Chapter 5 Piper
Piper
Taking a sip of my oat milk latte Kate had brought me, I studied the plans spread over the conference room table.
Damn Ro for having such good ideas.
I loved the pool.
I loved that I could expand the spa.
I didn’t love that I had to work closely with Everett Murray. Who, I might add, was five minutes late for our meeting. I tapped my nails on the table, and continued looking over the pool design.
“Isn’t a pool the greatest idea ever?”
I looked over my shoulder and saw Tessa in the doorway. She bustled in, wearing a stylish green dress I envied. A tall brunette and a small blonde followed her.
The tall, slim Allie was wearing her dark-brown housekeeping uniform with tunic-style top. Allie also had dark-hair like Tessa, but kept hers cut short in wispy style that showed off her slim neck.
The blonde was Sierra Kerr, the head of activities for the hotel. The bubbly, athletic California transplant was always on the move and actually liked skiing. The last few months, I’d been shocked to get to know the women more, and actually like them. Jazz, Tessa’s assistant, rounded out the gang.
“I agree, but it’s going to be a lot of extra work.”
Allie slapped my shoulder. “If anyone is up for more work, it’s you, city girl.”
I lifted my chin. “It’s going to be the best pool in the Rocky Mountains when I’m done with it.”
Sierra grinned. “I’m already planning swimming activities.”
“I’m also expanding the day spa,” I told them.
They all sighed happily.
“Massages,” Allie said.
Tessa got a faraway look in her eyes. “Manis and pedis.”
Sierra clapped her hands together. “I’m excited for the sauna and salt scrubs.”
“I need to get it built first.” I spun my chair a little. “Have you met the new chef?”
Tessa got a pained look on her face. “I did. I introduced him to his new team, and listened to him find a lot of fault with the kitchen. He wasn’t happy that his knives had been tossed around in transit.”
“I heard him yelling,” Allie said.
“I caught a glimpse of him across the lobby,” Sierra added. “He does not look like any chef I’ve seen.”
I met her gaze. “Agreed.”
“He looks like he should be carrying a longsword,” she added. “Not a kitchen knife.”
“He is a bruiser,” I said. “But I can confirm the man’s cooking is to die for. Especially his desserts.”
“It had better be,” Tessa said. “Or the kitchen staff might all quit.”
“I like dessert,” Sierra added.
“That’s because you burn so many calories doing crazy stuff like running and skiing,” Allie said. “Usually at crazy hours of the morning.”
“So…” Tessa said.
I met her gaze.
“You and Everett are working together on the pool and spa.”
“We are.”
Allie made a sound and looked like she was hiding a laugh.
I crossed my legs and sipped my latte. “Once construction starts, I don’t expect we’ll have to spend much time together.”
“That would be a shame,” Sierra said.
My gaze narrowed. “What?”
“Oh, come on. You two don’t just exude sparks,” Sierra exclaimed, “you’re like a five-alarm fire. Just being around you two leaves me all hot and bothered.”
I felt heat hit my cheeks.
“You both just need to get naked and enjoy the fireworks,” she finished. “If you could have done it like a month ago, I would have won money on you.”
“Excuse me?”
“We had a betting pool,” Tessa said. “About when you and Everett would get naked together.” She pouted. “But we all lost as you’re taking a really long time.”
“I will never sleep with Everett Murray.”
The women all shared a look, then burst out laughing.
“Never,” I repeated.
Allie looked at Tessa and Sierra. “I hear a lot of protesting. You know what that means?”
“We are total opposites,” I said frostily.
“Opposites attract,” Tessa countered.
“He drives me crazy. You’ve all lost your minds.” I set my coffee down. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do.” I glanced at my watch. And Murray was due here to talk about the plans. In fact, he should have been here already.
“Fine.” Allie headed for the door. “But we haven’t finished discussing this.”
“We have.”
They all filtered out, with Sierra giving me a jaunty wave.
I blew out a breath and refocused on the plans. I was studying them and finishing the last of my coffee when I heard a knock at the door.
“Morning, big city.”
I didn’t turn around. “You’re late.”
“So I am.” He stepped up beside me, and I smelled that maddening combination of spice and citrus and wood.
He leaned forward, pressing his hands to the table.
My gaze fell to his hands. They were strong and tanned, and I noticed a few old, pale scars from past cuts and nicks. A man who worked with his hands.
His red flannel shirt had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his strong forearms.
I glowered at the flannel—which I felt was a taunt—and decided to ignore it. I could take the high road when I needed to.
“I like your shoes today,” he murmured.
I didn’t accept the bait. I loved my blush-pink Louboutin pumps. They matched my cap-sleeved blouse that was tucked into my navy-blue pencil skirt.
“Apart from adding more work, I love this pool idea.”
Everett looked at the plans. “Me too.” His long finger traced over the design, and tapped. “We need to make a few tweaks to the pool maintenance area.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“I don’t like the idea of storing chemicals too close to your spa. Plus, the hum of the pool pump system might be annoying for your spa attendees getting their massages.”
Hmm, he was right. “We could move it here.” I pointed.
“No. Here.” He stabbed a finger.
“Then we’d have to redesign the spa, Murray.”
“It would be worth it. Then deliveries of the pool chemicals and deliveries for the spa could come in here.” Another tap of the designs. “We can add a small loading dock at the back.”
Damn. That was a good idea.
“You can admit my idea rocks.”
At his amused tone, I flicked a glance up. He was grinning.
“The idea has some merit,” I conceded.
“Well, that’s big praise from the indomitable Piper Ellis.”
“Indomitable. Big word for a mountain man.”
“Well, shucks, Ms. Ellis, I do read sometimes.”
I was well aware the man had an engineering degree.
“I also think we should redesign the hot tub.” He crossed his arms. “Make it larger, sort of Japanese onsen style. It’ll be really popular with skiers coming off the slopes with tired, sore muscles.”
I tilted my head. “You’ve been to Japan?”
“Yeah. I went skiing.”
I shuddered.
His grin widened. “You don’t ski?”
“I don’t believe in strapping myself to planks of wood and trying to balance while sliding down a mountain. At speed.”
His lips quirked and he shifted closer. “You’ve never skied, big city?”
“No.”
“Snowboarded?”
“No.” I shuddered again.
His gaze flicked up and down my body. “You’d look good in ski gear. Couldn’t wear your heels, though.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll take you one day.”
I blinked, confused. “Take me?”
“Skiing. Actually, snowboarding. I think you’ll like it better.”
“You’ve clearly lost your mind.”
He was standing too close to me. I felt the heat of him, and that scent of his wrapped around me. It was fogging my brain.
And my brain never fogged over a man. Ever.
He grabbed my coffee mug and sipped. Then he grimaced. “What the hell is this?”
“It’s an oat milk latte.”
“Ugh.”
Now I smiled. “Let me guess. You’re all about the mountain-man black coffee?”
“Yes. And milk that comes from a cow.”
I laughed.
His gaze dropped to my mouth.
Suddenly, the heat in the room went up a notch. My chest hitched, and warmth bloomed in places I’d been too busy to think about for a long time.
What in the living hell was this?
“You should do that more, big city.”
“What?”
“Smile like that.”
I froze. We were staring at each other, standing barely an inch apart. He reached out and touched a strand of my hair that had come loose from my chignon.
A knock at the door made me jump.
Kate was standing there, her gaze pinging between me and Murray. I hastily stepped back and bumped the conference table.
“Piper, you have a visitor asking for you at the front desk,” my assistant said.
Straightening, I frowned. I wasn’t expecting anyone.
“It must be one of the contractors.” I smoothed my hands over my skirt and headed out of the conference room.
Annoyingly, Murray came with me.
“Don’t you have some electrical wires to inspect, or something?”
“Nope.”
We entered the lobby together. I saw that things were heating up for morning checkout. I scanned the large space.
“There she is!”
The familiar male voice made me stiffen.
“Hey, Pipe.” My brother appeared in front of me and engulfed me in a bear hug. He lifted me off my feet. “Gorgeous as always.”
When he set me down, I studied his face. Chance was handsome in a boyish way, with shaggy blond hair that needed a cut.
“Chance,” I said woodenly. “You’re here.”
“Yep. I wanted to see you.” He glanced over my shoulder.
I noted Murray was watching us, a scowl on his face. I cleared my throat. “Um, Everett, this is my brother, Chance. Chance, Everett Murray.”
“Brother?” Everett seemed to relax and held out a hand. “Hi.”
“Everett is our head of maintenance here at the hotel,” I said.
“Hey, man.” Chance shook Everett’s hand, then looked around the lobby. “Nice place, Pipe.”
“Thank you.”
“God, you must hate this town, though. No shoe shops, and too much snow.”
I cleared my throat. “How long are you staying?”
“Not sure, not sure. Just wanted to spend some quality time with my big sis.”
Some part of me wanted to believe that. Chance was always charming, and he could be fun. Suddenly, a memory hit me, of a sweet little boy sneaking into my bed. One who was afraid of the dark and needed his big sister to sing to him.
“Where are you staying?” I asked.
At his hesitation, my heart dropped. He didn’t have accommodation. Which probably meant he had no money.
“Actually, I’m staying with a friend.” He shot me a wide smile. “I’m all good. I have a place to stay.”
I swallowed. I wasn’t offering him a room. The last time I’d done that at the Langston Chicago, he’d invited some friends for a party. They’d nearly destroyed the room.
“Let’s do dinner tonight,” I told him. “My treat.”
His smile hit full wattage. “Awesome. I’ll let you get back to work.” He turned and nodded. “Nice to meet you, Everett.”
With a two-fingered wave, he strolled back toward the front entrance.
I stared after him. My brother always brought chaos, but I loved him. It still didn’t mean that he didn’t give me a headache when I had to deal with him.
“Piper?”
I jolted. Everett was standing close by, watching me carefully. “You okay?”
I straightened, flicking imaginary lint of my shirt. The last thing I needed was for Everett to see any chink in my armor. “Yes. I’m fine.”
“Even when you brother turns up unannounced?”
“I’m used to it. Do you have siblings?”
“No. My parents wanted more kids but it didn’t work out. They just had me to lavish their love on.”
“That explains so much.”
He looked amused.
“I’ll get those pool and spa plans adjusted with the architect, then we can coordinate with the building contractor.”
“Roger that.”
“I have work to do.” I pivoted on my heels and hurried off.
Meanwhile, inside, I was praying that Chance wouldn’t cause any drama while he was in Windward.