Free Secret Gifts (Steamy Version) by Elena Aitken Page B

shouldn’t.
    “Hi,” the guy said. “Good morning, Mr.—“
    “Call me Gage.”
    “Okay.” The guy glanced around at his friends. “What can I help you with this morning? You’re not lost, are you? This is the staff quarters and—“
    Gage laughed. “Seriously, I know. I’m looking for someone.”
    “Oh.” The girl who’d giggled spoke up. “Are you looking for Lisa? She has a day off today, so she’s—“
    Gage tried not to shudder at what Lisa had likely told her friends about them. Especially after he’d shut down her advances the night before. He’d been angry. At his sister, at Megan, and mostly at his life, and he’d definitely been in a mindset to make stupid decisions. Lisa had been in the right place at the right time but at least he’d been smart enough not to make a stupid decision.
    He made sure his emotions didn’t show—he was an actor, after all—and smiled at the girl. “I’m sure I’ll see Lisa later. But right now I’m actually looking for Bo.”
    “Bo doesn’t live here, man,” the blond man said. “He and Morgan live in the caretaker’s house.”
    “Where’s that?”
    “Just down that path.” Gage looked to where he was pointing. “But you won’t find him there now. He was heading out for an expedition trek with a group. He’ll be back tomorrow, I think. Is there anything you need? Maybe I can help.”
    Disappointed, Gage kicked at the ground a moment. “No,” he said. “I was just looking for something to do today.”
    “Maybe I can help you with that.”
    Gage spun around at Lisa’s voice. How she’d heard he was there, he had no idea, and while he definitely wasn’t seeking her out, maybe she could be a distraction.
    “I have the day off,” she said. “And I know some fun things to do around here. As long as your…what did you call her again? Yes, your babysitter,” she said the word with a grin that Gage recognized as trouble, “won’t mind.”
    Megan’s face flashed through his mind. Yesterday, there was nothing more he’d like than to spend another day with Megan; hell, even after this morning in the kitchen. Oh yes, he’d like to spend a lot more time with her. But that had been a mistake. He couldn’t even say why he’d done it, except seeing her in the kitchen, talking about his career as if she gave a damn, turned him on and he couldn’t stop himself. He’d needed to touch her.
    But it wasn’t real. Megan only cared because her career was on the line. It would serve her right if she couldn’t find him for a bit. After all, hadn’t she just been talking with her agency about what a train wreck he was? It might be good to give her something to worry about for a little while.
    “You know what?” He reached out and ran a finger down Lisa’s arm, causing her face to light up in expectation. “I think that sounds like a great idea. Where are we headed?”
    Lisa glanced at her friends and grinned before looping her arm through Gage’s. She led him away, headed towards the forest, and yet another trail. “It’s a surprise,” she said. “But I think you’re going to like it.”
    After a quick stop in the kitchen to grab water bottles and snacks from the head chef, Bruno, Lisa took them on a trail that led away from the main pathways, and after only a few minutes became even less traveled. Gage wasn’t used to hiking, let alone on a rocky path with roots sticking up and he tripped a few times, catching himself before falling on his face. Lisa laughed every time, and after the third time, it started to irritate him.
    “You know,” he said to her back as they hiked up. “I’m not used to this type of thing, but I’m glad you find it so funny.”
    She stopped, and he almost smacked into her since he was looking down. “I’m sorry,” she said. He scanned her face, and decided her apology was genuine. “I’ve been up here so long, I sometimes forget not everyone gets to hike as much as I do.”
    He shrugged. “It’s okay,