Page 10

Chapter ten

M onday came with a couple of surprises. Walking into the boardroom, Vic and Paris were greeted with a buffet of tasty breakfast foods and gourmet coffees.

“We’re quite pleased with the progress you’ve made,” said Mikel. “I have to admit, I was a little worried that you two wouldn’t be able to pull it together, but you appear to have made progress. Nice work.”

“Thanks,” replied Vic. For once, he felt like he had something to smile about. “I believe I speak for both of us when I say it was not easy, but we’re working through our differences, and we’ve actually become friends.”

“It’s about time,” said Dom. He smiled at his son and patted him on the back. “I’m proud of the work you’ve put in. Let’s keep it up. This is only the first obstacle in a long course.”

Nicola looked at Paris and Vic. “Because you’ve shown such initiative in working together, we’re offering you upgraded individual apartments.”

Vic had always liked Nicola. She was beautiful and smart. Truly a driven woman. He was pleased to hear about the upgraded apartment offer, but new motivations had him wanting to keep things the same. Turning toward Paris, he said, “Do you want separate apartments or to continue to share a place for the time being?” He waited for her to contemplate his question.

“You know, I never thought I’d say this, but I want to continue living with Vic for the time being. He’s holding me accountable for my actions, which I guess I needed. Can we stay together, or is that against the rules?”

“I’m surprised to hear you’re willing to share a home with someone else,” said Nicola. “I don’t see why not. We’ll locate a larger three-bedroom unit for you and have your things moved this afternoon while you’re at work.”

“We don’t have to move our own belongings?” asked Vic.

“The perks of success,” laughed Dom. “See, son, it doesn’t take much to make us happy. Don’t make us regret it, okay?”

“We won’t,” replied Vic.

“Great work,” commented Cristo. “Mya, might I have a word with you outside?” he asked as he sidled up beside her.

Paris watched Cristo lead Mya out of the room. Her friend looked a bit uneasy. She knew Cristo was interested in Mya, but this was the first real interaction she’d noticed. She couldn’t picture her friend with Cristo. He wasn’t her type. Mya was into men with dark skin and six-pack abs. Men who viewed her as a princess and took their lives and work quite seriously. Doctors and lawyers. She was not into scruffy playboys. Cristo was decent looking, but Paris had heard on more than one occasion that he had a tendency to take things too far when drinking. She didn’t know what that meant exactly, but she worried about her friend’s safety.

“What do you suppose that’s about?” whispered Vic.

Paris jumped. She hadn’t realized he was standing so close to her. In a hushed tone, she replied, “I don’t know. It’s a little concerning, don’t you think?”

“More than a little. He’s near twice her age,” said Vic. “Now that you’ve rekindled your friendship, I think you should talk to her about it later.”

“Yeah, I agree,” she replied. “I don’t want him to hurt her.”

Breaking into their whispered conversation, Jessamine said, “One more bit of news for you. We’ve decided to promote you to assistant level. Vic, you’ll work under Tom Mariano and Paris, you get to work for Angela Martini. Since they’re the same level as your previous positions in the company, I trust you’ll know what’s expected of you.”

Paris’s smile faded. She was nervous about working under Angela. She’d never cared for her, and Angela seemed to despise her. Looking at Vic, she knew he was feeling something similar. Tom and Vic had a tendency to butt heads. Forcing a smile, Paris said, “That’s great news, isn’t it, Vic?”

Vic swallowed his pride and nodded begrudgingly. He knew he had to play it cool and take Paris’s lead, which was something he never would have pictured himself doing. “Simply spectacular.”

“Providing everything goes well this week, you’ll be given a bonus next week to be used on buying yourselves some new professional clothing. Keep up the good work,” said Mikel. “We hope that we’ll be able to promote you back to your rightful positions sooner than later.”

“We’ve got this, Dad,” replied Paris.

“Good deal,” said Mikel, “I like the enthusiasm. It’s a wonderful improvement.” Walking over to her, he grabbed her in a side hug. “Remember,” he said, “I’m still your father outside of the office. If you need to talk, my door is always open.”

“Thanks,” she replied. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mya scoot back into the room and take her seat.

Looking at Vic, Dom said, “Same goes for you, son.”

“I know,” replied Vic. He and his father connected regularly on weekends, but most often he dealt with his own issues, since Jack was younger and required more of his parents’ time.

“I’m feeling pretty good today,” said Dom. “What about you?” he asked Mikel.

Mikel nodded. “I feel great.”

“What do you say we give the kids an early out on Friday, providing the week goes well?”

“I say, that sounds like a pretty nice plan,” he replied.

Dom looked to Mya and Chase. “Get us a report on Friday morning, and we’ll let you know if the week was a success. If it has been successful, they can cut out at noon. In fact, I’m feeling so wonderful today; why don’t the four of you take a little trip out of town this weekend and relax at the cabin?”

“That sounds great,” said Mya.

“You and Chase have been more than good sports about this situation. It’s only fair we include you as well. Now, since breakfast has ended and we’ve handed out our good news for the week, you may proceed with your day,” he said, waving them on.

Paris, Vic, Mya, and Chase exited the room together.

“Wow!” said Vic. “He must be in an exceptional mood. He never offers to allow anyone to stay at the cabin unless he’s present.”

“Yeah, I heard that,” replied Paris. “I think we should do it,” she said excitedly. “I could use some time away from the city, couldn’t you?”

“Oh, definitely,” he replied. “I’d love to get outdoors and do some hiking. It helps clear my mind.”

“What about you two?” asked Paris. “Are you game as well?”

“Heck yeah!” replied Chase. Mya nodded her agreement.

“Okay, it’s settled,” said Vic. “We’ll work our butts off this week, so we can go to the cabin and relax.” The excitement he was feeling reminded him of going to the cabin as a child. His father would take him hiking and fishing. They’d swim and have bonfires in the evening. He couldn’t remember the last time he roasted a marshmallow. It was definitely time for a break. It had been a long time since his last visit.

The group chattered about the weekend as they walked to their more than familiar jobs. They both knew how to do the work, and the territory was a good deal more comfortable than the previous two positions they’d held. There was no way they could mess it up.

Sense of Adventure was located on the first floor of ADG. Paris breathed a sigh of relief as she entered the wing. Each planner had their own office, and there were four different rooms for meeting with clients. Each room had its own theme. The rest of the staff worked in a central open-concept area.

The place was far from typical. The entry had a hallway that split and offered three different routes for clients to choose from. The first took them to an outdoor area that looked like an island oasis with a pool surrounded by sand and a tiki bar that boasted complimentary beverages to all who were of age. The second was called the Library Café, which had all sorts of high-end sweets and treats to choose from, as well as virgin or alcoholic beverages. There were comfy couches and recliners as well as intimate reading nooks built for two. The third hallway led to Fantasy Land, which was sectioned off into various rooms meant for several types of activities. There were thirty rooms, and the themes ranged anywhere from passionate nights to games and tea. These mystical areas were meant for one of two things. Relaxing while contemplating the next big adventure or finding a romantic partner.

Outside of the halls of passion were also standard meeting rooms, but they were reserved for the less exciting parts of the process, such as signing contracts, making payments, and first- time meetings. Clients who came in for these purposes would enter through a different entrance where they would be greeted by one of the front desk attendants, offered a beverage, and then deposited in the room that corresponded with whichever planner they were working with. These particular rooms were painted in grey and held large posters of people experiencing the adventures they had planned.

Paris thought about all the things they offered. There were matchmaking sessions, honeymoons, hiking excursions, parties, once-in-a-lifetime trips, etcetera. You name it, and Sense of Adventure would find a way to make it happen, as long as it was legal. If you wanted to go sit in the mountains of Colorado in a log cabin and smoke marijuana for a weekend, they’d make it happen. Everything from your ride to Colorado to the place you would stay, the activities you’d partake in, and the food you’d consume, would be laid out in the plan.

The clients who came to Sense of Adventure were from all different lifestyles and monetary backgrounds. Paris and Vic both loved a challenge, and it was exciting to plan on a budget or without one. There was no limit to what they could do when they put their minds to it.

Vic would never admit it to his family, but his favorite part of working for Sense of Adventure was playing matchmaker. While he had a hard exterior, he had a soft gooey inside that knew what romance should look like. He could always tell if two people would click, and he excelled at setting up the perfect first date. His first dates ranged from tea in the Library Café to sky-diving or running with the bulls in Pamplona. The extraordinary was always in Vic’s game plan, and he hoped one day he could share in some of the amazing adventures he knew existed around the world with his romantic match.

“Good morning,” said Angela as she met Mya, Chase, Paris, and Vic in the employee lobby. “I see we’ll be working with you this week,” she purred. Her attention was directed at Vic.

Paris watched as Vic gave her his most dashing smile. Already, the knot had returned to her stomach. Vic needed to focus. Angela was all legs, with her short black skirt, which accentuated her sexy tight butt. Her long blonde wavy hair fell loosely down her back and framed her face, which held perfect red porn star lips. Her blue-green eyes had the longest thickest black lashes Paris had ever seen, but it was her fake breasts, displayed by a red corset which she wore with a low-buttoned white blouse, that really stole the show. Paris was appalled by the way Vic stared, mesmerized by her every word and the way she reached out and gently touched his shoulder with her masterfully manicured red nails. She was no kitten but a full-grown lioness who could do some serious damage.

Interrupting her thoughts, Tom sauntered up to the group. “Sorry I’m late,” he said. He winked at Paris and then turned his attention over to Vic. “Vic, you’ll be my assistant this week. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.” Getting right to business, he led Vic off to his office, where he could speak more directly about the week’s agenda.

Mya and Chase said goodbye to Paris and headed off to do Paris and Vic’s rightful jobs, to the best of their abilities. Paris was not particularly happy about working under Angela, but she could see the finish line, and she was not about to give up. She followed Angela into her office.

“Take a seat,” said Angela. “You’ll be at the desk outside my office, of course. I expect you to answer all calls routed this way and to set up my appointments. You’ll bring me coffee each morning along with oatmeal. I prefer it with blueberries and cinnamon. I’ll have a coffee break at two in the afternoon as well, and you’ll bring me a scone from the café at that time. You will not come into any of my meetings, and you will not speak to any clients other than on the phone. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes,” replied Paris. She was disgusted that Angela was only giving her part of the actual job. It was insulting the way she was being treated, and it was emotionally frustrating that she wasn’t allowed to go to any meetings. The meetings were the most exciting part of the job. This is going to be a long week , she thought, and she was right.

Vic watched as Angela went out of her way to speak to him each morning and to bump into him each afternoon. Her sex appeal was distracting, and he found he had to force himself to focus and not search her out when he was sitting at his desk. She was never hard to find, with her high-pitched tinkling laugh. That laugh sent a shockwave to his groin. He kept telling himself that she was off-limits and he would avoid her like the plague, but as each day went by, he felt as if he was fighting a losing battle. Vic held no memory of her dressing so provocatively in the past. He wondered what had changed, as well as what he might find underneath her scant clothing.

Paris was dealing with her own Angela issues. Each morning Angela would angrily demand a change to her coffee order. She’d tell Paris how incompetent she was and that she couldn’t believe her parents had ever allowed her to work at ADG. She knew Dom and Cristo were big fans of Angela and that she seemed to have immunity within the company for some reason. Paris didn’t care why, but she couldn’t wait to be out from under her.

On the other end, Tom was extremely kind to Paris. He greeted her each morning, and frequently offered to take her to lunch. He complimented her clothing, even though Paris knew her clothes were nothing exceptional. His kindness pulled at her heartstrings and made her want even more one-on-one time with him. One morning, he even went out of his way to correct Angela’s coffee order for her. Paris had been grateful. She was so tired of Angela’s angry and abusive comments. It was as if the power had gone to Angela’s head.

Paris decided to keep her head down and do her work. She wouldn’t fight back against Angela, and she wouldn’t let Tom get in the way. She worked harder and harder to do the job to the best of her abilities. She was slightly jaded that Vic seemed to have gotten the better end of the deal. Tom took Vic nearly everywhere and let him do the job to its fullest. He had a great boss, and the office eye candy, all doting over him and how exceptional he was.

By Friday, Paris felt she’d earned an early release and the cabin weekend. She prayed Dom was in a giving mood. At eleven that morning, they were given the green light. Paris let out a sigh of relief. She couldn’t handle one more moment with Angela, for fear that she might snap and do something regrettable.

Packing up her desk, she prepared for the following week with the hope of promotion. She had done her best. If she found herself stuck in this position another week, she didn’t know how she’d get through.

“Hey,” said Vic as he waltzed up to her desk. “Are you ready to head out?”

Paris glanced at him as she slid the rest of her minor belongings from the week into her bag. “I couldn’t be more ready,” she replied. Dropping her voice down, she said, “This has been the week from hell.”

“Really?” asked Vic, his brow furrowed. “Once we’re out of here, you’ll have to elaborate.”

“Sure.” Swinging her bag over her shoulder, she led them out of the building and to the walkway that led to their apartment. “Angela’s a demon,” she said. “I don’t know what I did to piss her off, but it’s quite clear that she doesn’t like me and that she wants to make me miserable.”

“Okay,” replied Vic. “How do you figure?”

“Well, for starters, every time I bring her coffee, she tells me the order is wrong. I always write her order down. Tuesday, it was cinnamon and a splash of cream. Wednesday, it was cream with three sugars. Thursday, it was no cream, cinnamon, and two sugars. Today she wanted it black. Whenever I return from getting her request, she tells me a completely different combination, as if it were what she asked for from the beginning, and I KNOW she’s messing with me and trying to break me down.”

“Really?” asked Vic. He couldn’t believe Angela would mess with the owner’s daughter like that. “Could you be stressed and misinterpreting what she asked for?”

“No!” snapped Paris. “I’m not crazy.” She didn’t feel she should have to defend herself to Vic. He had no idea what it had been like working with Angela all week. All he saw was boobs and a short skirt. “It’s not just the coffee,” she spat back.

“What else?”

“She’s mean. She never has anything nice to say. I try to anticipate what she might want next, but it’s never the right thing, and she lets me know. Wednesday, she kept me from my lunch break because she wanted a letter retyped for the fourth time!”

“Did you mess it up the first time?” asked Vic.

“I didn’t write the first letter. Besides, it wasn’t even work-related!” exclaimed Paris. “She had no right to keep me from my break.”

“So, why didn't you stand up for yourself?”

“Because she’s awful, and I didn’t want to hurt us any further,” replied Paris. “What would you have done?”

“I would have told her to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine,” said Vic with a laugh. “If it wasn’t work-related, she didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

“Yes, but she would go out of her way to make it sound as if I was the screwup and that I was being rebellious. The board would probably take her side. I don’t think that’s a risk I wanted to take, do you?”

“Maybe not,” he replied. “I’m sure things are fine. They let us out early, right?”

“True. There’s no way I could’ve done any better, so if they don’t promote us, we’ll have some serious issues getting out of this hole.”

Vic nodded at her. If she was being honest with him and she had done her best, it was now out of their hands. He decided to forget about it for the time being. He’d butted heads with Angela in the past, but only over details for a party. Never had he seen a vicious side to her. “Let’s pack so we can get out of here,” he said as they entered the elevator. Continuing on toward their apartment, he further pondered the curious situation between Angela and Paris, which brought him directly back to the curves of her body. He had to change his thoughts quickly to avoid an awkward conversation between him and Paris.

It was five in the evening by the time they arrived at Vic’s family cabin in Rock Valley. They’d stopped for provisions along the way and were fully prepared to eat well over the coming days.

It had been years since Vic had visited, but the view from the yard was still beautiful. The lake looked like glass, reflecting the trees along the shore. As the leaves rustled in the breeze, he smelled mountain flowers and fresh water, bringing back memories from childhood.

Rock Valley was a small town situated at the foot of the Sheep Rock Falls Mountain Range. The mountains, capped with snow, towered majestically over the small town. While the range was quite small, it still provided an array of outdoor activities, including some impressive waterfall hikes.

As a child, Vic had spent many hours hiking in the SRF Mountains. He loved the smell of the crisp mountain air and the spray of the falls. His cousins would visit and they’d swim in the lake and sit around the bonfire telling stories and cooking campfire pies and marshmallows. He’d never wanted those days to end.

He missed his cousin dearly. They had spent countless hours together working, playing, and getting into mischief. Looking up at the cabin, he could almost see Brody looking back at him from the kitchen window.

“Are you okay?” asked Paris. Vic jumped. She was surprised at how on edge he seemed. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah. Three years, I think. The last trip we’d planned was with you, Brody, Alli, and Mya. As you know, that never happened. I guess I haven’t felt much of a need to visit. Especially since my parents and Cristo renovated the inside after Brody passed.”

“Who takes care of this place?” asked Chase.

“Cristo usually comes up once or twice a month. My parents visit every few weeks. We have caretakers who regularly tend to the property when they’re unable to make the trip,” said Vic.

“I love it here,” said Mya. “It’s so peaceful.”

Paris nodded in agreement. “I need a little peace.” Looking to Vic, she asked, “Will you be able to do this, or do we need to carry you in?”

“Don’t make fun,” scolded Chase. “I’m sure this isn’t easy.”

“I’m not making fun of him. I know this isn’t easy. I, of all people, get it.”

Vic nodded in acknowledgment. He hadn’t taken Paris's comment to be a jab.

“Why don’t you give me the key?” requested Mya.

Vic dug into his pocket and gently tossed her the key. Reaching out, Paris grabbed Vic’s hand. Once Mya opened the door, she gently led him up the steps and into the cabin. He gripped her hand tightly.

“Which room is yours again?” she asked.

“I don’t think the makeup of my room changed, though I know the other rooms were modified some. It should be down the hall. The last door on the left.” He felt silly letting the past haunt him. He followed Paris to his room. He watched as she lightly pushed the door open and led him inside. He tossed his duffel on the floor and dropped her hand. “I’m fine,” he said, brushing away the feeling of inadequacy.

“You don’t look fine,” she whispered. “Your hands are clammy. Do you wanna talk about it?”

Vic sat down on the bed and watched as she seated herself next to him. Tucking her legs beneath her, she stared him down. He never spoke about his feelings. He would much rather ignore them. Why bring up the past? “I’ll be fine,” he replied. She shook her head at him. Reaching out, she placed her hand on his forearm. The touch felt warm, and it sent an unexpected tingle through his body.

“You told me it was time to move on. You can’t move on without facing your past.”

He nodded. “I guess I thought we were invincible. I never imagined I’d be living my life without Brody. He was more like a brother than a cousin.”

“I know,” she replied calmly. “So many things remind me of Alli every day. It hurts all the time. Nothing can replace them, but you said yourself, we need to live our lives again, right? Look at how much time I wasted being angry at Mya. I guess we have to make fresh memories, but continue to appreciate what little time we had with them.” His eyes were watery, but he held it together, like most stubborn and larger-than-life men. “Just so you know, when we talk about them, you’re in a safe place. I’ll never judge or tell you your feelings are wrong. I truly understand.”

“I know you do.” He gave her a kind look. She wore a cherry red tank top and white shorts. She had messily piled her wavy black hair on top of her head, her bangs feathering out around her eyes. At that moment, he felt genuinely understood. Even more, he felt as if he was being drawn toward her. Her bright red lips looked as if they were inviting him in.

He tried to brush the thought aside, but then she placed her hand on his leg, and the feeling drove him further toward madness. Normally, he didn’t allow himself to think of her in a sexual way, but there was something to be said about knowing you were in the presence of someone who understood you. Someone you could easily talk to.

Squeezing Vic’s leg, she asked, “Do you want to lie down for a bit? I can give you some space to sort your feelings. Or, if you want, I can stay and be supportive. We don’t have to talk.” Looking into his eyes, she could see a look she’d never seen before. She continued to stare at him, waiting for an answer. Reaching up, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. She felt her whole body go weak. Placing her hand on his chest, she stopped him from coming any closer. “I’m going to get you some water,” she replied as she hopped off the bed and exited the room.

“Paris, wait.” The knot returned to his stomach as he watched her leave the room. Perhaps it was for the better , he thought as he let his head drop back onto the pillow.

Vic's advance shocked Paris. They rarely acted friendly toward one another. What was he thinking? One thing was for certain: she should not allow him to get any closer.

When she returned to his room, to her relief, he was snoring softly. She placed the glass of water on the nightstand next to him, and, closing the door behind her, she left him to sleep it off, whatever it was. Heading back to the kitchen, she found Chase and Mya had finished unpacking all the food items for the weekend.

“Which rooms should we stay in?” asked Chase.

“I’ll stay in Cristo’s room,” said Mya.

Paris arched an eyebrow and turned to look at her friend. She watched Mya’s face turn crimson. Obviously, something was going on. “How do you know which room is Cristo’s?” she asked. “You haven’t been here since they renovated the floorplan.”

“Oh, um, I already looked at all the rooms. It’s the middle room on the right, and the only one that makes sense. The décor gave it away.” She shrugged.

“Uh-huh,” replied Chase. “I’m sure it did, honey. Anyway, I’ll stay in the room next to yours. I think it’s a guestroom. There’s nothing overly exciting about it, but lots of wide-open space. Perfect for my morning yoga.”

“Perfect. I’ll stay in the master suite,” added Paris. “There’s a beautiful balcony with a view overlooking the lake and the mountains. I’d love to sit out there with a glass of wine and watch the sunset.” Turning, she headed for the door. “I’ll be right back. I need to grab my bag out of the car.”

Mya ran after Paris as she left the house. “Do you want to go for a walk before dinner?” she asked. “I want to take in as much nature as possible. We so seldom get out of town.”

“Sure,” said Paris. “Vic’s taking a nap, and it sounded like Chase might do some yoga, so we have time.” Grabbing her bag, she hauled it into the room across from Vic’s and dropped it on the floor in front of the dresser. She was already wearing her tennis shoes, but she threw on some different clothes since she was currently wearing Mya’s.

Heading back to the living room, Paris now wore black yoga capris, a white tank, and a black and white straw hat. She was proud of the restraint she’d practiced when Mya took her shopping. So far, everything had come in handy.

“Ready?” Mya sat on the couch eating a red, white, and blue popsicle. “Oh, that looks yummy. Takes me back to childhood,” she commented. Heading for the freezer, she grabbed one for herself.

Outside, the sun still shone brightly enough for beads of sweat to appear on Paris’s skin. The breeze coming off the mountains felt refreshing, and kept the town much cooler than the temps back home. Heading out, they wandered down the dirt path behind the oversized cabin.

“Have you been here recently?” asked Paris.

“No,” said Mya. “Some of my fondest memories are of the weekends spent at your family’s cabin. I wish they hadn’t sold the land. I miss it.”

“Yeah. Me too. I heard my mom mention that she’s trying to talk my dad into buying another cabin. We spent more time with the Alarie’s at our cabin than they did here I think.”

“Too bad that storm took it out,” added Mya.

“Yeah. Totally sucks. Anyway, I’ve visited this cabin on a few occasions with Alli.”

“How does that make you feel?” asked Mya. She paused to assess her friend.

“It makes me miss her. We had a lot of fun. I remember the last time I was here. We hiked up a path to a tire swing and spent the afternoon swimming and lying out in the sun. It was wonderful.”

Mya continued on. “Do you think Vic’s okay? He seemed awfully upset when we first arrived.”

“Yeah, he just needs some time. There are a lot of memories, and with them, a lot of pain resurfacing.”

“I wish we could wave a wand and fix it all,” said Mya sadly. “I miss Alli and Brody too.”

“We all do,” said Paris. Reaching out her hand, she squeezed Mya’s shoulder. “At least we have each other.”

“That we do, and I think Chase has made an excellent addition to our little group.”

“I agree. Chase is special. An all-around good guy.” Paris paused and gave Mya a slight frown. “So, on a different topic, do you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Cristo?”

Mya paused and looked at Paris with suspicion. “Nothing, why?”

“Do you really expect me to believe that? I think anyone can see that you’re hiding something.”

“It’s nothing,” she replied forcefully. “I’ve turned him down many times, but he keeps persisting.”

“If it’s a problem, Mya, you need to speak up. Persistence is harassment.”

“It’s under control,” she insisted.

“Okay, if you say so. Just remember, you can talk to me about it. I promise to listen and not judge.”

“I know, but there’s nothing to talk about.”

“Fine,” she replied, taking a breath. “Do you suppose we should start planning the next Touch a Heart Fest? It’s been over a year and I feel like I’ve let the community down.”

“I think that’s a great idea. We’ll let the seniors know we’re planning it, but we’ll take it slow, because you have a lot on your plate right now.”

“I’m fine with that. Let’s at least set a date and get the word out so the community knows. I need to make amends.”

“Sounds good. We can discuss it more on Monday.”

The girls continued to walk quietly, taking in their surroundings. They followed the path around the lake. When they finally returned to the cabin, it was ten after seven, and Vic was outside drinking a beer while he grilled chicken and vegetables.

“That smells delicious,” said Paris. “How long before it’s ready?”

“We’ll give ‘em another ten minutes. Will you two set the picnic table, please?”

“Sure thing,” replied Mya. She and Paris went inside to grab the necessities.

Returning with her hands full of condiments, Paris asked, “Did you sleep at all?”

Vic looked up at her. “Briefly.”

“You were snoring a little when I brought the water in, so I let you rest.”

“I feel a lot more awake now,” he stated. In actuality, what he meant was that he had observed Paris’s lack of reaction toward his advancement, and he was now pretending he was over it. He noted that she changed clothing for her walk. Even in yoga attire, the girl looked good.

“Do you need any help?” asked Paris.

“Nah, I’ve got it.” He purposely cut her off. His tone had come out sounding a bit colder than he had intended.

Paris watched him as he meticulously tended to the chicken and veggies. She hadn’t mentioned his advance to Mya. Paris was unsure how she felt about the situation. She didn’t want to be another one of his one-night stands or a distraction from his feelings of loss.

Ten minutes later, the group found themselves settled in at the picnic table with their favorite beverages and a feast of juicy chicken, potato salad, roasted asparagus, and chocolate brownies for dessert. Dinner was delicious. They drank their beers and told stories about past hiking and camping trips. They also played a couple of drinking card games, and before long, Chase and Mya were both shuffling off to bed, leaving Vic and Paris alone with each other.

“So, tell me the truth,” said Vic, “have you ever dated anyone from work or had a thing for a coworker?”

Paris rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. The drink was definitely getting to her, but she thought, what the heck? “Yes, there’s someone I’ve had a thing for over the past many years, but so far he hasn’t noticed and I haven’t made any advances.”

“Oh, really? Do tell,” replied Vic. He was surprised that Paris had a love interest. He never saw her with anyone, but he’d heard rumors about her love life.

“Okay, if you think you can keep it to yourself?”

Vic nodded at her. “I promise.”

“Tom Mariano,” she replied solemnly.

“Tom? Seriously? What do you like about him?” asked Vic.

“For starters, he's driven. I don't know anyone who lands more clients than he does. It also helps that he's smoldering hot,” she admitted with a blush.

“Hm. I’m surprised by that. He seems to be quite vain, doesn't he?”

“How so? I guess I hadn’t noticed.”

“Trust me, Paris, that man is in love with his own reflection. He knows he's attractive, and he flaunts it.”

“He flaunts it?” Paris was appalled by Vic's statement. “How do you mean?”

“I'm not going to delve into this any further with you. Just watch him. You’ll see.”

Paris wasn’t so certain that Vic was right. She hadn’t seen Tom's vanity previously.

“Play Poker with me,” insisted Vic.

“Isn’t that kind of boring when we only have two people?” she asked.

“Nah, we’ll make it interesting.” He laughed. “If you win, what do you want?”

“I want you to yell, ‘Paris is amazing!’” She laughed. “Haven’t you ever had feelings for a coworker?”

“Dozens of times,” he admitted. “I think we should play Strip Poker. That’s more interesting and gives you more reason to try not to lose.” He gave a nod for emphasis.

“Okay, fine,” she agreed. “Do you sleep with coworkers frequently?”

“No, not really,” replied Vic. “I try to stay out of the building with my relations.”

“Yes, but do you succeed?”

“A gentleman never tells.” He had a mischievous grin on his face as he laid out the cards.

“You’re no gentleman!” she shot back.

“Why not?” Vic was slightly hurt by her response.

“I can tell you’ve done this before,” she said pointedly.

“Well, even if I have, how does that equate to not being a gentleman?”

Fanning out her cards, she asked, “Do gentlemen try to swindle women out of their clothing?”

“Touché,” he said. The grin never left his face. “But in all seriousness, probably. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a man who wouldn’t try, given the chance.”

Paris looked at her cards. “What you’re implying is that there are no gentlemen.”

“Maybe gentleman is a word not so dissimilar to superman?”

Looking up at him, she narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe that. There are true gentlemen out there somewhere. My father is a gentleman.”

“Really? So, you’re telling me that the gallant Mr. DeMarcé did not get the beautiful Mrs. DeMarcé naked, the very first chance he got? He was above that?” Vic knew he had her with that response, but whether she would admit it was the question.

“Yes, I’m saying exactly that,” she scoffed as she took a swig from her bottle of beer. She watched as Vic pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for some music to play.”

“Don’t change the subject! I think you’re wrong. My father’s not the type of man who would try to get a woman naked unless he was making love to her.”

“Oh, really?” asked Vic.

“Yes, really!” persisted Paris.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, Paris, but I’m pretty sure you’re wrong. He’s as hot-blooded as the rest of us when it comes to getting a beautiful woman naked, but if he is as you say, he won’t have a problem with me calling and asking him if he’s ever been a part of such shenanigans.”

At his response, Paris spurt beer from her mouth. “You’re not calling him!” she yelled as she grabbed for the phone. He yanked it out of her reach, and she lunged toward him. With his massive free hand, he palmed her forehead and held her at bay. Paris flailed like an angry monkey as she heard the phone ringing over the speaker. Vic set the phone out of the way, grabbed her in a bear hug, and wrestled her to the ground.

“Don’t ask him that!” she wailed. “You’re such a jerk. It's none of our business!”

“Shh,” he said. “Let me do this, and if I’m wrong, I’ll give you a hundred bucks.”

Looking at him, she shook her head in defeat. After all, she wasn’t the idiot asking such a personal question.

“Hello?” answered her father.

“Hey, Mikel, it’s Vic.”

“Good evening, Vic. What can I do for you?”

“Well, sir, I have a question for you.”

“Shoot,” he replied, “but make it quick. I’m in over my head playing Strip Poker with a couple of ladies from the office.”

“Hey, say no more,” replied Vic. “We can talk later.”

“If you’re sure?” asked Mikel.

“Completely. Have a nice night.” Vic turned off his phone and set it on the table. Paris stared at him, her mouth agape.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He laughed.

“What did you do?” she demanded.

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. What did you do?”

Vic burst out laughing. “You should’ve seen the look on your face!” he gasped.

Paris frowned.

Pulling himself together, he replied, “I texted him. I told him we had a bet and that I would be calling momentarily and that he was to reply that he was in the middle of a game of Strip Poker with some ladies from the office.”

“And he just obliged you? What is this world coming to?” she demanded.

“Come on, Paris, it was a joke. We joke around all the time. Your father is as human as the rest of us, and also a man. We’re like family. It isn't far-fetched that we can joke around with each other at times.”

“So, in reality, you didn’t get the question answered,” she pointed out.

“No, but I already know the answer. He’s told me a particular story from back in school, and I guarantee it proves my point. Don’t be upset,” he said. Paris had a bitter look on her face. He hated to see her angry. “Your father is a gentleman, but even gentlemen play games every now and again.”

“Maybe,” she replied, shaking her head. “You realize you’ve slain a giant, don’t you?”

“Darling, every girl must see the day when they realize their father is human too. It’s not like I told you he’s a murderer or drug dealer. I simply changed your fairytale.”

“I guess,” she responded quietly.

“I know what will cheer you up,” he said as he jumped up from the floor and headed toward the kitchen. “This will make you feel much better!” he called out. Walking back into the room, he held out a bottle of Spiced Rum and two shot glasses. He knew her well, despite their lack of pleasantries over the years. Setting the glasses on the coffee table, he poured them each a shot. “Let’s start out with a different game before getting to cards.”

“Which game would you like to play?” she asked hesitantly.

“Truth or Dare,” he stated. “You can even pick truth every single time if you want.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. Why do you want to play Truth or Dare? Isn’t it a bit childish?”

“Quite the contrary,” he replied. “Truth or Dare is a game that allows two people to learn about one another as well as gain trust. Though I have to admit, children generally use it to embarrass each other. In our version, if you don’t want to answer the question or do the dare, you drink. What do you say?”

“Okay,” she said, “let’s give it a try.”

Grabbing his shot glass, he raised it in the air and motioned her to do the same. “Do you promise to maintain safety and honesty throughout the game?”

“I do,” said Paris.

Clanking his glass to hers, he said, “Bottoms up.”

Paris downed the shot and immediately felt her stomach warm. “Maybe pour me one more before we get started?” she requested.

“Sure thing.” Vic poured them each another shot, and they both drank them down. “You can go first.”

Climbing up onto the couch, she made herself comfortable and watched as Vic took his place at the opposite end facing her. “Truth or Dare?” she asked.

Vic smiled at her and replied, “Truth.”

“Okay,” Paris thought for a moment. She wasn’t really sure where to start. Vic was staring at her in anticipation. Licking her lips, she asked, “Have you ever paid for sex?”

Vic’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “I’m not answering that question.”

“Really?” she asked. “The very first question and you won’t answer? Wasn’t this your idea?”

“Sure, but I didn’t think you were going to ask such a ridiculous question.”

“If it’s so ridiculous, why don’t you just answer?”

“Just pass me a shot, and we’ll move on,” he said.

Paris poured the shot and slid it his way. In one smooth move, he snatched it up and dumped it down his throat. “Ahh, tasty,” he replied. “Now, where were we? Oh, yes, Truth or Dare?”

She was appalled that he didn’t answer the question and frustrated because she wanted to know if he actually had paid for sex, which meant he was even more despicable than she’d first anticipated. “Truth.” She watched as he ran through the possibilities in his mind. She was terrified of the things he might come up with. She knew her first question was very personal, but it was something she and Mya had always wondered.

“Have you ever kissed a woman, and if yes, why?” he inquired slyly.

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. She didn’t care if he knew. “It was Mya. We were twenty-one, and we were at a party together. There was this creepy guy following me around, and I wanted him to leave me alone, so Mya and I pretended we were a couple. The kiss was her idea, being into drama and all. She figured it would prove to him that he had no chance.”

“Wow, did it work? Did he leave you alone?”

“Yes. He said he could tell we were really into each other, and he apologized for harassing me.”

“You know,” he replied, “that could have gone the opposite way.”

“Oh, believe me, I know. I told her the same thing, but she said to trust her, and that she had a hunch he’d be put off by it. Luckily, she was right. Truth or Dare?” she asked.

“Dare,” he replied.

Laughing at him, she said, “I dare you to drink another shot.”

“I’m not sure you’re very good at this game.” he replied as he grabbed the bottle, pouring himself another shot. “Bottoms up!” he slammed the shot glass down on the table. “Truth or Dare?”

“Truth.”

“Okay, Paris,” he said, scooting a little closer, “why do you hate me?”

Instead of answering right away, Paris poured herself another shot and drank it down.

“That bad?” he asked.

She shook her head at him. “No. I don’t hate you. You have no idea what it takes for me to admit that.”

He looked at her with concern. “What is it then? Why is it so hard for you to admit you don’t hate me?”

“If I’m being honest, I don’t like the way you act. You don’t have any genuine relationships outside of your brother, Breanna, and your parents. You’re angry and short with most of the people you work with. For once, I would like to see you show some real kindness and compassion toward your coworkers, like you used to. When was the last time you actually rewarded someone for hard work?”

Vic looked at her for a moment, taking in what she was saying. This was not the first time he’d heard this. “You know, you aren’t always the most personable either.”

“True, but I don’t fire people for ridiculous reasons. I’m not the one with a fearful nickname.”

“Nickname?” he asked. “What nickname?”

Paris’s jaw dropped. Did he really not know? “Most of the staff call you Diablo. It’s been going on for over a year now.” She shrugged. “I really thought you knew.”

“Wow. That’s cold,” he sighed. “Do you know what they call you?” He watched as her eyes got big.

“No, what?” she demanded.

“I don’t know.” He laughed. “That’s why I’m asking.”

“You’re so funny. Ha, ha, ha. Truth or Dare?”

“Truth,” he said loosely. The alcohol was definitely taking effect. He wasn’t much for shots. Normally he was more into sipping.

“Do you have a thing for Angela Martini?” she asked.

“You have to admit, she’s pretty freakin' hot.”

“I certainly do not need to admit that,” replied Paris. “She’s my boss at the moment. I think she’s utterly vile and quite possibly trying to seduce you for no good reason. Also, she dresses like a cheap hooker.”

“That's not very nice. You think she’s trying to seduce me?”

“Why else did she suddenly start dressing in such skimpy clothing?”

“So, this was a sudden change?” he mused. Paris had noticed too.

“You didn’t really notice her before, did you?”

“I guess you have a point there. Pick your poison,” he requested.

“Truth.”

“Tell me, Paris, do you really have a thing for Tom?”

“We’re terrible people,” she replied. “It would appear we both like our handlers.” She grinned.

“Tom? You’re telling me you genuinely like him and that you’ve never noticed how vain he is?”

“Vic, it’s not new. I’ve had feelings for Tom since the day I met him. He’s a stunning male specimen. I’d give anything to taste his lips,” she purred, “and I maintain that I don’t think he’s vain.”

“Here,” said Vic, handing her another shot. “I don't get what you see in him, but who am I to judge? To scandal,” he said as he raised his glass to hers.

Paris drank the shot and then shook her head at him. “Whatever. It’s only a scandal if something happens. Even then, I’m not sure it qualifies.”

Vic eyed her up and down. She was gorgeous. There was no question about it.

“You like what you see?” she asked.

Realizing he’d been caught, he gave her his most charming smile and reached for her hand. “You’re very pretty,” he said softly and squeezed her hand ever so slightly. He watched as the corners of her mouth curled upward. “How come we haven’t managed to be closer over the years?” he coaxed.

“I think in part we’ve had other goals for what we wanted,” she replied quietly. His touch was doing unspeakable things to her insides. It was unsettling to think that he could make her feel anything so intimate.

Launching himself forward, he pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes went wide, and she instantly pushed him back and moved further away. Turning his head slightly to one side, he squinted at her as he contemplated her body language. She wasn’t scowling at him. What he read was shock and, at the same time, desire.

“What was that?” she demanded.

“Here is how I get women,” he replied. “I’m very good at reading body language, and I know when precisely to make my move. Tell me you aren’t feeling this, and I’ll pretend it never happened,” he said in a low and even tone. He watched her. She didn’t move a muscle, but her breath had quickened. “I can tell you’re interested. When was the last time you were with anyone intimately? This doesn't have to be anything more than sex, but you have to tell me no,” he stated, “or I’ll come over there.” She still didn’t budge or utter a syllable.

Leaning forward, he stretched out his hand and lightly touched her elbow. Then, moving slowly, he gently dragged the tip of his nail down her arm and paused at her wrist. Her breathing was still quick, and her pupils dilated. She couldn’t find the words to tell him no. She didn’t want to say no. Abruptly; he closed his hand around her wrist and squeezed firmly.

Paris lost control. Her whole body tingled with desire. When his hand closed, she could no longer contain the feeling. She pushed off the arm of the couch and lunged toward him. He pulled her into his embrace. Their lips smashed together as they hungrily drank each other in. If she’d been told two hours earlier that this would happen, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Vic’s fingertips worked their way up underneath her shirt and slid gently along the underside of her breasts, testing the waters further. She moaned lightly and tore open his shirt so she could feel his bare chest. Her hands felt soft and warm against his skin. He felt oddly safe in her presence.

Paris was further drawn in by the firmness of his chest as she ran her fingers over it. He had always been in great shape, but until now, she had never wondered what it would be like to touch him in such a wanton manner. Sliding her fingers down his body, she made her way toward his waist.

Holding tightly, Vic scooped her up and carried her to his room, closing the door behind them. Consequences be damned, he thought. She would be his, if only for one night. He would worry about the rest when morning came.

The morning light arrived, and Mya awoke feeling rested and ready to begin the day. She’d slept well and was ready to hike to the waterfall. Heading toward the bathroom, she saw Vic’s door open and watched as Paris backed herself out and went into her own room, clearly not realizing she had an audience.

“Morning, Mya,” called Chase. He came out of the room behind her and headed toward the kitchen, cup of coffee already in hand. Pausing for a moment, he asked, “Do you want some coffee? I’m about to make a second pot.”

Mya lifted her wrist to check the time on her watch. It was barely seven in the morning. “You already drank an entire pot of coffee? What time did you get up?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I was up at five. Went for a swim and sat out on the dock watching a couple of fishermen.”

She took in his hot pink swim trunks. They had palm trees on them. Indeed, he was still wet from his swim. “No coffee for me. Don’t go overboard,” she warned. “We’re hiking today.”

“Oh, I know,” he replied as he shooed her away with his free hand and continued back to the kitchen.

Mya hurried into the bathroom to freshen up before anyone else could distract her. Meanwhile, Vic, wearing only his sleep shorts, meandered out of his room and into the kitchen where Chase engaged in a battle with the gas stove.

“Do you know how to work that?” Vic asked.

“Of course, I do!” he snapped.

Vic sat and watched him flick the nob back and forth. He found it amusing since he knew the stove was long past its prime and no longer would light without the use of a kitchen match. As he continued to smirk at Chase, Mya appeared next to him. “Yeah, that’s never going to do it.”

“Chase,” said Mya, “you need a match to light it.”

Turning around, Chase gave her a funny look. “Why? It’s supposed to ignite when you turn it, right?” He looked at Vic, who was trying not to laugh.

“It’s old,” replied Vic. “It needs some help. The igniter’s broken. Check that drawer on your left. There should be some kitchen matches.”

Chase flung the drawer open and snatched up the box of matches. Retrieving one, he struck the side of the box and watched the match ignite. Placing it by the burner, he turned the knob and a larger flame appeared. “There we go,” he mused. “Eggs will be ready shortly. Mya, will you please throw some toast in the toaster?”

“Sure thing,” she replied.

“Hey guys,” said Paris as she walked into the room. She was already dressed for their hike.

“Morning,” replied Vic. He was happy to see her but a little annoyed that she’d snuck out without a word. He wondered if she regretted their late-night tryst.

Paris nodded toward Vic and then poured herself a cup of coffee. She felt bad about sneaking out that morning, but she didn’t want to make things awkward for everyone else. She wasn’t fully aware of her true feelings regarding Vic. He was a handsome and thoughtful lover. She felt safe at the moment, but she wondered in the back of her mind what last night had meant to him?

“I need to tell you two something,” said Mya as she climbed onto one of the breakfast stools. “I have some concerns. I received a text from Cristo’s secretary, Bryn. She says she overheard a conversation yesterday at lunch. There are rumors that some of your colleagues might be out to sabotage your progress.”

“Sabotage us? But why?” asked Paris.

“Not everyone wants to see you successfully restored to your former positions,” replied Chase.

Vic shook his head. “Like whom?”

“We don’t have actual names, but there are murmurs that whoever holds your positions within the company might one day be next in line to run it. And keep in mind, your prior behavior is a sore subject with quite a few people,” noted Mya.

“So, what you’re saying is, our coworkers hate us?” asked Paris. “That’s wonderful.”

“You need to show them you can make amends and be kind and considerate leaders. Act like the bosses you once were,” said Chase.

“I know we’ve both had our heads up our butts for a while,” said Vic, “but I think it’s safe to say that we’re ready to fight for what’s ours. I don’t want to see anyone else run the company that our family put their friendship, love, time, and hard-earned dollars into building.” Paris nodded to back him.

“Good. Start watching your backs, as will we,” said Chase.

“It’ll be only a matter of time before the saboteurs see you as a threat and realize you’re making amends. Once that happens, there’s no telling what a desperate person might do,” noted Mya.

Paris felt the knot forming in her stomach again. She was prepared to fight for her place within the company, but if people fought dirty, many secrets or rumors might come out, and the press had not been too kind to her over the past six months.