Page 175 of Rough and Rugged

“Chef?” I ask, trying to pull my arm away, but he steps closer and buries his nose in my hair.

“Honey and cherry blossoms,” he mutters as his hand moves up my arm slowly to the back of my neck.

I stiffen and clear my throat, trying to hide the effect his touch and nearness are having on me. When I attempt to step away, he growls.

“Your name?” My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth as I try to answer him and fail.

“Excuse me, Chef? The dairy farm order is short, and the baker is fighting with your vendor about the quality of their pure vanilla.” He finally releases his hold on me, and my lungs inflate with the air he was stealing from me.

“You will join me tonight. Cabin eight, this evening, nine o’clock. We have important matters to discuss.” He walks away briskly after dropping his demand for my company, leaving me stunned at his audacity.

I turn and rush to the buffet, frowning when I see the staff already pulling things down to set the room for our guest.

“You just missed it, I’m afraid. Here, I can share. Sit a moment before we work you to death.” I hear the man sitting behind me chuckle and smile as I turn to address him.

“I can probably skip a meal or two.” I stop mid-sentence.

“If you were going to make fun of yourself, I’d advise against it. You are a work of art and perfect the way you are.” What are they feeding these mountain men?

He points to the chair across from him.

“I’m Braxton,” he says, pouring me a glass of orange juice and pushing a plate filled with muffins, fruit, and cheeses at me.

“Tasha, thank you,” I whisper as I take a muffin and quickly bite into it.

I moan at the flavor.

“Drake would approve of your reaction to his new recipe.” Braxton grins at me as I devour my breakfast.

“It was nice eating with you, Tasha. I’m sure we’ll see each other around.” He stands and walks past me.

“Hmm,” I hear him say as he leaves with just one final look over his shoulder at me.

I blink in shock when I see his eyes turn gold and then back to their warm, light brown. I shake my head, thinking the sugar from the cranberry orange muffin has gone to my head, but when I look again, Braxton is gone.

I finish my food and rush to the hotel section of the resort.

My plan is simple: Mix in with the new hires, get access to the rooms, take whatever I need to get through the winter, and then split. One day, one heist while the place is crowded, so my escape is hidden by the mobs of people.

I get in line with all the other maids, and we’re handed our badges.

“Already everyone. I’m Carlo, the general manager. It’s important that you do not misplace your badges. They open every door of the hotel. Without it, your jobs will be impossible. Let’s do one last walk-through before check-in starts.” He claps his hands, and we all scatter. I see a few people gathered around a croak board and figure it’s information I might need.

It’s a list of employees and their duties for the day. I look at the badge and see the name Vanessa on it. Hoping there is only one, and I see her duties are the presidential suites.

My lucky day.

Ugh, what a miserably long day.

When I came up with this plan, I never dreamed I’d actually be working. Isn’t that just the way though? To work harder than intended and not even get paid!

I crouch down and retrieve my backpack after making sure the hallway is empty. I’m extra careful of the cameras as I make my escape outside, only to shiver at the cold wind that hits my face.

“Christ, it’s colder than a polar bear’s tits.” I lift my hood hoping to keep as much warmth near my body as possible.

“What colorful language. You might want to watch your mouth so close to the guest. You wouldn’t want to sully the reputation of your employer.” I turn in shock and see the butt of a cigarette burn bright orange, illuminating a face I’ll never forget.

I swallow hard as I stare into the eyes of the man from last night.

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