Eric opened the door, trying not to laugh as Victoria dragged herself through the front entrance of the inn and over to the elevator.
She pushed the button. “I amnottaking the stairs.”
“I’d say you’ve earned a free ride.”
The Team had celebrated Taylor and Lexi’s upcoming wedding and Vic’s successful first day of climbing with dinner and drinks at Knockers. His city girl had climbed to the top of the wall not once butthreetimes, the third time successfully managing a 5.6 route without coaching. Now, she was paying for it.
He’d given her an ibuprofen from the first aid kit in his truck, but it hadn’t yet taken effect. “You should take advantage of that huge tub for a hot soak tonight, maybe pour in some Epsom salts.”
“Mmm. God, that sounds perfect.”
As soon as they entered her suite, she walked to the sofa and flopped onto the cushions. “That’s it. I’m dead.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “You can’t die yet.”
“I can’t?”
“We have to finish the video. Tomorrow night is Central City.”
“Oh, yeah.” She sat up, got to her feet, and shuffled over to the table, still looking beautiful. “What kind of music would you like for the soundtrack?”
“Hey, the soundtrack isyouridea. Couldn’t we just plug in some of Taylor and Lexi’s favorite songs?” He thought about that for a second. “Scratch that. Taylor likes country.”
No waywas he putting a country soundtrack to the only video he’d ever make.
She sat, opened his browser, and went to a site she obviously knew well. “They’ve got lots of stuff here.”
They spent the next half hour sampling musical compositions, narrowing their choices down to two.
“I think this one will be easier to work with. Plus, it’s got that emotional swell there toward the end. We can loop the beginning and put that during that last part of your mother’s interview that always makes me cry.”
“Let’s do it.”
She bought the music, downloaded it, and then started editing it, a process that seemed to take a fair amount of concentration, her brow knitted, her gaze fixed on the screen. Though Eric knew heshouldbe paying attention to what she was doing, perhaps even making suggestions, he couldn’t take his gaze off her face.
Did she have any idea how beautiful she was, how smart, how fun? How could she still be single? What was wrong with those big city men?
He’d watched her take on new challenges every day she’d been here, doing things she’d never done before, things that were completely outside her experience. She’d succeeded every time, surprising herself and earning everyone’s respect.
Then there was the way she cared about people, especially those who were vulnerable. He’d seen her slip Rain another twenty for Bear tonight when she’d thought no one was looking. If she’d been a bitch to Bear, it wouldn’t have mattered to Eric how beautiful she was. He wouldn’t have been able to stand her.
So, yeah, it was safe to say that his attempt to put distance between the two of them was failing big time. He was aware of this—so aware, in fact, that he’d stopped by the county clinic to get tested for STIs and bought a fresh box of condoms. There were two in the aluminum carrying case in his wallet—and ten more in his first aid kit. Not that he was planning anything, but if events headed in that direction again, he didn’t want to be left holding his dick in his hand.
“Okay, I think this will—”
Over on the coffee table, her cell phone buzzed, making her jump, irritation chasing away the fear that shot across her features.
She got to her feet.
Eric was really starting to hate her boss. “Ignore it.”
“I can’t.” She retrieved her phone, checked the message. “The guy who’s supposed to be covering for me is in over his head, and Abigail told me she’d give the project to someone else if I couldn’t multi-task a little while on vacation. Those were her words exactly.”
Fuck that.
“You didn’t ask me, I know, but life is too short to put up with that bullshit. Unless you love what you’re doing—and I know you don’t—you need to quit and find a job you enjoy and a boss who respects you.”
She tapped out a quick reply, then walked back to the table, cell phone in hand. “That’s a nice thought, but what would I do?”