Chapter Ten
Is there anything sexier than true competence? Is that a kink?
Rom’s broad frame stands in stark contrast to the rainbow-swirl sunset and the wild, winter landscape of snowy mountains. His dark hair and arching horns are a thing of beauty, even the broken one.
But it’s not the visual aesthetics I find sexiest. It’s the way he strides back and forth, working over the phone with laser-focused attention. And I have a lot of time to watch him since my list of things to do shrank to a very achievable handful of items. I begrudgingly handed over my few tasks to my two student workers.
I called Than’s mom first, who helps out with the children’s programming from time to time, but she roped her son in immediately and before I knew it, he’d called Fran and they were both chiming in in the background. When they heard about the avalanche, they were relieved I was okay and promised to let everyone know that I have a safe place to stay until the road clears. They assured me the library would be fine, even if it takes a few days for me to get back. But will it? I’ve had serious doubts the past few days, feeling like I was barely keeping everything together, like one wrong move would send my house of cards tumbling down.
Within two minutes of getting off my phone call and listening to Rom though, my hope is soaring like the white falcons above us that call this crag home. Rom in business mode is magnificent. A revelation.
“I absolutely agree. A fifteen percent proposed reduction in the rental rate seems more appropriate. It’s unacceptable she’s being treated like this.”
He’s trying to lower the cost of my lease? Only a demon would have that kind of audacity. I see it day in and day out around town, how they offer a price they know the other party won’t accept as a way to meet in the middle. I’ve never been good at that, but Rom clearly is. He’s very good. His authoritative tone has me hot and bothered, crossing and uncrossing my legs. I missed everything but the last bit of his conversation with his lawyer. On speakerphone, he furiously types as she shares legal insights, and he asks pointed questions in return.
“So the Idaho legislation requires inspection of heritage buildings every decade? When was that signed? Mmmhm. And the fines are tiered? Who can make a complaint? Thanks, Blanca. Bill me double for the holiday.”
After that call, he dials up one of his Perkatory supervisors from Austin who helps him with special projects. She has the sunniest disposition and doesn’t seem put out by Rom’s authoritative tone. He doesn’t boss her around so much as treat her like a partner, and she seems excited to solicit three contractor bids for each repair project. She even suggests looking for out-of-town contractors willing to travel. That way, we have a wider pool of companies and can circumvent the higher prices in our small town.
“Brilliant. I owe you big time,” he says into the receiver as he looks at me. “But do me a favor and prioritize contractors who can do the jobs as a package deal. Even if the bid is a little higher for one contractor over four, it may be worth it to make my friend’s management of the projects easier.”
His friend. God, I wish we could be more than that. But the flip side of listening to him in work mode is that it reminds me that people like Rom don’t live in Winter Bliss. Nobody moves this fast or gets this much done. We aren’t home to the rich and successful unless they’re here for vacation or retirement.
We’re a sleepy town. He’ll get bored after a while. They always do.
My glum train of thought must be transparent on my face because as the call winds down, he comes over to fiddle with a lock of my hair. His thumb notches on my chin and lifts my face to the setting sun. I smile and so does he, as though our emotions connect through a tether.
Does he feel it too? We were best friends so long ago, but to me, that soul-deep connection hasn”t changed at all. The more time I spend with him, the stronger that teenage crush grows again. Gah. I”ve been reading too many books from the romance section. I”m hopeless.
His next call is to my landlord, the mega-huge real estate company that never gives me a straight answer. Despite the snowy weather, I practically melt listening to his opening conversation. He’s demanding and firm. His voice never softens, and he doesn”t take no for an answer. He asks probing question after probing question. Any time the person on the other line falters, he demands to be connected to another level of management. When he makes eye contact with me, he flashes an encouraging smile before getting pulled back into the conversation.
After three transfers, he’s speaking with the chief operating officer. Rom’s demeanor turns firm and frankly, scary hot. He said he wouldn’t burn bridges, but my word, I could never speak with this kind of bravado. The executive on the other line answers occasionally or asks a question of his own, but I can tell they’re taking each statement seriously.
“I represent Miss Goode in all real estate matters and reviewed the offer for next year’s rental lease. Via email and certified mail, we’ve submitted a counteroffer as well as a request for documentation of compliance with the state’s legislative requirement for regular assessment of historic buildings. The package includes legal citations for your counsel to consider. It’s important to note that in their twenty years of occupancy, the Goode family is unaware of any such assessment and have completed all necessary repairs themselves. That is untenable and puts your company at risk for both public safety and government fines. The building has been the area’s epicenter for learning and literacy for decades, and Miss Goode is a well-respected local leader. She remains committed to maintaining the valuable small-town library at its historic location and is willing to sign a new lease, but the terms must be renegotiated. We are preparing a list of minimum necessary repairs and available local inspectors and contractors you may consider. I propose a teleconference in five days to discuss our concerns and can have my people send an invite based upon your availability.”
I’m practically breathless. The words ricochet in my mind. That is untenable. Epicenter for learning and literacy. Well-respected local leader. Valuable small-town library. Public safety. Compliance. Commitment. Minimum necessary repairs. Discuss our concerns.
He doesn’t even offer to pay for the repairs. It’s completely understood in his monologue and from the responses he gets from the COO that the company is responsible. I’m stunned and more than a little turned on.
Rom secures an agreement to the meeting and personal contact details of several other corporate executives. He did this within twenty minutes on the phone, stranded on the top of a mountain with three bars of cell service on the day before a major holiday.
I know my jaw must be on the ground as he pockets his phone and pulls me up.
“Let’s get you back to the cabin.” He rubs my shoulders down to my arms and squeezes my mitten-covered hands. “You look frozen solid.”
I blink fast, feeling the weight of little icy bits on my lashes, but the cold? No. I’m burning up inside.
“You’re incredible.” My breath makes a puffy cloud in the frigid temperature.
“You’re incredible. It’s important that people know that.” With his arm around my shoulder, he leads me back down the path to the cabin. “That company needed a wake-up call. Did you hear him mention looking into a corporate-level audit of properties for historic status?”
“I don’t even know what that means,” I chuckle as I nestle closer into his side. Maybe this is why he always liked books with mystery and plot twists so much. He analyzes and finds ways around an issue I never could, understanding how the parts make up the total. I read books like I read people, for the emotions, the way they move through life, their loves and losses. I always assume the best in people, but has it led me to being too much of a pushover? Rom doesn’t see the worst exactly, but he does see boundaries and mechanics I just don’t.
“It’s a good thing,” he assures me.
“That guy didn’t sound upset, at least.”
“I think he’s grateful we came to him first rather than filed a complaint or worse still, a lawsuit. They could get into major trouble if this is a wider problem with their portfolio. We really did them a favor.”
We. Rom and Noelle. We never spent time together other than in the library as kids, but now we feel like a team. He’s looking at the tree line with a distant gaze, and his arm tightens around me. I wonder if he feels the same, the weight of what we could have been: childhood sweethearts, teenagers making out at the top of a mountain. We feel so obvious to me — an inevitable romantic duo — if he stayed.
But he didn’t then, and he won’t now. He’ll be gone in less than two weeks. It’s a verifiable fact. He has no ties here. His life is in a big city far away. And I don’t date outsiders. But I also know that every guy who broke my heart before was different than Rom.
Weare different.
As soon as we’re in the entryway, we start shedding layers. Coats come off first, and we hang them side by side on these adorable wooden mushroom shaped wall hooks. This place really is so cute with its plant-filled sunroom and old lady aesthetic.
“You’re stuck with me for a couple days, at least.” He looks at me while tugging off a boot. His glasses fog up in the warmer temperature. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m not! It’ll be like a vacation.” I shed my long sleeve sweater. “I’ve never had one of those.”
Rom’s lip curls in horror. “Never had a vacation?”
“My parents lived paycheck to paycheck.” I shrug. “And even now, the library doesn’t really close long enough for me to take time off. I can’t imagine going on vacation while the town just, what, doesn’t have a library?” I fiddle with the waistband of my oversized track pants before tugging them off over my shoes, which are stuck on like glue. I’m left in ratty combat boots, bike shorts, and a thin crop top. It’s pretty revealing, the kind of thing I lounge around in at home. My lumps and bumps are on full display, but I’m comfortable in my body. I’d rather clean my outer layers tonight since I have nothing else to wear while I’m here.
He looks me over, pausing on my soft, bare stomach then my cleavage. His eyelids flutter slightly before he shakes his head and refocuses on my face. “You have volunteers. Are they capable?”
“Of course they are, but the library is my resp—”
“Then you’re taking this time to relax.” He interrupts me, hands on his hips with a stern expression. He’s down to bare feet, a thin gray undershirt, and matching thermal pants. Illegal. “Trust your volunteers. Trust that the town won’t sink into utter chaos without their head librarian. You are important, don”t get me wrong, but you”re allowed to take some time off. You deserve that. Give people the opportunity, the joy even, of helping you for once. On that note, you’re not to lift a finger while you’re here, got it?”
“Yes, sir.” I mock salute, and his eyebrow crooks, red eyes swirling to orange then yellow. Rather than squirm under his sexy gaze, I try to toe off my boots again but goodness gracious, they’re on tight. My shoelaces got wet near the hot springs and must have iced over when we hiked through the snow. Rookie mistake. I almost lose my footing and face plant. Rom catches me by the elbows before I fall.
“Sit down,” he says in an authoritative voice. It’s similar to the one he used when making deals on the phone, and I can’t help but obey as he leads me to the loveseat. His firm tone doesn’t bother me, not one bit. He kneels in front of me with the same intent expression. His big fingers glow a brighter shade of red as he warms up the laces, unties them, and eases the boot off gently like I’m a princess in a fairytale. “You take care of everyone else, but who takes care of you?”
I swallow. “I guess I should?”
“Hmmph.” He unties the second shoe, then takes off both my socks. His palms move up my shins and around to grip my calves. Warm skin on skin. And the heat of his hands is nothing to the fire in his eyes, roiling like a living flame. He’s so big and strong, so commanding with others but so gentle with me.
“For the next few days, will you let me take care of you?”
Oh dear. I lick my lips and he tracks the movement. Carnal visions fill my mind. Afraid of how breathless I’d sound, I simply nod. We’re lost in the tender, heated moment until he squeezes my legs once more then stands.
“Good.” He gestures to the hallway. “You clean up first. I’ll get some tea started, then we can figure out dinner. Consider this your first vacation.”
And it took an avalanche to force the issue. Two whole days with Rom in the cutest little cabin. Maybe more. There”s no way I”m not going to jump his bones. It”s just inevitable at this point, and he seems determined to play it cool. Be sweet.
I turn on the shower and catalog myself. A hot mess express, all tangled hair and stale sweat. But oddly, I’m not exhausted. Being alone with him and this idea of a vacation must have filled me with a second wind. I stick my hand in the shower stream and jerk it back. Freezing. Upon closer inspection, I notice that it’s an instant hot water heater, but none of the lights are on. I flick the overhead light on and off. Electricity seems fine otherwise. Just my luck, it’s broken.
A wild idea hits me. The hot springs.
Locals love the scenic, soaking pools that dot the mountain from top to bottom where Teapot Lake is filled with their steamy water. And only locals know how to avoid the more dangerous sections like I almost foolishly hiked down.
Lucky for us, I know a spot within walking distance of this very cabin.
And if I was on vacation in the area, it’s the first thing I would do. No time like the present, right? Just because Rom is leaving after the New Year doesn’t mean I can’t compromise on my no-dating-outsiders rule. I don’t want to hold myself back from him anymore. I don’t think I could if I tried.
I snatch up a bar of local-made natural soap, wrap a towel around my naked body, and grab a second one for Rom. If I’m stuck with this big, sweet demon for a few days on my first vacation ever, and knowing how crazy my life is, probably my last, then I’m going to enjoy it.