Goodbye Gifts: (The Steamy Version) (A 'HOT' Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Book 5) Read Free

They reminded him of a glacier-fed mountain lake he’d hiked to once, so cool and green, and beautifully compelling. “Carmen,” he said, enjoying the way her name felt on his tongue. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    Her eyes flicked shut for a split second before she put her hand in his and he gently squeezed it. He had to resist the ridiculous urge to kiss it. There was something very compelling about the dark-haired beauty. He’d have to settle for a handshake.
    “Likewise,” she said. “Welcome to Castle Mountain Lodge. Trent has only told me a little bit about you. But he did mention you’d never been here before. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
    There was something about her eyes that Dylan could not look away from. “I’m sure I will,” he said. “So far I like everything I’ve seen.”
    Dylan wished he could think of something wittier to say, but words totally eluded him. He held her gaze, and to his surprise and distinct pleasure, she didn’t look away. He didn’t let go of her hand right away, enjoying the warmth and weight of it in his own. It was only when Trent cleared his throat that Dylan remembered his manners and with an apologetic smile, he released her.
    “Carmen is the customer service manager here,” Trent said. “She’s a huge asset to the Castle Mountain Lodge team, and she’s actually being considered to fill my position after I’m gone.”
    Dylan thought he saw Carmen blanch, but whatever emotions had passed over her face were gone, replaced by a warm smile she aimed in Trent’s direction. Dylan had the sudden and insane urge to pull her back so she was facing him with that smile. Their whole life, Trent always got the girl, while Dylan played the role of the wingman. Not that Trent kept the girl very long. He wasn’t known for his long-term relationships. And it wasn’t that his older brother was better looking than Dylan either, he knew that. He also knew it was easier to play the sidekick role, because he didn’t have time for women in his life anyway. And even if he did, women seemed to pick up his vibe of indifference, and kept their distance.
    “Well, congratulations,” Dylan managed to say. “That sounds like a great opportunity.”
    “Thank you.”
    The three of them stood awkwardly for a few moments before Trent said, “Carmen really has a reputation of going above and beyond for the Lodge, don’t you, Carmen?”
    She narrowed her eyes at Trent, and Dylan had the distinct impression he was in the middle of a private issue.
    “Well,” Dylan said uncertainty. “That’s great. In fact, that sounds like exactly the type of person we need at the Springs. Any chance we can convince you to move?” He was joking, but both Trent and Carmen looked taken aback, so he added, “Or at the very least, maybe you can give me some tips about what to look for?”
    Trent smacked him on the arm. “That’s a great idea, brother. Isn’t it, Carmen?”
    They both looked towards Carmen. Dylan had just been making small talk, but now that the invitation was out there, he did think it was a great idea. Any excuse to spend more time with her.
    “In fact,” Trent said. “Maybe you could show him around the Lodge a little bit, too.”
    He saw the uncertainty cross her face, and Dylan held his breath that she’d say yes. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to spend some time with the beautiful woman in front of him, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt like that about any woman.
    She looked between the brothers, a question in her eyes. “Actually,” Carmen said after what seemed like a very long time. “Trent beat me to it, but I was going to ask you if you’d be interested in meeting me for a drink later so I could point out a few of the finer points of the Lodge. What do you think?”
    What did he think? He thought it’d been awhile since he’d been asked on a date, and the very last thing he needed while he was at the Lodge was the distraction of a woman,