Wild Love (The Wilde Brothers #1)

Chapter 5

5

ELI

I 'd spent the week pouring over our plans for the cabins, then walking the property with Mac to stake out the location for each building. I enjoyed managing the restaurants and bars inside the lodge, but it was nice to get outside.

I didn't realize how good Xander had it. He worked outside every day whether it was hiking, skiing, or snowboarding.

After lunch, I finally got the call that the zoning board had approved the addition of the cabins on the resort's property. I assumed they realized how important it was to have more places for tourists to rent for their vacations.

My assistant, Delores, popped in at one. "Your next appointment is here."

"Who's that?" I asked without looking up from my computer. I was excited for the expansion. It meant big things for the resort. I didn't listen to any of Oliver's concerns that the cabins might not get rented out. Who didn't want to rent a cabin with all the amenities?

"It's Scarlett St. Claire. "

That had me lifting my head. "Why does she have an appointment with me?"

Delores shrugged. "She said it was important."

"Send her in." I stood and went to the window that showcased the mountains. Even if I didn't make it outside most days, In winter, I could see the guests flying down the mountain as specks of blue, red, and yellow.

There was a knock on the door, and I turned. Scarlett stood at the door in a silky red button-down shirt and a curve-hugging black skirt. She wore spiky heels on her feet that had me thinking all sorts of dirty things. "Have a seat."

Scarlett moved across the room to the chair. "Thanks for meeting with me."

I leaned against the edge of my desk in front of her chair. I used the stance when I was more familiar with my guest, and I wanted to be intimate with this one. "Why did you schedule a meeting?"

"Chance mentioned you might have a place for me to live while I'm here."

My jaw tightened. "I thought you were staying with your parents."

Scarlett sighed. "As much as I love my parents, I don't want to stay in my childhood bedroom. There's a lot of pink."

Her nose scrunched up, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you know how long you'll be in town?"

Her forehead wrinkled. "Is that a requirement to getting a place here?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. I was just wondering if you'd prefer a cabin or maybe one of the rooms in the lodge instead." There was no one else on my floor. I had a penthouse. But there were other apartments my brothers used to live in. I'd left them empty, thinking that one day we'd need them for family. My cousin, Walker, visited on leave, and occasionally a brother would stay when they'd had too much to drink .

"I don't need a lot of space."

"I have a room in mind for you. It's bigger than a typical hotel room. It has two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, and access to the rooftop deck."

Scarlett laughed. "That sounds a little out of my price range."

"I'm not going to charge Chance's little sister." I crossed my arms over my chest. Was it a good idea to place this woman in the room next to my penthouse? I'd be able to see her coming and going, maybe even enjoying the rooftop heated pool, hot tub, and exercise room. Did I want her in my space?

Her eyes flashed with irritation. "I can pay my own way, and I'm not anyone's little sister anymore."

I smirked, letting my gaze peruse her body. "I suppose not."

I pushed off the desk and moved so that it stood between us. It was a necessary barrier. I wasn't sure I could resist her pull much longer, and moving her next to my room wasn't going to make that any easier.

I pulled up the reservation program we used for the lodge. The entire top floor was marked as unavailable. "I can reserve the room if you're interested." My gaze flickered to her uncertain expression. "Or would you like to see it first?"

Scarlett sat with her ankles crossed and her hands folded in her lap. It was a demure position. I wanted to push open her knees and sink to the floor in front of her.

I wanted to spend more time with her, and I held the master key card for those rooms. "Come on. I'll show you."

I stood and opened the door, not waiting for her to disagree. She passed by, her shoulder brushing my chest. I breathed in her floral scent, excited at the prospect of being alone with her on the reserved floor.

If she knew the improper thoughts I was having about her, she'd run in the other direction. I was the one her brother should have been worried about.

I swiped my key card for my private elevator. No one came up here except when I requested a cleaning service, room service, or maintenance person. It was all mine. And soon I'd be sharing it with this woman. My heart picked up at the thought.

Scarlett raised a brow. "You have a private elevator?"

"I like my privacy," I said admiring the line of her legs in those heels.

She tipped her head to the side. "Then why would you let me move in?"

I shrugged. "You're practically family. I'd do the same thing for Chance."

The door opened to the top floor, and I gestured for her to precede me into the hallway.

"But Chance wouldn't need a place to stay."

"You're probably right about that. But there's nothing wrong with asking for help now and again."

We stopped in front of the door I was hoping would soon be hers.

Scarlett stiffened. "You know I don't like to do that."

I straightened, not swiping the keycard yet.

"I'm so used to my independence. I can't take the constant questions about what I'm doing, where I'm going, and how soon I'll be home."

"Your parents love you, but that would drive me crazy too." My parents didn't focus on me that way. I was the oldest and expected to be responsible at a young age.

I swiped the keycard and pushed the door open for her to walk in before me. I followed her into the large space.

It was open concept with white cabinets, white marble countertops, and a natural wood floor throughout.

But the crowning jewel of this floor was the floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a view of the mountains. Scarlett ignored the kitchen and the living room, not stopping until she stood in front of the window. I followed her at a more leisurely pace, and when I joined her, she said, "This view. "

"It's priceless."

"I could lose whole days just standing here."

Whereas I had visions of pressing her against the glass or taking her from behind. I was beyond grateful that when we renovated this floor for me and my brothers, we'd installed one-way glass. We could see out, but no one could see in. Not that I should be thinking about my friend's sister naked.

I shoved my hands in my pockets so I wouldn't reach for her. This woman touched me on a deep, primal level. I wanted to be the one who tamed her. Who showed her how good staying in one place could be.

The challenge of possessing a woman like this made my blood run hot.

Scarlett turned to face me. "Are you sure you can spare this place for me?"

"It's just sitting here empty."

"If you're sure I won't be putting you out," she continued.

"Positive. You want to see the rest of the amenities?"

"There's more?" Scarlett asked, but I was already moving down the hallway to the bedrooms, the bathrooms. Each apartment had roof access. I showed her how to unlock the door, then led the way up the stairs. On the roof, a wall surrounded the area so that no one could see the pool, the hot tub, or the grilling area with couches and chairs. Twinkling lights hung around the space.

"I never knew this was up here." Scarlett walked slowly around the permitter.

"The pool's heated." It was the perfect place for parties, but we hadn't had any since my brothers moved out. I never brought women here. I usually went to their rooms; it made it less personal somehow. But I'd invited this woman here.

I had to keep reminding myself that she was like family to me, a sister. Chance wanted me to look out for her.

My phone buzzed.

Chance: Scarlett said she was coming to you for a room. Is she going to take it?

Eli: I think so.

Chance: I'd feel better if you're looking out for her.

I sighed. I hated lying to my friend, which was what this felt like it.

Eli: You can count on me.

Could he though? I was the one she needed protection from.

"Is that my brother?" Scarlett removed one heel and was dipping one toe into the warm water. Then she kicked off the second shoe and sat on the edge, her feet in the water.

I grabbed a heated towel from the cabinet and put it next to her. "He wants you to be safe."

Something flashed through Scarlett's eyes. "This is divine."

"I'm close to the lodge if someone needs me, but up here I'm alone." I used to crave the solitude away from the hustle and bustle downstairs, but lately, with my brothers gone, it was lonely.

"You can hide from the world up here."

I sat on a second towel, criss-cross next to her, not wanting to get my suit wet. "What do you want to hide from?"

She glanced over at me, and there was so much raw emotion in her gaze; I wanted to pull her into my arms. But we didn't have that kind of relationship.

"Is there something you're not telling Chance?"

Scarlett sighed. "I don't want to worry him, and it's over now anyway. I'm safe here."

"You are." I had security and cameras. "No one has access to this floor unless we request cleaning services, room serive, or maintenance."

"This would be perfect. Can I pay you for it?"

"Sure." I wouldn't make it easy for her though. I had no intentions of charging her. If anything, she was doing me a favor. My life had been in shades of gray until she came home. Now there were flashes of red that I looked forward to. "I think this is going to work out for both of us."

Scarlett kicked her feet in the water. "And how does this benefit you?"

"I get the company of a beautiful woman and someone to share this with." I gestured around the rooftop deck that hadn't seen any action in years.

"How could you not bring women up here? It would impress anyone."

"I don't want someone who wants me for my money. I worked hard for this, and I want to share it with someone. But not someone who just wants this. They have to want me too." I hadn't admitted any of that to myself or out loud to anyone else.

Scarlett's eyes widened. "Wow. Elijah Wilde isn't as wild as he's led everyone to believe."

I chuckled. "I'm plenty wild. But yeah, maybe I've lost my touch over the years." And I had a feeling Scarlett was the one to bring it out in me again. That gave me an idea. "If you insist on paying rent for the condo?—"

"I'm paying you."

"You can do that by going on a few adventures with me," I said, obviously not thinking it through before the words left my mouth.

Her feet stilled. "Like what?"

"Mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing." I wanted to share my favorite things about Telluride with her. She was already in my quiet place. I could show her the rest. I didn't want to think too closely about why that was .

Her forehead creased. "That sounds too easy. A beautiful place like this to live, and all I have to do is go on a few excursions with you?"

I stood, grabbing the towel and holding out my hand to her. "That's the deal. Take it or leave it.

She looked at my hand for a second before she placed hers in mine. I helped her up, then handed her the towel.

She dried her feet and legs, then grabbed her heels and walked barefoot with me to the door downstairs.

"You have free access to the roof, the exercise room which is at the end of the hall, and the sauna."

"Do you have a spa up here?" Scarlett asked lightly.

"I don't, but I'd like to add one to the lodge."

"You have big plans for this place."

"I want people to come who don't necessarily like camping. They want luxurious amenities and winter adventures."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"It will still be a place for families. Just because you want nice things doesn't mean you don't have kids. But I want to expand our reach by offering more amenities."

"I'm sure anything you do turns to gold."

"I like to think so." I drove Oliver crazy because he worried about reality and hard numbers, whereas I worked on feelings and instinct. And everything in my body was telling me that being near this woman was good for my soul.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs and were in the hallway of the condo, she said, "I'll take it."

"How soon can you move in?"

"I'll pack up my things and be back tomorrow."

"Your parents won't mind?"

"If it means I stay longer, they'll be fine with it."

I was doing Scarlett and her family a favor. Maybe she'd stay longer because my place was so nice. And maybe she'd enjoy my company too .

She slipped her shoes on and grabbed the purse she'd dropped at the table by the front door. "You have a key card to this place?"

"I'll change the lock so that I don’t have access. You can request room service or maintenance on the key pad." I showed her how the call system worked.

"I could get used to this."

I winked at her. "And never want to leave."

Scarlet shook her head. "Did Chance put you up to this?"

I pushed the Down button for the elevator. "He just asked me to keep an eye on you while you're here. He can't help but worry about the people close to him."

"I've been nothing but a pain since the day I was born."

I frowned. "No one in your family has said that about you."

"They didn't have to. I know what people think. I'm ungrateful for the amazing family I was born into. Always looking for something else. As if the grass was greener anywhere else."

"I didn't take you for someone who cared what people thought."

Her shoulders lowered. "I guess I do."

"That makes you human." The doors closed, and we were alone in the elevator. Would I see her much, or would she be hidden away in her condo?

"What made you decide to stay longer?"

"Marigold asked me to teach a theater class at the library."

"Wow. That's—" I was going to say amazing, but I didn't want to scare her away.

"It's just one class. Don't worry; she'll see I'm not a teacher and won't ask me to come back."

I chuckled at that. I remembered how she used to act out plays on the grounds of the resort. She'd beg us to participate, then get annoyed when we had more fun fighting with the makeshift swords. "Why didn't you ever perform in one of the high-school musicals?"

"You know me. I was too busy getting into trouble." Her voice was light, but her eyes were heavy.

I leaned against the wall, considering her. "You would have been amazing."

"I wasn't that person."

The door opened, and I snagged her wrist as she started to walk out. "Scarlett. You can be whoever you want to be. You don't have to do what others tell you to do or even the opposite. The question is—what do you want?"