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Aspen
Istare into the depths of my vodka tonic, watching the condensation trickle down the glass. The posh lodge bar is mostly empty this late, just a few other guests scattered at the polished oak tables nursing overpriced cocktails.
Gripping my tumbler, I take another fortifying sip and try to ground myself. Okay, Aspen, let's recap. You're here to make a rational business decision about the future of your inheritance. That's it. Nothing more.
My cheeks flush as flashes of memory from earlier today assault me. Zane's muscular frame pinning me against that cabin wall, our bodies crashing together. The taste of his tongue in my mouth, the scorching heat of his skin beneath my palms.
Dammit. I shake my head as if I can physically dislodge the traitorous thoughts. It was just sex—stupid, nostalgia-fueled sex between two consenting adults giving in to an ill-advised bout of lust. It didn't have to mean anything.
Did it?
I scowl down at my drink, downing the last few swallows in one burning gulp. Selling Camp Silverpine and walking away is still the smart play, no matter what my muddled heart tries telling me. I've worked too hard to build my life and career to just throw it all away chasing ghosts.
The lounge door bangs open, a raucous burst of laughter preceding a pack of rowdy men spilling inside. They're dressed in expensive cold-weather gear and toting an array of high-end outdoor equipment—hunters, by the looks of it.
Great. Just what I need—a bunch of obnoxious frat boy types stomping all over the serenity I'd been hoping to find here. I shoot a withering glare at the bartender, who shrugs apologetically before moving to wait on the newcomers.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
I turn to find one of the younger men sidling up beside me, an arrogant smirk plastered across his chiseled features. His pale blue eyes roam over me with an unmistakable leer.
"You look a little out of place in this rustic setting, gorgeous."
His buddies snicker, crowding the bar and leering right along with him. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I take another pointed sip of my drink and stare resolutely ahead.
"I don’t recall asking your opinion," I mutter into my glass.
The words seem to roll right off the creep's back as he leans closer, his clean, crisp cologne clouding the air between us in a suffocating haze. "Aw, come on now, don't be like that. You should let me show you a little fun tonight."
“No, thank you.”
His fingers graze my bare arm, making my skin prickle with instinctive revulsion. I shrug him off sharply, twisting to pin him with a glare.
"I said no," I growl through gritted teeth.
The leer falters for a split second as I stare him down, but it quickly morphs back into that same infuriating smirk. "Relax, babe. No need to bite my head off.”
His buddies erupt in a fresh round of guffaws, clapping him on the back like he's god's gift to womankind. Draining the last of my cocktail in one burning swallow, I slide off the stool with as much dignity as I can muster and stalk toward the exit.
I'm drunker than I thought, I realize as I sway slightly on my feet. The hallway leading back toward the rooms seems to tilt and elongate in front of me. Gripping the wall for balance, I take a few steadying breaths and try to get my bearings.
Okay, rooms are this way. Just focus on putting one foot in front of the other, Aspen.
"You need some help, gorgeous?"
The voice comes from behind me, smooth and dripping with false concern. I whirl, heart pounding as I come face-to-face with the asshole from the bar, that same smug grin stretching his chiseled features.
"What do you want?" I demand, struggling to keep my tone even despite the alcohol sloshing unsteadily in my veins.
"Just offering a hand," he drawls, taking a deliberate step closer and forcing me back against the wall. "You look like you could use some assistance finding your way."
"I'm fine," I grit out, fighting to keep my voice from trembling as my pulse kicks up another notch. This can't be happening. "Just go bother someone else, okay?"
The man's grin widens. "Now, why would I do that when I only have eyes for you?”
Before I can react, he lunges forward and braces his arm across my chest, effectively pinning me against the wall. I suck in a sharp breath, every muscle going rigid.
"Get off me.” But my words come out as more of a strangled yelp than the forceful command I'd intended.
