Page 19 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

Over the next thirty minutes I walk him through the original plan, the hiccup with the endangered rodent, and the pros and cons of pursuing that development despite knowing some of the risks up front.

“I follow the need for more visitors to increase revenue, but does it have to be beginner terrain?” He rubs his jaw thoughtfully while studying the map.

“It’s cheaper to put lifts on green runs than black runs.”

“Not if you spend millions just getting approval to do it. What about this right here?” He points to a section that contains intermediate-to-advanced terrain. “Right now, you have to hike to this spot, but it’s some of the best terrain in North America. A bucket-list item for advanced riders. With lift access you could draw in more people for that terrain, but since it’s a fraction of the size of that beginner area you could build one lift instead of six.”

I rub my jaw, running through the numbers in my head.

“That’s still a lot of money to spend on a lift that only appeals to a niche group. I don’t want to overdevelop the area and change the atmosphere of the town, but I’m not sure this section of expert runs will bring in enough visitors to put us in the black.”

“What if you charged a special access fee for that lift to help offset the cost. I bet people would gladly pay for the privilege of not having to hike. They’d get three runs in for every one run they can get currently. I’d take that deal.”

Though I don’t like the idea of different prices for different terrain, I suspect Finn’s right about people being willing to pay extra so they don’t have to spend their time hiking to the slopes they want to ride.

“You don’t think we risk alienating people with tiers of access for different ticket prices?”

“I think that’s actually a way to dissuade riders who aren’t ready for the expert runs, sort of how the need to hike does now. If they don’twant to pay for the upgraded ticket, they’re less likely to get themselves into a spot where we need to rescue them.”

I nod absently. In some ways it’s an elegant solution, a subtle request that riders avoid attempting things above their skill set without telling them no outright.

“We need another environmental study before we can move forward, but since the area is smaller Maddox could probably complete that in a few months. Thanks for your input.” I hold my hand out. Finn hesitates a moment before taking it in a firm, almost challenging grip.

“You want me to keep quiet about this?” His gaze is suspicious. I suppose I’ve earned that, although I’m still leery about throwing out ideas that I’m not in a position to back up.

“I want you to tell your staff you’re helping me develop a long-term plan for the resort. I’d rather not divulge that plan until we have a better idea of what it is, because there’s still a chance this doesn’t work, and I don’t want to tout solutions before they’re real. But the employees should know my plans are intended to benefit the town, not cater to the tourist dollars.”

Finn’s hard jaw relaxes as his grip loosens. I think that means he’s giving me the benefit of the doubt. Between that and the makings of a solution to my problems, I feel lighter than I have in weeks. Yet I still reach for the phone.

***

I hang up with Maddox as Sloan pushes open the door, wringing his hands together as his eyes dart back and forth. He stills when his gaze settles on the massage table folded in the corner, cheeks flushing.

“Sorry about that.” He makes a beeline for it, dragging it to the center of the room even before he’s removed the backpack. “I um… I’m not usually so forgetful.”He’s cute when he’s flustered. It takes every ounce of strength not to crack a smile.

“Let me help.” I grab the stack of sheets and towels from the chair by my desk as I round it, coming to a stop across the table from him.

“I forgot I left those too.” Long lashes hide his eyes, which are focused downward. I hate that I’m making him uncomfortable, but this bashful side is adorable.

“Unless you have other clients you see outside the spa, you can keep the table here. It doesn’t make much sense to cart it back and forth all the time.” I drape the sheet over the firm cushion the way I’ve seen him do several times before.

“Thanks.” He seems to snap back to the present, taking the backpack off his shoulders. “Why don’t you change while I finish setting up.”

I retreat to the bathroom and strip off my suit, emerging in just the towel. Sloan watches me carefully as I cross the room.

“You’re moving better than you were the other day.”

“I took your advice and talked to Finn.” I slip under the sheet and hand him the towel I no longer need. “It was productive.”

“Does that mean you’ve found a solution?”

As usual, my breath hitches the moment he makes contact with my skin. “It’s too soon to say that, but we have a revised plan.”

“Must be promising. You’re not nearly as tight as you have been the past few weeks.” His hands pass over my back with gentle strokes, not the firm, kneading motion he typically uses. It’s sosoft, so tender, it’s almost like he’s indulging himself instead of fixing me. I don’t mind. Absent the tension I’ve been feeling, there’s no need for him to be aggressive.

Strange that talking to Finn brought just as much relief as Sloan’s massages typically do. How did he even know to suggest that? Is it because they’re related, or because he’s that perceptive? I’m tempted to think it’s the latter, which makes him that much more intriguing. He pegged the situation from the outside better than I did from the inside, and he wasn’t afraid to tell me that. How could I not be intrigued? How could I not want to spend more time with someone that observant?

As his hands wander gently over my body, I feel a tinge of guilt for calling him up here. I didn’t need Sloan to find relaxation, I just didn’t know how else to see him. To tell him that I followed his advice and feel better than I have in months.

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