+ Excerpt +

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​​I accepted the drink from the bartender with a smile. As the conference coordinator, I was on my feet all day ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Since it was the last day of the conference, most attendees had already taken a shuttle to the airport and were on their way home. I could finally relax at the resort's bar.

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A trio of women sat close to me on the bar stools.

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"All the Wilde brothers in one spot. My ovaries can't take it," one woman gushed.

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The second woman frowned. "Killian's not here. He's the famous snowboarder."

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Another woman openly counted them with her fingers. "That's the rest of them. Eli, Xander, and Oliver."

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Her hand was waving so wildly; I couldn't follow it to figure out their names. I only knew Eli, who was the resort manager I worked with when I was scheduling and planning conferences. He was always professional when I'd had to coordinate an event.

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One woman fanned herself. "They're wild and reckless. Any one of them will help you to get over your breakup."

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One brother was in a long sleeve polo with stitching that read Xander - Wilde Ski Resort Instructor. There was Eli in a suit, and a third brother—presumably Oliver—wore a button-down shirt with the top one undone, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. His hair was dark but shorn closely to his scalp in a military-style. My face flushed when his gaze lifted to meet mine.

There was a sheet of paper on the high-top table in front him that the brothers kept referring to, as if they kept score of their games.

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I couldn't seem to take my gaze away from Oliver. It was as if he had me transfixed.

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A slow smile spread over his face, and he winked.

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I quickly looked away, swirling the ice in my glass. I didn't want to be associated with the women next to me who clearly had too much alcohol in their quest to have a good time. I just wanted to enjoy my drink and head to my room for much-needed rest.

The women settled their bill and proclaimed loudly they were heading to the dance club. When they left, I let out a sigh of relief. I drank my drink, content to be alone at the bar. I was used to traveling by myself, and I was adept at conveying “don't approach me” vibes to any man considering it.

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To my surprise, a hand braced on the counter next to my elbow. The scent of something spicy hit my nose a second before he leaned in. "Are you having a good time?"

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I raised my gaze to the blue eyes that had only just winked at me a few minutes ago, my heart thumping. "Yes."

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A slow smile spread over his face as his hand moved to the back of my stool. "Is there anything I can get you?"

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His family owned this place, and he was treating me just like every other guest. "I'm fine, thank you. Did you win your game?"

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Oliver chuckled, and I felt the rumble deep in my chest. "I won one and lost one. Xander's the best at pool. I have the spreadsheets to prove it."

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I turned slightly so that I was facing him, his arm making me feel like we were cocooned together against the bar. "You keep track of your games, and not just for one night."

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Oliver nodded. "My brothers and I are competitive. It's the only way to keep them honest."

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There was something about the smooth tone of his voice that struck a chord deep inside me. "Who keeps track?"

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"Me. I'm the numbers guy."

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Why was that so attractive? I usually gravitated toward the athletic type, the ones who prided themselves on hitting the gym most days of the week. Given the muscles on his forearm, Oliver did the same, but he was an interesting combination of smart and athletic that had my heart racing.

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He straightened slightly so he could offer me his hand. "I'm Oliver Wilde."

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I tucked my hand into his. "Carolina."

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His eyes widened slightly as he held my hand. "That's a beautiful name."

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My body heated from his obvious admiration. "Thank you."

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He let go of my hand and tipped his head toward my almost empty glass. "Can I get you another drink?" 

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I pushed the glass away. "I think I'm going to head to my room."

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"That's too bad."

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I arched a brow. "And why's that?"

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His cheeks were tinged pink, and I wondered if he didn't pick up women at bars often. "I was hoping you'd dance with me."

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There was zero chance I was going to the lodge's dance club. I wanted nothing to do with that scene. But then he gestured toward the dance floor nearby, where a few couples danced to the live band.

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"I don't know if that's a good idea—" I hadn't planned on talking to him or pursuing anything. I lived in Maine and only came to Colorado a few times a year.

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Oliver arched a brow. "How do you know if it's a good idea if you say no?"

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I laughed despite my reservations. He was charming. Not as outgoing as the brother that led ski lessons, but he possessed a quiet insistence that was attractive.

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He turned the stool so that my chair was facing the dance floor, holding his hand out to me. "Carolina, will you dance with me?"