6. Ro
Chapter 6
Ro
E ven I had to admit the view from up here was amazing.
I sat in the back of the helicopter, looking out at the Rocky Mountains below. Right now, they were green, but as the fall came in, the green would give way. Soon the trees would turn various colors and lose their leaves.
I was headed back to Windward.
For the last day, all I’d thought about was Windward.
And it had nothing to do with my new resort. No, every thought in my head was of her . My sexy fairy queen. Every sound she’d made, the smooth feel of her skin, the way her pussy had clenched on my cock. My hand curled into a fist. I couldn’t get the thoughts of her out of my head, and it was driving me insane.
I had work to focus on. I would never let myself become a man who let his dick dictate his life. I didn’t obsess over women. I didn’t think of them every waking moment and in my dreams. I enjoyed them and moved on.
That’s what I was going to do.
The tight muscles in my neck relaxed a little. Once I got to the resort, the work would dominate, and I’d forget all about pale skin and red lips.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I didn’t bother pulling it out. It would be my father. I really didn’t need to listen to a lecture or complaints. At the thought of the man who’d fathered me, my shoulders tightened again.
Beside me, Piper was tapping on her tablet. She had been the entire trip. She was the only person I’d met who worked more than I did.
Across from me sat Caden Castro. The former Special Forces soldier was in charge of security for all the Langston Hotels. Whenever we made a new acquisition, he came in to assess the security, install new security systems, and recruit new people.
The word to describe him was dark. Dark hair, dark eyes, dark stubble, bronze skin, and a dark look. The man rarely smiled and always looked like he was assessing where the next attack would come from. He also looked ready to deal with it. His suit didn’t hide the coiled strength of his body. I’d once seen him take down a man much taller and broader than him with one vicious kick.
“There she is,” Piper said.
I looked out the window again and saw the Windward Mountain Resort. Instead of noting again that it was an excellent location, I wondered if my fairy queen was there.
My mouth flattened and I forced any thoughts of her away.
“It’s old,” Piper said. “We need to do a full analysis on a knockdown and rebuild.”
It took time and a lot of capital to do a full rebuild. We’d lose experienced staff and guests. But on the other hand, we’d get a brand-new resort.
“It’s got good bones,” Caden murmured. “Suits the mountains.”
He was right. “I agree.”
Piper made a sound. “If we do renovations, that means compromises, retrofitting new technology, and we’re still left with small rooms. It’s messy.”
“Let’s do a full assessment,” I said. “We’ll decide once we have all the numbers.” I didn’t care either way. I’d do whatever gave the best outcome for the business.
“Some of the mail and messages protesting Langston Hotels buying the place are concerning,” Caden said.
I shifted on the leather seat. “Anything specific?”
“Not exactly, but one person is rather dedicated. Sends several letters every week.”
It was nothing out of the ordinary. “Let me know if it escalates.”
The helipad on top of the hotel swept into view and I spotted a lone figure waiting for us.
Tessa Ashford.
We came in to land. As I thanked our pilot, Caden pushed the side door open, and helped Piper out. It was a sunny day, but not hot. The perfect temperature.
I stepped out of the helicopter and buttoned my jacket. I strode across the helipad, flanked by Caden and Piper.
Ahead, Tessa Ashford straightened. She wore a crisp, white shirt tucked into a navy-blue skirt that hugged gentle curves. Her dark hair was in a braid. Professional.
I hadn’t paid much attention to her before. When I’d come for the site visit, I’d been occupied by a construction accident at our resort in Cape Town and my father’s messy divorce. She was neat and trim, and when she lifted her chin, I saw those dark eyes that I had noticed previously.
I also saw the spark in them that told me she’d love to tell me to fuck off.
I got it. She’d been top dog here for three years and had another three years left on her employment contract. She didn’t want anyone to upset her apple cart.
People in general disliked change.
“Ms. Ashford.”
“Mr. Langston, a pleasure.” She gave me a polite smile and waved ahead. She fell into step beside me.
“Tessa Ashford, this is Piper Ellis, my COO, and Caden Castro, Head of Security.”
She nodded at them. “Welcome to Windward.”
Caden nodded, while Piper glanced at the mountain and controlled her grimace.
“I have the owner’s office ready for you. Our chef is putting together a lunch that he’ll serve at one o’clock. He does a wonderful prime beef carpaccio and black sturgeon caviar. And I highly recommend the local rainbow trout. Anything you need, please just tell me.”
“I need the penthouse.”
Her steps faltered. “Okay. May I ask for how long?”
“I’ll be staying a while. Weeks, maybe a month or two.”
“Weeks? Months?” There was a flare of panic on her face before she hid it. “Wonderful.”
“Piper and Caden will need rooms.” I waved at them. “Go in and get started. We’ll follow shortly.” I let my gaze settle on my resort manager. “Ms. Ashford, I can tell this doesn’t thrill you…”
She cleared her throat. “No, I?—”
I held up a palm, and her gaze narrowed on it.
“One thing I prize above all else is honesty. I prefer the truth to polished white lies designed to stroke my ego or make me feel better.”
She shot me a skeptical look. “Really?”
“Really.”
“You’re my boss.”
“No, I’m not. You report to the Director of Colorado operations who eventually reports to Piper. I think that makes me your boss’ boss’ boss’ boss.”
She arched a brow. “You really think I’m going to speak frankly with you? And you really think you’d like it?”
“Yes. The truth is not going to get you fired, you have my word. I need your expertise, and you know this place and its people best. I’m here to assess what needs to be done at the resort to make it a Langston Hotel.”
Now a bunch of emotions flitted across her face. “The resort is fine the way it is.”
“Come on now. We both know it’s dated. There must be things you want to improve or upgrade.”
She looked conflicted.
“I’m here to assess the ways to improve the Windward Resort to make it the Langston Windward.”
She chewed that over.
“You have the local knowledge, and I need that.”
She released a breath. “Fine.”
“So, you’ll give me the truth?”
Her gaze narrowed. “Does anyone ever tell you the truth? You’re rich and in a position of power. I’d expect most people fall over themselves to tell you what they think you want to hear.”
“What I want is for you to be honest with me.”
“I’m always honest.”
I arched a brow.
“Fine. I’m not thrilled you’re here. I don’t want you to destroy the charm of the Windward Mountain Resort. It means something to people, especially to the people of this town and to our guests. We don’t need to be another soulless, mirror-and-marble, soulless box.”
“You said soulless twice.”
“I’m aware.”
I cocked my head. “Are you calling Langston Hotels soulless?”
“Not…exactly. Some are very nice.”
My hotel empire, reduced to ‘nice’.
“All right, Ms. Ashford, we’ll make a plan to work together…for the best of the resort.”
She nodded, looking prim, proper, and pleased with herself. “You’ll see that the Windward Mountain Resort is fabulous, just as it is.”
“The Langston Windward.”
She faltered. “What?”
“Time to start calling it by its new name.”
Her nose wrinkled.
I took a step closer and got a hint of her scent. It tickled my senses and smelled familiar. “But don’t forget that I’m the one in charge here, Ms. Ashford. I will be making the final decisions.”
“I’m hardly likely to forget that,” she said dryly. She waved a hand at the door. “Shall we?”
“After you.”
She marched ahead, her trim body vibrating with tension.
This would prove interesting or a massive pain in my ass.