5. Lexi

My nails thrum against the desk in the large bedroom at the Dizzy Duck. Most definitely, I'm going to refurbish this. I've surveyed the inn to see what pieces of furniture we could keep and revamp with a new look. I'm really going to bring in the elements of history from around Lake Spark and tie it into a mix of farmhouse and cabin feel, using whites and painted wood to keep it bright. There is a park nearby, literally called Pioneer Park.

But my fingers change their beat because of a lightbulb moment of finalizing my plan forward. Instead of celebrating, I have irritation. With certainty, Holden is now adding me to his flavor-of-the-month list, or at least, that's what it feels like. Every word that slides off his tongue is a torturous taunt where it feels as though he has the upper hand.

It's fun, sure. Doesn't mean I want to give him a piece of my mind any less.

I breathe to myself, trying to inhale a relaxing breath as I straighten my shoulders, before I glance at my phone lying on the desk to see the time. It's nearly two, which means it's time for a break.

Leaving the room, I walk down the hall then the stairs to find myself in the lobby, but instead of heading to the table that offers refreshments for guests at all times, my feet plant down, unable to move. I tip my head back to get a glance of the office near the hall and the private party room, I guess because I'm subconsciously thinking of what to do with the fact that the door is ajar, and it's Holden's office.

Oh, fuck it.

I charge in his direction with my heels clicking against the wood. Storming into his office, I close the door behind me without a thought. My abrupt entrance catches him off guard as he glances up from his laptop, with lines creased on his forehead.

Pointing my finger at him, I stop due to the desk being a barrier. "So what? I watched you undress and head to the shower. I am sure it would happen if you used the sauna in the spa here too. No big deal."

Amusement gleams on his face, a fine line stretching on his lips. Ugh, why must he have a little rough stubble today?

No, Lexi, I will not be distracted. I'm confident.

He holds a finger up as he leans back in his chair, relaxed as can be. "One, Lexi, a towel is a necessity in the sauna here at our spa, it's optional if you use it to cover yourself or sit on. And two, you know it's not exactly not a big deal. You've seen the goods, and it's quite the opposite, it's a large deal."

My lips part open, entertained by the repartee being tossed around between us. "Holden, I only saw your immaculate ass, so the size of your dick is still a guess."

Holden licks his lips as he chortles. "Are we really going to go back and forth about this?"

I bring my hand to my hip. "No. I just find it interesting that you didn't tell me yesterday that you knew I saw you."

His hands come behind his head and his chest stretches, which has an added benefit since his button-down is fitted, so I see a few outlines of his muscles. "It's more fun to catch you off balance."

"I'm sure. Let's just keep everything aboveboard, shall we? I have your hotel to decorate."

Holden stands, completely unfazed by my request, as he bypasses me and heads straight to his coat rack, and my eyes follow him. I'm intrigued by what he's up to now.

He swings his coat off the hook then slips it on. "Sure. Anyhow, I need your help if you don't mind. I need to take Harry to get his supplies for his science project, and Lori needs to get to the ice rink for her figure skating lesson. Would you be a doll and help me?"

"I'm not a child carer," I reiterate for the thousandth time, my tone flat.

Holden has a droll smile. "So you've said. But please, can you help get Lori to her lesson?"

I blink a few times. "What does this entail?"

"Pick her up from school, listen to pre-teen angst for ten minutes, then drop her off at the ice rink. I'll pick her up later," Holden explains as he steps slowly in my direction.

I have a weakness for helping people in a crisis, and in a flash, I remember the disaster of his morning routine with his kids. Maybe it's pity. "Fine." I don't sound enthused, but I am agreeable.

Holden reaches with his fingers to touch my arms, sending a buzz throughout my insides, especially when I notice his eyes dip low to my body then jump right back up. "Thank you."

I roll my eyes but then nearly laugh to myself that he keeps wrapping me around his finger. But this time, it's me invading his space, reaching out to his open coat. I pull on the fabric to catch the start of the zipper. His eyes become glued to my fingers that are maneuvering his zipper. Slowly, tooth by tooth, I drag the zipper up as our eyes meet. I do my best to give him a sultry look because I know it drives him crazy.

The sound of the zip stops when I reach the end of the line, and I bring my palms to his chest. I smooth out the fabric, pretending I'm sweeping off some lint, then pat near his shoulders. "I would hate for you to get cold." I pretend to pout with concern.

Holden purses out a breath, fully invested in our tit-for-tat. He caught me off guard with his knowledge of what I saw, and now I'm causing his pulse to pick up a beat because I have the power to weaken him purely by a tantalizing touch.

He clears his throat, but his straight-lined lips that have a hint of entertainment returns. "You're so considerate," he comments dryly.

"I know, and that's just me being a completely normal person." A breathy husk comes out of me. "I'm a giver, what can I say?"

Holden clasps the tip of my hair resting on my collarbone, and he rubs the strands between the pads of his fingers. "I'm a taker, so it seems we have a match."

After a brief pause, we both lock our eyes with soft smiles appearing.

Breathe, I remind myself. Everything inside me wants to be touched, and I'm desperate to pull him close to relieve me.

"Thanks again for helping with Lori."

"Sure."

It feels as though neither one of us wants to leave, but the clock keeps going even if you want it to stop.

* * *

Lori slidesonto the front seat of my car, closing the door a little harder than I would prefer. Even though Holden texted her about my limo service, she still looks none too pleased.

"Hey there." I do my best to attempt to start out with a hopefully pleasant conversation, even offer a smile.

Her eyes roll to me as she snaps her seatbelt in with aggression. "He roped you into carpool duty now?"

"No," I answer, as though her question couldn't be further from the truth, even if she's right. "I'm happy to help, and your brother has a science project."

"Because he's a nerd like that. Bet my dad wishes Harry would play hockey."

I turn the engine on, and we get on our way. "But figure skating is pretty cool. I did it myself when I was younger."

"Really?" There almost seems to be a faint sound of interest, but I can't tell.

"Yeah, did it for seven years actually. But I didn't like competitions and somehow lost my interest in skating." I focus on the road.

"So, you're a failure." Lori seems to be happy about my revelation.

And here is why I knew a pleasant conversation wouldn't be happening despite my best efforts.

"Aren't you honest," I say, sarcastic. "I don't think I'm a failure, I just grew up and found other interests. Anyhow, how long have you been skating?"

She begins to play with the buttons on the dashboard for music in the car. "Since I was seven. I think I'm good."

"So modest," I mumble to myself. The sound of pop-country fills the car. "Nice choice in music."

"Tell that to my dad. I've been begging him to use his connections for concert tickets for my birthday."

I shrug. "Sounds like a reasonable request."

Lori rests her head against the seat then throws me a look. "You know, he loses interest easily. Just because you're staying with us, that doesn't mean you're different."

I nod, trying to think of what to say. "Your dad and I aren't like that." Somewhat true. No kiss or further bases have been taken. Fucking via eye contact doesn't count.

I glance quickly to my side to see that Lori is studying me, then she hums a sound. I'm sure she has a theory or opinion; she seems very intuitive for her age.

"You're weird."

My eyes pop out from her forwardness. "Uh, isn't that a good thing?" My voice is uneven from lacking certainty.

"Maybe. You're the one chauffeuring around kids you barely know."

"I've met you before, you just don't remember. Your dad would always show photos of you guys growing up too. It's just been a while since I've seen him. And I'm not a child caretaker." I feel like I need to get a sign to hang around my neck.

"Fair enough. I'm an adult anyhow. I think my dad still tries to have someone care for us because of Harry. He's a bit sensitive."

"Really?" I focus on the turn on the road.

"I don't know, I'm not a therapist," she responds.

I chortle to myself. "We're almost there. Do I need to come in with you?"

"Of course not." Lori looks out the windows to investigate where we are. "How did you know how to get here?"

"My grandparents used to have a lake house here. I'm not new to the area."

A sound escapes her lips. "So you actually know the area and knew us from before. I'll give you points for that. Most women start from zero when they try to grab my dad's attention."

I come to a stop outside of the rink just in time. "Oh, but I'm not—" She's already opened the door with no interest in hearing my defense and grabs her bag from the backseat.

She leans in through the open window. "Thanks for the ride. See you at home. Remind my dad that I need new cucumbers for my eyes, he always forgets. Something tells me that he'll listen to you."

"Why is that?"

"He actually lets you near us. That's rule number one in his book, don't let his friends around his kids."

She walks away, and despite her attitude that needs a strong adjustment, Lori is quite… insightful.

And I'm not sure why a sprinkle of a special feeling forms somewhere within my body.