Chapter 23 Damon
Damon
I’m fucking terrified.
I’ve waited my whole life to experience Liam like this, and I’m so afraid it’s going to vanish as quickly as it appeared. I’m trying like hell to live in the moment so that when we go our separate ways in a few days, I’ll stand a chance of surviving the aftermath.
No chance; my stomach is already a ball of fucking knots.
I’m trying to prevent the spiral I feel coming on every time I think about it.
Hearing Liam’s laugh and seeing his smile across the table like this is so easy.
We never struggle for things to talk about, and our conversations cover everything from alien theories to the stock market.
Neither of us fully understands some of the topics brought up by the other, but it’s always been fun as hell to dive into each other’s minds.
While we’re waiting on the check, Liam begins passionately talking about wanting a job change. He’s brought up Owen and Storm’s B&B several times now, and ideas are swirling in my head.
“Hey, when we get back, could I have a couple hours to work? You could hit a few of those runs I won’t do off the backside, if you want. I need to check in on a couple of client accounts.”
His eyes light up at the idea, and I quickly make an addendum to my statement.
“But you have to promise me you’ll go down with at least one other skier. I won’t be able to concentrate if I’m worrying about you getting into a situation out on that gnarly terrain all by yourself.”
The sarcastic shit salutes me. “Yes, sir.”
We stand and push our chairs in, and Liam grabs my hand, but I immediately pull away.
The hurt in his eyes is clear as day.
“Shit, Li. I’m sorry. I’ve spent so long being careful not to give anything away that it’s going to take some getting used to, especially in public.”
Easily forgiving me, like always, Liam gives me a wicked grin. “You sure didn’t seem to mind in the locker room.”
“There was no one else in there!” I whisper in a muted shout.
“Damon, I want to hold your hand, so I’m going to lace our fingers together now and lead you out of this restaurant. There. Is that enough warning?”
“Fucking dick,” I mutter, not bothering to hide my smile.
Amusement dances in his eyes as he follows through with his statement and laces our fingers together before pulling my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles.
Oh, hell. I’m in so fucking deep.
When we get back to the cabin, Liam changes, and I help him with his boots. By the time I get him out the door, ensuring he has plenty of cash, my Amex, Chapstick, his phone, and a trail map, I’m vibrating with nervous energy to make the call I thought of this afternoon at lunch.
I’m probably putting the cart way before the horse, and Li might even be a little pissed at me for making assumptions, but this is what I do, especially where Liam is concerned.
I get myself set up in the living room. The bar would be a better place to work, but I want to be able to see the deck, the hot tub, and the intermittent splotches of color as skiers race down the slope next to our cabin.
Opening my laptop, I pull up the account I need and do a quick check just to make sure there are no issues that need to be addressed before I call. When asking for a favor, it’s best that I have all my ducks in a row for the job he’s paying me to do.
Once I’m satisfied everything looks good, I dial the number.
“Bluewater Hotel and Spa, this is Carly, how may I help you?” the voice says on the other end of the line.
“Hi, Carly. This is Damon Landry from L&R Securities. Is Winston available?”
“Yes, one moment, please.”
Winston is the owner of an upscale boutique hotel and spa on the ritzy outskirts of Boston.
His delightful British accent always makes me enjoy speaking with him, even if his personality is a little blunt.
His property boasts two hundred acres that include the main hotel and spa, guest cottages, and a lake large enough for paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes.
He also has a horse barn and offers trail rides and…
My brain takes a sharp left turn down Debauchery Avenue.
Liam in a cowboy hat on horseback would be so fucking hot. The way his hips would rock back and forth with the horse’s strides in a pair of tight jeans. I swallow my groan right as a voice comes on the other end of the line.
“Mr. Landry, I hope everything is alright? I can’t say I feel terribly warm and fuzzy knowing you’re on my phone.”
Always direct and to the point.
“Winston, yes, everything is just fine. No suspicious activity on your website or payroll software. I’m actually calling because I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor, you say?”
I smile, thinking about the refined man, pulling his glasses to the end of his nose as though he’s going to read something while smoking his cigar.
“Yes, sir. You see, I have a…” I trail off, not knowing how to classify Liam.
Would Winston accept the term boyfriend?
Is that even what Li is? We certainly haven’t discussed it, but that’s what he told the girl in the gym.
My skin grows warm. Fuck, I need to pick something, so I settle on ‘friend’ and get my head back in the game.
This conversation is important. “He’s in the hospitality industry already, but has shown interest in getting into the lodging side of things instead of charters and excursions, which is what he does now.
I strongly believe he’d like to open his own bed-and-breakfast one day, but he could really benefit from experience in an immaculate place like yours that’s well run and has an excellent business model.
” I rant for far too long, but I’ve found in business, it often helps to grease wheels before asking for favors.
However, Winston cuts me off.
“Damon, ask your question. I’m a busy man.”
“Sorry, sir,” I say quickly. “Do you think you could find a place for my friend and possibly teach him the invaluable lessons you’ve learned since opening the doors of Bluewater?”
“I’m afraid we’re not terribly busy at the moment as it’s our off-season,” he starts, but I refuse to accept no as an answer.
“If you’ll agree to take him on, I’ll pay his hourly wage, but you have to promise not to tell him.”
So much for not keeping secrets.
“Now why would you do…ah,” he says a moment later. “This gentleman is more than a friend to you, isn’t he?” the old bastard says, hitting the rusty fucking nail on the head.
“Yes.” No point in denying it. All it would take for him to learn the truth is to be in the same room as Liam and me.
A soft chuckle hits my ears. “Your secret’s safe with me. I’ll work with him for two months at your expense. If he’s worth as much as you seem to think he is, I’ll move him to my payroll when my season picks up in May.”
“Thank you so much, Winston. You won’t regret it. I plan to tell him the good news by the end of the week, and I’ll have him reach out for the details next Monday,” I say excitedly.
“Very well,” he says before the line goes dead.
I sink back into the couch.
It feels good to provide Liam with an opportunity, but I have a sick feeling in my stomach because it will keep him in Boston, and I want him to come home more than anything in the world.
God, am I really doing this?