And I’llneverwalk away from what I love.
So, this is the mountain I will literally die on one day. Most likely alone. How sad is that?
Grace looks over at Oscar and I can see her swallow hard. “Okay. Deal.”
It takes me a second to hop back onto whatever train wreck we’re on. Oh, right, she’s going to never come back once this is over.
I’ll make sure she has the time of her life while she’s here though. Hopefully she’ll always remember Dean Morgan as the man who worshipped the ground she walked on.
Desperate to show her I’m not a cold-hearted piece of shit, I run my hand around the back of her neck and kiss her forehead. Then I tug her hair and kiss her again.
I’m not good at saying I’m sorry, but I try. “I’m bad at being vulnerable.”
The chill between us remains. I deserve it.
Maybe business talk will help thaw the ice we’re packing around us? “What kind of sponsorships do you have in mind?”
Grace gulps and stares at me. I have no clue what’s running through her head. I wish I knew herbetter. I wish she knewmebetter. I wish I could turn back time and have a do over with her because this sucks, and it’s all my fault.
“Umm.” Grace blinks, clears her throat, and turns into the woman I first met, with her sassy, classy, badassy attitude. “Beard oils are the obvious choice. Tools and outdoor equipment would work. Outdoor clothing is a definite possibility. I have some companies in mind, but your following isn’t big enough for them yet.”
Ouch. “What am I big enough for?”
She crosses her arms at the same time her gaze drops to my crotch. It lingers for a few seconds before she glances over at Oscar. “Pet supplies might work too.”
I don’t really see her vision. No one’s going to give me a snowmobile to flaunt on my page, or a set of wrenches to show off. It’s not my style. I’ve been thirst trapping this whole time, not making high-quality review videos on products. Besides, no one’s going to care about what I put in my beard.
“I’m struggling to make the connection to my audience with any of this.” She probably thinks I’m a fucking idiot for not getting it. “How will beard oil help? My audience is mostly women.”
“Every woman knows someone with a beard, Dean. And they do most of the shopping. Besides, you have quite a few followers who are men. Don’t sell your sex appeal short.”
I cock my eyebrow at her. “You think I have sex appeal?”
“Ugh. Youknowyou’re sexy.” She playfully pushes me back, and the icy mood around us melts a little. Thank fuck.
I tease her by running my hand through my beard. “I’m not sure beard oils are the way to go. Besides, I’ve got a way better conditioner on it now.”
Grace’s eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Oh my god!” She pushes me harder this time and I stumble back, chuckling. “That’s just…” She shakes her head, giggling.
“Just the facts, sugar.” My smile feels good on my face. “You gushed and my beard soaked it up.”
“Never say that again.” Grace peels off her coat as if the mere reminder of me eating her pussy has her hot. “Okay, beard oils and other grooming products are a must.” She paces back and forth. Oscar lifts her head, watching her closely. She’s not the only one. Business Grace is just as sexy as Screaming-Through-Her-Orgasm Grace. It’s a hell of an honor to have a woman this smart, sexy, and sweet all to myself up here.
I lick my lips, desperate to take her home right now.
“I can make a call to this company in Switzerland that sells—”
“Sindra’s Soap Shop,” I say, cutting her off.
“What?”
“There’s a shop in town that uses all natural ingredients. Woman-owned. Local. She’s got three kids to feed, and her family’s been here as long as mine. If we do beard oil videos, I want it to be with her products.”
Grace slows her pace. “She’s not the level I want you at, Dean.”
“When you climb a mountain, you always start at the bottom, Grace.” I lean against the door and cross my arms. “She needs to pay her bills too. Lots of folksaround here are going through tough times. The resorts in the next town took most of the tourists so we’re suffering. If I can make a difference in her life, I’d like to try.”
Her gaze softens. “Okay… Yeah, okay. We can make that happen.”
