Falling for Mr. Wrong (19 page)

She held her hand over her chest. “You scared me. What on earth are you doing there?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to leave until I made sure you were all right.”

“Who’s with the kids?”

“My brother. He’s staying a few extra days. We’ve got a deal to work out before he goes.”

“Is this the same brother?” she asked, forehead wrinkled. “The ruthless businessman who thinks you’re some kind of playboy? Because I have to tell you, that guy at the gym didn’t seem particularly ruthless. He looked…well…nice.”

The white of his teeth flashed in a grin. “I know. Funny how things can change.”

She shifted uneasily on her feet, hesitant now that they were alone and she was out of excuses. “So what’s the deal?” she asked. “The one you’re doing with your brother, I mean.”

“He thinks I should build the resort. I mean, the whole thing. Forget Herriot and build it the way I want. It will be a big project, but Brit’s interested in investing in it. Providing the capital so I can design and build it myself.”

The answer was so simple, she couldn’t believe they hadn’t thought of it before. “You’d cut Herriot out?”

“He hasn’t bought any of the land yet, and everyone in the area knows Stagefeather is the key to making it work. If I can get him on my side, I can go back to the other landowners and negotiate on my own terms. I’m sure Herriot was ready to screw them. I guarantee I can do better, maybe give them a stake in the resort.”

“What about Herriot coming after you later? Making life difficult for you?”

“It might be hard to get those initial contracts,” he said. “But once I get this project under my belt they won’t be able to ignore me. It’s all about the money, after all.”

He reached out a hand and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Besides, a really smart person reminded me that I can go small for a while, if I have to. It’s worth it.”

Her chin trembled. “I figured you’d end up there. You’re a good man, Ross. Your kids are lucky to have you.”

“I’ll still need a consultant. Brit knows even less than I do about the outdoors.”

“What if your consultant has to travel sometimes? What if she needs to climb an occasional mountain? How would you feel about that?”

“Nervous. I’d miss her while she was gone. But I’d understand that’s part of who she is.”

Her heart fluttered so hard and fast she had to whisper. “What if you came with her?”

“I’d like that.” He cupped the side of her face in his palm. “I don’t know very much about hiking up mountains, but I bet she could teach me.”

She flung her arms around his neck, the dam breaking all at once. “Damn it, I love you, Ross Bencher.”

Strong arms closed around her. Circled her. Warm lips found hers. “You’re sure about that?”

“Are you going to drag this out?” She laughed through a haze of tears. “Is this a punishment?”

“Maybe just a little.”

“You’re strong and kind and gentle and all I have to do is look at you and I’m lost.”

“I like that,” he nodded approvingly.

“I wake up in the morning and I want you in my bed. When I go to sleep at night, I want you at my side.”

“And you’re not planning on changing your mind?”

“Never.”

He swept her up in an embrace that took her off her feet. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Chapter Twenty

On October 25, 2013, Mick Hanson summited Annapurna One with Sarah Valdez, who had joined his team after his daughter, Kelsey Hanson, had to bow out of the climb due to an injured ankle.

On October 29, after a safe descent to Basecamp IV, Mick sent a message via satellite phone to his daughter, who was recovering back in Boulder, Colorado. The sun was shining. All around him, the snow glinted in perfect white crests. He said, “I love you, Kelsey, and I’ll be home soon.”

About the Author

Inara Scott grew up on a steady diet of true love, heaving bosoms, and happily ever after. Romance inspired her first novel, penned at the age of 14, titled
A Wild and Stormy Passion
. Today, Inara writes anything and everything, including young adult fiction and adult romance. Inara loves to hear from readers, and can often be found avoiding actual work by playing on Twitter (
@inarascott
) and Facebook (
www.facebook.com/inarawrites)
.

Indulge in these other bestselling contemporary romances in the Bencher Family series by Inara Scott…

Rules of Negotiation

She made all the rules…

After juggling the demands of her career and the stress of caring for her ailing mother, high-powered corporate attorney Tori Anderson doesn’t have time for relationships—but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to feel like a woman. When Brit Bencher, NYC’s most eligible bachelor, offers a no-strings attached fling, it sounds like exactly what she needs. But what will she do when Brit decides he won’t take “one night stand” for an answer?

…until he started breaking them.

Brit Bencher will do anything to take care of his family, even seduce Tori Anderson in th
e hopes of getting her to reveal confidential information about one of her clients. But for the first time in his life, he finds he’s falling for a woman. When Tori uncovers his lies, will he lose his chance with her forever?

The Boss’s Fake Fiancee

Is she his worst nightmare…

No relationships, that’s billionaire Garth Solen’s rule—especially not with a woman like his new employee Melissa Bencher, who thinks with her heart and not her head. But all bets are off when Melissa tries to make her jerk ex-boyfriend jealous by suggesting that she’s dating her gorgeous boss. How could she have imagined all the trouble one impulsive act could cause?

…or a dream come true?

To protect his ailing grandmother, Garth is forced to play the part of Melissa’s adoring fiancé. Now they’re trying on rings and posing for the paparazzi. The game is clear: for one month, they play the part of an engaged couple, and then they part ways. No emotions. No entanglements. But when it comes to matters of the heart, Melissa’s never been good at following the rules…