JACKED Read Online Free PDF Page A

hour along a ridge and below them the Snake River wound its way past, mostly frozen over, but with some parts still moving swiftly. A herd of moose were grazing near the water.
    They stopped to watch.
    “You’re right, it is pretty here,” she said softly. “I love the hotel too. I woke up early this morning and read about it on my laptop. There was an actress, Dorothy Whitson-Franklin, or Franklin-Whitson, I’m not sure. She starred in some of the early silent movies. She lived at the hotel in the late forties and early fifties. A recluse, she never left her apartment on the top floor.”
    “I didn’t know that.”
    “I found out something else too. The architect who built the Montgomery, Hilmar…he had a German last name. He built a hotel in Aspen.”
    “Really?” He tried to picture where the hotel might be located. It would be worth looking at it to see if it might be a good investment. To own another hotel just like the Montgomery would lend a sense of history and permanence to the company.
    “Where did you find that?” he asked.
    She shrugged a shoulder and squinted at him. He knew immediately she was trying to suppress a smile and the next thing coming out of her mouth was going to be a smart-assed comment.
    Her pretty eyes sparked with amusement. “There’s this thing on the computer. It’s called google.”
    “Thank you, Savannah.”
    “Sure, Jack. Anytime.”
    Turning, she began trudging back up the path. He eyed her ass but resisted the urge to smack it again.
    The cabin sat on the ridge and overlooked the valley below. Smoke came from the chimney. Glowing lanterns in the window made the cabin look inviting in the waning sunlight.
    They climbed the porch steps and paused at the door.
    She looked up at him, pushing her hood back, letting it fall. “Shouldn’t you carry me across?”
    “I should.” He opened the door and lifted her in his arms.
    She yelped. “I didn’t think you’d really do that. I’m heavy.”
    “You’re nothing. I could have carried you all the way from the hotel. You’re not heavy. You’re perfect.”
    He narrowed his eyes to emphasize his meaning. She was perfect. Sweet, sexy with curves in just the right places. He needed to work hard to keep his self-control in check. Especially now that they were all alone. He carried her across the threshold, setting her down inside. With his boot he slammed the door behind him.
    The stone cabin was a single room but it was spacious. A fire place took up one corner, the fire blazing cheerfully. Their suitcases sat on the chest of drawers on the far side. A king sized bed dominated the room and off to the side was a galley kitchen.
    He watched her look around and saw the worry seep into her eyes. Slipping out of her coat she bit her lip. She remained silent. Slowly she took off her boots and when he uncorked a bottle of wine and poured her a glass, she took it.
    He tapped his glass against hers, and she spoke. “What are we drinking to?”
    “What do you want to drink to?”
    She swallowed. “First base?”
    With a smile he nodded. “Is this part of your seduction? Talking about bases.”
    “Pretty smooth, don’t you think?”
    He was overcome with something more than just the desire to claim her. He wanted to slide the bolt across the cabin door and forget everything for a good long while. Forget about work, hotels, poorly behaved passengers and Weston. The next few weeks might be a massive shit-storm and he wanted to shield her from what he alone had created.
    She was beautiful, smart and made him smile. He craved her body, wanted to seduce her, but he wanted more.
    He took a swallow of wine, and then took her glass from her, setting it aside. “Okay, I’m ready for first base. Just promise to be gentle.”
    She snorted. “Why are you such a-”
    “Quit talking. Show me this first base.”
    Suddenly she had her arms looped around his neck and her lips were on his. Kissing him. His response roared to life, like some