Page 7 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

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I notice him slip into the back row just before the procession starts.

My mouth goes dry.

Carter is mesmerizing in his charcoal suit and black tie. I’d say that’s because he’s the only guy here in a fully tailored suit, but it’s more the way he fills out the suit that catches my eye. It’s clearly not something he bought off the rack, clinging to his frame in a way that accentuates his trim physique.

I’m not really the kind of guy who goes for suits. In my experience most guys look uncomfortable in them, like they’re pretending to be an adult. Lumberjack is more my style, or it was before today.

Carter was wearing a suit the other day, or suit pants anyway, so I didn’t get the full effect. With the jacket and tie he looks both graceful and powerful, though the hint of late-day stubble adds a bit of rustic appeal.

I sneak another peek at him just as Maddox passes my row on his walk down the aisle. His expression is blank, his posture stiff, though his eyes look a little less serious today than they did in his office. In fact, they almost look warm, making me wonder what’s going through his mind.

There’s no denying Carter’s mystery is part of his appeal. Maddox seems to like him, but of all the people I know in town he’s the only one to have any regular contact with him. No one knows why hepicked this ski resort to purchase or what his plans are for it, except Maddox and he’s under contract, thus can’t share.

Similarly, no one knows anything personal about him, like what his hobbies are, what foods he likes or whether he has a girlfriend. Or boyfriend. He so rarely leaves his office at the resort that sightings have become a bit of a game, a ‘Where’s Waldo,’ CEO edition.

My attention is drawn forward when the ceremony begins with a laugh—Cade jumps the gun and kisses his groom before the officiant tells him to—which seems fitting based on what I know of the guy. Before long I’m wiping away tears, as I watch them take their vows. If ever there was an underdog to root for its Cade, the guy who once seemed allergic to relationships and felt that made him unworthy to be in one. Fortunately, Maddox didn’t judge him based on his past, and now they’re the perfect couple.

Once the ceremony ends people file out of their chairs and head toward the reception tent. I lose track of Carter in the crowd when I try to wipe away the evidence of my happy tears—I have a soft spot for gay weddings—but my curiosity has me casually meandering through the guests, turning my head from side to side in a lame attempt to catch another glimpse.

After that awkward massage, this might be the last time I see him. I don’t want to miss it.Unfortunately, the man is elusive.

I’m about to give up my search when something pulls my eyes toward the gift table. I look up to find Carter staring in my direction, lips pressed in a firm line, offering no clue to what he’s thinking or feeling. Yet the intensity in his gaze suggests there’s some deep thoughts behind the mask, and I have a sudden desire to discover every one of them.

Get it together, Sloan.

This is still your boss.

Heart pounding, I hold my ground, willing myself not to blink. I don’t know what’s happening, what this little staring contest means, but I’m determined not to be as flustered as I was the other day. And to commit this man to memory in case I never see him again.

Even though I still don’t know what prompted that episode in his office—and likely never will—I don’t have any illusions I caused his predicament despite him saying that’s never happened before. And I have to assume it won’t happen again, mainly because I doubt I’ll be invited back. It’s why I can’t—Iwon’t—look away.

As the seconds tick by and we hold each other’s gaze, my mind registers the need to move, to do something other than stand frozen in place. I lift my head a fraction, the start of a subtle up-nod, just as he drops an envelope on the table and spins toward the exit.Guess I should’ve kept playing statue.

Deflated, I make my way to the outdoor kitchen on the patio for a drink where my brother-in-law Finn and his friends are gathered. I guess they’re my friends too. Most of what we have in common is Finn and my sister though, so maybe friends by proxy is more accurate.

There’s Cade and Maddox, the two who got married today, although they’re off doing groom things instead of throwing back beers. Deacon is Cade’s cousin who moved here shortly before I did, and who has assumed the role of town playboy which was vacated by Cade once he met Maddox and came out as bi.

Dex is the bartender of The Underground, our favorite hangout, which along with Murphy’s is pretty much a second home to our group. He’s a bit older, a bit quieter, but a nice guy overall.

Ryder and Blake are lifelong residents of Katah Vista, and Blake works at the spa with me while Ryder spends part of the year traveling to do snowboard competitions. Like Deacon they both have a penchant for entertaining tourists since there are only about ten singlepeople in the whole town, and either none of them appeal or they have a been there, done that mentality. I’ve never asked for clarification and figure it’s not my business anyway.

“Hey, did you guys see who showed up for the ceremony?” Blake asks the group as I take the beer offered by the bartender.

“You mean the resort’s elusive new CEO?” Finn snorts and shakes his head. “I figured he’d be invited since Maddox works for him, but I never thought he’d grace us with his presence.”

I fight to keep from wincing at Finn’s words.

I’m grateful to my sister and her husband for giving me a place to crash while I get settled, but there’s an underlying tension in the air courtesy of Finn’s feelings about his job. Feelings that, while arguably justified since his issue is the amount of much-needed improvements that are stacking up, I now think might be harsh if the exhaustion on Carter’s face the other day is anything to go by.

“Cade seems to like him,” Deacon says.

“Cade likes everyone.” Dex chuckles. “But we are talking about his husband’s boss. Of course, Cade’s gonna like the guy that gave Maddox a job.”

“I still can’t believe Carter actually showed up,” Finn says. “I work at the resort, and this is the first time I’ve seen him in weeks.”

“The resort sponsors me, and I’ve seen him even less,” Ryder says. “You’d think he would at least say hi to the rider he’s bankrolling considering he’s a former skier himself.”

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