Page 21 of Liberation

He gives my hand a squeeze. “I’d offer to help but the guy Jackson recommended for the bike park is due in at the end of the week, and I assume we’ll jump right in to developing it. I need to be here for that.”

“You definitely shouldn’t miss your new boss. And I’ll probably get back faster if you aren’t slowing me down.”

“How would I slow you down?” Blake’s mouth parts in astonishment, and even though it’s not meant to be sexy it makes my mind wander to where else I’d like to see his mouth.

“By looking so fucking hot I can’t concentrate.” I rub my thumb over his plump lip.

“When you put it that way.” He sucks my thumb between his lips, waking my spent cock. We take advantage of the rest of the night, giving me a proper sendoff.

Chapter 11

Becca

Spinningaroundtogetmy bearings, I can’t help but notice the three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the mountains in my new hometown. Back in Utah, which has its own fair share of beautiful peaks, the only mountains were to the east. Here, they’re everywhere you look. It’s familiar yet not, which sort of makes me giddy.

When I got the call about a job building a bike resort, I wavered about whether to accept. Not that I was intimidated by the job or the move, I just wasn’t sure anywhere else could compare to Utah. And that was a problem, seeing as how my life there was running on autopilot. Certain aspects of it, anyway.

While I loved my job, my boss, and the mountain itself, I had no life outside that tiny little bubble. That’s partly because I allowed myself to retreat into workaholic mode after my breakup, and partly because I’d always been so passionate about what I did that I didn’t do a great job of making friends, and that was before I used my breakup as an excuse to work more. Staying there wouldn’t have been miserable, but it would’ve been a crutch. So, I decided to challenge myself with a new beginning, and if this view is any indication, my fresh start is going to be epic!

It's not hard to see why Katah Vista works as a ski resort. The rolling hills that spill into the base area are framed by towering peaks, which undoubtedly offer a great selection of green, blue and black runs in the winter. In the late summer, wildflowers dot the landscape with pops of red, yellow, and purple rising up the slope of the hill to break up the lush green grass. I make a note to preserve as much of that natural growth as possible when defining the routes for the bike trails.

Aside from the odd hiker winding their way up the mountain, there’s not much activity here. That’s a stark contrast from what I’m used to. In Utah, the chairs start spinning at nine, and bikers are lined up for close to thirty yards as they wait their turn to load their bikes and ride to the top. There’s a sort of restless tension that ripples through the line as everyone watches the clock, absently bouncing on the balls of their feet or rolling their bike back and forth with nervous excitement. When the mountain opens, the first riders come down the hill with high-fives and fist pumps and whoops of joy as people roll to the back of the line to do it again.

It's strange to see a place capable of that same atmosphere being so quiet, and while I’m committed to building the best park I can, if the goal is to increase summertime revenues, I’ll be able to do that without even trying.

I’m halfway to the administrative offices, daydreaming about what this place could look like next summer, when I spot a guy in a suit making his way toward me. I know without a doubt this is Carter, my new boss, because who besides the owner would wear a suit in a place like this?Good thing I’m not a suit girl or I’d find him seriously distracting. Dark hair, square jaw, broad shoulders—who knew a man could make them look this good?

“Becca.” He extends his hand with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you could make it on such short notice. Did you get settled in okay?”

I nod as his hand closes around mine. “Yes, thank you. And thanks for giving me a room at the resort until I find a place of my own.”

“It’s no trouble. We’re just excited to have you here. Jackson said you were instrumental in building the bike park in Utah, and I know it’s one of the best in the country. We’d love to put something of that caliber here.”

Shielding my eyes, I look up at the mountain. “You’ve certainly got the terrain for it. Have you given any thought to the plans I sent over?” Before accepting the position, I had Carter send over some aerial maps of the terrain, and a roughed out a few options for consideration.

“I have. I think it makes sense to do this in phases. Develop one section of the mountain and get it dialed in before moving to the next section. That way we’re pulling in revenue even as we build out the rest of the park.”

Straight to the point. I like it. “That was my thought, too,” I agree, “and we can post signage advertising the future plans, so people make it a point to come back and try out the new terrain.”

“Exactly.” Carter’s mouth spreads into a wide grin.

“I’d like to get on the mountain and check it out in person before we finalize anything, but I’m thinking we could start with some green runs because that mostly just involves moving dirt, not building any features. And personally, I find green runs a great option for all skill sets. Even if you’re capable of something more difficult, it’s still fun to glide down a flowy trail.” I can’t stop the giddy smile that spreads across my face as I think of my favorite green trail back home. I mean, back in Utah.

Carter laughs and shakes his head, apparently amused by my enthusiasm. “I’ll take your word for it, but if that’s the kind of face people make riding bikes, then I guess I have to try it.”

I snap my jaw back in place—hopefully before he noticed that it fell open. “You’re going all in on a bike park and you don’t even ride?”This, I was not expecting.

“It makes sense for business.” His tone seems to say“duh.”“And most of my friends here are enthusiasts so it’s a project they’ll help support.”

“Fair enough, although I’ll hold you to trying it when it’s finished.”He’s gonna be so awed by the time I’m done.

“Deal.” Carter extends his hand again. “What can I do to help you get started?”

“Did you get the list of personnel and equipment requirements? Does that look okay?” Although some parts of the trail will have to be dug by hand to avoid disturbing the trees, other sections can be dug with a skid steer loader.

“I did, and my manager has been assembling everything on it.”

“Manager?” My brows lift in surprise. I’m not opposed to having one, although I thought I’d be the one to hire him or her.

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