Page 21 of Wild Love

"I get the company of a beautiful woman and someone to share this with." I gestured around the rooftop deck that hadn't seen any action in years.

"How could you not bring women up here? It would impress anyone."

"I don't want someone who wants me for my money. I worked hard for this, and I want to share it with someone. But not someone who just wants this. They have to want me too." I hadn't admitted any of that to myself or out loud to anyone else.

Scarlett's eyes widened. "Wow. Elijah Wilde isn't as wild as he's led everyone to believe."

I chuckled. "I'm plenty wild. But yeah, maybe I've lost my touch over the years." And I had a feeling Scarlett was the one to bring it out in me again. That gave me an idea. "If you insist on paying rent for the condo?—"

"I'm paying you."

"You can do that by going on a few adventures with me," I said, obviously not thinking it through before the words left my mouth.

Her feet stilled. "Like what?"

"Mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing." I wanted to share my favorite things about Telluride with her. She was already in my quiet place. I could show her the rest. I didn't want to think too closely about why that was.

Her forehead creased. "That sounds too easy. A beautiful place like this to live, and all I have to do is go on a few excursions with you?"

I stood, grabbing the towel and holding out my hand to her. "That's the deal. Take it or leave it.

She looked at my hand for a second before she placed hers in mine. I helped her up, then handed her the towel.

She dried her feet and legs, then grabbed her heels and walked barefoot with me to the door downstairs.

"You have free access to the roof, the exercise room which is at the end of the hall, and the sauna."

"Do you have a spa up here?" Scarlett asked lightly.

"I don't, but I'd like to add one to the lodge."

"You have big plans for this place."

"I want people to come who don't necessarily like camping. They want luxurious amenities and winter adventures."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"It will still be a place for families. Just because you want nice things doesn't mean you don't have kids. But I want to expand our reach by offering more amenities."

"I'm sure anything you do turns to gold."

"I like to think so." I drove Oliver crazy because he worried about reality and hard numbers, whereas I worked on feelings and instinct. And everything in my body was telling me that being near this woman was good for my soul.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs and were in the hallway of the condo, she said, "I'll take it."

"How soon can you move in?"

"I'll pack up my things and be back tomorrow."

"Your parents won't mind?"

"If it means I stay longer, they'll be fine with it."

I was doing Scarlett and her family a favor. Maybe she'd stay longer because my place was so nice. And maybe she'd enjoy my company too.

She slipped her shoes on and grabbed the purse she'd dropped at the table by the front door. "You have a key card to this place?"

"I'll change the lock so that I don’t have access. You can request room service or maintenance on the key pad." I showed her how the call system worked.

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