5. Madison
5
MADISON
I heft a can of paint from the truck bed and glance at Archer. His muscular arms flex as he grabs two cans at once. Damn, that man is strong. And sexy as hell. I bite my lip, trying not to stare too obviously.
"I think I'm going to need to give you a raise for all this extra help," I joke as we head toward the lodge entrance.
Archer flashes me a heart-stopping grin. "Damn right. Eleanor never had me going to this much trouble."
I laugh, the sound echoing through the quiet morning air. It feels good to joke around with him like this. It’s natural. Like we've known each other for years instead of days.
Inside, the lodge lobby is empty except for Ivy manning the reception desk like always.
She looks up as we enter and smirks. "Well, well. If it isn't the gruesome twosome. You really think a couple coats of paint is gonna make people want to stay in this dump?"
I set my paint can on the floor and put my hands on my hips. "It's a start, Ivy. We're going to repaint, get new flooring, update all the decor... by the time I'm done, this place will look brand new. Just wait and see."
Archer nods approvingly beside me. "Madison's right. She's got an eye for this kind of thing. It'll look a hell of a lot better than it does now."
Ivy laughs, but it's not unkind. "I'll believe it when I see it. Surprised you're even going along with this, Archer."
"Oh ye of little faith," I tease. "Prepare to be amazed."
As Archer and I head further into the lodge to start prepping for painting, butterflies swirl in my stomach. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, admiring the way his t-shirt stretches across his broad shoulders.
Get it together, Madison. You're here to work, not drool over your handsome handyman.
But as we begin opening paint cans and pouring primer into trays, I can't help sneaking peeks at him. The way his forehead creases as he concentrates, the smudge of paint on his cheek that I itch to wipe away...
I've got it bad. My little crush is turning into a full blown infatuation. But I'm his boss. It would be totally unprofessional to act on it.
Wouldn't it?
Just as I'm lost in another sexy thought, the lobby door bangs open, startling me. I whirl around to see the last person I ever expected here - my ex-boyfriend Ashton.
"What the hell are you doing here?" The words burst out of me before I can stop them. Ivy looks up from the front desk, almost pleased to see a bit of drama.
Ashton flashes that grin of his that used to make me weak in the knees. Now, it just makes me want to punch him. "Is that any way to greet your boyfriend, Mads?"
"Ex-boyfriend," I grit out. "And you didn't answer my question."
I feel Archer tense beside me, a coiled spring ready to launch. I lay a restraining hand on his arm. "I've got this," I mutter under my breath. "Let's take this outside, Ashton.”
I don't wait for his response as I stride past him out the door, my heels clicking on the hardwood floor. The cool mountain air hits me like a slap as I step onto the porch. I don't know if I'll ever get used to the temperature difference up here.
I hear the door open and close behind me, then Ashton's footsteps. "You can't avoid me forever, Madison."
I spin to face him, arms crossed. "I'm not avoiding you, Ashton. I'm done with you. I thought I made that clear when I left Denver."
"Just hear me out," he coaxes, moving closer. "This resort of yours has potential. I want in. We could make this place into something really special, you and me."
"There is no 'you and me' anymore," I snap. "I'm doing this on my own. I don't need you or your money."
Ashton's eyes narrow. "Don't be stupid, Madison. You have no idea what you're doing. You need me."
Red hot rage surges through me. How dare he? I open my mouth to tell him exactly where he can stick his offer, but Archer beats me to it.
"I believe the lady said no." His deep voice rumbles from behind me, laced with barely leashed menace.
I glance over my shoulder to see him standing a few feet away, arms crossed, fixing Ashton with a stare that could melt steel. My heart does a funny little flip. I told him I could handle this, but somehow, his presence makes me feel stronger.
Ashton sneers at Archer. "This is none of your business, pal. Madison and I go way back. We have history."
"Ancient history," I interject. "We're over, Ashton. Done. Finito. Now, please leave before I have to call the cops and have you escorted off my property."
For a moment, I think he might argue, but Archer takes a menacing step forward. "You heard her. Leave. Now."
Ashton's eyes dart between us, then he throws up his hands in exaggerated defeat. "Fine. Your loss, Madison. But don't come crawling back to me when this place goes belly up."
With that parting shot, he turns on his heel and stalks toward the sleek Mercedes parked in the drive. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding as he guns the engine and peels out, spraying gravel.
"Good riddance," Archer mutters. He turns to me, concern softening his rugged features. "You okay?"
I give him a shaky smile. "I'm fine. Just a blast from the past I could have done without."
He studies me for a moment, then nods. "I get it. We've all got baggage. But Madison..." He takes a step closer, so close I can feel the heat radiating off him. "You deserve better than that douche canoe. You deserve someone who'll treat you right."
I swallow hard, my breath catching at his proximity, at the intensity in his blue eyes. "I... um... we should probably get back to painting," I stammer.
Smooth, Madison. Real smooth.
Archer looks like he wants to say more, but he nods. "Lead the way, boss lady."
As we head back inside, I can't help but wonder...
Was he really just talking about Ashton? Or was he hinting at something more?
Part of me is dying to find out. But the rational part of my brain firmly squashes that notion.
He works for you now, I remind myself sternly. Keep it professional.
But as we resume painting, working side by side in companionable silence, I can't ignore the way my heart races every time his arm brushes mine...
Or how right it felt to have him standing at my back, ready to defend me.
I'm in trouble. Big trouble.
Heaven help me.