Exposed: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 5) Read online

  Exposed

  Ready for love…

  Ruby Raines swore off men after her high school relationship with a reckless ski racer ended in an unplanned pregnancy. Heartbroken, she buried herself in her fashion design where any mistake can be recycled and torn-out stitches easily replaced.

  But then sizzling hot entrepreneur Neal Morgan enters her life with a business proposition. He wants a partnership to launch her clothing line—but he has a reputation for intimate proposals too.

  After years on the race circuit Trevor Sullivan moves to the resort town of Breckenridge, Colorado to teach skiing and settle down. He stumbles on Ruby—the one who got away. Even discovering she kept their child a secret can’t make him forget their steamy connection. But is he in love with the woman Ruby has become?

  Ruby can’t resist the pull of past, when Trevor’s dogged pursuit reminds her of the dreams she once had and the wounds she thought would never heal. But Neal’s invested in her in more ways than she believed possible. Can she take a chance on the love of a lifetime?

  Exposed

  A Fire and Ice Novel

  Violet Vaughn

  www.VioletVaughn.com

  Sugarloaf Press

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2015 by Violet Vaughn

  All Rights Reserved

  First E-book Edition 2015

  Editing services by Jodi Henley, Kats Eye Editing and Red Adept Publishing

  Cover design by Kim Killion

  Layout by The Printed Page

  This novel is a work of fiction. The town and ski area of Breckenridge, Colorado has been embellished to suit the story, and the references to people, events and locations are used fictitiously. Names, characters and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form including but not limited to printing, scanning, and photocopying without permission from Violet Vaughn. However, brief quotes in reviews are allowed.

  Please join my mailing list to be notified of Violet’s latest releases.

  You can learn more about me at my website.

  Other Books by Violet Vaughn

  Fire and Ice Series

  Crave

  Release

  Rush

  Fierce

  Exposed

  Pulse (2015)

  Violet also writes paranormal romance as V. Vaughn.

  Learn more about Called by the Bear —a shapeshifter romance serial

  Contents

  Exposed

  Exposed

  Copyright

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  About the Author

  Dedication

  This is dedicated to Tamra Work. Thank you for being the kind of friend everyone should have.

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks goes out to my sister, Dr. Elizabeth Pietras for the numerous text responses to my medical questions. Thanks for always being there and supporting my crazy dreams.

  Chapter 1

  “What do you think, Ruby? Would this make a girl like you go out with me?” Neal’s strong fingers push dark blond hair from his forehead as he throws his shoulders back in a pose.

  I force my eyes away from the sexy grin and mesmerizing blue eyes. I’m about to lose my patience with him because this is the third time he’s come in to Rhinestone Cowgirl to try on a leather bomber jacket. He fishes for compliments and continues to flirt with me as if I’m one of the many women ready to fall at his feet and into his bed.

  Neal turns his back to me to look in the mirror, and I peruse his broad shoulders that taper down to his slim hips. He has the athletic body of a runner, but he’s not gaunt. No, he fills out jeans and shirts in a way that makes my clothing-designer heart flip.

  I sigh quietly and find my inner schmooze. “The cut emphasizes your strong shoulders.” I tug at the bottom of the leather near his waist. “And shows off your fit body.” Knowing he likes to be touched, I walk around to the front of him and fit the zipper insertion pin into the slider body to pull it up. The hum is soft as I pull it up and my hand brushes against his belly. It’s taut and trembling under my touch, and I want to touch more. I inhale quickly at the thought and stop partway up his chest. I step back to give him the onceover with my gaze. Our eyes lock, and I say, “Yes, I might go out with a guy that looks like you do in this coat.”

  Neal grins at the way I avoid his attempt at asking me out. But my words don’t stop him. “Let me be more specific. Would you go out with me if I buy this?”

  Now I sigh loudly. “I’m not into dating right now, I’m sorry.”

  He steps into my personal space, and his lightly spiced scent tempts my nose. His voice hits home when he says, “Whoever it was that hurt you is making this awful hard for me. I’m not that guy.”

  Oh, but you are, Neal. He’s the sexy, successful type women fall for. He flirts in a way that makes a girl feel special. Neal treats women with respect and charms his way into their hearts. I guess when he tires of the latest conquest he’s on to another, leaving a trail of lovesick women that spanned a decade and probably the longest ski trail at Breckenridge.

  I shrug and offer a small smile. I’m done with this game and hope he is too.

  Neal surprises me and says, “I’ll take it.”

  Leather is buttery-soft and warm in my hands when I take the coat from him to go ring it up. As I walk to the counter a blast of cold air comes in the side door along with Christian, one of my bosses.

  “Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, we’re having duck tonight, and you better starve yourself for it, because I’m going to outdo myself.” Christian’s blue-gray eyes are sparkling, and I wonder what he’s so happy about.

  I reach my hand out to graze his stomach as I walk by. “I don’t know why you aren’t fat. If you always eat the way you do when you have me over, you should be huge.”

  He winks. “Nika keeps me too busy to get fat.”

  Nika is my other boss and his fiancée. She calls out from the office that is along the back wall of the store. “I heard that! Get in here, I’ve got work for you.”

  Christian winks at me. “See?” He nods at Neal in a greeting.

  I grin as he walks off. Once a week I have a dinner meeting at Nika and Christian’s house. As their manager for their high-end western wear clothing shop in the ski town of Breckenridge, we discuss business and they feed me well. I usually end up leaving with the rest of the wine and leftovers for the next n
ight.

  Tissue paper rustles as I pull out a few sheets to wrap the coat. Neal’s plastic credit card slaps down on the counter, and he says, “I’m going to go talk to Nika, be right back.”

  Neal owns quite a few businesses in Breckenridge, and I know he’s friends with Nika and Christian. I’m flattered he asked me out, he’s definitely hot, and I’m attracted to him, but I’ve been with his type before. It was a hard lesson the first time, and I won’t repeat it.

  When Neal returns to the counter I hand him a pen and a slip of paper to sign.

  “Enjoy your jacket.”

  “I will.” He walks down the few stairs that lead to the door and turns to me as he opens it. He’s grinning and says, “See you tonight.”

  I’m sure I look surprised because he chuckles on his way out.

  As if she knows what I’m thinking, Nika comes out of the office and calls to me. “Ruby, help me with this?” She’s rolling a rack of new clothes that need to be hung, and judging by a style I recognize, we’ll be changing out the front window to highlight the expensive pieces too.

  I finger the crushed velvet of a skirt, and the softness is luxurious in my hand. “I love this year’s line. The colors are so rich.”

  Nika says, “I know, I already set a green one aside for me. Hey, Neal is coming for our dinner tonight. We’ll be talking about the Vail and Aspen stores.”

  “Yeah, he mentioned that.” I sigh.

  “Uh-oh, is there something going on with you two that I don’t know about?”

  “He asked me out today and I turned him down.” Hangers clink against the metal bar of a display rack.

  “Why? If I’m out of line just say so, but you haven’t been with someone since I’ve known you.”

  “I haven’t dated in years.”

  Nika’s hand touches my arm, and her cool fingers seep through the thin fabric of my blouse. “Ruby, you deserve to find love.”

  I pull out a size small vest and skirt in burgundy for the mannequin. “I’m not sure Neal is it, though. He has women falling all over him, and I’m not into men who bask in that kind of attention. My ego can’t take it.”

  I force a smile, but I’m not really joking. While my wit is quick, banter isn’t my thing. I wouldn’t want to have to fight off the flirting women who would be sure to follow his every move.

  “I think if Neal was with the right one she’d be all he saw, no matter where you were. I know he’s liked you for some time.”

  “Really?” This is news to me. I thought I only entered his air space this week.

  “Really. He’s been watching you since we opened last year. And he’s not really the guy he used to be. Did you know he hasn’t dated anyone in months?” Wheels squeak as Nika rolls the rack back toward the office.

  I’m tempted to follow her to ask more about him. But I stop myself because I’m not getting involved with Neal Morgan. I pull out my favorite shaming technique, the memory of my high school pregnancy. Yeah, guys like Neal leave girls like me up a creek without a paddle.

  Finding the lacy silk tee I imagined with the new outfit, I button the velvet vest over it. The deep wine red is adorned with silver studs and will make a nice western-style holiday piece. Pinching open the skirt hanger, I begin to daydream about what my daughter might be doing.

  She probably started kindergarten this year, and I picture a petite girl with my wild, curly hair and Trevor’s green eyes, coloring at a tiny desk. Regret squeezes my heart as tears make my vision blurry.

  My mother thought giving up my daughter for adoption was the best move for me. She wanted me to have the life I chose without being held back by a child. She’d know. I was a high-school pregnancy too.

  The summer before my senior year, we moved from Maine to Colorado, and my mother homeschooled me. I had my baby without having to deal with rumors and vindication. I’m grateful she saved me from the embarrassment, but she couldn’t save me from the shame. I shake off my thoughts and move to the jewelry counter to find accessories.

  Chains jingle as I sort through, looking for the opera length locket I want. Holding the cool metal of a heart pendant in my hand, I place it on the outfit and smile because this is something I would wear.

  On a whim I pull the same pieces for me. One of the perks of my job is a clothing allowance, and I’m going to utilize it to have something fun for tonight. Carrying it over to the checkout counter, I fondle the locket and flick it open. Rubbing the smooth interior with my thumb makes me wish I had a picture of someone I love to put inside.

  I snap the locket shut and set the clothes down. Yeah, getting involved with Neal would be a mistake. A very big mistake.

  Chapter 2

  Bitter cold wind whips my body as I walk to my car. Winter seems to have sneaked up on me, and my hands are chilled as I wrap my jacket tighter around myself instead of buttoning it up. I’m grateful the parking lot is just an alley away as I tuck my fingers under the bag with my new clothes in an attempt to warm them.

  As I emerge from the narrow lane I notice the leather bomber jacket I sold earlier today. Neal is getting in a car on the other side of Nika’s Land Rover in the shop owner’s reserved spaces. How is it I never noticed my spot was so close to his?

  His door slams, and I see him wave through the windshield at me. I return it quickly and smile at how clueless I can be. Lost in my own mind more often than not, it shouldn’t surprise me that Neal has been watching me without my notice.

  Yanking the sleeve of my coat over my hand to protect my skin, I open my car door, and the metal creaks with the cold. I have an apartment in Frisco, which is close to twenty minutes away from Breckenridge. It seems foolish to go home for a couple hours only to return to town for dinner at Nika’s, so I go work out.

  Driving a back road to the rec center, I glance at the mountains in the distance, which are covered with a dusting of white, making my skier’s heart beat faster. Even though I’ve skied since before I can remember, I still get a thrill when the season begins. Working in retail can be tough for getting daytime hours off, but I make the schedule and arrange to have three mornings and one day free.

  After an elliptical session that leaves room for a calorie-laden meal, I dress in my new vest and shirt, and the skirt I wore earlier today. The vintage fabric of my prairie skirt is soft from age and caresses my thighs as I wiggle into it. I survey my look in the mirror and am pleased with the outfit. I know I shouldn’t be trying to impress Neal, but the simple cotton peasant blouse I picked this morning wasn’t anything special. As a clothing designer, I should at least look as though I care.

  That’s what I tell myself when my boots clunk over frozen asphalt toward my car. But if I’m honest, I’m looking forward to someone giving me attention, even if I have no intention of doing anything about it.

  The drive to Nika and Christian’s is quick, and the sound of barking dogs greets me as I approach the front door. Nika has three Portuguese water dogs that are full of energy. I’m more of a cat person, but these puppies are sweet. I’ve learned to give them attention after I enter, and then they calm down.

  Nika lets me in. “Hey. You look fabulous.” She starts to laugh, and I notice her tall ex-model body in the green version of my vest. I grin at her and squat down to the dogs.

  “You look amazing, too.” As I run my hand over silky soft animals, I inhale a delicious meaty odor that must be duck. Having been a picky eater as a child, I learn new flavors coming here once a week. Christian is a great cook, and I’ve stopped wondering if I’m going to like whatever he’s making because I always do.

  Nika asks, “Wine?”

  “Of course. What am I having?”

  Neal raises up from a couch and answers, “Pinot noir.”

  I hadn’t noticed him when I walked in, and heat rises to my cheeks at how obtuse I can be.

  I save myself quickly. “From your shop, no doubt.”

  He grins and says, “Come with me and I’ll dazzle you.”

  I roll
my eyes and follow him to a kitchen area separated from the living room by a dark green granite island. An oversized wine glass is empty next to a decanter full of wine. Neal pours garnet-colored liquid into the goblet and swirls as he holds it near my nose. “What do you smell?”

  I grin. “It smells like wine.”

  “Aw, try for me.”

  Neal tilts his head, and I can’t help but comply. I inhale through my nose. “Fruit and—”

  “What kind of fruit?”

  What is this? A test? I glance at Nika, who is seated on a bar chair by the counter, and she nods encouragement, so I answer, “Berries.”

  “Yes, very good. What else?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

  “If you were to pick a spice, what would it be?”

  I sniff again. “Vanilla?”

  A smile covers his face. “Nice job. That’s it. I’m going to guess you’ve never done a wine tasting.”

  “You would be right. But I can sure tell you what raw silk smells like.”

  I notice how Neal’s eyes crinkle a little at the corners, and it makes me think he’s definitely older than I realized. He asks, “What does it smell like?”

  “Fish.” I can’t help but let a huge grin cover my face too.

  “I suppose fabric tasting isn’t much fun.” He lifts his eyebrows and adds, “But I’ll bet a fabric touch test would be.”

  My hand flies up to the velvet at my chest before I think about what I’m doing. It makes Neal’s eyes fall, and heat rises to my cheeks again. So many flirty things could be said, but I keep quiet and take a sip of my wine instead as my hand fondles the locket I’m wearing.

  Neal is not quite in my personal space and doesn’t reach out to touch my necklace when he says, “That’s a pretty locket. Anyone special inside?”

  “No.” He’s not blatantly flirting with me, and while I appreciate it, a piece of me is disappointed. “I haven’t had somebody special for years.” I drop my gaze and want to kick myself for letting that come out of my mouth.

  The sound of footsteps jogging down the stairs announces Christian, and I’m about to sigh in relief when Neal’s voice lowers for my ears only. “Perhaps that can change.”