Chapter 41
Piper
“Hey, Piper, welcome back,” Archie called out from reception.
I lifted a hand and waved, my brand-new pair of Gucci Bombshell pumps clicking on the floor. Everett had paid extra to have them overnighted from Denver. I loved them.
I’d showed him my appreciation by leaving heel marks from them in his ass.
Coral saw me. She raked me with her gaze. “I hope you enjoyed your days off. I’m sure you spent them fornicating.”
“Thanks, Coral. I did. And I’m feeling great.”
The woman sniffed. “Glad you didn’t get killed.”
I tried to hide my smile. “Thanks, me too.”
After swiping my card against the reader, I headed into the offices. I’d left Everett at the maintenance area. He’d laid a long, wet kiss on me before I’d left.
The last few days had been…bliss. We’d slept late, had lots of great sex, cooked, and had dinner with his dad one night. We’d also visited Chance in the hospital. He was being released soon, and I’d bought him a plane ticket to Chicago to visit Mom and Gram.
After his visit, he was coming back to Colorado. He was going to work off his debt to the owner of the Red Moose and Tobias Fowler. He’d also been researching gambling treatment programs and had found one in Boulder that he liked. Mom and Gram were going to come back with him for a visit as well.
My minor scrapes and bruises were almost healed. Best of all, I had a hot, handsome mountain man who loved me. Warmth welled inside me. I was happy. Truly happy.
“Welcome back!”
At the shout, I looked up. Tessa, Allie, Sierra and Jazz were all crowded in my conference room. There were three vases of flowers resting on the table. One was filled with red roses, one with elegant, white lilies, and one with a colorful mix of flowers. The scent of the blooms filled the room.
“The colorful ones are from us,” Tessa said. “Lilies are from Ro, because my man is classy. And I don’t think you need to guess who the red roses are from.”
I smiled at them all. “Thank you.”
“You look good,” Allie said.
“I feel good. All healed up, and the bad guy is behind bars. Plus, my brother is okay and planning to get help.”
“And you just spent three days overindulging on food and sex,” Allie noted dryly.
Sierra giggled.
I tilted my head. “I did. I have zero regrets.”
“Well, we’re glad you’re back.”
“And I’m staying,” I told them. “While I wasn’t looking, it seems you guys, Everett, and Windward snuck up on me.”
The women all grinned.
“So, I’m making Windward my home base.” Butterflies winged happily around in my stomach. “I’ll still travel, but I have a good team, so I can delegate more work.”
“Piper Ellis is giving up some control.” Allie shook her head. “You sure you didn’t suffer a head injury?”
Tessa elbowed her.
“That’s great news,” Sierra said. “You and Everett are perfect for each other.”
Despite our differences, or maybe because of them, we were.
The radio on Sierra’s belt crackled to life. “Oh, I have to go. Snowboard equipment emergency.”
“We’ll leave you to it,” Tessa said.
“And let’s have a ‘glad you aren’t dead’ cocktail night soon.” Allie added.
“Bye,” I said with a smile.
I sank into my desk chair and checked my emails. Then I sent Rich a message.
Thirty minutes later, the construction manager appeared in my doorway.
“Hi, Rich.”
“Glad you’re feeling better, Ms. Ellis.” He bobbed his head. “Sorry about everything that happened.”
“Not your fault. I’m fine.”
“You want me to bring you up to speed on the cleanup and the plans to re-do the framing for the spa?”
“I will, but first, I want to run another job past you.”
“Fire away.”
I waved a hand. “I want to come up with a plan to revamp the offices here. Some of them are cramped. We don’t need the conference room, but we could do with more office space.
And Ro, Caden, and I are going to be based here from now on.
It makes sense to renovate back here to make this space work better for us. ”
The man nodded. “I have a few ideas.”
“So do I.” I pointed at a chair. “Sit, let’s get started.”
So, I was jumping the gun a little, but I’d gotten carried away with the office renovation plans with Rich.
Now, I had paint samples out on the table, already picturing new color schemes and furniture. Best of all, I was making sure my new office had a window.
I poked my head into Tessa’s office and only saw Jazz sitting at her messy desk. “Hey, have you seen Tessa?”
“I think she’s in the locker room with Allie.”
“Thanks.”
I headed in the direction of the locker room. On the way, I passed Jasper Harden. The man was striding down the corridor, a harsh scowl on his face. His white chef jacket barely contained his muscular body. He looked like he had a castle to storm or a battle to lead.
“Chef,” I said.
He lifted his square-jawed chin and grunted. Then he was gone.
It was lucky he cooked the best food imaginable. I reached the locker room and found not only Tessa and Allie, but Sierra as well.
“So, I’m making plans to renovate the back office areas,” I announced.
Tessa smiled and Sierra clapped.
“Brilliant idea,” Allie said.
“It’s essentially going to be a head office for us with Ro, Caden, and I here a lot of the time. Plus, I want a window. Tessa, you and Jazz need more space. And Sierra, your office is barely more than a closet.”
“I’m aware,” she said. “I mean, it’s cute in a way.”
I rolled my eyes. Only Sierra could find anything good about her tiny office.
“Anyway, plans are rolling. I just need to run it all past Ro.” I held up the paint samples. “But I figured we could have a little fun and pick out some paint colors.”
Allie cocked a hip. “You mean you aren’t picking some bland color scheme that’s suitable for Langston Hotel standards?”
I pulled a face at her. “No. I figured we could all pick whatever we liked.”
Allie looked at the others. “Wow, I guess Windward really has rubbed off on our city girl.”
“Pretty sure it’s Everett’s rubbing that made the difference,” Sierra said.
I poked my tongue out at them. We all grabbed at the samples, debating and picking what we liked.
“Right, I need to change, then go and check the set up for the games night we’re running in the great room this evening.” Sierra opened her locker.
The scent of chocolatey deliciousness filled the locker room.
“God, what is that amazing smell?” Tessa said.
Sierra hesitated, then pulled out a perfect cupcake from her locker. It was chocolate, nestled in bronze paper, and topped with an elegant swirl of chocolate frosting.
“Ooh, where is that from?” I asked.
“Nowhere.” Sierra blushed, shed her puffer jacket, and then snatched up the cupcake. “See you later.” She hurried out, cradling the cake like it was precious.
I turned to the others. “What was that all about?”
“Well,” Allie said. “Our girl has been finding beautiful, delicious baked desserts in her locker for the last week.”
“Really?”
“Yep,” Allie confirmed. “She’s rather cagey about.”
“There is only one person in this hotel capable of making those things,” Tessa said.
I blinked. “Chef Harden?” I blinked again. “The grumpiest, rudest man in the hotel is leaving cupcakes for the most athletic, sunshiny person in the hotel.”
We all pondered that, and failed to make it compute, before Allie’s radio squawked.
“Duty calls,” Allie said. “Later.”
“I have a meeting,” Tessa said.
“I want to catch Everett.”
My friends grinned.
“I bet you do,” Allie said.
Leaving them, I headed for the maintenance workshop. As I approached, I heard the buzz of a power tool. I pushed through the doors and saw all the workbenches were empty, except one.
And there was my man, with safety glasses, earmuffs, and his sleeves rolled up. Those muscular forearms needed a warning sign.
I felt a buzz of desire in some very inappropriate places. Then I gasped.
He was wearing his khaki uniform shirt!
My nose wrinkled. I missed the flannel.
I headed in his direction. His gaze lifted and I watched his sexy smile hit his lips. He shut off the…I wasn’t entirely sure what the power tool was, and set it aside. The glasses and earmuffs followed.
“Hello, there, Ms. Ellis.”
“Mr. Murray.” I reached him and he gripped my waist.
He lifted me onto the workbench and I gasped, grabbing his shoulders. I fingered his collar. “I see you’re wearing your uniform today.”
He leaned forward and nuzzled my neck. “Figured the COO would make it worth my while.”
I arched my head to give him better access. “Maybe.”
Then I felt one hand sliding under my skirt, those callouses I loved scraping over my skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps.
“Murray, this is very inappropriate behavior for the workplace.”
His mouth landed on mine and the kiss left me breathless.
“Guess you’ll need to reprimand me, then,” he murmured.
“I will. In my suite, at lunch time.”
He bit the side of my neck and I gasped. “I’ll be there.” He gave me another kiss.
Trying to get ahold of my unruly desire, I slid off the workbench. I straightened my skirt. “Good, don’t be late.” I sauntered away, then looked back at him with a smile. “And Everett, bring your flannel shirt.”
His lips moved into a wide smile. “Oh, I will. You’ll be wearing those heels.” His gaze moved down my legs.
“I will. And nothing else.”