Chapter 17
17
Tuesday
Aspen, Colorado
By the time we land in Aspen, I feel like a completely different person.
I’ve conquered my fear of flying.
I’m definitely no longer a virgin.
Colton Maddox came inside me three times.
I’m very sore and I feel used and punished in the best kind of way.
I have bruises from his punishing grip and I’m still high on my multi-orgasmic endorphin rush.
And I feel like I’ve been reborn as a golden phoenix who’s not only beautiful but invincible. It sounds overly dramatic, but no one tells you that overflowing with a sexy, feral man’s hot seed happens to be extremely empowering.
We took a shower in the luxury suite. Colton fed me delicious food from the platter that had been prepared for us and we drank more champagne.
The flight was smooth and I was thankful for that. Or maybe I didn’t notice the bumps because Colton and I were making our own turbulence. The landing was slightly terrifying, but by then I was too satiated and content to worry about it.
Another limo picked us up at the airport and brought us into Aspen. Which is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The golden leaves of the silver birch trees have mostly fallen now and an early snowfall looks like diamond dust has been sprinkled into it. Everything glimmers.
The village is quaint in a way that’s rustic but screams extreme wealth.
Since it’s much colder here than it was in Nashville, Colton insists on stopping in one of the village’s shops, where he buys me a brand new to-die-for long suede coat. And since he insisted I can’t wear my cowgirl boots in the snow, he bought me another pair that matches my new coat. They didn’t even have price tags.
I’ll never get used to the luxury—which is a good thing, because I can’t get used to the luxury. Once Sunday rolls around, it’s back to studio apartments and ramen noodles for me .
Our condo in Aspen is the most spectacular yet. He carries me over the threshold.
I’ve noticed it’s a thing with him. He always carries me when we’re entering any new accommodation we happen to be staying in. “Why do you carry me?”
I think he’s gotten even more handsome since we spent an incredibly connective four hours in bed on the flight. He looks like he’s mine. His hair is slightly messed up and he looks healthy. Full of vigor and vitality. His color is high across his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose, like he’s been out in the sunny fresh air all day. His eyes are vividly azure. “I’m superstitious.”
I laugh. “About what?”
He just smiles and sets me down on my feet. “You, Sunshine.”
“This place is incredible.”
The condo is a swanky log cabin style that could be straight off the set of Yellowstone.
Mountains rise in the distance outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The white ski trails are clearly visible. Dusk has painted the sky pink and, along the ridge, a deep lavender.
Wide wooden beams criss-cross along the vaulted ceilings and there’s a massive stone fireplace. A fire crackles cheerfully.
Two men dressed in uniforms deliver our bags to the bedroom. One of them offers to take my coat. The other hands us menus from the resort’s restaurant and asks us if we’d like a drink.
“Just some water, please,” I say. I feel like I’ve run a marathon this afternoon.
Colton glances through the menu. “Two filet mignons, a bottle of your best Bordeaux and anything else Miss Bailey wants,” he tells the waiter.
“Filet mignon sounds perfect.”
As soon as the waiters leave, Colton’s phone rings. He’s ignored a lot of calls during this trip and so have I. We’ve barely been able to placate our respective friends and family by sending a lot of everything’s fine, I’ll call you as soon as I get a chance! texts.
“I better take this one,” he says. “It’s Noah and I’ve missed at least twenty calls from him.”
“Of course. You should talk to him. I’m going to go check my messages too.”
“Noah.” Colton opens the sliding doors and walks out onto the balcony, but I can still hear their conversation. I go into the bedroom to give them some privacy, but they have loud voices.
“You’re in Colorado now?” Noah asks him.
“Still tracking me, huh? Yeah, I’m in Aspen.”
“I had to talk Alexander out of coming to get you. He’s worried you’re losing your mind.”
“Why, because I’m taking a vacation for once in my life? Yeah, that’s real lunatic behavior.”
“It’s more about the way you just randomly took off like that. And then refusing to take everyone’s calls for days on end. You’re not cracking up, are you, brother?” There’s genuine concern in Noah’s voice.
“I guess it depends on how you define cracking up,” Colton drawls.
“So,” Noah eases into it. “Sloane told us about the—direct quote—‘cute, gorgeous AF and incredibly talented’ friend of hers you offered to drive to L.A. because you have meetings out there. I think we all know there’s no business in California that requires urgent meetings. We work for the same company, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Fuck, you people are nosy,” Colton grumbles.
“Only because we care.” Noah says it almost jokingly but the sentiment there is clearly real.
“I can find business-related things to do in L.A., Noah.” Okay, so he didn’t have business in L.A.? “And yes, I’m traveling with someone, if you must know.”
“Five days with one chick? On a bus ? That’s an all-time record for you, by at least four days.”
“We flew from Nashville. And so what. I’ll spend five days on the road with whoever I fucking choose to, bro. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Who’s the girl?”
Colton doesn’t answer right away. “She’s an up-and-coming designer.” It’s…a nice way to be described. Up-and-coming.
“Are you dating her?” Like this possibility is beyond shocking .
“I’m spending a few days on the road with her, as I’ve already explained. We’re going to a wedding this weekend.”
“Whose wedding?”
“Jesus Christ, Noah. Her friend’s.”
“When are you coming back to New York?”
Colton sighs. “After the wedding, obviously.”
Obviously.
Of course he is. Actually, we haven’t agreed yet on whether he’s coming to the wedding or not. It would clearly be a terrible idea. And an even worse idea if—not if, when and because —he’s heading back to New York, possibly as soon as Saturday night.
Never to be seen again.
It’s the reminder I need.
I’m not in love with him. I can’t be, a) because my heart is safely locked away, and b) because this was always only about having an adventure and taking him up on his offer to educate and enlighten me. Which he has absolutely—and very thoroughly—done.
With no strings attached.
That was our deal. Our pact .
My phone vibrates. It’s almost like Sloane has a radar. Or maybe she’s with Noah right now.
Might as well get this over with. I close the bedroom door. “Hey, Sloane.” I put her on speaker and lay back on the massive bed. The bedroom has the same spectacular view of the mountains as the living room.
“Finally, she answers her phone.” Sloane pauses, like she’s bracing herself, before she asks me the question. “So…how’s it going? Are you okay? Where are you?”
“Aspen.”
“Aspen. Wow. Are you still traveling with Colton?”
There’s no reason to lie. She already knows. “Yes. Just until we get to L.A.”
“How did this even happen? When did you two decide to suddenly hit the road together? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m really not even sure how it happened. It just…happened.”
“Break it to me gently. You’re not…” She can’t bring herself to say it.
But I can. Fuck it. I’m a sophisticated, independent non -virginal, up-and-coming…person. So what if I had sex with a hot billionaire. I’m allowed to. “Yes. We are. We did. And now I understand what all the fuss is about. But I’m not stupid enough to expect anything more from this, so don’t worry about me getting heart-broken, okay? It’s all good. We agreed. It’s just sex.”
“ What? ” I can hear Sloane clutching her metaphorical pearls. “ Oh my god! ”
“Sloane. It’s fine . I’m good, I promise.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“What? No. Of course I’m not. Why would you even ask me that? I took all your warnings to heart and I’m purely in this for the hot sex.”
“Ew. Oh my god, please don’t describe it. He’s my boss . ”
“Fine. But I told you I wanted to cash in my V-card and now I have.”
“Lila, I can’t believe this! That absolute monster , taking advantage of you like that! Are you okay? Is he being… nice to you?”
Nice? “Yes. He couldn’t have been nicer.” Not exactly true, but whatever. Actually, Sloane, he was a fucking beast who’s so well-hung, so good in bed and has such a filthy mouth I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. At least three times. “Sloane, I chose to be here with him. We’re two consenting adults. He hasn’t done anything wrong and neither have I, okay?”
“Okay. Okay. You’re right.” She regroups. “I’m going to try to look for the silver lining here. At least you’re being realistic about the part where it’s only about the sex.”
“That’s all it ever was. For both of us. We made a deal.”
“You poor thing. Talk about baptism by fire. My innocent little Lila with that animal! I should never have brought you to that party. I know all too well what he’s like. I mean, I love him as a boss, but…I just hope it was good for you, honey.”
“It was.” So good I feel like I’ve sprouted wings.
“I guess, when you think about it, this is kind of perfect. Now you can meet up with your old crush and you’ll radiate confidence. You won’t be pining and he’ll pick up on your new vibe. He’s bound to fall in love with you on the spot and you’ll live happily ever after. You can file this little chapter into Lessons Learned.”
You have no idea. “We’ll see.” Her comment makes me realize that I haven’t pined for Troy Beckett in…three whole days. I feel completely, totally over him. “How are things in New York?”
“Fine. But I miss having you here already. Last night I went to a fabulous show with those friends of mine, the influencers, who are now obsessing over your outfits. Have you had any more orders?”
“I haven’t checked. I’ve been?—”
“Don’t you dare say ‘busy’ or I’ll lose it.”
I laugh. “Okay, I won’t. I’m checking my orders now.” What? “Oh my gosh. Sloane .”
“What’s wrong?”
“I have 927 orders.”
“Holy shit.”
“How am I supposed to fill nine hundred and twenty-seven orders? It’ll take me years to sew nine hundred garments.”
“I think that’s what staff are for, sweetie. It might be time for you to hire some help.”
“I also have a message here from…Eleanor Jaeger. It says here she’s the—” I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“She’s the what?”
“She’s one of the executive design coordinators for Ralph Lauren. It says they’re impressed by what they’ve seen on Instagram and they want to interview me for a job.”
Sloane’s scream is piercing. “I told you you’d get your break! It was only a matter of time! Now you have to come back to New York!”
My head is spinning .
927 orders? Ralph freaking Lauren?
I can hear the banging noises of room service trays being wheeled into the living room. I realize the door of the bedroom didn’t latch and has swung open.
“Sloane, I have to go, but I’ll call you soon. What day is it?”
“It’s Tuesday night.”
That gives us tonight and three more nights.
“Are you going to reply to Ralph Lauren?”
“Of course I am.”
“What are you going to say?”
So maybe I’m not moving back to L.A. for good after all. “Depending on how the interview goes, if they offer me a job, I’m going to say yes.”