chapter 3
~ JACOB ~
Have I ever been this captivated by a woman in my life? Not that I can recall. This little pixie is a spitfire, full of energy and quick to learn. Her sense of humor is damn hilarious and I’m dying to know what secrets she has hidden beneath all those layers of heavy snow gear.
I could easily spend days with her and not tire of her.
That itself is a novelty.
I can feel her tense up as we near the top of the lift. She laughs off her awkward clumsiness, but I can see the unease that it causes, making my heart go out to her. I’ve never known what it is to not feel comfortable in your body. Athletics always came easy to me.
“You’ll be fine, darling,” I murmur, and help her off the chair, keeping a hand on her arm and leading her away as I wave at the ski lift operator.
“Hey, Bax,” he calls with a smile.
“You’re popular around here,” she says with a grin. “I guess I can see why.”
“And why is that?”
“Well, you’re friendly. And handsome. And you seem to know what you’re doing.”
“I’d better know what I’m about, love. I can’t have anyone getting hurt, now can I?”
“No, we can’t have that.”
I lead her over to an area that has a gentle slope and is perfect for beginners. It shouldn’t scare her. Though I’ve skied places on this mountain that made me break out into a cold sweat.
She’ll never see those places.
“So you think I’m handsome?”
“You know you’re handsome.” She laughs and brushes some snow off her pants. It’s begun snowing. Large, fluffy flakes are lazily making their way to the ground.
“Handsome enough to have dinner with tonight?”
She bites her lip and I know she wants to say yes. I want her to say yes. I want to do much more than have dinner with her, but I’m willing to take it slow.
For the first time in a long time, I’m enjoying a woman’s company when she’s fully clothed.
Good grief.
“Well, you are rather handsome,” she replies, trying to copy my accent and failing miserably.
Fuck me, she’s adorable.
“Your accent needs work,” I reply, and brush my finger over her nose.
“I’m just trying to blend in. I’m a chameleon.” Her face is perfectly sober, but her hazel eyes are full of laughter. Her golden blond hair is cut short, shorter than I normally prefer, but it’s perfect on her. It frames her delicate face, setting off those witching eyes.
“Dinner, Grace,” I remind her.
“If you insist.”
Oh, I think I’ll be insisting on quite a few delicious things, darling.
I smile softly to myself and lead her through more snowplow moves, how to turn, and damn if she isn’t learning quickly. She’s a natural.
“You’re doing great, Grace.”
“I am?” She smiles widely as I help her out of her skis.
“Absolutely. You’ll be flying down this mountain in no time.”
“How are we getting down to the lodge?” she asks nervously.
“We’re riding the chair, love.”
“I’m sorry, this can’t be very much fun for you.”
“Actually, I’m having a lovely day.” I help her back onto the chair and hop on next to her. “I’m grateful that your friends are getting married and talked you into Aspen.”
“Me, too.” She smiles up at me and I want to kiss her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I pull my glove off and pull my knuckles down her cold cheek, glide my thumb over her plump lower lip.
“Grace, I’m going to kiss you here on this chairlift.”
Her tongue pokes out of her mouth, wetting her lower lip and brushing my thumb and my cock tightens. I lean in and rest my lips on hers, waiting for her to push me away, but she plunges her fingers into my hair and holds on and I sink into her. I rub my lips back and forth over her soft skin before licking her lower lip and slipping my tongue inside, over her tongue and exploring her mouth. She moans softly, opening readily and I sink in farther, caught up in her clean scent and the smell of the snow around us.
I pull back to find her eyes wide and glassy. The pulse in her throat throbs quickly, matching my own.
Bloody hell, I want her.
I glance around to find that we’re almost to the bottom of the lift. I lean in and place my lips beside her ear, press a soft kiss, and then whisper, “I owe you dinner.”
“I’ll collect,” she immediately replies as a shiver moves through her, making me grin.
Sweet, strong girl.
We hop off the chair without incident. She seemed to grow more confident as she became more sure on the skis, and it’s showing now. She’s less hesitant as we move away from the lift toward the rental shop.
“I’ll be glad to get rid of these boots,” she says with a wrinkled nose. “They’re heavy.”
“It’s a workout, indeed.”
“Indeed,” she mimics.
“You enjoy teasing me about my accent, love.”
“I don’t mean to be offensive,” she rushes to assure me. “It’s my stupid sense of humor. You can tell me to shut up.”
I pull her to a stop and drop my face close to hers. “I think you’re charming and delightful, and I don’t want you to shut up. I was teasing you in return.”
“Okay.”
“I told you before, I’m enjoying your company very much.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s ditch this gear and get you warmed up.”
“I wonder if I can order a hot chocolate in the lobby and sit by the fire.”
“I’m quite sure you can order whatever you like,” I reply. You can have anything you want.
I’ve known the woman for a matter of hours and I’m ready to offer her the world.
Jesus Christ, grow a pair, Bax.
We turn in her equipment and walk back to the lodge, avoiding the icy patch that she slipped on earlier.
Watching her fall had my heart in my throat.
“Jeanette,” I call as we walk through the lobby to the fireplace. “Would you please order us two hot chocolates?”
“Of course, Bax,” she replies with a knowing smile. She’s such a mother hen. Always trying to set me up with someone.
Maybe this will shut her up.
“Have a seat, love.” I lead her to a plush love seat, but instead of sitting next to her, I sit on the ottoman across from her and take her boot off of her left foot, pull it up into my lap, and begin to rub it vigorously over her wool sock.
“You do not have to touch my sweaty foot!” She tries to pull away but I hold strong.
“I’m warming you up, Grace.”
“The fire will do that for me.”
I raise a brow and watch her quietly as I continue to rub her slender foot. She finally relaxes and sinks back into the cushions of the couch.
“God, you’re good at that.”
“We can’t have your toes fall off from frostbite.”
“I don’t think I was quite there yet,” she replies with a laugh. “But thanks for having my back.”
“What did you think of your lesson?” I ask and turn my attention to her right foot. I want to strip her naked and explore every inch of her tiny body, lose myself in her for hours on end.
Once I started, I don’t know if I could ever let her go.
And where in the bloody hell are these thoughts coming from?
“I had fun,” she replies with a soft sigh. “I didn’t fall once, thanks to you.”
“I told you I wouldn’t let you fall.”
“You might have to come with me to Aspen. Who needs poles when they have Jacob to keep them upright?”
She laughs, and I smile at her, but my insides still. The thought of her in Aspen, with another ski instructor paying her the same attention I am, pisses me the fuck off.
And that’s absolut
ely ridiculous.
“Jacob?”
“Yes, darling.”
“Where did you go? You zoned out there for a minute.”
I shake my head and join her on the couch as our drinks are delivered.
“Here you go, Bax.” The young room service attendant places the tray holding the hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies on the ottoman before us. I slip my hand into my pocket, pull out some money, and hand him his tip.
“Thank you, Michael.”
“Anytime.”
“Your coworkers are very respectful to each other,” Grace observes, and nibbles a cookie.
Now is the time to tell her. It shouldn’t be all that difficult to mention that I’m not merely an employee, but the owner of the place. However, the thought of her anger and embarrassment is like a punch to the gut.
I’m just a normal bloke, having a conversation with a woman. Not the playboy billionaire from London.
I rather like the way this feels.
“Thank you,” I reply instead, and take a sip of the warm chocolate. “It’s a nice place to work.”
“Hmm,” she agrees. She’s leaning back in the seat, her eyes growing heavy as she sips her drink, lost in her thoughts. I watch her for a while, wondering what she’s thinking, but not wanting to ruin this quiet moment.
“We’d best get back to our rooms so we can change out of these clothes for dinner.” I stand and hold my hand out to her, pulling her to her feet beside me.
“I’m on the fifth floor,” she says. “Where do you stay?”
“I have a place here in the lodge.” I don’t mention that my living quarters are a three-bedroom suite that I’ve commandeered. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“You don’t have to.”
“A gentleman always walks his lady home.” I ignore the looks that the staff sends us as I lead her to the elevator, and once we reach her floor, she leads me to her door. She’s in one of the standard king rooms. They’re top of the line, comfortable, and perfectly fine. But I also know in this moment that regardless of how many nights she’s reserved to stay in this room, and I intend to find out, she’ll spend only one night in this room.
“Thanks for walking me home.” She grins.
“My pleasure.” I wait for her to unlock the door, and before she can escape inside, I pin her against the doorjamb and kiss her passionately, deeply. Hungrily.
Her fingers find their way into my hair again, and I long to feel them there as I bury my face in her pussy, making her come over and over again.
Yes, this is just the beginning for Grace and me.
I pull away from her mouth, drag my nose along her jawline to her ear.
“I’ll be back to pick you up in an hour.”
She swallows hard as I pull away from her.
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
Grace smiles and turns to walk into her room.
“Grace . . .”
She turns at the sound of my voice, but I’m too late, and she runs smack into the doorjamb.
“Ow!”
“Oh, love, I’m so sorry.”
She giggles and rubs her temple where she hit the hardest.
“At least I’m not standing on ice. I’d be a goner.” She shrugs and waves before closing the door behind her.
chapter 4
~ Grace ~
Well, that was elegant. Way to run into the door, like in some slapstick movie, as the hottest man you’ve ever seen in your life looks on with lust-filled eyes after kissing you unlike you’ve ever been kissed before.
I wonder if all the British kiss like that?
Because seriously, the man knows how to use his lips.
He never makes me feel clumsy or stupid. When I fall or walk into a wall, he doesn’t look at me like I’m a moron. He laughs with me instead of at me.
And let’s face it, the sexy factor is through the roof.
His hair is as thick and soft as it looks. I never wanted to let go.
So what do I do? Have a weekend affair like the girls suggested? Why not?
Perhaps I’m jumping ahead of myself here. The man asked me to dinner, not to jump into his bed.
Get a grip!
I strip out of my clothes and turn on the shower, then struggle with what to wear. I didn’t bring anything dressy because I didn’t plan to go out on a date. I wonder what he’s wearing?
I don’t even have his phone number.
Shit.
Suddenly my phone buzzes on the bathroom vanity with a number I don’t recognize.
This is Jacob. Dinner will be casual. See you soon.
How did he do that? Would Jeanette have given him my phone number? Probably, but that seems rather unprofessional.
I shrug and type back a response: Sounds good!
I take a long hot shower. My muscles are already moaning from the activity today. Tomorrow will be horrible.
Thank God I’m scheduled for a massage!
In a moment of optimism, I shave my legs and bikini line, then wash my hair and step out of the shower.
Thankfully, my short hair has trimmed a good ten minutes off my time. It blows dry quickly, and with a few brushes with my fingers and a little hair gel, I’m good to go. I keep the makeup simple and casual, then dress in my jeans and red cami with a black shrug over the top. I slide my feet into black Toms and take a spin in front of the mirror. My breasts are pushed up, thanks to the expensive bra I splurged on, and my ass looks great in these jeans.
This is as good as it gets with my limited wardrobe choices.
Just as I smooth some gloss on my lips, there’s a light knock on the door.
“ ’Ello, govna!” I exclaim as I open the door, and then I lose all control of my tongue. I think it fell out.
I hope I’m not flapping my mouth about like a guppy.
Jacob is delicious in faded blue jeans and a well-worn white T-shirt with a blue plaid button-down open over it. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows.
His hair is still damp from a shower, but he didn’t shave that scruff off his chin.
Thank God.
“You are beautiful,” he murmurs. He leans his shoulder against the doorframe and watches me watch him with hot, green eyes. “Are you ready?”
“Hold on, I’m not done,” I reply.
“Done with what?” he asks with a half smile.
“Looking,” I whisper.
The smile disappears from his face, replaced by pure, unadulterated lust.
“Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll push my way into your room, uninvited as it stands right now mind you, and take you up against that wall.”
I blink at him, tempted to take him up on the offer, when my stomach growls.
“I think I’m hungry.”
“As am I. Let’s feed you, love.” He holds his hand out for mine and leads me down the hall to the elevator.
“You smell great.” God, I have got to learn to use a filter when I speak to this man! Shit just pops right out.
“Thank you,” he murmurs with a smile. “I hope you’re content with the restaurant here in the hotel.”
“Sure, I’ve heard good things,” I reply truthfully. “I’ve never been up to check it out, but my friends love it.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
The hostess smiles widely at Jacob as we approach, but the light in her eyes dims a bit when she sees me.
That’s right, he’s with me. At least for a few hours, anyway.
“Hello, Riley.”
“Hi, Mr. Baxter. Your usual table?”
“That will be fine, thank you.”
I frown up at him. A ski instructor has a usual table?
She leads us through the restaurant to the back of the room, tucked in a corner with wide windows that look out over the ski hill.
He seats me in the corner and sits with his back to the room, facing me.
“I didn’t think men liked to sit with their backs to the room,” I say. There’s no wa
y in hell he’s a fucking ski instructor.
“A gentleman always seats the lady so she can look out to the room,” he replies matter-of-factly, perusing his menu.
“I like that.” I clear my throat without opening the menu. “Who are you, exactly?”
His eyes whip up to mine in surprise. “I’ve told you who I am, darling.”
“You lied,” I reply, without emotion in my voice. “Let me guess. You own the joint.”
“Hey, Mr. Baxter, what can I get you both to drink?” a waitress with the name Babs pinned to her shirt asks as she approaches the table, interrupting us.
“We’ll need a moment, please.” His eyes never leave mine as Babs walks away.
“I own this lodge, yes,” he replies, and holds my gaze steadily.
“So that whole, ‘Don’t lie to me, love. That’s one thing I won’t have. There’s no need of it,’ was just, what? A line?”
“That’s fair, Grace, and no, it wasn’t a line.” He snaps his menu shut and scratches his fingers through his hair.
“So you played me. Good job.”
“No.” He grabs my wrist to keep me in place as I move to leave and clenches his jaw shut. His grip isn’t hard or biting, but just enough to let me know that he wants me to stay. “Please let me explain.”
“I feel foolish,” I whisper. Way to go, you clumsy idiot. Just another way to make a fool of yourself.
“No, love.” He shakes his head and clears his throat. “If anyone should feel foolish, it’s me. I didn’t mean to mislead you.”
“You mistakenly failed to mention that you own this damn lodge all day long?” I ask incredulously. “Do you think I’m stupid as well as clumsy?”
“You’re neither stupid nor clumsy, Grace. When you approached me this afternoon, I was speaking with the boy who was supposed to be your instructor for the day.”
“You employ toddlers?”
Jacob’s lips twitch with humor. “He’s a very young-looking nineteen and an excellent skier. You were mistaken when you assumed I was to be your instructor today.”
“My mistake. I apologize.”
“I apologize, Grace. I just instantly liked you. With your immediate apology for your clumsiness and your sense of humor and your gorgeous hazel eyes, I just . . .” He blows out a breath and searches for his next words. “I just wanted to spend the day with you.”
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