Chapter 1
Bradford
"Mr. Maloney, sir?"
My executive assistant's voice jars me out of my daze, but my focus on her is fleeting. I'm immediately sucked back into a head-over-heels, cupid's-arrow-hits-a-bullseye, dick-thickening, lovesick, lusty kind of daze, and I cannot concentrate on anything else.
Distractions are rare for me. I pride myself on my focus and determination. I can compartmentalize at a level that makes therapists pant with the need to unpack my damage.
Yet this morning, I’m riveted on the gorgeous, curvy distraction walking back and forth across the lobby of my hotel as she mumbles to herself and scribbles in a small notebook. Her generous hips sway as her heels click against the stone floor. I decide she's here on business, not pleasure, since she's dressed for a day in the office. Her pencil skirt reveals long legs, thick thighs, and a round ass that makes me want to fall to my knees to worship her.
The mystery woman's glasses are perched on her nose as she pauses to type out a message on her phone, and fantasies of playing sexy secretary in my office start on a reel in my brain.
I’ve never been so attracted to another human being in my thirty-three years on this earth.
Get a fucking grip, man.
There is no shortage of beautiful women coming through our massive revolving doors on a daily basis, but I've never seen anyone who can hold a candle to the vision before me.
"Shall I get maintenance to wipe up the puddle of drool at your feet, sir? We wouldn't want any of the guests to slip."
I snap my eyes to Susan, who watches me with a small, amused smirk. Susan is in her mid-sixties and looks like everyone's favorite nana. She assisted my father for years, but when I openedThe Palmer Resort & Spain Festival Valley, Susan put in a transfer and became my right-hand woman. I don't know what I'd do without her. Although I could do without the knowing glance she's giving me right now.
"Can't blame me for looking," I grumble.
My entire focus for the past two years has been on making this resort a success. The ten years before that were spent working my way through every position within my family's hotels. Nestled in the mountains, Festival Valley thrives year-round—snowy slopes and skiing in winter, hiking trails, boating, and swimming in spring and summer, plus festivals and holiday events that light up the fall. The shops and restaurants cater to a high-end clientele, andThe Palmeris only too happy to offer a variety of accommodations to satisfy a range of budgets.
I intend to make this resort the most profitable location in my family's portfolio, and working like a fiend is the only way I know to do that. Dating is so low on my priority list, it's nonexistent.
Besides, a woman like the curvy angel pacing my lobby is the kind you marry.
Holy shit.Where did that come from?
I clear my throat and shake my head. Turning my back on the beauty—who’s now glancing this way—I give Susan my full attention. "I apologize. Now, what are we here for again?"
"We're here to meet the new events director," she reminds me.
I nod, looking around the lobby.
Susan raises her eyebrows slightly and grins as she waves to someone over my shoulder.
Fuck.I close my eyes as I realize exactly who our new Events Director is.
"Hartley Byrnes, this is Mr. Maloney, CEO ofThe Palmer Resort & Spa. Welcome to Festival Valley!"
"Thank you, Susan. Good to see you again."
My new Events Director's strawberry and vanilla scent washes over me. My cock hardens in response, pushing painfully against my zipper. I'm grateful I grabbed my suit jacket on the way down to the lobby and button it quickly to hide my… discomfort. Something tells me HR would not appreciate the comedic timing of theI'm very happy to see yousituation growing hard and fast in my pants.
"Mr. Maloney, it's so nice to meet you. I'm honored to be a part of the team."
Hartley's bright smile dazzles me into stupefied silence. She holds her hand out for me to shake, but if I touch this goddess, I’ll have no choice but to make her mine. And I cannot risk any bad press or a PR incident associated with the hotel.
I shove my hands into my pockets and nod vacantly like she's some regular, nameless woman hired to work, live, and be her perfect sexy self here until she inevitably retires and I never see her again. I grit my teeth, knowing that I’ll have to watch her fall in love with a Festival Valley man or a wealthy guest. She is stunning after all, and I can't be the only one to notice.
Nausea creeps into my gut as I imagine her belly round with another man’s baby. I want to Hulk out in the lobby, smash everything to bits, and carry her off to a cave somewhere.
Too late, I realize I'm staring at her. She must have said something.
