Page 8 of A Forbidden Spring
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MERRICK
Barely five minutespass before there’s another knock on the door. “Come in,” I grunt, pushing Wren’s folder to the side and swallowing my disdain for Holly Gould as she walks into my office.
“Good morning, Mr. Ellis,” she says brightly, her expression full of faux sweetness. The same expression on Wren had lit my blood on fire, but on Holly, it makes my skin crawl.
“What can I do for you?” I ask even though I absolutely don’t have time for this. The Mountain Side Salon and Spa had a lot of overhead when we’d acquired it—not unusual for a family-run business. But a couple of months in and I still can’t track down where the money is going.
My father had griped at me to let someone else do the detective work, but if I am going to be trapped in Montana, responsible for this business, the only person touching the financials will be me.
“Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about a few upgrades I think would be amazing here, you know, since you’re already helping ussomuch.”
She hands me the folder and settles into the chair across from me, my hackles rising as I stare at a nearly identical presentation to Wren’s.
“Tell me about it,” I say carefully.
“Oh, you know, more luxury for our guests. These new treatments areso popularand would, like, really increase sales here.”
“These are expensive upgrades.”
She shrugs one shoulder and gives me a smile like we’re in on some secret together. “But that’s why you bought it, isn’t it? To match the feel of your other locations?”
Fuck my life.
“I’ll look into it, thanks,” I tell her curtly. When she doesn’t move, I turn toward my computer screen. “I see that you’ve taken a lot of time off since January. Is that going to continue for the remainder of the year?”
Sputtering, she shakes her head. “I’ve been here for a long time so I have a lot of time off saved up, and it renews at the beginning of the year.”
I hum, knowing I’ve also scoured all the employee schedules and found she’s taken more than a few liberties since I started.
“Well, I just want to make sure this place is running smoothly and that we can accommodate the time off everyone takes.”
Slipping her mask back into place, she smiles. “Of course, that’s what we all want.”
I don’t answer, thankful that she’s finally taken the hint to leave even as she sways her hips as she goes. I’m sure it’s for my benefit, but I couldn’t care less. If I’m going to break the rules, it won’t be for Holly.
It’ll be for a sexy little hellcat that might’ve just given me the answer I’ve been looking for.
6
MERRICK
“Remember you have that meeting with Shaun’s friend, Carter Hanes,” my father’s voice booms from the other end of the phone.
“No.”
“His family has done well in Montana. They’re involved in some incredibly lucrative opportunities.”
“And I’ve heard my own things about them.” Namely about Carter. “I won’t be responsible for any promises Shaun made while he was drunk off his ass with this guy.”
“Merrick,” my father snaps but I can’t feel bad. Despite enjoying the way Wren’s tight black tops accentuate her full, perky breasts, it doesn’t make up for the fact I should be running the resort in Colorado. “Have the meeting and see what he has to say.”
“I don’t have time for this. I’m already buried in trying to figure out where the cash is going each month.”
“Figure it out. Go to the meeting. Beniceat the meeting. And then get your ass back to New York.”
“May I remind you thatyou’rethe one who sent me here, and if I’m here then I’m all in and things get run my way.”
