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

but at that moment he couldn’t think of anything he’d like more.
    “We do have a lot of business to take care of while I’m here,” Dylan said. He couldn’t even believe the words that came out of his mouth. He should be jumping at her invitation, but old habits die hard. And work came first.
    “I’m sure you can sneak away at some point, Dyl,” Trent said. “We have the meeting with the Braxtons later, but maybe after that?”
    Dylan nodded, and locked eyes with Carmen. That cinched it. “Sounds great,” he said. “It would be nice to hear about the inner workings of a resort like this from someone besides my brother.”
    She smiled, and ducked her head a little, causing a strand to fall over her eye. Dylan stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching out and tucking it behind her ear.
    “So later, then?” she said.
    “Sounds good.”
    Trent and Dylan left Carmen alone to finish her shift, and more importantly to them, so they could get ready for the first of what were going to be very important meetings.
    Trent showed Dylan the meeting rooms where they’d be conducting the majority of their business, including a makeshift office area for Dylan.
    “I knew you’d want your own space, little brother.” Trent waved his arm around the boardroom with a printer and a few office supplies set up on one end. “It’s not much, but it’s better than working out of your room. Plus here, you have a view.”
    And what a view it was. Dylan turned and stared out the window at the majestic mountains. Even with all the time he’d been spending in Cedar Springs, the small town where the Springs resort would be based, Dylan hadn’t had much time to actually enjoy the mountains and all they had to offer. Even just staring at them seemed to be enough to bring down his blood pressure and give him a moment to relax.
    All Dylan had been doing lately was working. While Trent had hung on to his full-time job, Dylan had focused solely on getting the construction of the Springs resort going, and pulling together the financing they’d need to complete the project on time. Together, the brothers were building one of the biggest resorts in the Rocky Mountains, based around a little known naturally occurring hot spring that up until recently had been a local secret.
    He was so lost in the view, Dylan failed to keep up with Trent’s chatter about their impending meeting. It took him a moment, but Dylan focused on the task at hand.
    “Everything’s ready on my end,” Dylan said. “We still have an hour or so?”
    “About that.” Trent looked at his wristwatch. “I need to run and take care of a few things. But you should find everything you need in the room next door. The Braxtons will be here in just under an hour and we can get started. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to give the front desk a call. Carmen will take care of anything you need.” Trent wiggled his eyebrows and if he’d been standing any closer, Dylan would have punched him. “She’s hot, right?”
    Of course he agreed, but he wasn’t going to give his brother that satisfaction. Instead, he shrugged.
    “You can’t fool me, little brother.” Trent laughed. “She’s a hottie and I know you think so. I’d have to disown you if you didn’t. And lucky you, she seems interested. Not that I know why.” He rolled his eyes. “But maybe you can have a little fun while you’re here? You work too hard.”
    “I’m fine,” Dylan said. “Besides, I could say the same for you.”
    “Maybe,” Trent said. “But you’re the one going for drinks with Carmen. Not me.”
    Before he could reply, Trent left to take care of his business, and Dylan was left alone. He knew he should be using every moment he had to prepare things for the meeting, but he couldn’t keep his mind off the dark-haired beauty with the intense eyes, and the promise of spending more time with her.

CHAPTER TWO

    She had a busy day ahead of her, and definitely