Jack
I’m finally getting usedto the altitude of this town. It’s taken an entire week here to walk up this hill to the Riggs’ house without being winded. I walk farther and faster than this in New York just to get from my apartment to my studio, but the air is different here.Ifeel different here. I miss my space and the energy that the city fuses into me, but I have to admit, Strutt’s Peak is incredible. The brightness and big-ness of it.
Law is back at the cigar bar, hitting on a brunette that was more than happy to drink for free for the rest of the night. He’s a good guy. What I wouldn’t have given for a friend like him growing up. Any of the Riggs siblings would have been a breath of fresh air. They’ve all had things going on in their lives, I’m sure, but they also have a feel-good vibe that’s easy to be around.
I double tap my knuckles on the front door before I punch in the code to open it, just to be courteous. I need to grab something to eat before I head back to the pool house. As I walk through the entryway, I look up to see if there are any lights on upstairs. Maybe Everly is up there by now and not in the pool house any longer.
I said more than I should have when I was leaving. The reality is, she’s fucking beautiful, and I can’t seem to keep myself from wanting to look at her every chance I get. Never mind the fact that pissing her off and seeing how far I can push her have become my favorite things to do since I set foot in this town. Riling her up, a woman who is so structured and stone-faced, is a little victory for me. Her entire face and neck flush. She can’t keep her emotions in check when I’m around, no matter how hard I’ve seen her try. Everything she said at the bar about me was wrong, and she knew it, even before I interjected. She was trying to talk herself out of being attracted to me. Self-preservation, at its finest, and I know a thing or two about that.
Luce was right to remind me to be smart on this job. Keep my dick in my pants. It might be for different reasons, since Luce wants to avoid cleaning up a public fallout or the repercussions a family like The Riggs might cause, and I want to maintain the lifestyle I’m most comfortable with. That means steering away from someone who is far more than surface-level beauty. I’m not in the market for someone like that, regardless of how much I think about her or how much my cock wants to burrow into her for the winter.
I watched her rock the boss role this week as she laced into a new distributor. He told her that the newest of their signature snowboards has to ship to big box stores first based on their lead time or something like that. She wasnothappy and tore the guy a new asshole, threatened his business, called him out on his lack of local business support, and by the end of the conversation, she had her shipment and was making plans for drinks with him when he’s in town after the holidays. To say she’s a force is an understatement. It was impressive and sexy as hell.
And while my cock is semi-hard just thinking about how she can masterfully own the attention and adoration of a room full of people who work for her company, I know that a person like her isn’t one you just have fun with. She’s the kind of woman that changes a man's life. Unlucky for me that I like my life just as it is. Focused, simple, and void of people that’ll end up disappointing me, or I, them.
I’m not looking for upheaval, even if it’s got a beautiful mouth and an ass I’d love to sink my teeth into. It wouldn’t be an easy getaway either. I’ll be here again, often enough, since this is where Kathryn and Benny will be. Not to mention, I’d like to do more with the Riggs brand; I have other ventures that make sense to align with them, so giving the company’s Vice President a good fuck on just about every surface I can touch is definitely an occupational hazard.
I walk into the kitchen and head for the refrigerator, but a clatter of a spoon against a bowl startles me. I thought the place was empty. “I don’t understand why you’re going to bring in random people to model the activities we offer.”
“Michael. Hey, man, didn’t see you there.” I haven’t gotten to know the middle Riggs brother very well. He’s not the most welcoming and made it clear that we’re supposed to keep our interactions professional. “We’re about to set the schedule for your shoots this week, but if you want to make changes, it’s your company, so let's talk about what you’re not happy with.”
He shifts in his seat and keeps his focus on eating the cereal in his bowl. After an uncomfortably long pause, he laughs to himself. I look over his way again, and he says, “Law doesn’t listen to me. Ev is the only one I can get through to and she’s so…” he pauses to take another spoonful, then says, “distracted lately that I can’t get a word in about work with her.”
I grab the cold cuts out of the fridge and the sesame rolls out of the bread box to make a sandwich. “Well, I’m listening. What don’t you like about the models we chose? I thought you picked out who you liked with Law this past week.”
“I did.”
I look at him to elaborate more. I don’t want to spend time on a shoot if the one person who knows this part of the business the best isn’t happy before we even start. Michael places his spoon down on the counter and adjusts it so that it's perpendicular to his bowl.
“I want my team to be in the images for the summer adventures. It should not be some guy who just looks good in cargo shorts and Oakleys.” He looks up and finally makes eye contact. Michael is a good-looking guy. The entire Riggs clan is attractive, and not many people would be quick to kick any of them out of bed. His hair is the same sandy blonde as Law’s, longer, but always pulled back. I gather that he’s not the kind of guy that is okay with looking disheveled or unkempt. “Listen, I don’t want to be in any of it, but I’m the one running that part of the business, and it should be my guys who are front and center. They’ve earned their spot in our business and I’d like them recognized for it.”
He looks up at me as if I’m going to tell him no. “That works for me. There’s no need to pay models if we’ve got the actual crew of people running it. Are your guys available and open to being photographed?”
“Yeah? I mean, yeah, yes. Some of them do the winter adventures too, but I can work with Henry to make sure those guys aren’t scheduled. Do you think this is the right call? I know it’s my family’s company, but you’re the creative guy. Will you be able to get what you need by making this kind of change?”
“As long as you clear it with whomever you need to, then yeah. I don’t see why not. If anything, it’ll show more authenticity, and people would be thrilled to see your team online, then in person once they book. It seems like a no-brainer.” I’m genuinely excited to hear this from Michael. Out of everybody, I didn’t expect much of an opinion on things from him. I feel like I should have suggested this from the start, utilizing the staff to tell their story and show off what sets this brand and company of people apart.
Michael stands up and walks over to me, extending his hand. “Thanks.” He turns and walks toward the stairs after shaking my hand. He turns and rubs the back of his neck nervously. “And don’t worry. Everyone is fit and can do this on my crew. But they’re not models, so...”
“I think it’s a better look for your brand if you show off some real people instead of polished versions. More authentic and, honestly, it’ll allow people to connect better. I’d rather go climbing a mountainside with someone who looks like they know what they're doing instead of just a good-looking face.”
He nods and doesn't say anything else, heading up the stairs while I’m left finishing my turkey club.