Levi said he’d be around late, but Emily searched the offices and couldn’t find him anywhere.

Employees worked hard at Club Tahoe, something Emily could appreciate. As long as she was moving and pushing her career forward, she didn’t feel so alone. Working late came with the territory, but it seemed most of the executive employees at Club Tahoe were gone by five or five thirty.

How healthy of them.

The sun had set hours ago, and Esther was the only one still here. She pulled her Coach purse on her shoulder and tucked in her desk chair, preparing to leave.

“Have you seen Mr. Cade?” Emily asked.

He’d told her to call him Levi, but Emily couldn’t do it in mixed company. Not yet, anyway. She’d like to continue calling him Mr. Cade in person as well, to keep things from getting too personal. He had no idea the thoughts that filled her mind when she was around him.

“Oh, honey,” Esther said, “he’s probably down by the dock. That’s where he goes when… Well, you’ll figure it out. I can’t say he’ll be much use to you down there, but you can try.”

Emily had told Levi she’d give him an update. He wanted to know what she’d managed to arrange. She’d make a quick stop at the dock then head home. “Thank you, Esther. Have a good night.”

Emily returned to her office and grabbed her things for the evening. She headed out through the grand lobby that never failed to steal her breath. Velvet couches adorned with silk throw pillows and worn leather ottomans strategically placed filled nearly five thousand square feet of lobby and lounge area. Club Tahoe offered a luxury lodge-like retreat for its guests, with dark, knotty wood and stone accents on the walls, and crystal and wrought-iron chandeliers on the ceilings.

At the back of the lobby, Emily passed through the massive stone arch and crossed the bridge over the indoor lazy river that guests floated on during the day. In the evenings, they gathered to roast s’mores on the center island in campfire-like fire pits. To the left of the lazy river were high-end shops and restaurants that ran along the lower level of the hotel’s building, and on the right was the stunning Timber Casino.

Emily passed the pool area and headed to the beach and across the sand, her heels sinking with each step. She reached the dock that rested on one of South Lake Tahoe’s most active exclusive beaches.

Only it wasn’t very active tonight.

It was dark, the sky filled with milky stars, and there was a light nip in the air. A few guests lingered on the beach, but most filled the restaurants or busily thrust money down slot machines and tossed chips at the gaming tables.

Emily scanned the people outside, but none of them fit Levi’s imposing height and build.

She checked her phone. Almost eight. She couldn’t imagine what he did out here this late, but Esther said he’d be here.

Emily pulled up a new text to message him, and that was when she caught sight of a broad back in a crisp white shirt out of the corner of her eye.

The end of the dock was nearly invisible. But the white dress shirt Levi wore today stood out in the shadows, his back to her just as it had been earlier when he’d stared out the window of his office. His elbows jutted out, hands on his narrow hips. He appeared to be commanding the lake. And maybe he was.

Levi Cade could do anything: lead men, take down fires…break hearts.

For a moment, Emily considered turning around and walking back. He was by himself, and it seemed he wanted it that way. And then something occurred to her. Maybe he came out here because he was lonely.

When Emily felt alone growing up, missing her mom and the father she barely knew or feeling isolated and awkward around her peers, she’d make her way to the lake and sit on a jetty. Staring out at the water made her feel connected somehow—as though it were life itself, a part of everyone in some way. She’d imagine others silently pouring out their hopes and dreams to the lake the way she did.

Was that what Levi was doing?

Her feet were moving before she’d commanded them to. She took a deep breath as she neared, and sensed a subtle shift in Levi’s posture. Her heels weren’t exactly silent on the dock’s wooden boards.

“Levi?” No one was around, and he’d told her to call him by his given name.

He turned, his expression a mask. No pain, loneliness, or anger filled his face. Nothing to give away his feelings. Was this the wall her sister had mentioned?

Emily wished Lisa hadn’t brought up some wall Levi had built around himself, because now she couldn’t stop thinking about it. And why it was there.

She reached for her tablet and pulled up a screen of notes. “I made good progress this afternoon. With our short timeline, I thought it best to keep you informed.”

He looked back at the water, his shoulders sinking as though weighed down by the pressure of invisible hands. “Go ahead.”

She blinked. For a man running one of the most esteemed resorts in the area, he seemed…resigned. “I’ve updated the number of guests based on your information and informed the hospitality team. The gift baskets will be ready for the larger crowd, as well as extra spa personnel. I also confirmed with Shin Electronics that they would like a morning reserved on the golf course. Wes is working his end with the groundskeeper to make sure the greens are perfect, and that they have enough caddies for every golfer.” Levi hadn’t moved or acknowledged her comments one way or the other. For some reason, she desperately wanted to make things easier for him. “Let’s see—oh, and I also followed up with Bran about catering. He said you spoke to him, but he sounds a bit…”

Levi looked over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth tilting up humorlessly. “He’s stressed as fuck.”

“Uh, yes.” Emily hid a smile as she stared at her device. “That. So…”

Levi sighed. “Bring in catering for the first night—the cocktail meet-and-greet. The best you can find in town. We’ll supply the alcohol; the wine tasting you suggested. Bran will have to deal with catering for the rest of the week.”

Emily stepped closer so she wasn’t directly behind him anymore and could see the side of his face. “He’s planning the Sunday brunch menu for the mornings.”

Levi nodded.

“The rest of the meals he and I are still working on, but I’m confident we’ll come up with something that will impress them.”

“Good.”

Levi looked longingly at the lake.

There it was again. The sense that he’d like to be anywhere but here. Emily’s chest grew heavy. He wasn’t interested in talking to her.

Just because she was obsessed with work didn’t mean everyone else had to stay up until all hours obsessing over it too. His distance tonight might have nothing to do with her—but Emily knew better. She’d never held the attention of Levi Cade. “The rest can wait until tomorrow.” She tucked her tablet back in her bag and turned to leave.

“Emily.”

She glanced back.

“Thank you.” His voice was deep, sincere.

The small acknowledgment eased the weight in her chest. “My pleasure.”

He nodded.

Emily smiled to herself as she continued up the dock. She could do this. Be there for Levi. Help him with something that didn’t come naturally to him. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t. If any man could run this place, it was Levi. He was strong and intelligent. And if his heart wasn’t in it, maybe Emily could help him with that too. She might not have glittering beauty or charisma, but she had enough passion for business for the both of them.

Her shoes clacked on the wooden planks as she made her way to the end of the dock and stepped onto the sand. And then she heard a large splash.

Emily swung around, but Levi was no longer standing on the edge of the dock.

For a moment, her heart raced. Was he in trouble?

What was she thinking? He was an ex-fireman. Levi Cade saved lives. And then she saw his white dress shirt on the bench he’d been standing near, along with his shoes. She looked out at the water and caught sight of long, muscular arms cutting across the obsidian.

Lake Tahoe was gorgeous and pleasant on a hot day, but the water was by no means warm. That didn’t stop Levi from making steady progress toward the center of the lake, which could be as far as ten miles—twenty to the other side. But no sooner did she wonder how far he planned to go when he stopped and floated on his back, looking up at the sky.

Emily slowly turned around and continued walking.

Levi Cade was a complicated man. And he wanted to be alone. She’d help him, then she’d move on.

Lisa was wrong if she thought Emily could break down Levi’s walls. He was out of her league. Some more attractive, charming woman would unlock the door to his heart. Not that Lisa had mentioned anything about getting through to Levi’s heart, but that was what it would take, wouldn’t it? He wasn’t the type of man who opened up to just anyone. And he had four brothers; he didn’t need another friend.

Emily held her head high as she made her way out of the lobby and past the guests entering the hotel. She walked to one of the farther parking lots and unlocked her small hybrid, throwing her bag inside and sinking into the driver’s seat.

She gripped the steering wheel and a shiver racked her body. Then another. Even if she wasn’t the woman to break down Levi’s walls and make him fall in love with her, nothing had changed in the four years since she’d been away.

Because she still wanted to be that woman.