His Curvy Redemption: Curves at the Lodge

By Britt Jones

A billionaire tired of being wanted for his money. A curvy massage therapist happy, vibrant and alone. Both looking for someone to love.

 

Nathanial

When I pictured my life, it never occurred to me that I'd be left at the altar, and I certainly never thought I'd be headed off to my honeymoon alone at White Fir Lodge. But here I am, trying to become the fun, relaxed guy my fiancée left me for. Only trouble is, I have no idea how to do it. I'll need someone to show me the ropes, someone a lot like the curvy goddess I met on the beach. Brie exudes happiness and joy. Being around her changes me until I'm worried that I'll lose more than my workaholic ways, I might just lose my heart.

 

Brie

After witnessing how massage therapy revitalized my mother after a serious accident, I am passionate about my work as the top massage therapist at White Fir Lodge. I love helping people, I love that I can have fun on and off the job in this beautiful place. The only thing I'm missing in this perfect life of mine, is someone to share it with. When I meet the gorgeous but seriously stuffy Nathanial on the beach, I think he might be the one. Spending time with him softens him and I fall even deeper. Until I realize he's off limits, very off limits, and falling for him could risk the life I love.

 

Secret Billionaire

Curvy Younger Woman

Together in an all the feels romance.

 

A Curves at the Lodge book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Britt Jones
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223416371

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Nate

I wrap the towel around my waist and head to my kitchen. Coffee should be done. Mentally running through my day, I stop short when I see my best friend Ry, leaning against the breakfast bar. Looking over the cup at me, he takes a sip of his coffee.

Good to see you, but what are you doing here? Did I forget something? An appointment?

Ry calmly shakes his head and hands me a mug. Nope. There’s nothing on your schedule for the next seven days.

I take a swallow. Not true, I have three sites to check on, a meeting at one with finance and some new bids to review and approve.

He smiles. Nope. As your CEO, and best friend, I’ve parsed all those appointments out to your highly qualified staff. You have about a two-hour drive ahead of you and you need to get going. His glance shifts to the door where two suitcases are stacked.

I didn’t pack those.

I did, yesterday, while you were still working at the office at eleven p.m. Was that a seventeen hour day?

I grimace. And I came home and put in a couple more hours. No wonder I’m tired today. I drink half my cup of coffee. My liquid life support.

The hours are necessary, I remind myself. There’s a lot expected of me, people who depend on me for their jobs, the company’s reputation to maintain, deadlines and commitments to meet. I won’t let them down. I won’t let Dad down.

What’s going on, Ry? I have work to do.

No. You have a week’s vacation at a highly coveted lodge. Your fishing trip starts in a little less than three hours and I don’t want you to miss it. I had to practically beg for your seat on the boat.

No. I’ve got a business to run. I can’t take time off.

Yes, you can.

I shake my head. A billion-dollar business doesn’t manage itself. Someone has to pay attention.

Ry bristles. That’s what you pay your CEO and CFO for, as well as all the engineers, architects and everyone else down the line.

I run a hand through my hair. Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I know how hard you work and that the company means as much to you. I—I just need to work. Stay on top of things.

"That is exactly your problem! Your money-grubbing ex-fiancée, Cloe, was right about that. You need to learn to have fun, to relax. There is more to life than eighty plus hour work weeks.

"Look, I loved your dad. He was good to me and treated me like a son. He worked his ass off to make money for your mom. It was never enough and she took off anyway. He never let go of her, loving her till his dying day. After she left, he doubled down because you and work were all he had. You were the only thing he took time off for.

"You learned the business from your dad, and you’re even better than he was at what you do. But you didn’t learn how to take downtime or show your emotions. You put on your work face and plod through, ignoring your feelings, your needs. It’s time you realize there’s more to life than the business. You deserve the good times just like everyone else.

You need ‘A’ life, he says gently. "You need balance. You told me three months ago when you caught Cloe cheating, that you needed to learn how to play. Life isn’t about things. It’s about doing things you love, being with those you love. If your dad was here, he’d agree with me.

Hell, do you even know the Forty-Niners have won all their games so far?

I cross to the window and stare out at the skyline from my penthouse view. Tall buildings, glass and concrete. The upscale view Cloe said she had to have.

I miss the trees in my old back yard. I miss cutting the lawn. I miss coffee on the porch watching the sunrise with Dad before heading out to work. Yeah, we worked hard, but we were together, sharing the accomplishments along the way.

Dad felt he was a failure to the only woman he loved. He wouldn’t allow himself to fail at work, too. Is Ry right? Am I becoming my father?

You’re not clueless. You know how to do this, you’re just out of practice. Once Cloe hooked you, you went into provider mode working to give her everything she demanded. You quit taking care of you. If you’d have been paying attention, you’d have realized she was never right for you in the first place. She wasn’t into you as much as your money.

He straightens and places his empty cup on the counter. "You’re going on this vacation if I have to drive you myself and leave you stranded until I come back for you.

"I want you to sit at the pool and people watch. Observe the women, study when they smile at their partner and when they get irritated. You can learn a lot by observing what works for somebody else and what doesn’t. Watch the guys to see what they do that turns women off. What they do that gets them a smile. Give yourself time to remember how to have fun.

"If you see someone that interests you, buy them drinks, talk, make conversation. Flirt, for god’s sake. You have a great smile, use it.

You are not looking for a wife or even necessarily a hook up—although, he raises an eyebrow, "that wouldn’t hurt you. You’re looking for a conversation that doesn’t start with a spreadsheet. Have a laugh or two, find someone it just feels good to talk to. You need to break your pattern. You need to relax and breathe.

"So, you are going to fish, snorkel, sit at the pool, play tennis, and read—I packed books for you. There will be an itinerary of the activities I’ve already signed you up for. You are going to experience something besides work. You are going to relax and find something to enjoy. Something real.

You will smile, you will laugh, maybe even dance. You are NOT going to work, think about work, or call work. You’re going to go because you know I’m right.

You aren’t much better than I am, you know. When was the last time you saw your doctor?

"Get your shit together,