and jet black hair stepped in front of her. He was wearing a black suit with a black necktie and didn't look anywhere near as cold as she was.
"Rory?"
"Yes."
"My name's Byron. I'll be your driver as well as your security during your stay in Aspen. It's nice to meet you." The Hollywood-looking guy offered his hand and Rory shook it briefly. She was still in shock and trying to figure out exactly what he meant by security. She was freezing and at that point she wouldn't have cared if he was a serial killer. She got into the warm vehicle, pointing the heater vents directly at her.
"We should be going. I know you're very busy. The hotel concierge has given me your week long schedule," he said as he slid into the driver's seat.
Rory sat back as the car drove off toward the hotel. Security or not, she was glad she had a driver for the next few days. She'd never driven on snow and wasn't about to start now. Security? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don't need a personal body guard… Alex. You're trying to make me fire you, aren't you?"
She finally settled into her suite and ordered up room service, instead of going down to the hotel restaurant. She'd found out from the hotel manager that Byron was on call twenty-four hours a day and readily available if and when she needed to leave the hotel. She was about to sit down and eat the succulent meal in front of her, when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey it's me. How's Aspen? See any hotties yet?"
"Martie, I should've known you set this up."
"What are you talking about?"
Rory sat on the couch, putting her feet up on the coffee table with her grilled chicken salad sitting in her lap. "My male hottie bodyguard, does that ring a bell?"
"Um no, but that's interesting though. Too bad you're a lesbian," Martie laughed.
"Cut the shit and tell me exactly why I have personal security while I'm here," Rory said between bites. "And no one knows I'm a lesbian except for you."
"That closet must get awful lonely," Martie teased. "I didn't make your arrangements, so I have no idea. Maybe Alex didn't want you to be bombarded with media, fans, or whoever else wants to bother you."
"I know what you're saying, but this is a little much. I don't need security. I'm a washed up retired surfer."
"Rory, you're a multi-millionaire and you have people falling at your feet wanting you to sponsor them. It makes sense."
Rory sighed. "He's my driver, so I guess I can pass him off as that."
"Yeah, so anyway tell me what it looks like. Is there snow?"
"Of course there's snow, dipshit. It's a winter wonderland and I'm at a snowboarding event at the top of a mountain, hello! I'm freezing my bloody ass off. It's barely two degrees outside. Oh hey, remind me to thank Alex for putting me up at this beautiful hotel. I have a fully stocked mini-bar and a gorgeous snow covered mountain view from my balcony."
"Sounds great! Now you just need a naked snow bunny to heat up your room."
"Martie, is sex the only thing you ever think about?" Rory chided.
"No, not the only thing."
"Smartass. Anyway, I'm planning on seeing our riders tomorrow."
"Yeah, I know. Stephen said he set everything up so you can meet all of them tomorrow morning. I emailed all of that to you."
"Thanks. I haven't checked me inbox yet. I'm hoping to sneak in a chat with a few other people while I'm here. Mainly, Adler Troy. I really don't want to fork out the money to buy her out of her contract, but she's the damn face of women's snowboarding. She could be the greatest investment I ever make."
"I definitely agree with you. She's at the top of her game and she's easy on the eyes too. Wait until you see her."
Rory huffed. "She's married, Martie. Keep your mind on business and out of the gutter."
"No she's not. I think I read somewhere that she got divorced recently."
"Either way, I'm not here to sleep with her. I just want her using our equipment and I want her name affiliated with my company."
Rory finally got off the
Chelle Bliss, Brenda Rothert