Harte Strings: The Billionaire Matchmaker, Part Two Read Online Free PDF Page A

rock façade. The large, solid beams.
    So this is how the other half lives , I thought as Lottie and I walked in.
    Lazer Lodge was larger than any one man needed. Who was I kidding? It was more than any one small corporation needed. But the lodge, however intimidating in size, was also casual and warm in atmosphere. Fashioned like a Depression era hunting lodge with a contemporary twist, it was very much in the Northwest style. It blended with its surroundings in a perfectly natural and artistic way.
    I paused in the entry to take it all in. I had a penchant for architecture and interior design. If I hadn’t been a matchmaker, I might have pursued them as a career.
    The main living area was several stories high, with floor-to-ceiling windows across from us on the view side, giving it the impression of being nestled in the trees. A very expensive, very adult tree house. A row of sliding doors opened to the cantilevered patio deck and pool we’d seen from the air.
    A large river rock fireplace filled one wall. It was surrounded by a cozy furniture grouping of large leather pieces.
    Though air-conditioned and cool on the hot day, the lodge smelled pleasantly of fir and forest. Earthy. As if the windows were open and all the coolness was due to nature.
    “This is your home away from home?” I arched an eyebrow as I stared at him, wondering what his main residence looked like. I’d seen the penthouse condo he kept in the city for the convenience of overnighting after staying too late at the office. Both of these places put mine to shame. I couldn’t even imagine what his main house looked like.
    “Yeah.” He looked almost modest. “As a kid I always wanted a cabin in the woods.” He shot me a lopsided grin.
    “Some would say this is a bit more than a cabin.”
    He laughed. “You’ve had a long trip.”
    He knew full well that our trip hadn’t been the least bit taxing. He’d made sure of that. How many other women had he flown in and pampered?
    I tried not to think about that. If I could always fly in such luxury, I’d travel all the time. I knew that for sure.
    “I’m betting you’d like to freshen up before we get started this evening.”
    As we’d planned this corporate retreat, I’d asked Lazer for a casual gathering the first night so I could meet his friends/my new clients and business partners in an unintimidating social setting. I wanted to get a feel for them and how they acted when they were in their comfort zone. We’d agreed that drinks and dinner by the pool, and an icebreaker of my design, was the perfect way to introduce Lottie and me to our new team.
    “I’ll give you the full tour after you’re settled. Feel free to change into shorts. We’re casual here. Not business casual. Casual casual. I’m as dressed up as I’m getting the whole week. And the guys are programmers and geeks. T-shirts and shorts are as dressed up as they ever get.” He paused, still flashing that boyishly disarming grin. “The guys will be arriving later. In time for dinner. This way.”
    I felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head as he led us past room after gorgeous room to the wing of bedrooms. We came to Lottie’s room first.
    “I put you at your own end of the hall across from each other to separate you from the guys as much as possible. They can get boisterous.” He pushed a solid, dark, rough wooden door open. “Lottie, you’re here. I put you in the special corner room. The guys don’t deserve it. I think you’ll appreciate the view of the forest to the south. Lots of wildlife. You might even spot a bear. Or a cougar. Or our elusive Bigfoot.” He gave her a look like he was pulling her leg.
    “Bigfoot!” Lottie stared at him. “I’m not sure I want to see that .”
    He shrugged. “They smell bad. Their screech is ear-piercing. They like to move bulldozers and building equipment when no one is around. We had some problem with weird things happening when I was building the place. But