Page 68 of Mountain Boss

It’s not loud, but everyone quiets and turns to look at me.

I keep my eyes away from Cookie.

“We have a delivery coming tomorrow morning at ten,” I tell them. “I need all hands on deck to get it sorted.”

“What’s the delivery?” Fisher asks.

“It shouldn’t take long if everyone pulls their weight. Then, as you know, the next round of guests will be here the day after. So let’s stay on top of everything. Yeah?”

There’s a chorus of mumbles in agreement.

I don’t hear Courtney’s voice in the mix, so I shift my gaze to hers.

“Yes, sir.” Her voice is quiet, but she says it just as everyone else goes quiet again.

Sir. Christ.

I slide my hands into my pockets, hoping the movement will distract from the movement in my fucking pants.

Someone snickers, and I hear a snortedsir.

Courtney’s cheeks flame red.

I push away from the counter, needing to leave.

“Uh, Mr. Black?” Courtney’s voice stops me.

Her tone is full of uncertainty, like she’s trying to think of something to call me other than sir.

But it causes more snickers, because no one calls me Mr. Black.

Call me Sterling, Cookie. Come over here and call me fucking Sterling.

“What is it, Court?” I enunciate her shortened name. It’s still what I want everyone else to call her. And I want to put that perceived professional distance between us.

I plan on obliterating that distance. But the guys need to believe it’s there.

Her cheeks are still pink, possibly pinker. “Can I, um, have a moment?”

A moment?

A year?

A lifetime?

Yes.

“No” is all I give her before walking out the door.

Chapter 50

Courtney

“Sir?”Cook laughs after the door swings shut behind Sterling.

I bring my shoulders up to my ears. “I wouldn’t even know his first name if it weren’t for you guys,” I defend myself. “He never gave me permission to use it.”

Simpson shakes his head. “You don’t need permission, Court. We don’t stand on ceremony out here.”

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