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ONE
If I had to guess I’d say that the evenings were darker in the mountains. I was a local girl, born and bred in the resort town of Canmore, smack dab at the brink of the Rocky Mountains. All around me my beloved scenery stretched upwards, blackened by the setting sun that fell behind the great white peaks.
The flickering bonfire allowed me to see everyone at the party. I was surrounded by the faces of all the locals I’d gotten to know over the years, like my supervisor Ali, who had been in the mountains since getting her pilot’s license four years ago. And there was my newest friend, Blake, who had started working as a tour guide the same time I did two years ago. But where Blake handled white-water rafting, I preferred the lead guide on overnight hiking trips up the mountainside.
Next to Blake was a dark-haired hottie I’d never seen before. He had to be at least six feet tall, which was nice for me because I was five eight—a little taller than the usual girl. I pulled my white t-shirt lower, revealing my D-cup cleavage through my stretched V-neck. They were my best assets by far. Unlike my co-workers, I had a few extra pounds to fill out my curves, and my breasts were the top two features that drew a man’s attention. Then I downed my drink, and grabbed another one, before sidling up to Blake.
She was texting like a madwoman on her phone. “What’s up?” I asked, eyeing the dark-haired hottie on her other side.
She glanced up from her cell phone. “Hey, Cher. I’m texting back Darian. He just landed in Houston.” Blake frowned. “He wants me to join him.”
Butterflies jumped in my stomach. “How romantic,” I said, bumping her shoulder with mine.
Blake and Darian had met only three months prior, at the beginning of white-water rafting season. He was here with his business, Hunter Logistics, and had brought a crew of truck drivers with him for a little R&R. But Darian got more than he bargained for with my bestie Blake. He fell head over heels for the tiny blond, which led to the long distance relationship dilemma that Blake was currently having.
“It’s not that it wouldn’t be fun,” Blake said, chewing the inside of her cheek. “It’s just I’m still busy with tours. Darian knows this, but he just likes to tease me. He wants me to come on my days off this week. And of course, he insists on paying.”
“How long is the flight?”
Blake looked up from her phone sheepishly. “Three hours.”
“Ohmygosh, girl,” I groaned. “You have to go. Do it for me. Get out of this place and have a little fun.”
“Do you think I should?” Blake smiled wistfully. “I miss him.”
I took a long swig of my drink as a pang of jealousy hit me in the gut. What I wouldn’t do to have someone like Blake did—someone who actually texted me back for something more than a booty call. Maybe it was this place—too much of a carefree lifestyle. Why couldn’t I find a little piece of love? I groaned again, this time drawing attention from people near us. “Go! I would. You’re crazy not to.”
“Eeep!” Blake squealed. “I’m going to go call him. Thanks, Cher. You’re the best.”
“Watch out for bears,” I said, lifting my red cup in the air.
I watched my friend disappear into the crowd, away from the fire, hidden in the darkness. Then remembering why I came here in the first place, I frantically searched for the missing hottie. He wasn’t around. I took another long sip, trying not to look like some crazy stalker as I glanced at the crowd.
“Bears?” A familiar voice came from behind me. I spun around and found my old friend Gavin walking toward me. “Did someone say bears?”
I laughed. “I was just warning Blake to be careful in the dark.”
“Whew.” Gavin pretended to wipe sweat from his forehead. “You can’t just go around yelling ‘bear’ in the mountains. That’s as bad as yelling ‘bomb’ on a plane.”
I punched Gavin in the arm, surprised by how solid he felt under his plaid jacket. He owned the local flower shop and was the last person I’d expect to be so ripped. “Don’t be silly.”
He flashed me a quick smile, and then motioned to the picnic tables. “I see a couple of spots open. Want to sit with me.”
I looked around for the dark-haired hottie once again. He was definitely gone. “Sure.”
We sat on the picnic table, I straddling the wooden bench while Gavin tucked both legs underneath. Not only did this way give me the ability to scan the crowd for the missing hottie, but I also found picnic tables awkward. Either my legs were too long, or my breasts got in the way. Big-boobed girl problems. It’s a tough life.
Gavin started talking about an overnight hike he had booked tomorrow when we were interrupted by none other than Mr. Hottie himself.
“Hey, Gav,” he said, leaning against the table next to Gavin. I tilted my head to the side to get a better look—dark tanned skin with a five o’clock shadow along his jawline that I imagined running down the inside of my thighs right before he put his—
“Kyle, this is Cher,” Gavin said, bringing me out of my daydream.
I gave my best sexy-eye stare as I stretched out my hand, making sure to arch my back enough that Kyle couldn’t help but see my cleavage. His eyes glanced down to my hand as he stretched out his own to meet me. As we shook, I noticed his glance had moved right where I wanted it. Game on.
“So what brings you to Canmore, Kyle?” I leaned forward on the picnic table, giving him all of my attention.
“Kyle’s a lifesaver,” Gavin said. “I needed someone to finish off the summer season for me in the store when Jacques left.”
I scrunched up my nose at the mention of Jacques. That guy had deemed himself the player of Canmore, and though I’d had my share of Jacques in the back of his shaggin’ wagon on more than one occasion, I wasn’t sad to see him leave. Him and his patchouli smelling van.
“Well, we’re happy to have some new blood in town.” I let go of Kyle’s hand and noticed he still hadn?
?t broken his stare. “I notice you don’t have a drink.” I held up my cup. “I’m almost done mine. Why don’t we go get one together?”
“Sure,” he said, watching me as I got up from the picnic table. I downed the last half of my cup, hoping no one noticed, and linked my arm in Kyle’s as we went to find a keg. I glanced back and noticed Gavin frowning as he watched us walk away.
Three drinks and a few shooters later, I was feeling just right. Kyle loved to dance, and when he did he got right close, holding onto my ass as he pushed himself against my hips. He’d even swapped cell numbers with me. This was exactly what I needed—someone new. A fresh start. After living here forever, I’d had my share of short romances, but nothing seemed to ever work out in my favor. I learned long ago that I could use my assets to get a guy, but it was the holding on part that never seemed to work out.
When the song ended, I pulled Kyle through the crowd to get another drink. Before we got very far, someone cried out from the top of a picnic table. “Wet t-shirt contest! Winner gets a free dinner for two!”
Kyle tugged on my arm. “You have to enter.”
I glanced at the tables and saw a row of girls, all in similar t-shirts as me. They were a variety of shapes and sizes, but I wasn’t keen on being put on display. “I don’t know—”
“Oh come on, please. You’re just too damn sexy not to.” Kyle nuzzled into my neck sending shivers down my shoulders. “Then after we can take this party back to my place, if you know what I mean.”
“Ugh, fine.” I squealed, covering my face in embarrassment as I worked my way to the front of the crowd. When I climbed up on the table a bunch of people I knew cheered. I wasn’t the only local up there—but I definitely had the biggest breasts. I took my place at the end of the picnic table and noticed that Gavin was nearby. He was still frowning.
As the guy in charge dumped water on us, each girl screamed. When it was my turn, I saw why. The water was ice cold. It poured down my dark dreads, onto the front of my shirt. I could feel my nipples instantly contract under the thin white cotton. Thankfully I’d left my bra on.
The crowd cheered loudest when it was my turn, making me the winner. Before the guy came back with my prize, my cohorts had all jumped off the picnic table, leaving me alone at the end. Before I could process what was happening, I felt the table start to tip.
“Whoa!” Gavin said, running toward me with his arms out. I landed awkwardly in his care, my arms flailing, almost hitting him in the face. I wrapped my arms around him, as he set me on the ground, getting me back on my feet.
“Thank God you were there,” I said, hugging him.
