My Dad was an ass and would change the rules any way he needed to in order to fit his own agenda. I knew that coming. Now I just needed to figure out how to deal with it.
Proving my worth and talent was at the top of the list. He saw me as a child. Jessie was right. I needed to show him the talented designer I'd become. Then he would listen to me.
"First stop...Burke's Outdoor Wear."
* * * *
I was milling through the large ski and sportswear store that my Dad owned when my phone buzzed. It was a number I hadn't seen in a long time.
"Cindy?" I picked up and smiled as I moved toward the snowboards and paused in the middle aisle.
"Hey, Chloe! I was praying this was still your number. How are you?"
"Wow. I'm great. My God, it's been like six years, right?"
"Since before college, but yeah. I've been traveling the world with my family, but we're finally back. I wanted to see where you were. I know your Dad usually made you guys go to Aspen during this time of the year, but wasn't sure."
"I'm here, girl. Hating every minute of it."
"No you're not, but either way, that's great news. You remember Janet and Kinsey, right?"
I rolled my eyes and nodded my head. "Of course I do, silly. We were all best friends in high school. I spoke to Janet around March this last year. Funny how growing up means losing touch with people that you thought would always be in your life.”
"Well, they're in Vail right now, and I've got a layover in Aspen tonight. I just realized that I should call you guys to see if you're up for getting together."
"Tonight?" I glanced at my watch." It was only ten, which gave me plenty of time to finish my shopping, get home and get ready before they showed up.
"Yeah. I know it’s short notice, but if I can get the others to make the trip down, you think you want to meet up? Does your Dad have an extra room I can stay in?"
"I'd love to, and of course. I'll get a room ready for you. Need me to get you from the airport?" I turned and followed a cute guy with shoulder length hair and a great ass.
"No, just text me the address. I'll have the others meet us at a restaurant of your choice. Sound good?"
"Perfect. I'll see you later." I hung up and texted the address, not realizing the hottie I'd been staring down was now standing in front of me.
"Heya. How goes it?" He reached up and ran his fingers through his hair, looking awfully young now that he was closer.
"It goes. Love the hair. It's a good look for you." I smiled and turned to pull a shirt off the rack.
"So, um...you new here?" He moved up beside me as I lifted the shirt up and turned it around slowly.
"This would be so much better in a muted blue, right? These bright colors have to shine against the white of the snow and blind the fuck out of everyone."
He laughed and extended his hand. "Daniel. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Chloe. Nice to meet you too. You ski?"
"Snowboard, but I can tear up some shit on a pair of skis too. You?"
"Nope. I'm a California girl."
"I should have guessed." He smiled and I lifted an eyebrow. "I mean with your tan and pretty blond hair. You just look like a typical beach babe."
"Thanks? I think." I laughed and put the shirt back before walking through the store as the cute guy tagged along.
"Definitely a compliment. We should get a burger sometime together." He moved to open the door for me and I nodded.
"Yeah sure. Give me your number and I'll text you."
He extended his hand. "Give me your phone and I'll put it in there."
I handed it to him and let my eyes scan the other shops in the area. Something inside of me wanted to be like everyone else. I was completely out of place in the busy mountain town. My clothes were a perfect ringer for someone who hit the slopes, but I was a fake at best.
He handed the phone back and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Chloe. Call me and I'll show you around."
"Okay. Thanks."
I put the phone in my pocket and walked over to the elaborate hardwood lodge just next door. The skis were half off for the afternoon on rentals and the bunny slopes showed light traffic. I bought a pair and put them on before changing my mind.
I was stuck in Aspen for two more weeks at least and staying in the house would be the death of me. I needed fresh air, sunsets and waves, but sun, snow and wind would have to suffice. The lifts were located at the back of the lodge, and after finally making my way through a crowd of rowdy teenagers, I moved out into the wintery outdoors.
I walked awkwardly to the next lift and almost made it to the stop where the lift would swing in and pick me up. My ski caught on something and I flew forward, letting out a yelp as my head was projected to smack against the large rock in front of me.
Someone's strong hands reached out and caught me, pulling me back.
"Whoa. Shit. That was close. You okay?" He released me and I turned and let out a long sigh.
"Yes. Thank you so much. I haven't skied in forever. Now I know why."
My eyes moved across his handsome face and butterflies resurrected deep inside of me, the moment almost a little too much for my practical mind.
He was clean shaven, but his chestnut hair was a little disheveled and cheeks red like he'd been out there all day. His warm brown eyes moved around my face and the sexy smile that lifted his lip caused my heart to skip a beat.
"Here...let's take this one up together. If you fall from the lift, you're going to have more trouble than snow in your pretty blond hair." He laughed and reached for me.
I moved back a little, but gave him a smile. "I'm good, but thank you. I really appreciate you saving me."
"Really? You sure?" He lifted an eyebrow as if shocked that a woman would refuse him. He had playboy written all over him in ten different colors.
No thanks.
"Yeah, but have a great day." I moved to the lift and took the older man's hand who was helping people get on.
"Good thing old Finn was there to save you. That might have been ugly." The guy laughed and helped me onto the lift.
Finn called from below, his hands over his mouth and his eyes full of promise. "That's not fair; you have my name and I don't have yours."
"Just call me baby." I laughed at the look on his face. I'd known a lot of playboys in my day, and when they didn't remember your name you just became baby, or honey, or sugar.
Dime
a dozen.
Chapter 6
Finn
I was just being kind by reaching out and saving the clumsy girl in front of me, not thinking anything of it. It was my first day off in weeks and hitting the slopes was all I could think about. Not being with a woman for a week left me grouchy and depressed, but a promise was a promise.
What I hadn't expected was the woman to steal my breath when she turned around.
Her blond hair was long and hung in wavy lengths just above her perky breasts. Sun-kissed skin and sea-green eyes with long eyelashes and incredibly kissable lips. She was everything I enjoyed physically about a woman. Probably dumb as dirt, but we could talk after the sex and I'd leave shortly thereafter.