Chapter 12 Sugar and Temptation
SUGAR AND TEMPTATION
Archer
My simple jaunt to Steele Valley to meet Holden turned into a full production.
I brought Caleb and his team to see the old lodge for themselves.
Then Brooks got involved, securing Holden’s permission to let our NYU interns use the lodge as a case study, even splitting them into two teams to create designs.
I crested the last turn in my Jag, and Steele Valley unfolded below me.
The mountain town had everything the rich and famous could want, including a luxury resort, five-star eateries, designer shops, and nightclubs.
The only place I didn’t recognize was a new country club crowned by a hideous neon cowboy boot flashing above Main Street.
“Been some time since I visited. Interesting changes,” I muttered to no one. At least one thing hadn’t changed—the corner French-style patisserie with the best lemon Popelini cream puffs and spicy vanilla lattes. I stopped and had my fill, plus took a box of a dozen to go.
At the resort, a valet took my car. The bellman in a wool coat materialized, holding open the door to a lobby that made five stars look effortless.
Chandeliers, leather couches—old money meets new.
Over the stone fireplace, an oil of the lake shimmered beneath a brass plaque: The mysterious healing waters of the valley.
A stand of brochures for the spa sat conveniently nearby.
Sadly, I wasn’t here for a hot lake-stone massage or lake-water bath. Duty called.
Brooks waited for me in our shared two-bedroom suite. The rest of the interns and employees each got a room as well, all on the Bellamy Brothers’ dime.
“Look who it is, Wren. Say hi to Uncle Archer.” He sat on the couch video-calling Maisy and the kids. Wren waved, her pink bow bobbing.
“Hi sweetheart. I have a huge dinosaur to bring you at Thanksgiving.” I leaned into view. My niece was peak adorableness.
“Ew. No Dino. Bluey!” She padded off-screen.
“Well, that was a brief phase. And what the hell is Bluey?” Good thing I still had the receipt to return the gift.
“An animated show about an Australian Blue Heeler…” Maisy began, rocking a fussy, coughing Everett. I shook my head and escaped to the bedroom to unpack.
By the time Brooks ended the call, I’d braced for the conversation coming my way.
“So, Arch… Penny?” With eyebrows raised and arms crossed, he took up the entire doorway. No escaping this conversation.
“I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask about you. I asked for details. Why did I, your brother, have to hear about this Penny situation from Rex and Richard on the group chat?”
“Because I already got an earful from them about it. I don’t need you to chime in with your opinions.” I hung tomorrow’s clothes.
“Well, get ready. I’m chiming in anyway.”
“No need. Penny works for me. That’s all.”
“According to Sophie, your eyes saw more than a colleague.”
I sighed and sat on the bed, elbows on knees.
“So what if I’m interested? Look. I get it.
Brianne did a number on me. I moped around for years after, and you and the guys were always looking out for me.
I finally decide to move on, and who crosses my path?
None other than my ex’s stepsister. It’s understandable there’d be concerns. ”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Penny doesn’t keep in touch with Brianne anymore. They never got along.”
“But she’s Brianne-adjacent.”
That only made me think how adjacent Penny’s body had been to mine during our so-called friendly hug.
“Doesn’t mean Penny is like her. In fact, I’ve found her quite…” I trailed off, hunting for a word perfect enough for her.
“Fuck. You’re gone for her.” He pivoted toward the suite’s mini bar.
“There’s a connection I can’t deny, but she works for me now. End of story.” I followed, craving a drink. Before I could pour, he grabbed his coat and keys. “Where are you off to?”
“I’m taking the interns out to eat, and then to that country club for axe throwing.
Figured a little team building and a chance to talk and mentor them through their experiences at the office would be good.
I especially heard how fun the non-fraternization meeting went.
” He rolled his eyes and headed for the door.
“Yeah. Welcome to my life now as CEO, thanks to you following your passions to teach.”
“Are you still mad about that?” His face flushed red, voice raised, with one hand on the knob.
“No!” I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “I told you before I’m proud of you, and I meant it. Might be nice if I heard the same from you once in a while as I keep the Bellamy Brothers afloat.”
He jammed his hands into his pockets. “You’re right. I left you with a lot to handle. Of course, I’m fucking proud of you. Look at us—decent lives despite Dad’s mediocre parenting.”
“Thank you.”
“Just be careful in your dealings with Penny.”
I snorted. “If by dealings you mean this professional work trip we are on, of course. Above all else, I will conduct myself accordingly. We’re here to meet Holden, schmooze a new client, view the site, take notes. Work trip all the way.”
“Right.” He turned back to the door, then hesitated. “If you end up taking things further with Penny someday, just be careful. All I want for you, brother, is to find the same happiness I have with Maisy.”
“I want that, too.” I blinked, shocked at hearing myself say it aloud for the first time.
He grinned. “It’s about time you admitted it. You have my blessing to pursue that, but I’ll always protect my little brother, no matter who you’re with.”
“Who are you calling little? There’s only one minute between our births, asswipe.”
He laughed. “Coming with me to dinner or not?”
“Nope. I’m staying in. So don’t let any of your interns get drunk tonight.”
“On a work trip? No way would I want to ruffle the feathers of the CEO.” He left grinning.
After a much-needed nap, I had room service bring a steak meal hot enough to fog the window when I lifted the lid. I ate half of it, staring out at the lights of the valley, the TV muted.
Loneliness crept in.
I paced, answered three emails, and checked the company project board.
I could wear out the carpet of this lush, impeccable suite, and it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference.
The “friendly hug” with Penny wouldn’t leave me—the memory of her body against mine, the way our conversation was both a promise and a warning.
Around nine I caved and texted her.
Me: Checking in. Did you and Maya arrive safely?
Several agonizing minutes later, she responded.
Penny: Safe and sound, captain.
Captain?
Penny: Who knew throwing exes… I mean axes would be such fun?
A photo followed showing her goofy grin and glassy eyes, standing between Caleb and Maya. Bottles and shot glasses cluttered the table.
Shit. I grabbed my coat. Sanity optional.
I hoofed it fast down the main street. The cold air slapped sense into me while I promised myself not to storm the place and take control. When I got there, the thump of country bass rolled out of barn-sized doors onto the street. Brooks’ car sat out front with the valet tag dangling.
Inside, one corner held the axe lanes, with other carnival-like games around the perimeter.
Another corner boasted a postage-stamp stage and a mic begging for karaoke trouble.
Brooks commandeered several tables in the center.
The interns were upfront, near the dance floor.
Penny stood at a pub table nearby with Caleb, Maya, and a few others, all prepping salt and lime for another round of shots.
Unseen yet by her, I slid into the empty chair beside my brother.
Without looking up, he held out his hand. One architect slapped a ten into it. “Told you he’d cave,” Brooks said, finally glancing over. “Glad you made it.”
I ignored him and tracked the others. Maya looked flushed and happy. But it was Penny stealing my breath, a bright star, lit from the inside, hair loose, cheeks pink, throwing her head back and laughing at something Caleb said. He leaned too close when he talked to her.
My jealousy flared. It was petty, and I hated it. The CEO in me wanted to cram a fistful of the non-fraternization clause down his smug throat. The alpha in me wanted to throw her over my shoulders back to my cave. I should’ve stayed away.
I left my seat, about to go tangle with him, when the emcee boomed, “Give it up for Penny and Maya, our next karaoke contestants!”
My stomach dropped as the two wobbled and giggled across the floor and onto the stage. They laughed into each other’s shoulders as the music started.
“This one’s for our bosshole!” Penny slurred, pointing in the general direction of Caleb. The jerk gave two thumbs up and a “Yee-haw,” encouraging them. They sang their hearts out off-tune on the chorus of Hit Me With Your Best Shot.
Brooks snorted and slapped my back. “Team-building, am I right?”
I shrugged him off. “What part of ‘work trip’ did you not comprehend?”
Heat crawled up my neck. Penny swayed a second too long, blinking at the lights like they’d jumped closer. Maya grabbed her elbow; Penny tossed her a bright smile and kept going. The crowd whooped.
“How could you let them get so carried away?” I scowled.
“I stepped out to take a call from Maisy. She took the baby to urgent care for a cough that’s lingered too long. By the time I returned to the tables, the shots had arrived.”
“You couldn’t have stopped them after one round?”
“They’re adults, not toddlers, and I’m not their babysitter. If they want a couple of drinks, that’s on them.”
“They’ve had more than two,” I yelled.
He shouted back, “We’ll wrap it up after this song.”
Too late. Penny hiccupped mid-lyric and then laughed at herself. She took a step in the wrong direction and tumbled off the stage.
I moved in lightning fast, catching her with one arm under her knees, one around her back. Her body loose as honey, the mic clanged to the floor, the music cut, and the crowd froze.
“Party’s over,” I growled to everyone.