I was the least likely to resort to a fist fight, but right now, I wanted to hit him.
Eli grinned at Carolina, patting her hand that rested on his arm. "I'm sure it was all you. Everyone raves about your organizational skills."
I wanted to forcibly remove him from touching her body. I'd never been a particularly jealous guy, but Carolina was bringing it out in me. One more reason why getting involved with her was a bad idea. I couldn't afford any attachments, especially not to someone who'd betray me with my brother.
"I have a few more people to introduce you to," Eli said to Carolina as he led her away.
I took a deep breath and made my way through the crowd to Kylie. If I talked to her, then I could disappear for the rest of the night. Since I'd already hired Maeve to stay the night, I'd go to the condo on the penthouse level and enjoy the quiet. It was rare I had an evening to myself.
I felt like an idiot for assuming that Carolina was just as affected as I was from that night. It obviously meant nothing to her.
"Oliver, you came," Kylie said as she pulled me in for a hug.
"Why is everyone so surprised when I show up?" I asked, gruffer than usual.
Her eyes widened. "You have Joey, and we understand when you can't make it."
I waved a hand. "Sorry. I'm irritated, but it has nothing to do with you."
"No worries. I'm used to grumpy brothers," she said as Tyler pulled her into his side.
"Who do I write the check out to?" I was the one who was in charge of charity donations for the resort.
"You don't have to do that," Kylie said.
I gave her a look. "You're getting one whether you like it or not."
Kylie shook her head. "My assistant, Jordan, is taking donations."
"Good luck. I'm proud of you as always," I said.
She smiled softly. "Thank you, Oliver." Then she touched my arm. "I want you to be settled and happy too."
"I am happy." Before she could respond, I crossed the room to where Jordan sat at a table. I pulled out the check I'd written out earlier in the day and handed it to Jordan. "This is for the Wildes."
Jordan accepted the check and wrote down the amount. "Thank you, Oliver. Kylie appreciates everything you and the family do for her."
I nodded, my throat tight. I was happy to support my family, but right now, I needed to be alone. I moved away from the table, determined to leave, but then my gaze snagged on Carolina dancing with Xander. What the hell?
Was she determined to drive me crazy? Without a second thought, I strode across the room. When I reached Xander, I said, "Kylie wants to talk to you."
Xander stepped back from Carolina. "Thank you for the dance."
Carolina smiled at him, then looked at me in confusion when I took his place, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"It's customary to ask a woman to dance." Her tone was amused.
"I'm not feeling particularly polite tonight." My voice was tight.
She huffed out a laugh. "And why is that?"
I glanced down at her, determined not to be swayed by the way her hair curled around her breasts. She'd let it grow longer since I'd seen her last. It only made me want her more. "The woman I was intimate with walked in on my brother's arm."
Her mouth parted on a gasp.
"I'm trying to understand why that happened and what you're doing with Eli. Then I see you dancing with Xander." My words were clipped, and I was barely hanging onto my fury.
Carolina looked around then lowered her voice. "Oliver, I thought you wanted what happened between us to be a secret. Especially from your brothers. "
I ground my teeth together. "I didn't have a plan for how this would go."
"I didn't either. You never responded after that one text."
I glanced at a spot over her head, not trusting myself to look into her eyes. "I thought you didn't want me to."
"I didn't. Not exactly. I can't explain it," she said, sounding flustered.
"I don't have time for a relationship," I said tightly.
She nodded. "Same. I'm traveling most of the year."
"My home is here."
Carolina's forehead creased. "What are you saying, Oliver?"
"I want another night with you." Now that I'd said the words out loud, my muscles finally loosened slightly.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Carolina asked softly.
"It's probably the worst idea, but that doesn't change how I feel." I allowed my gaze to drop, but it slid right past her face to the globes of her breasts, spilling out of the top of her dress.
Her lips twitched. "I don't know how to do this. Should I give you my room number?"
"No need. I know where to find you." I spun her around the room.
"We'll share one more night, but it's a secret from your family," Carolina said carefully.
"Yes."
"Then you might want to act a little less jealous when I'm talking to your brothers." Her tone was amused.
My gaze finally met hers. "You weren't talking. You were touching them."
Carolina laughed. "You know that's not what this is."
I lowered my head and whispered into her ear. "I have no idea what this is, but it's not predictable. It's not safe. It's wild and reckless. And I want more."
She blew out a breath as I straightened. "I do too. "
"Then we're on the same page," I said, feeling better now that I understood what was going on. She was being friendly with my family, not wanting them to know about us. I could respect that. "Just try not to touch one of my brothers for the rest of the night."
Her lips curled into a smile. "You're cute when you're jealous."
"I don't get like this. My ex played in a band. She wanted me to be jealous, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Maybe because she expected it. She wanted it. She liked to play guys off each other, and I refused to play that game." That's when I was labeled predictable. But this thing with Carolina felt anything but boring. I'd never felt more alive.
Carolina smoothed her hand over the chest of my suit jacket. "I don't want to sound like your ex because she sounds shallow. I wasn't trying to make you jealous, but I kind of liked that you were. Is that awful?"
The interesting thing was, it wasn't an ego boost for Carolina. Her cheeks were flushed. "Does it turn you on?"
"Everything about you turns me on. I thought that night was an anomaly. That I was misremembering it somehow. That I'd made it all up in my head. But I didn't, did I?" Her words were careful, measured.
My hands tightened on her. "We're going to find out."
"These last few months—" She paused, then continued, "I couldn't get you out of my head."
I spun her around, and when she was back in my arms, I said, "Same here, Caro."
Her gaze lifted to meet mine. "I love when you call me that."
Her name was gorgeous, but I liked shortening her name. It felt secret. Clandestine. For once, I had something for myself that no one else knew about. When the song ended, I stepped back and dipped into a shallow bow. "It was nice to meet you, Miss Cromwell. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay."
She dipped into a mock curtsy. "A pleasure, Mr. Wilde." Then she spun on her heel and swayed her hips as she walked off the dance floor. I should have looked away, but I couldn't. She was delectable, and tonight she was all mine. I couldn't wait.
I stalked off the floor and out of the room. I needed to cool off. She wouldn't be in her room for a couple of hours yet, and I needed time to regroup.
In the condo, I stepped into a cool shower, trying not to think about what I'd be doing in a few short hours. My time with Carolina was limited, and I was going to take advantage of every delicious second. She was mine for the night. I'd made sure it was a night to remember. That she'd never forget it. It would be better than the first.
I wasn't sure if I'd survive it.