Goodbye Gifts_The Steamy Version Read online

  Contents

  Goodbye Gifts

  Also By Elena Aitken

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Author Note

  Tempting Gifts

  The Springs

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

  Goodbye Gifts (The Steamy Version) All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2014 Elena Aitken Version 1.1

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Your support of author rights is appreciated.

  Ink Blot Communications ISBN:978-1-927968-28-4

  Also by Elena Aitken

  Castle Mountain Lodge Series (Steamy Versions) Unexpected Gifts

  Hidden Gifts

  Mistaken Gifts

  Secret Gifts Goodbye Gifts Tempting Gifts

  The Springs Series

  Summer of Change—FREE

  Falling Into Forever

  Winter’s Burn

  Midnight Springs

  Second Glances

  She’s Making a List-Holiday Novella

  The Escape Collection

  Nothing Stays In Vegas

  Drawing Free

  Sugar Crash

  Composing Myself

  Betty and Veronica

  Halfway to Nowhere

  The Escape Collection

  Dear Reader,

  I have really enjoyed writing the love stories at Castle Mountain Lodge, and my biggest goal has always been the romance of the story. However, I have always wondered about how the characters would have reacted to a little more ‘heat’ in their stories.

  After hearing the same question from some readers, I decided to go ahead and explore a ‘hotter’ side of Castle Mountain Lodge. If you’ve read these stories before, don’t worry, the heat level isn’t over the top. But there are sexy scenes, similar to my other series, The Springs.

  If a sweet, clean romance is more your style, the original versions of The Castle Mountain Lodge Series will always be available and I will continue writing them.

  I do hope you enjoy the sexier side of Castle Mountain Lodge.

  Happy Reading!

  ~Elena

  CHAPTER ONE

  Carmen Kincaid took a deep breath and looked over the main lobby of Castle Mountain Lodge. In her role as customer service manager, it was her job to make sure everything was going smoothly, and after a quick scan, everything seemed to be in order. Guests were enjoying their coffee by the fireplace, others were milling about, getting ready to go on outdoor adventures, and at the front desk…Carmen’s gaze froze on a customer who was leaning over the desk, looking more than a little agitated.

  She pasted on the smile she’d perfected over the years, straightened her blouse and headed over to the front desk to see what was going on.

  “Quinn,” Carmen said, with a quick smile in the guest’s direction. “Is everything okay here?”

  Quinn, her best desk clerk, looked up from where he’d been frantically tapping at the keys and said, “Carmen. I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to find Mr. Jansen’s reservation and he—“

  “I’m booked for a family suite,” the guest said, his agitation level rising.

  “Would it be okay if I took a look?” Carmen smiled at both Mr. Jansen and a relieved-looking Quinn and moved around the desk. After a few quick keystrokes, she looked up from the computer screen, and to the waiting customer. “Mr. Jansen,” she said, sweetly. “I have your reservation right here. It looks as if you booked for a family suite, next weekend.” She tilted her head in sympathy.

  The man, whom a moment ago had been insisting she’d personally screwed up their reservation, looked down, the expression on his face changing in an instant. Despite the fact that he’d been rude to her, Carmen felt for him. His wife and two kids behind him looked exhausted, and clearly, it’d been a long drive up the mountain.

  “Next weekend?” He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up at odd angles. “But we’re here now, and the kids…what am I going to do? They’ll be so disappointed.” He glanced back to his family, before turning his focus on Carmen, pleading with his eyes.

  “Let me see what I can do.” Carmen gave him a sympathetic smile and turned her attention back to her computer screen. It was a good thing they were into their slow season at Castle Mountain Lodge. Autumn always was a nice reprieve between the busyness of summer and the bustle of the winter ski season. Carmen knew without looking she’d be able to find something for the Jansen family, and after a moment, she proved successful. “I have a room,” she whispered, and quickly added, “It’s not a suite, but it’s the next best thing. It’s a family loft, with two beds up, and a comfortable living space below.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Absolutely.” Carmen took the man’s information, and with a few more keystrokes, she finished the checkin and handed him his welcome packet.

  “Thank you so much,” he said. “I’m sorry I was a—“

  “It’s not a problem, Mr. Jansen.” She kept her smile in place, the way she always did. “Honestly. It was my pleasure, and I do hope you and your family enjoy your stay at Castle Mountain Lodge. In your packet, you’ll find a list of activities that I’m sure the kids will enjoy.”

  She watched as they made their way across the large, timber-framed lobby, towards the bank of elevators. There was no doubt in Carmen’s mind that Mr. Jansen and his family would find the relaxation and rest they’d come to the Lodge looking for. There was something about the air in the mountains that relaxed even the tensest people.

  Carmen set to work adjusting the reservations in the computer, and checking room availability. She hadn’t received the phone call confirming her parents’ visit yet, but it was coming. For the last three years, since Carmen had gone to work at the Lodge, they made a point to come visit for a long weekend every October. It wasn’t necessarily a weekend Carmen looked forward to.

  She clicked a few buttons and reserved her parents a nice suite with a view of the ridge. With any luck, they would be preoccupied with their stunning surroundings and less focused on their daughter’s lack of husband.

  Their weekend visit was bound to be filled with questions about when she was going to give up her “little job” and settle down with a nice boy, or at the very least, go to college where she could meet a nice boy. Just thinking of the way her dad was going to drill her about her future plans, while her mother listed all her friends’ young, eligible sons she should meet was enough to fake some sort of deadly illness.

  But, Carmen knew better. Nothing would distract her mom and dad from their annual visit. Since she flat-out refused to come back for Christmas, or any other time, it was their duty as good parents to smother their only child with love.

  She sighed, and put her head down on the front desk for a moment.

  “Working hard, are you?”

  The voice jolted her up and Carmen looked directly into the eyes of Trent Harrison, the general manager of the Lodge. Carmen snapped to attention and smoothed her dark hair behind
her ears. “Mr. Harrison,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I was just…well, I—“

  “It’s fine.” Trent waved away her explanations. “And I told you to call me Trent. Besides, I’m not going to be your boss for much longer.”

  “That’s right,” she said. It’s not like it was a secret that Trent was leaving to go run a high-scale resort with his brother in a few weeks. What was the secret was who would be filling his position. “You must be excited about your new opportunity,” she said. “And you know I refuse to call you by your first name when we’re working.” Her smile was warm, because outside of work, they were friends, but Carmen liked to keep some sort of professional distance during working hours. So far, it’d served her well in her career. She’d only been at the Lodge for three years and had already worked her way up to customer service manager and with any luck, she’d be a candidate for Trent’s job, too.

  Trent laughed, his handsome features crinkling in humor. “That’s one of the things that’s so great about you, Carmen.” He ran a hand through his blond, slightly wavy hair. “You’re nothing if not professional.” He leaned across the desk and lowered his voice. “I hear that you’re in the running for my job.”

  Her stomach flipped, but not because of his proximity. She knew more than one woman who’d love the chance to hook up with Trent, but she’d never been interested in dating anyone she worked with. Or anyone at all, really.

  “That’s what I’m told,” she said. Word had filtered down to her last week that she was one of the candidates for the job.

  “Did you also hear that I get to choose my replacement?”

  Carmen’s heart started beating double time and she blinked hard. “What?”

  “Would I lie to you?” She raised her eyebrows and tilted her head, causing him to laugh again. “Okay, I might. And maybe I’m exaggerating a little,” he continued. “But I do get a say in the final selection. I’m told that my opinion matters a great deal. And I’m keeping my eye on you.” He winked dramatically and she had to laugh.

  "I'm sure you are." They’d always been easy friends, not in small part due to her ability to dodge his advances.

  He grinned and took a quick look around before changing the subject. "I actually was hoping to ask you something, Carmen. Totally unrelated to work."

  Carmen's smile faltered. Trent’s affairs at the Lodge were legendary. He didn't date; in fact, in the three years she'd been there, she'd never heard of him dating at all. His affairs, however—that was a different story. So far, she'd managed to keep their relationship professional, probably in no small part due to the fact that she insisted on professionalism with everyone she worked with. Friendly, yes. But there was no way Carmen would ever entertain the thought of dating anyone who worked at the Lodge, particularly someone in a management position. Not if it would risk her career.

  "You know I don’t—“

  "Oh, don't worry. I would never dream of asking you out," he said.

  She shot him a look.

  "Not that I wouldn't want to," he added quickly. "But I'm not an idiot, Carmen. And only an idiot would bang their head against that wall. I know your policy on dating at work."

  Carmen smiled again and nodded. "Okay, then what would you like to ask me?"

  "I think you're going to like this." Trent stood up and stretched his shoulders. "My brother is coming to stay at the Lodge for a few days. Maybe a week, if I can convince him to enjoy himself a little bit. Anyway, I'm going to be busier than I'd like what with wrapping things up around here and all. I was hoping maybe you would show him around a bit."

  "Show him around?" Carmen got a sinking feeling in her stomach. And the distinct impression that there was more to his request than he was saying.

  "Yes," Trent said. "No one knows the ins and outs of Castle Mountain like you do, and who better than a beautiful woman to keep him company?"

  And there it was. The reason Carmen didn't feel good about her boss’s request. She tipped her head and assessed him. Despite Trent’s reputation as a bit of a womanizer, he’d never been anything but respectful. She must have heard him wrong.

  “What about Bo?” she suggested. “He knows the Lodge much better than I do. And as the outdoor activities director, he’s the perfect choice.”

  Trent smiled a little and looked at his feet. “Look, Carmen. I don’t usually do this type of thing, but I was kind of thinking Dylan would enjoy the company of a woman.”

  Carmen pretended to ignore him. “Well, as we know,” she said, “where Bo is, Morgan is.” They were Castle Mountain Lodge’s resident lovebirds, and good friends of Carmen’s.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of a single woman,” Trent said.

  As a reflex, Carmen’s hand shot out and she smacked his arm. “Trent Harrison,” she said. “What type of girl do you think I am?”

  Trent’s head snapped up and a look of pure mortification took hold on his face. “Oh, God, Carmen. No. Not like that. I just really want him to enjoy himself a little, go out, laugh. That type of thing. I don’t mean anything sleazy by it.”

  She narrowed her eyes and assessed him for a moment. “Really?”

  Trent held up two fingers. “I swear.”

  She shook her head and considered her options. There weren’t many. “I don't know, Trent. Like you said, I don’t date, and my parents are coming next weekend for their annual visit and with working and—“

  “Please, Carmen. I won’t take no for an answer. And I’m not looking to marry my brother off or anything. I just really need Dylan to have a little fun before we jump into the fire with the Springs. Besides, he’ll probably be gone by the time your folks come.”

  “Trent, it doesn’t feel right and—“

  “It’ll even be fun for you,” he continued. “You work too hard as well, and if you do get the position as general manager, well…”

  Her breath caught in her throat and for a minute, Carmen thought she might actually be sick. “What do you mean?” she asked slowly.

  “Just that if you do happen to get the position,” he paused and raised his eyebrows, “that you’ll be very busy for the next little while.”

  Her instincts told her that wasn’t all he meant by his comment. “I’m a long shot for the manager position,” she said softly.

  Trent leaned in again and lowered his voice before he said, “Remember, I do play a role in the selection of my replacement and it would be an easy decision to choose a candidate who goes above and beyond the call of duty. If you get my drift?”

  Carmen swallowed hard. She got his drift all right.

  “Think about it,” he said.

  A group of giggling women came through the main doors and Trent stood up, adjusting his jacket. He stepped aside and said, “I’ll totally owe you, Carmen. We’ll talk soon.”

  She watched him walk through the lobby and disappear down the hall that led to the banquet room.

  Did that really just happen? Trent didn’t really just tell her she had to take his brother out if she wanted the promotion, did he? Not in so many words, but that was definitely what was implied, right? Unless she’d been reading too much into it. That was probably it; she’d probably just thought he was saying something he wasn’t.

  Thoughts swirled through her head so quickly, she couldn’t focus on just one thing.

  She shook her head in a desperate attempt to clear her mind, and focused on the women who were checking in. It was easier to bury herself in work. It always had been.

  Dylan Harrison had only been at the Lodge for twenty minutes, but it was all he needed to decide the mountain resort was exactly the type of experience he wanted to recreate at the Springs, the resort he was opening with his brother in only a few more months.

  “So, what do you think?” Dylan’s brother, Trent, came up behind him and slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s pretty magnificent here, isn’t it?”

  Dylan turned and gave his older brother a brotherly punch to the arm. Trent may be a year older
, but Dylan had never missed an opportunity to remind him that he was bigger and stronger. “Hey, man. It’s good to see you.”

  “And you, kid.” He raised his eyebrows. “All of you. Getting a little soft, are you?” As soon as he said the words, Trent dodged the punch he’d known was coming. It was part of their routine. Big brother gave little brother a hard time. Even though it was far from the truth, and they both knew it. Dylan was in excellent shape, a solid wall of muscle; he was definitely not in any danger of getting soft around the middle.

  “Hey,” Trent said. “Come on. I have so much to show you.”

  Their greetings complete, they walked together across the lobby and past the checkin desk where Dylan’d left his bags. Trent led him directly to the picture window that framed the back of the room. Despite the fact he’d seen plenty of mountains before, and had spent his fair share of time exploring them, the view took his breath away. There was nothing quite like being there—it was spectacular—and the construction of the Lodge showcased it beautifully.

  “It’s amazing,” Dylan said truthfully. “I can’t wait to see the rest of it.”

  “There’s lots of time,” Trent said, “since I convinced you to stay for a bit. And really, I can’t believe you’ve never been up here.”

  Dylan took one more look at the view, and turned to his brother. “Neither can I. But maybe if you’d told me how amazing it was up here, I would’ve come a bit sooner.”

  The truth was, Trent had told him how impressive the Lodge was, on more than one occasion. In fact, they were building a lot of their own business venture on how things were done at Castle Mountain, but Dylan had never made the time to visit his brother. Working sixty-hour-weeks, didn’t leave much time for anything else, not even family.

  Trent gave him a look, and Dylan was sure he would be on the receiving end of a lecture about how hard he worked and how he needed to relax a little and live his life. Instead, Trent smiled and said, “Come with me. There’s someone I want you to meet.”