I couldn’t stop thinking about Avery as I made my way around the building, shooting the fireplace and the hot chocolate bar that was set up for guests to get a hot drink as needed. There were plenty of shots to get outside as well, so I finished up inside and pulled my light blue beanie over my head as I stepped into the cold air.
I enjoyed working here as much as I did the snowboarding Peaks Lodge offered. That was my genuine passion and I met Jefferson at one of the Big Air competitions I’d been in here, and we clicked.
He hired me for some part-time marketing, and I spent the rest of the time on the slopes, constantly trying to improve.
Jefferson was a good guy with a big heart. We’d become friends quickly, and I saw how passionate he was about keeping the lodge the same as his dad had it. I admired that, though he acted like a typical big brother when I met his beautiful sister, Avery. She looked like her mother, and I could see the resemblance.
I saw the look he gave me that warned me to stay the fuck away from her, but when had I ever followed the rules?
I walked onto the first main trail, shooting the entrance with my camera before making my way further down. I saw two familiar blonde braids falling over Avery’s shoulders as she focused on something in one of the large flower beds, a frown on her stunning face.
I grinned at seeing her so soon, resisting the urge to look behind me to see if Jefferson followed me out here.
When she straightened up and reached for a bottle of water, I strolled forward to talk to her. I needed to know more about Avery Merchant.
“We meet again,” I greeted her as she smiled at me, taking a sip of water. “Are you in landscaping, Avery?”
She laughed, glancing into my face. “I know how to do it from this place being in the family for years, but no. It’s not my livelihood outside of the lodge. I’m a pastry chef and went to school in New York City and worked there for a few years. My last job was at a five-star restaurant in Manhattan.”
“How is it you ended up here after that?” I asked, wondering if there was a story there.
“That sounds like it was a big deal.”
“Oh, it was. Everyone that came inside liked my stuff and I even got a top review in The New York Times. I felt like I was living my dream until my boss got greedy. He only saw the money coming in and how to get more of it, but he went about that the wrong way, cutting corners and inflating the prices. It blew up in his face and we all lost everything.”
Sadness crossed her face for a moment. “I stupidly invested in the restaurant and lost that, so here I am. I lost a boyfriend in that process as well. This place always needs help around the holidays, and I needed to regroup. What is it you do here? Do you work for Jefferson as well?”
“I assist with the marketing,” I replied as she frowned slightly. “I’m also a competitive snowboarder and this place just works for me.”
“I can see that,” she said with a smile as she looked around before gazing into my eyes. “It’s a beautiful place. You should probably know that it isn’t good to sleep with the boss, though. Jefferson is my brother, and you saw how he is with me.”
“It’s a good thing Jefferson didn’t accept my invite to dinner, isn’t it? Something about that pesky pregnant wife of his.”
I knew that Jefferson warning me off from his sister wouldn’t stop me. Taking risks was what life was all about for me, and it got me this far. What’s one more try at it?
Avery laughed, bending over with it as she pressed a hand over her puffy jacket that no doubt hid an incredible body. I liked that sound and wanted more of it. Hell, I wanted to hear her screaming my name as she came for me. “Yeah, Polly is such a problem,” she choked out, taking another sip of water.
“I don’t see why I can’t take you out to dinner, Avery. You’re a beautiful woman and not my boss.” I gazed into her eyes as heat washed over her pale skin, turning it a light shade of pink. “It’s hard work around the lodge. We all need some downtime.”
Avery blushed further and set the water down on the brick flower bed, pressing her hands slowly down her worn jeans that showed off sexy legs. “In all honesty, Jack, I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I planned to apply for some jobs in the city for other restaurants and leave sooner rather than later. This isn’t where I live anymore.”
A breeze kicked in, sending cool air around us as Avery pressed her full lips together. I noticed the freckles on her nose and cheeks and smiled, appreciating this woman more every moment.
“That’s your passion. I get it but there’s no reason we can’t have some fun while you’re here. You said that you’re regrouping and living life is a part of that.”
I lifted my camera and took a shot of her, seeing that she wanted to say yes in those mesmerizing eyes. “You’re photogenic, Avery.”
“I don’t know about that,” she argued, blushing adorably again. “How about I think about it and get back to you?”
“I can live with that,” I told her, stepping forward to take her chilly hand before pressing my lips to her skin. “I look forward to seeing you soon.”
“I do as well,” Avery told me with obvious interest on her face.
I waved and headed down the path to my favorite view of the mountains and trees, still thinking about Avery. She was worth the risk of possibly pissing off Jefferson, and I’d wait for her to accept.
I had a few relationships under my belt, but also traveled a lot for competitions. I’d probably enjoyed more casual hookups with women than anything too serious, but I enjoyed living my life that way.
I still had goals of more competitions and travel. I always worked on improving my skills when I wasn’t working part time here or selling my photographs online that I took around various areas.