Slope of Love (Love in Bloom: The Remingtons) Read online

  Slope of

  Love

  The Remingtons, Book Four

  Love in Bloom Series

  Melissa Foster

  Smashwords Edition

  ISBN: 9781310003363

  Smashwords Edition, Copyright 2013, Melissa Foster

  ISBN: 9781310003363

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

  SLOPE OF LOVE

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2014 Melissa Foster

  V1.0

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Cover Design: Natasha Brown

  WORLD LITERARY PRESS

  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  A Note to Readers

  I have had so much fun writing the Love in Bloom series, and Slope of Love was no exception. Every once in a while, a character surprises me, and Rush Remington is one of those characters. His friendship with Jayla Stone made me long to be near my best friend. (Luckily, my best friend is always with me—I married him.) I hope you enjoy getting to know Rush and Jayla as much as I enjoyed writing their story.

  Slope of Love is the fourth book of The Remingtons and the thirteenth book in the Love in Bloom series. While it may be read as a stand-alone novel, for even more enjoyment, you may want to read the rest of the Love in Bloom novels.

  For Stephen and Sandra Foster

  PRAISE FOR MELISSA FOSTER

  “Contemporary romance at its hottest. Each Braden sibling left me craving the next. Sensual, sexy, and satisfying, the Braden series is a captivating blend of the dance between lust, love, and life.”

  —Bestselling author Keri Nola, LMHC

  (on The Bradens)

  “[LOVERS AT HEART] Foster’s tale of stubborn yet persistent love takes us on a heartbreaking and soul-searing journey.”

  —Reader’s Favorite

  “Smart, uplifting, and beautifully layered.

  I couldn’t put it down!”

  —National bestselling author Jane Porter

  (on SISTERS IN LOVE)

  “Steamy love scenes, emotionally charged drama, and a family-driven story make this the perfect story for any romance reader.”

  —Midwest Book Review (on SISTERS IN BLOOM)

  “HAVE NO SHAME is a powerful testimony to love and the progressive, logical evolution of social consciousness, with an outcome that readers will find engrossing, unexpected, and ultimately eye-opening.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “TRACES OF KARA is psychological suspense at its best, weaving a tight-knit plot, unrelenting action, and tense moments that don’t let up and ending in a fiery, unpredictable revelation.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “[MEGAN’S WAY] A wonderful, warm, and thought-provoking story…a deep and moving book that speaks to men as well as women, and I urge you all to put it on your reading list.”

  —Mensa Bulletin

  “[CHASING AMANDA] Secrets make this tale outstanding.”

  —Hagerstown magazine

  “COME BACK TO ME is a hauntingly beautiful love story set against the backdrop of betrayal in a broken world.”

  —Bestselling author Sue Harrison

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Excerpt for Read, Write, Love

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  THE MUSCLE ON the side of Rush Remington’s jaw bunched as he glanced out the window at the snow that had been falling since the plane touched down in Colorado. Rush didn’t need much to be happy—a snowy slope, a set of skis, a daily dose or two of protein powder, and a little time with his best friend. The ski team equipment had been shipped separately and had already arrived at the Colorado Ski Center, where he and a few other Olympic ski team members were teaching ski workshops this week. Rush pulled two duffel bags from beneath his seat. One was packed tight with protein powder, movies, and gummy bears—his best friend’s go-to snack—the other stuffed to the hilt with his clothes.

  He dug his vibrating cell phone from his pocket—another text from Jayla. He and Jayla Stone had been best friends for more than fifteen years, and this was supposed to be their week to hang out. He eyed the reporters waiting by the entrance of the lodge before stealing a look toward the back of the van, where Jayla sat beside Marcus White, pretending to rummage through her purse for something. Rush knew that she was really avoiding making eye contact with him because of Marcus. The only thing in that damn purse was a man’s wallet—because women’s wallets are too bulky—her keys, personal products (wrapped in tissues and hidden in a zippered pouch because they’re embarrassing), and probably a few empty bags of gummy bears.

  He read the text from Jayla. Cute reporter. Blonde. Red coat.

  At six foot two, with a shock of dark brown hair, an ever-present tan, perfect teeth, and an insatiable appetite for exercise, the media—and women—loved Rush, but today he was in no mood to smile for the camera.

  He laughed under his breath and shook his head. A year ago he’d have scoped out the hot blonde, scored by midnight, then forgotten her name by the next morning when he and Jayla met for breakfast. She’d have teased him about adding a notch to his belt or some other random shit, and then they’d have hit the slopes. A year ago he was a totally different guy.

  He texted her back. If she’s not made of powder, I’m not interested. Just wanna ski.

  In a week, the competitive ski season would be over, and Rush could have all the women he wanted without worrying about them messing with his head and, in turn, screwing with his ability to win. But getting laid by some random woman wasn’t anywhere on Rush’s agenda. Rush had planned on revealing to Jayla that he finally realized he was truly,
madly, and infuriatingly in love with her. Now his plan was shot to hell, and he had no interest in doing anything other than making it through the week and coming out on top of the North Face Competition, the last race of the season.

  He didn’t have to look at Jayla to know that her eyebrows were drawn together and she was reaching for that empty bag of gummy bears, hoping to find just one more to calm her nerves. Or to know that Marcus fucking White was eyeing every move she made.

  Rush followed the other members of the ski team who had volunteered to teach the ski workshops off of the van. Cliff Bail and Patrick Staller looked like they had just walked out of Skier magazine with their strong physiques and dirty-blond, sun-streaked hair. They checked out the female reporters as they headed for the resort with Kia Lyle and Teri Martin on their heels. Rush hung back, hoping the reporters would get their fill of interviews with his teammates and give him a break. He inhaled the crisp, cold mountain air, kicked the blanket of fresh snow with the toe of his boot, and surveyed the grounds of the place that he’d call home for the next week. The majestic three-story stone and cedar lodge was set against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Curvy slopes carved wide white paths through the trees, snaking from the mountain peaks to the valleys below, and it took his breath away.

  Reporters and cameramen were on him seconds later, shoving microphones in his face and snapping photos.

  “Rush, do you have anything you’d like to say to your fans?”

  Rush answered the male reporter without breaking stride on his way into the lobby, with a serious look in his eyes and a practiced media-worthy smile. “I appreciate their support, and they can count on me to be ready for the next Olympics.”

  He wondered if they’d even caught his last words as Jayla stepped from the van and every camera turned in her direction. Since winning two Olympic gold medals, Jayla had been hounded by the press even more than he had. Nothing beat a hot female Olympic medalist. Having been friends with her for years, he was thrilled for her success, though he couldn’t ignore the ego slap at being cast aside by the press. He didn’t blame them really. Jayla was America’s sweetheart, the new face of Dove, and the best damn role model young girls could ask for.

  The Olympic ski team had been sponsored by leading ski manufacturers and clothing manufacturers. After winning his Olympic golds, Rush had secured several of his own sponsors, ranging from sunscreen manufacturers to energy drink manufacturers, and since winning her Olympic gold medal for the downhill event, Jayla had also received sponsorships from hair care and beauty product manufacturers.

  “Dude, you a statue? Let’s go.” Marcus pushed past Rush, carrying a leather bag thrown over his shoulder.

  America’s sweetheart and the new girlfriend of this asshole.

  “Three bags. Over there,” Marcus snapped at the twenty-something bellboy who looked like he’d just come from a day at the beach, with his long sun-streaked bangs covering his eyes and tanned face.

  Rush gritted his teeth to keep from giving him a two-fisted lesson in manners. Asshole. He and Marcus had trained together for the last three years. At the Olympics two years earlier, Marcus failed to qualify to compete in the medal rounds while Rush had gone on to become one of the few men to win Olympic medals in all five disciplines: gold in the slalom and giant slalom, and silver in the Super-G, downhill, and combined. Marcus had been a prick before Rush won, and he’d turned into a prick extraordinaire ever since. And for the last three weeks, he’d monopolized every second of Jayla’s time—a harsh reminder that Rush had waited too long already, and he needed to tell Jayla how he felt about her before she and Marcus got in any deeper.

  Rush watched him barge through the glass doors with his chin held high. He’d like to knock that pointy chin into tomorrow.

  Marcus shouldn’t even be there. He hadn’t volunteered like Rush and a few of the other team members had to help his buddy Blake Carter’s wife, Danica, teach a ski workshop for kids from her youth center, No Limitz. Community outreach was important for Rush’s and his teammates’ images, but Rush hadn’t volunteered for that reason. Blake was his buddy, and he liked to promote the sport to youth. Hell, if it were up to Rush, he’d teach kids to ski the minute they could walk.

  Rush held the door open as the volunteers from the women’s ski team filed through, listening as Jayla tried to disengage from the press.

  “Any messages for your fans?” The red-coated reporter shoved a microphone in her face.

  Since winning her gold, Jayla had been all over television and radio commercials as well as print ads for Dove and a few of her other sponsors, and young girls from all over had emailed her in support, many thanking her for inspiring them. Jayla wasn’t the type to get an inflated ego. Prior to Marcus consuming Jayla’s personal life, Rush had been by her side when she personally answered many of those emails, and her genuine gratitude had reeled his heart in even more. Then again, gratitude and sincerity were integral parts of Jayla’s sweet nature.

  “Yes. I appreciate their support. I love hearing from them, and I hope to make them proud next weekend.”

  “Any plans for the next Olympics?” a different female reporter asked.

  The next Olympics might be two years away, but Rush, Jayla, and the rest of the team practiced as if it were right around the corner.

  “Train and win.” Jayla slung a bag over her shoulder and waved as she walked away. A reporter hurried beside her, and Jayla slowed just long enough to say a gracious thank you before catching up to Rush.

  “Thanks, Rush,” she said as she came through the door.

  Rush leaned in close and tried to mask the storm brewing in his gut. “Thought you were coming alone.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “So did I.”

  He’d seen her flinch when she lifted her bag, and since she’d had two previous shoulder injuries, Rush did what he’d always done. He reached for her bag.

  She glared at him. “I’m fine.”

  He held up his hands in surrender.

  Most women were needy, clingy, and while Rush was all too happy to spend a few hours getting his groove on and pleasuring them, he wasn’t the type to listen to bitching and moaning and to answer questions like, Do these jeans make me look fat? He’d learned this lesson early in life, when he’d answered honestly on more than one occasion. No, the lard in that cake you just downed makes you look fat. Jayla wasn’t like most women. She was intense, competitive, strong. Those were just a few of the many qualities he loved about her. She was a freaking bulldog when she wanted to be, and she was also stubborn as a goddamn mule.

  Rush tried to ignore the clutch in his chest as she flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder and flashed a smile at Marcus. He and Jayla had met at ski camp as teenagers, and they’d quickly become as close as two friends could be. He trusted Jayla with his dirtiest secrets, and he knew her deepest fears. He was surprised that after all these years she still put up with him and that he hadn’t fucked up their friendship, especially now that he realized—or rather, accepted—what a womanizing douche he’d been for all those years, something he’d never tried to hide from her. He had his eldest brother, Jack, and a comment from Jayla to thank for that little eye-opening nugget of truth. Although they’d shared the details of their personal lives, they’d never judged each other, and for the first time ever, he was having a hard time keeping his mouth shut. In order to make it through this messed-up week, he pushed aside thoughts of Jayla and Marcus and focused on the upcoming North Face Competition, the last race of the season.

  “Ow!”

  Rush turned and caught a glimpse of Jayla rubbing her arm. He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, locking a heated stare on Marcus. He could hardly believe she’d gone out with him once, much less that they were still together after three weeks. It made no sense at all. Marcus was a total controlling prick, and Jayla was…He wouldn’t allow himself to think of the litany of qualities he loved about her or how long it had taken him to finally open his eyes
and realize just how much he loved them.

  Jayla was facing the opposite direction, and without walking over, he’d have no way of knowing if Marcus had hurt her or if she was bitching about breaking a nail. Then again, Jayla didn’t give a shit about her nails. Never had.

  Marcus slung his arm around Jayla’s shoulder and turned away with a smirk. Rush didn’t miss the way Jayla’s body went rigid beneath his touch.

  Not my problem.

  Chapter Two

  JAYLA RUBBED THE back of her arm where Marcus had squeezed too hard. He’d done that a lot lately. Squeezed too hard, demanded too much. Everything about Marcus was intense, from his brooding dark eyes to the way he stewed over every move he made on the slopes. Jayla had never met a man who stayed up nights mulling over what he could or should have done differently, down to the millisecond. It was that intensity that had first drawn her to him—and it was that intensity that had driven her to the decision to break up with him. Now she was seriously reconsidering her decision to volunteer this week. Marcus wasn’t supposed to be there. He was supposedly too busy to help a bunch of nobody kids. In fact, volunteering had been Jayla’s brilliant plan to decompress before her last competition. A few days without Marcus—and with Rush—would have allowed her to actually relax and would provide the space she needed to go through with the breakup and rehab her aching shoulder in private.

  “Sometimes I don’t realize my own strength,” Marcus said in that sexy, apologetic voice that made her heart soften. Well, that and his insanely handsome face and rock-hard body, which made most women’s brains turn to mush—as hers had in a moment of stupidity. She’d always been careful about the men she dated. They were in training when Marcus had asked her out, and she’d thought it would be a good distraction from her sore shoulder and the stress of competition. If she was honest with herself, she would admit that maybe…just maybe…she’d accepted the date to make Rush a little jealous, which was asinine at best.