A Billionaire's Cabin Love - Posey Parks
CHAPTER ONE
COLLIN
Clapping erupted as I sauntered through the oversized office space we occupied in downtown Los Angeles. Our building was one of the tallest across the skyline.
I nodded and thanked my employees as I approached my office.
“Speech, speech, speech,” my partner Bryson Fuller yelled through cupped hands.
I chuckled as I faced our team.
“All right, all right. Everyone settle down.”
They grinned and their eyes were glued to my every move. My fingers slipped through my curly brown hair.
“This was a big acquisition for us. Five years ago, many of you took a chance working for a company our fathers grew into a well-established business. All we had was the legacy of our fathers to back us. None of you knew if we’d work just as hard or harder than our fathers.” My finger waved across the crowd.
“Bryson and I work damn hard to keep our father’s legacies alive. Ruby has taken the liberty of heading up a light party this afternoon. Enjoy.”
They cheered as I turned on my heels.
Bryson gripped my shoulder. “Good shit, man.” His blond brows rose over his blue eyes.
“Dude, I swear I don’t know who gets more excited when I close a deal. You or me?” I shook my head.
He flopped in the red leather seat in front of my desk. I stood over my laptop.
“Collin, you’re fucking cut throat. You don’t give a shit about the CEOs’ sob stories. All you care about is closing the deal.”
I sank into the oversized black leather chair. “Our job’s to close deals. That’s how Daughtry and Fuller acquisitions remain one of the top firms in the country.
“True.” He ran his hand down the gray tie.
“Bryson, I’ve worked nonstop for five years. I need a little time away.” Squeezing the stress ball, I peered out the large floor to ceiling window.
“Where are you thinking of going, brother?”
“Shit, somewhere remote. Quiet.” I hadn’t told him I booked the trip a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I thought my best friend would talk me out of taking the trip. My fingers moved over the keyboard. A picture of a man ice fishing under the picturesque sunrise overlooking a lush tree line in Alaska popped up on my screen. I turned the laptop toward Bryce.
He squinted. “That shit looks like you’ll freeze your balls off.”
I burst into laughter. “Probably. But it’s what I need, Bryce.”
He reclined back in the chair and sighed. “Hey, man, what can I say? You’ve earned this time off.”
Bryce stood and I stepped around the desk. He pulled me into a bro hug. “Don’t make me come to cold ass Alaska looking for you.”
I pulled back. “I won’t.”
“Are you still coming tonight? I have mad chicks who will take care of us.”
“Nope, I’ll leave all the pussy to you and the guys. I’m boarding the jet. Alaska bound.”
**P**
The white packed snow blanketing over miles of land was breathtaking. I knew Bryce didn’t understand why Alaska of all places was where I needed to gain my inner peace. In my heart, I knew this vacation was right for me. The cabin was in a remote area. No disturbances. Just me and nature. I grew tired of the beautiful women at my beck and call. They’d tell me whatever I wanted to hear. Was I ready for a relationship? I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t had a girlfriend. Unless you count my five-minute relationship in high school. And compromising wasn’t something I was big on. I got what I wanted when I wanted it. What difference did it make? I’d decide at a later time if I was finally ready to settle down.
My eyes moved between my cell screen and the shop before me. I peeked down the street again, taking in the quaint buildings in the small-town. Talkeetna was definitely peaceful. A couple exited the tourist shop. I grabbed the door and walked inside.
A short, petite woman walked backwards in my direction.
“Frank, I’m going out for cocoa.”
His face reddened. “Kara, you have a client coming.”
“Bet they’ll be late. They always are.”
The stocky man braced his palms on the counter, shaking his head.
I stared at the back of her blue beanie. She continued walking until her boot smashed mine and her petite frame jammed into me.
She whipped around. “Sorry, I should probably watch where I’m going.” A small smile spread across her beautiful, pouty lips. I couldn’t help but wonder if my eyes glued to her brown shaded lips appeared creepy?
“My foot will recover.” A smile tipped up at the ends of my