Chapter 65
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
An extraordinary meeting of the
Aspen council planning committee.
“When the Brock family asked the two of you to go live at the site and come up with a compromise plan, we expected a few tweaks, but you have done much more than that, and on behalf of the board, I have to say this proposal is outstanding.”
Rachel and Matthew exchanged smiles. The presentation had gone brilliantly. At the end of it, the townsfolk gathered in the meeting hall had given them a thunderous round of applause. Rachel got a small taste of how it must feel to be a popstar. She’d never be Chloe, but by the looks of it, the people of Aspen were fans.
They had made the presentation together, but she’d quietly let Matthew take the lead. After the humiliation she’d ensured he’d suffered during the last meeting, it was important that the Brocks, the planning committee, and especially the people of Aspen, got to see the real Matthew Royal. That they appreciated his work.
Matthew was in one of his corporate suits again today, but he seemed a lot more relaxed than the last time he’d fronted the committee and public in this room. On the table in front of them was the mockup model they had put together at the lodge. It was rough, but they’d decided to bring it with them to show the people what the new resort would look like.
From the reactions of the crowd and the planning committee, the fact that they could see the old building still standing, albeit under plastic wrap, was what truly mattered. The glass dome and mezzanine concept met with overwhelming approval.
The committee voted with a unanimous show of hands. The Brock’s followed suit. The instant Gary Brock’s hand went up, Matthew slipped an arm around Rachel’s waist and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“A unanimous vote. Congratulations, Rachel. You saved the old lodge,” he murmured.
She turned and planted a kiss on his lips. “No. We saved the lodge. Now you have to buy it and build the new resort. I’m so proud of what we’ve done.”
This was a brilliant result. The combined efforts of two forward thinking architects who’d put their hearts and souls into saving a grand old dame of the Colorado mountains.
The committee and Dan’s parents were busy congratulating one another on finally resolving the future of the lodge. Rachel went to step away, and pack up her things, but Matthew wouldn’t let go. “Now that the design part is almost done, I realize I have another new problem. A really big one.”
Rachel’s brows furrowed. What could be his problem?
“I’ll be staying in Aspen to help oversee the project, but I can’t do all the work. I need a bright and clever person to take over as development architect. You wouldn’t happen to know of any beautiful talented architects who might be looking for work?”
Rachel blinked back tears. “Um, I might. Though it depends on what you’re offering?”
He turned and blew a hot breath in her ear. It sent lust racing to all of Rachel’s lady parts. “A top tier salary package. Fabulous benefits. And a special friendship with someone named Mini Matt.”
She burst out laughing. This was the weirdest job interview she’d ever undertaken. It broke pretty much every rule in the HR book. But it was fun, and so very Matthew. “Hmm. Your architect will need a company car. Maybe something a little bigger than your current SUV—inches do matter.”
His teeth grazed her earlobe. “I’ll give you whatever you want, just stay with me. See what amazing things we can create. I love you, Rachel.”
“I love you too. The job sounds wonderful. In fact, it’s perfect. Perfect because I’m not going anywhere, not without you.”
The smile which lit up his face took her breath away. She caught the mischievous glint in his eyes. I bet he’s planning on conducting more negotiations later, when we’re naked, the wicked man.
People moved around them in the meeting space, but Rachel didn’t take much notice, she was lost in Matthew’s gaze. Saving the old lodge and gaining a job with a major resort corporation were both huge wins for her professional career. But this man, and the promise of a future with him, meant everything.
“I love you, Matthew,” she whispered. It was her truth, undeniable.
As the room slowly emptied, Dan and Kellie made their way over. Rachel beamed as her brother-in-law and Matthew shook hands. “Well done, you two. I expect my folks will be keen to get things finalized, and the sale contracts out of the way.” Dan pointed to his mother and father who were talking to the committee members. “Knowing the lodge has been saved will take a huge weight off my parents. Thank you.”
He turned to Rachel. “I hope you aren’t planning on rushing out of Aspen too quickly, Rachel. I’m sure there will be other design work available in town.”
“You’re not getting rid of me at all. Matthew’s offered me a job. I’m going to go work with him on the site redevelopment.”
Kellie burst into tears and embraced her. “Oh my god, that’s amazing news. The best.”
Rachel hugged her back. “Yeah, it is, it’s about time that something finally turned out right for us.” Her family had been through enough.
Kellie and Dan headed over to chat with his parents, and Rachel returned to Matthew’s embrace. In his arms, she was home. Toying with the lapel of his bespoke suit, she gently teased him. “Speaking of flights, Mister Royal. Once we’ve been to New York to commission the new model, what’s the chance of us taking another flight to the Caribbean? According to my calculations, you still owe me a day and a half in the sun.”
He lay his hand, over hers. “Well, I’m no accountant.” They both laughed. “But with the interest accruing on the debt, I’m thinking it’ll take close to a week just to clear the slate.”
A week on the Royal family island, with this sexy man. That would be utter bliss.
“You. Me. And the largest of the guest rooms, Rachel. The one with the double headed shower, and more hot water than we can ever need.”
He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “Speaking of fun, don’t you think it’s time you finally hit the buy button on your shopping cart.”
Her eyes grew wide in shock. “Wha … What?”
He moved closer, pressing playfully against her. “You left your laptop open on that page when you went to make coffee one morning.” Matthew brushed a kiss on the tip of Rachel’s nose. “Over four-thousand satisfied customers can’t be wrong.”
“Let’s get out of here.”