Colton's Mistaken Identity, page 8
“Yes.” She smiled, and underneath her ridiculously long eyelashes he saw the woman he thought he’d seen on the running path. A quieter, more contemplative person. But that had been her twin sister, Phoebe. Maybe Skye was the odd extrovert who needed serious recharging after being on for several hours.
“It looks like the festivities are wrapping up. Can I walk you to your apartment?” He placed his glass on a tray table.
A corner of her mouth lifted, and he noted a deep dimple in her left cheek. He reached out and caressed it, loving the soft femininity of her skin. She turned in to his hand, kissed his palm. Before he’d have seen it as a precursor to sex, but her gesture was so intimate, sincere.
This is something unknown to you.
“I’d love to have you spend your night with me, but I have to stay here until the bitter end. It’s my job and will be all week. And I’m pretty sure you need your rest.” She stood, and he followed suit. “I’ll see you in the morning, Prescott.” Using his shoulders as a brace, she reached up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
“Good night, Skye.” He watched her make her way toward the production area, where a few techies lingered, packing their equipment away and no doubt hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before tomorrow’s itinerary had them all running full tilt again.
Prescott stood and signaled for his bodyguards to leave him be. He’d be safe walking to his room alone.
As he made his way into the guest room area of the resort, he went over the past few hours. He’d known Skye Colton for such a short amount of time, yet it felt as if he’d known her, as if they’d been friends, forever.
And had he just thought of their time making out under the stars as making love?
He knew he was vulnerable, as his brother back home would tell him, that the chances of Skye being a rebound were high. But she didn’t feel like a relationship statistic to him.
Skye felt like home.
* * *
Phoebe went by the security office before she quit for the night and found the team still working, with two assistants laboring over video feed from several cameras. In one frame she recognized the tall, imposing figure of Prescott as he walked down the corridor to his room. Longing hit her low in her belly and rushed down to her most feminine parts, still painfully aroused by Prescott’s kisses under the moonlight.
“Evening, Phoebe.” The team didn’t even pretend to think she was Skye. Phoebe closed the door behind her, keeping unwanted ears from hearing the conversation.
“How do you know it’s me and not Skye?” She thought she’d put on a good attempt at playing her twin.
They snorted. “I’ve watched the both of you grow into the lovely women you are, and it started when you were tiny tots running all over this property. I’ll grant you that you are very difficult to tell apart when you want to be, but I still see you as two different women. Why did Skye put you up to posing as her?”
“Long story, but she’s taking a bit of a break right now.”
“That bastard record producer broke her heart, didn’t he?”
Phoebe shrugged. It was Skye’s story to tell. “I’m here to talk about tonight. Did you see anything strange, besides what happened in Skye’s apartment? And the way I tripped over that stupid stick?”
“That wasn’t stupid. It was well placed.” He held up the dowel that she’d given him earlier. “This is an exact match for the miniature poles that hold up the resort flags we have in every flowerpot on the property. One of the pots on the back terrace was missing its flag, and we found the banner part in a nearby flower bed.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Whoever placed it there, if it was done on purpose, took a big risk at getting caught. They had to have put it there while I was talking to one of the VIPs on the red carpet.”
The security expert nodded. “We’re working to get the video from the network, and I’ll go over it when we do. Because we knew that the network was airing the production and their cameras would be on you, we repositioned some of the cameras to catch other parts of the property that otherwise aren’t monitored as closely. We can’t be too careful with the level of Hollywood superstars here.”
“Prescott Reynolds mentioned that his security detail was going to work more closely with you than usual.”
“They are, and I understand that you heard what could have been a person outside, in the garden?”
“Yes, we did,” Phoebe answered. “I’m hoping it was paparazzi, but with the Avalanche Killer, I can’t help but see a murderer lurking behind every corner.”
“I had your room swept for anything else out of the ordinary, and the dead bolt is in place on your French doors. I also went ahead and had your lock changed on your room door, too.” He handed her a key. The apartments utilized regular keys, unlike the magnetic card keys assigned to each resort room.
“Thanks. I appreciate the extra effort, especially when you’re already swamped with this week’s doings.”
“No thanks needed, but I appreciate that, Phoebe. You look tired. Do you have to play Skye again tomorrow?”
She sighed. “Don’t remind me. For now all I want to do is get some shut-eye.” As soon as she said it, she shook her head. “Sorry, I have no business whining. Will you and your team be able to call it a night anytime soon?”
“In a bit.”
There was nothing left for her to do here, but she wished she could stay and help them look at footage. If she didn’t have to get up in a few short hours to meet Prescott, she would do so.
“Good night. Thanks, everyone.” She made eye contact with each assistant and let herself out of the tech room.
It was the first time she had to fight to keep herself aimed at her apartment and not veer off to the same corridor she’d watched Prescott walk down.
Skye would go to his room.
She laughed softly aloud. Skye would have taken Prescott back to her room after the hot make-out session in the garden. She’d always envied her twin’s ability to live in the moment and enjoy each opportunity that came her way. Of course, Skye was currently nursing a broken heart because she’d impetuously jumped into a relationship with a man known to be a womanizer.
Phoebe ran a bath once she’d let herself into her room. As she soaked, the evening’s events swirled with the steaming water. And she realized that if she’d had her choice, she would be in Prescott’s room right now. It wasn’t like her to move so fast with a man, but she was getting tired of always doing the right thing, taking the time to get to know someone, only to discover they weren’t who she wanted to be with long-term. She’d finally met a man she was incredibly interested in, only to find him while playing the role of Skye in order to keep peace with Mara and of course Russ.
She squeezed her loofah in the sudsy water, and as bubbles ran down her arms, she decided she was tired of being such a predictable people pleaser. Phoebe wanted to have fun, and she wanted it with Prescott Reynolds.
But she couldn’t do it, not while he didn’t know who she really was.
* * *
The sun’s peach glow framed the mountains as Phoebe left the hotel early the next morning. Prescott’s tall figure immediately caught her eye, and the nervous anticipation that had woken her smoothed into delight. She’d decided to let go of her worries about Prescott believing she was Skye, otherwise the week would be too excruciating for them both.
And it was going to be a full week—Skye had texted her in the middle of the night and told her that she needed more time. Phoebe hadn’t bothered with a response. One of the things about being a sibling, especially a twin, was that she’d do anything for Skye. No matter what.
As she approached Prescott, she was aware of his heated gaze on her, yet when they stood face-to-face he looked past her, to the tops of the tree line where the dawn’s hues smudged the sky.
“Good morning.”
“Morning. Is it always this still at sunrise?” He looked around as if he’d landed on Mars.
“Yes. I always feel like I’m the only person out here, in total sync with nature. I can never get enough of the woods and the birds.”
His eyes were supernaturally blue this morning against the backdrop of the sky. Phoebe had to remind herself they were talking about the weather, because his eyes communicated something much more significant. Her body answered his silent request, but unlike last night when her desire had swamped her, this was more of a slow, steady pulse. Something that might be able to last if she thought for a minute their relationship was anything more than casual. If she were able to tell him who she really was, and have Prescott call her Phoebe.
“I understand the connection with nature. In Iowa the farm fields can seem endless, and most people passing through might think they’re monotonous. To me, the land is teeming with life and energy. In the summer, under a full moon, the corn fields positively dazzle.”
She nodded. “You’re able to see a lot farther than we can in this valley. That’s one advantage of living on flatter ground.”
“Right. Ready?” He didn’t offer to take her hand, so they really were going to get some exercise.
“Lead the way. Unless you want me to, as I live here?” She fell into stride beside him.
“I’m happy to do either. But if I’m in front, once we’re on the narrower trails, I’ll need you let me know where to go.”
“Deal.”
They were able to walk side by side for the first half mile as the paved portion of the trail led them into the woods. Companionable silence drifted around them, and Phoebe loved that she was sharing one of her favorite things in the world with him.
“What are you thinking about, Skye?” He moved a low-hanging branch out of their way. She ducked under it and kept going.
That I wish you could call me Phoebe.
“It’s a nice treat to be able to share this morning with you. I try to tell my sister and mother why it’s worth waking up so early, but my words can never do this justice.”
He chuckled. “So your twin isn’t a morning person? I thought identicals had the same exact DNA.”
“We do share just about one hundred percent of the same DNA, but our personalities are different. I like to tell people that it’s like living in the same exact house as someone else. The walls and rooms are the same, but we each like to choose our own carpets, wall colors, photographs and artwork.”
“That’s a great way of looking at it. Have you always been so good at analogies, or just this one?”
“Actually, I love drawing valid comparisons. It’s almost a hobby of mine.”
“How do I compare to the other men who you’ve let in your life?” His amiable tone belied the seriousness of his query.
“Whoa, that’s pretty intense for before six in the morning.”
He laughed. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve come across as a bit forward, but I can’t seem to help myself.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve never done anything I didn’t agree to. Whether it’s conversation or anything we’ve done...physically.”
“I wouldn’t do that anyway.” Prescott said it like a vow, and judging from his behavior since they’d met, it was true. He respected women, and she felt safe and cherished around him.
She cast him a sidelong glance and wanted to stop and lie down on the forest floor with him, to heck with the bugs and tiny rodents.
The Avalanche Killer is a lot bigger than any woodchuck.
She couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped her lips. Prescott noticed, and true to form, his hand was on her forearm.
“Are you doing okay?” His concern stymied her. She’d never been with a man so attune to her moods. “The festival week is a long one for the film and production crews, and I imagine you’re already exhausted.”
She paused and put her hand on the nearest aspen tree trunk, the smooth white bark cool to her fingertips. “I’m good, actually. I’m sure by the end of the week I might feel differently. I hike or run out here several days a week, but mostly I come out here for my peace of mind.” The hotel administrative office could be a pressure cooker, and she often felt like wilted cabbage by midafternoon.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to belabor the point, but it’s like this cloud of sadness follows you around. I noticed it last night, too.” Prescott’s sweet words only served to raise her discomfort. Why couldn’t she just be Skye as she’d planned and go with the flow?
Because she was still Phoebe, no matter how well she portrayed Skye.
“I have to admit I’m distracted this week. It’s all part of the film fest and making sure our events go off without a hitch.” That was exhausting enough. With the strain of the Avalanche Killer and Skye’s disappearance, it’d passed into her unavailable-to-take-on-one-more-thing category.
He grasped her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “I appreciate that you’re spending some of your precious time with me. I understand how mentally taxing a long workday can be.” He let go, and she missed the warmth as they easily fell back into the hike. Phoebe smiled to herself. She had to take almost two steps for every one of Prescott’s due to his height advantage. Yet he never gave her the impression that she was slowing him down.
In fact, he made her feel nothing less than a welcome presence in his life.
“Will your sister be out here this morning, like yesterday?” His question, innocent enough, reminded her that this time with him was based on a lie.
“I have no idea. She’s busy with the books and guest accounts. We live in adjacent apartments and I hardly see her during film fest week!” Phoebe hoped her reply sounded more genuine to his ears than hers.
They hiked for a solid half hour into the woods, as they’d agreed they each wanted an hour workout.
“We’re getting close to the midpoint. Did you already go up this side of the trail?” She aimed for the crest of the hill they climbed, anxious to share the stunning view of Roaring Springs and the entire valley with Prescott.
“No, I went in the opposite direction yesterday. Last year I didn’t make it out of my room much.”
“Because some of the paparazzi had broken into the hotel those first few days, right?”
“Yes. We both know there’s no stopping someone who’s that determined, unfortunately.”
“I’m surprised your bodyguards let you come up here by yourself.”
“I have my phone, and they have my GPS location at all times while I’m working any public event. I take the right precautions by hiking earlier and keeping a low profile.”
She didn’t think he’d ever be anything but very visible with his striking good looks and magnetic energy, but kept her thoughts to herself. The last thing she wanted was for Prescott to think she was no more than a blithering fangirl.
Skye would do some fangirl flirting.
Phoebe shoved the thought aside. She might have had to put on makeup before she came up here, and made sure her hair was styled in a fun ponytail under one of her sister’s glittery ball caps, but Skye wasn’t here now. She was, and she was the woman Prescott was getting to know better.
Chapter 7
Prescott usually used his morning hikes as a meditation and a way to center his mind before the day’s demands took over. He’d not spent a lot of mornings with other people in his life, but even while seriously dating the one or two women he had over the last several years, this time remained his own.
His desire to have Skye join him on today’s walk had been visceral. He wanted this woman to know him as much as possible over the short week they had together, and if it meant giving up his solo time, so be it. Yet instead of feeling as if he’d lost something, it was more like Christmas morning, as Skye fit perfectly into his routine and seemed to enjoy the hike as much as he did.
Who would have guessed it?
The climb up the one side of the mountain was challenging and the habitat spectacular. He couldn’t help keeping an ear open for the sound of someone following them, though. Not after last night when he’d been certain someone had been nearby in the garden as they’d kissed. And then when Skye told him about the lipstick message, he’d had to fight to not growl. He’d informed his security team, and they were on top of it. If Ariella was up to her sick actions again, they’d catch her.
He wished he hadn’t mentioned the Avalanche Killer, though. Skye had enough on her shoulders this week and already knew about the danger—everyone in Roaring Springs was dealing with the serial killer’s devastation, from what his security detail told him.
“Almost there.” Skye shot the announcement over her shoulder, as they were on a particularly narrow strip of trail up against the mountain. If they slipped, it would be a long slide through saplings and underbrush to the level they’d snaked up from. Maybe not lethal, but definitely painful. Still, he couldn’t keep his gaze from taking in her long legs, shapely from regular workouts. His hands itched to cup her ass again and continue where they’d left off last night.
Chill out or you’re going to scare her off.
Nope, he definitely didn’t want to scare this beautiful woman off.
“Ta-da!” She stopped so abruptly that he almost toppled over her, so lost in his sensuous memories of last night. He stopped and stepped around to her side on the surprisingly large rock outcropping they’d reached.
Below them spread the entire valley, and with the sun above the horizon, the windows on buildings in Roaring Springs looked like glowing golden orbs. Car headlights inched about on the roads that snaked through and around the town.
“This is even better than the view from the other side.” Yesterday he’d hiked to the view overlooking a pastoral, smaller valley.
“Isn’t it?” The sun backlit her profile, and he took it all in, from her smooth forehead and high cheekbones to her full lips. As if she sensed his stare, she turned and smiled. “I love coming up here and spending some time by myself.”
