“You’re already there?” Dane shook his head and glanced to the hot tub where hours ago he’d pleasured Stella until she cried out his name.
The memories of her would last him a lifetime, which was good since she’d hate him in the very near future.
“I’m here,” Ethan confirmed.
“Just make sure you keep the goal in mind—and I don’t mean bikini-clad women.”
His brother chuckled. “No reason I can’t enjoy myself while I wait.”
There was static on the line and Ethan’s muffled voice a moment before he said, “I’ll text you updates. I gotta go.”
The call ended, leaving Dane wondering just how quick he could wrap things up here. Ruiz needed to be dealt with here and now. The next number Dane would have his broker throw out would be impossible to turn down. Maybe he could make things move faster by appealing to Ruiz’s male chauvinist side.
Dane stared out the window as the sun started peeking over the mountaintops. The snow had stopped sometime during the night, which was good news for the stranded guests.
With another quick glance over his shoulder, Dane sent a text to his broker with the new offer and stipulations. There was no way this would be turned down. Ruiz was a smart businessman. If all went as planned, this resort would be his in thirty days.
Thirteen
Stella had never taken advantage of a fantasy suite. She had her own penthouse for one thing, but the main reason was she’d never had a need or a man.
Well, now she had both.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and she had no clue why she was nervous. It wasn’t like she was a virgin or hadn’t slept with Dane before. Over the past several days, they’d been all over each other.
The blizzard had calmed down to Montana’s usual snow accumulation and guests came and went, still cautious of slippery roads. All was mostly back to normal.
Except Dane stayed. His stay was technically up two days ago and his penthouse had been taken by a couple celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary.
So she moved his stuff into her suite.
Stella jerked on the tie of her shirt. She couldn’t believe she had donned this outfit, but she figured Dane would like it. At least, she hoped he went for that whole lumberjack girl vibe. She’d taken one of her plaid flannels and left all buttons undone, simply tying the bottom in a knot just below her breasts. She figured the bright red lacy bra beneath was a nice touch.
Then she’d found an old denim skirt and ended up taking a pair of scissors to it to make it about four inches shorter. Dane would love the present beneath the skirt.
Of course she couldn’t exactly parade through her resort looking like she was about to take the stage as a strip club’s version of Twin Peaks with her boobs on display. That wouldn’t be professional at all and her father’s minion, whoever that might be, would certainly be all too eager to tattle.
Stella had put a fake name into the computer system to block off the room for the night and she’d sneaked in with her costume in her purse. She still wore her knee boots, but she had pulled her hair from the twist and left it in a wild mess around her shoulders.
She pulled her cell from her back pocket and checked the time. Dane should be here any minute. She’d told him she needed help moving something in the Lumberjack Room and he’d said he’d be right there.
Now she waited.
Stella crossed the hardwood floor and put the cell in her bag in the corner. A click of the door had her spinning back around.
Dane stepped through the door, took in the lanterns all around the room, the hanging tent, and the bourbon bar.
Then his eyes scanned back to her. The dark gaze raked over her, up and down. Then another slow, visual perusal.
“So I’m assuming you don’t want to move anything,” he said as he reached behind him, flicking the lock into place.
He crossed to the middle of the room and put his hand on the small wooden steps leading to the tent. He peered inside and back to her.
“This thing hold people?” he asked.
Stella smiled. “It’s secure for up to eight hundred pounds.”
Dane hooked his thumbs through his belt loops as his gaze took another travel down her body. “Then I guess we’re safe.”