Chapter 3
The spa was incredible.
As dismayed as Willow was at it all being so empty, she had to admit it was kind of nice being the only one enjoying it. She had exclusive access to the tubs and massage therapists.
It was nearing noon, and she'd already had a personal yoga instructor, a massage, a face mask and manicure, and was settling into a hot tub. The employees had so far been disgustingly nice.
She couldn't decide if it was because of the small-town personality type, or if they were treating her well because of her review, but it was a little creepy. It felt wrong, like drinking from a cup and it tasting sweet but not knowing what it was.
The hot baths overlooked the lake and an untouched view of the mountain range. Snow still covered most of the mountains in the distance, even though it was melted off the nearest peaks.
Willow swirled around in the water, her mind looking for anything to focus on.
Were there any flaws?
Not that she could see.
Everything was impeccably clean and in order. Her every need was attended to, and she could see that many would enjoy a stay there.
She let her mind wander away from the spa.
The local news site didn't yield much of interest. She was able to read most of the stories of the month within a couple hours before she got bored of that as well.
A missing persons case had opened within the last couple days, but they made it sound like a normal thing. Looking at the vast mountain range she could see why. It looked far too easy to get lost out there.
The rest of the news was on births, moving, businesses opening for the spring, some never opening again. Even some gossip on a casino that was twenty minutes outside of the town.
Someone had posted an article about their outrage at a local raccoon trashing their alley, and the fact that it even made the local news made her laugh. It was every bit the tiny and boring town she expected.
Climbing out and feeling hungry, she wrapped herself in a robe and made her way out of the spa.
The resort was mostly empty, so she wasn't too embarrassed to walk around mostly naked. She had a bikini on under the robe, small and black, but she still felt like she was mostly naked. It was a fun and cheeky feeling, and she found herself running through the halls and up the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
As boring as the small town seemed.
As ordinary as the resort felt.
Something was so right about this place.
Something was exhilarating and freeing, and she hated that she didn't know why. She felt like she could get into mischief or get away with acting how she wouldn't regularly, and she almost wanted to try.
Almost.
Her hair started tumbling out of the towel she wrapped around her head, and she pulled the towel tighter, almost giggling. Willow wasn't sure why she felt so good, why she had all of this energy, but she wanted to enjoy herself. She turned a corner tightly, her feet thudding away wildly under her, and slammed face-first into a chest of muscle.
"Ah!" She slipped backward and fell right onto her back, her bottom immediately smarting from the slap against the ground. "Ah, ow," she groaned, rubbing her back and wondering how badly she was going to bruise from it. A hand came down to her, and she took it graciously.
"Here," the mountain of muscle offered, leaning down to help her up off the ground.
"Thanks," Willow murmured, wincing as she stood.
She took a deep breath in, trying to collect herself, and something about the air felt good. How could air feel good? Willow rubbed her neck and looked up at the man ahead of her.
He was god damned good looking.
The stranger was in a tight button-down shirt with "The Grand West" across his whole chest in teal. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal thick and strong arms, the ones that were just holding her a second ago.
"Hi, I'm sorry," she said, looking up at this face. His eyes were the brightest blue she'd ever seen. His dark hair, long on the top and swept back and short on the sides, amped this up more. His cheekbones and chin looked like they were carved out of marble, and she wanted to run her fingers against the stubble on his jawline.
Oh, that stubble…
She couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like against her skin.
"It's all right, are you okay?" he asked, bringing her back to reality with his gravelly, deep voice.
God.
Something about this man was electric, as if every single atom that built him up hoarded some kind of magic to make her want him. She wanted to pull him against her and breathe him in, she wanted to taste his skin and…no, no, she needed to stop those thoughts right there.
"I'm okay," she agreed. "Willow," she offered her hand.
"I'm Carter," he replied, shaking it. "Your robe has fallen open," he added, just now pulling his blue eyes off her.
"Oh, god…sorry!" Willow felt her face burn bright red as she pulled it closed. She couldn't imagine him knowing what she was thinking of while she was half naked in front of him.
"Are you the reviewer?" he asked, the first person who had actually asked.
"I am," she replied, wanting him to talk more, but not sure how to make that happen.
"They're all in a fuss about you. How are you liking the stay?" he asked, leaning against the wall.
"It's been very nice. Everyone's been super friendly," she said honestly, not wanting to mention how creepy most people's friendliness had been so far. His felt genuine. The high energy she'd felt running up through the resort was still there, and it made her want to take a risk. "I'd honestly like to see more than just the resort," she added, seeing an opportunity.
"Hmm?" he seemed actually surprised.
"Would you like to show a stray tourist around West Valley?" she asked, being more straightforward.
"That's not really part of my job," he was smiling now. Smiling! His left cheek dimpled a little, and she cherished it for the moment it sat there.
"It doesn't have to be work related," she said, smiling back.
She never did this.
Never.
The last time she'd asked a man out instead of waiting for him to ask her, she'd been in high school. That was ten years ago, and now she was feeling young again. Something about this man – about Carter, she reminded herself – was just so right. She wanted him to stay as close to her as possible; she didn't want to risk anyone else snatching him up.
She felt like he belonged beside her.
"Mm, I'm pretty busy," he said. His face faltered and then dropped. "I have a huge work load lately. I can't really take off," he added.
She felt her stomach turn in disappointment. She didn't want to miss her chance. After how right everything had felt here, she was sure it had to do with him somehow.
He felt right.
He looked amazing.
She wanted to just drag him out to a restaurant or a bar right then, wanted to get to know him and get to know why she was so drawn to him.
"I'm sure you can get at least one day off," she said softly, leaning against the wall with him. "I promise I don't bite," she added. She wasn't sure what she was doing, but she wanted to keep going with it. Wanted to hope he'd go for it.
"I'm sorry, maybe some other time," he said, letting her down softly. "You're very pretty," he added, his face shifting for a second like he didn't plan on saying that. "I have to get to work," he finished, looking down at his watch as though he had just realized it existed.
"Okay, catch you later," she replied, sighing as she watched him jog around the corner she just came from.