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IVY
“Two gin and tonics? Use the good stuff. I don’t have time for a hangover in the morning.”
Jacob knocks his knuckles on the bar top to get the bartender’s attention. No please or thank you. This guy seems like a real winner. It takes a few minutes before our drinks are placed on the bar.
“What brings a hottie like you to the middle of nowhere?” Jacob takes a sip of his drink, waiting for my response.
It takes a moment before I even register he’s speaking to me. “I’m here for work.”
He’d never believe me if I told him I’m a makeup artist on his movie. I hardly believe it myself.
“Isn’t everyone? Why else would anyone be on this goddamn mountain freezing their balls off?” He wraps his arm around the back of my chair, scooting it closer towards him. “You know what makes the cold more bearable? Waking up next to a warm body. Don’t you agree?”
My cheeks are pink with embarrassment. Did he just proposition me? I may not have much experience with men, but I don’t care who he is. I’m not jumping into bed with someone I just met.
“I wouldn’t know anything about that. If you’ll excuse me, I have to be up early in the morning.”
I push back from the bar, attempting to make a quick escape, but Jacob has quick reflexes.
His hand shoots out and grips my arm tightly. “Wait a minute. I thought we were going to have a drink. You ran into me, after all.”
I attempt to pull my arm free, but he just tightens his hold. “That was an accident. Besides, you practically dragged me here to have a drink with you, not the other way around.”
I look around, hoping to find someone to help, when I lock eyes with Ford. He’s the last person I want to see in this situation, but judging by the look he’s giving Jacob, he is the perfect person to help me.
“Please let me go,” I say a little louder than necessary.
“You are going to sit your pretty little ass here and enjoy a drink with me. I like a girl who’s a little feisty, but I don’t take no for an answer.”
My mouth opens to respond, but I hear a deep growl over my shoulder. “If you want to keep that hand attached to your body, I suggest you let the lady go.”
“It seems you’ve lost your way, old man. The senior center is at the bottom of the mountain.” Jacob gives a hard tug on my arm, and I tumble into his lap.
“Let me go,” I whisper, not wanting to bring any more attention to the three of us.
“You heard the lady, Taylor. Let her go. Or are you into assault these days?” Ford reaches past me, grabbing the drink off the bar top and throwing it back in one gulp.
Jacob immediately stands, sending me tumbling to the floor. “What the fuck is your problem, Ford? Can’t you see we’re busy?”
“Busy doing what? Forcing yourself on her, or trying to get her to drink something you probably drugged?”
I gasp in surprise from my seat on the floor as Ford reaches his hand down to help me stand.
“Lucky for you, I outweigh her by a hundred pounds. If you put something in her drink, it won’t affect me. Next time I catch you pulling shit like this, you’ll be dealing with the police.”
Without sparing Jacob a backwards glance, Ford drags me toward the exit of the restaurant. Humiliation is the only thing preventing me from looking back.
Not only am I going to be working with these people starting tomorrow morning, but Andi’s father owns this lodge. I embarrassed myself and most likely caused problems for both of them.
I come to my senses and free my hand gripped tightly in Ford’s. I ignore the sparks shooting up my arm from his touch. He mumbles something to himself, but I don’t quite hear it.
I need to fix this, and quickly.
“I’m sorry Mr. Harmon. I didn’t mean to cause you this much trouble.”
He stops dead in his tracks, and I notice we’re standing in front of the elevator. No doubt he’s taking me right to Nolan.
“Please, Mr. Harmon. I ran into him earlier when I left the restaurant. I was going to buy a drink for him as an apology. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. I’ll stay out of your way as much as possible. Please, I really need this job.”
