Axe’s Fall(62)

She ate quickly and scampered out of the shop just as Axe’s uncle was shown to a table. Was it a coincidence he was at the restaurant? She hardly thought so. She was grateful Puck was there. It was amazing how much more confident she was with her massive bodyguard watching her back.

* * *

A sky-blue linen sheath was the only dress she had which showed no cleavage. With simple, low-heeled pumps, she hoped her outfit would keep Palmer’s mind on business.

At seven o’clock sharp, Palmer arrived in a gleaming, silver Porsche. Dressed in an expensive camel-colored sports jacket, white pants, and a blue pin-striped shirt, he looked like he’d just stepped out of GQ.

Baylee wondered how he afforded his expensive tastes. After all, he was only a government employee.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he approached.

She gave him a half-smile in return.

Driving in his Porsche wasn’t near as much fun as riding on Axe’s Harley, and it wasn’t all because of Axe. The space inside the sports car was small, and Baylee missed the rush of wind around her. Thinking about Axe made her chest tighten—he hadn’t called her all day.

“Here we are,” Palmer said as they pulled up to the restaurant.

Greyston Restaurant overlooked the picturesque Aspen Grove Valley, offering refined seating filled with upscale class and elegance. It was a popular eatery among Pinewood Springs’s rich and sophisticated elite.

Seated at a small table for two, Baylee admired the valley covered in wildflowers which glowed with bright-colored butterflies searching for nectar. On the horizon, the mountains rose, jagged rocks dotted with clusters of evergreens; on the base, white-trunked aspen trees softened the sharpness of its angles. Sherbet-pink and orange hues from the descending sun reflected off the crystalline lake.

“What a beautiful setting,” Baylee said.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Palmer countered.

Ignoring his comment, she looked at the menu, her stomach twisting. She wasn’t very hungry, and she wanted a quick dinner so she could go back to the hotel, curl up under the covers, and watch a sappy love story. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Puck’s colorful tattoos and smiled inwardly, guessing the tough biker hated this part of his assignment.

“Are you from Denver?” he asked.

“Yes, born and raised.”

“Which part of town did you grow up in?”

“Southeast Denver. Greenwood Village area.”

“Nice.”

“Why?”

“I was born and lived in Denver until my parents divorced and my dad moved me up here.”

“I didn’t know you lived in the city.”

“My dad used to be head of the zoning department. He transferred up here, and when he retired, I took over his job. I’m young to be running the department.”

“How old were you when you moved?”

“Eleven.”

“Well, you’ve done well for yourself.”

“I have. Having a rich dad didn’t hurt.” He laughed.

I wonder if Axe is with another woman. He wouldn’t do that to me, would he? We agreed to be monogamous, but he was so mad at me…

“Baylee? Am I boring you?”

Her cheeks flushed. “No, of course not. I’m just so busy at work with the strip mall, and a few new projects I picked up today. I can’t seem to turn my work brain off. Sorry.”

He reached over and held her hand, squeezing it. “I get it. You need to slow down. Life isn’t all about working. You have to have some fun. I’d like to show you around the area, and we can throw a little fun into the mix. What do you say?”

“I can’t commit to anything right now. My whole focus is on the strip mall, and the sooner it gets finished, the easier it will be for me to explore the area with you.” She pulled her hand gently away from him. “And have some fun.” She gave him her best doe-eyed look.

He swallowed hard then put his hand inside his jacket, taking out a legal-sized envelope. “Here’s my contribution to speeding the process along.” He handed it to her.

“Thank you,” she said as she opened it and inspected the permits. Perfect. I wish I could leave now.

“You know, I did this for you, not that loser, Axe.”

Her muscles tightened. “He’s not a loser.”

Palmer shook his head. “You don’t know him. I went to high school with him, and he was nothing but trailer trash, a real bum. He thinks he’s something just because he belongs to that motorcycle gang.” He leaned closer to her. “If it were up to me, I never would’ve given a zoning permit to an outlaw club.”

“I thought it was up to you,” she said sweetly, biting back her bitterness.