by Claire Adams
I jumped on the platform and got on the next lift as Jerry chuckled. "Good luck, son. She's not interested."
"I'm glad she's not." I wrapped one arm around myself and waved as she looked back at me. She might not think she was interested, but she was. If not, I'd subtly force it to happen.
It seemed like forever by the time we made it to the top and she was quick to hop off and move toward the bunny slopes. A chuckle left me at the thought of her learning to ski and I realized that I had to tread lightly. My usual attack wouldn't work on this girl, at all. She had a man or had been broken by one. Either way, her unwillingness to give me the time of day meant something was up.
"Couldn't be me." I shrugged and internally rolled my eyes. When the fuck had I gotten so cocky?
I dropped off the lift and moved toward her, calling out with my hands around my mouth. "Baby. Wait up."
Several people from the bunny slope line turned and smiled like we were a cute couple and she was leaving my ass in the snow. She turned and put her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes, and making my cock twitch at the dominance in her gaze.
"I'm not your baby, and I don't need your help." She kept her glare locked into place and some part of me expected it to fade, but it didn't. She was serious.
"Well, if I knew your name, I wouldn't have to call you by a common nickname for lovers." I shrugged and moved up behind her. "You know my name. Give me yours."
"And then, you'll hop off? I'm not interested."
She let out a soft sigh, and I worked like hell to keep my eyes on hers and not take in the rest of her beautiful face. I wanted to memorize her, but I hated it when people did that shit to me. I was standing on the other side of the situation for the first time in my life – and it was thrilling.
"Yes, but if you're trying to learn to ski, I'm a local and there are much better bunny slopes around the back side of this mountain. I would be more than happy to help you learn. Nothing else. Promise." I held up my hands and gave her my best innocent expression.
"I'm Stacy, and I'm not buying that face for a second." She shook her head.
The smell of strawberries and vanilla filled my senses and I stifled a groan at the sweet smell of her shampoo. I glanced behind me and pointed to the narrow passage that would lead to a little bit of privacy.
"Well, Stacy, which isn't your name, at all," I looked back at her and winked, "if you can get through that narrow passage, I'll show you a secret slope that honestly will help you much better than what these guys are going to do."
"Nothing else? No phone number, no see you around and then you stalk me?" She lifted an eyebrow.
"Nope, so giving me your real name would be good. If I need to call out to you, you ain't responding to Stacy."
"Ain't isn't a word." Her hand dropped from her hips and she shook her head. "Okay on the teaching session, but I only have an hour. So cut to the chase and save your flirting for someone it might work on."
I reached out and took her hand, helping her to the opening in the mountain and squeezing in behind her as I let her go. She had to be the most naturally beautiful woman I'd ever seen. If she were wearing makeup, she hid it well.
"So, California or Florida?" I asked and moved up beside her, offering my hand.
She slapped it as if we were exchanging a greeting. The smirk on her face caused my stomach to tighten. I had to have her. The cocky bitch needed a man like me for the night, and she would bring me back down to reality, if nothing else.
"California, and my name is Mindy." She winked, and I chuckled, unable to help myself.
"Alright, Lindy."
She turned and growled softly. "Mindy. You've already forgotten my name. You should switch to baby or hun."
"How do you know that trick?"
"I go to school at UCLA. Man whores are a dime a dozen." She positioned herself at the top of the slopes and glanced over at me as I flinched from her comment, without meaning to. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just teasing."
"Sorry about what?" I deflected and nodded toward the slope. "Alright, so let's try this little one first and we'll move up. I'll go right beside you should something happen. You skied at all before?"
She watched me for a second, analyzing something about me, but I didn't ask what. Two could play her game.
Man whore…
It was a proud badge to wear, as most guys would know. Only girls seemed to use it as something derogatory.
"As a kid, I skied. Up here, actually." She turned and bent her knees a little before pulling her glasses into place. "How long have you lived here?"
"All my life, baby." I winked at her and moved up beside her. "Take it slow and if you need me, well, you know my name. Let's hope I don't need you."
She chuckled and lifted her pole, smacking me in the chest with it. "It's Chloe and stop being so damn cute. I'm only here for a few weeks. I don't sleep around, and I'm only looking for a friend. Be nice and I might let you put in an application."
"Ha! Who said I want to?" I pushed off and she moved up right beside me as the wind blew around us.
Her voice was sexy as hell and filled to the brim with confidence as she responded. "Oh, you want to."
I did. Badly.
We made it to the bottom of the circle and I pulled her to a stop, seeing that she didn't seem able to figure out how to slow herself.
She turned toward me and reached out, taking a hold of one of my arms as she wobbled a little.
"Wow. What a rush." She turned and looked back up the mountain. "I love it. Let's do it again."
"You skied as a kid, but you don't remember how to stop yourself?"
"It's been a long time. I much prefer the beach and the heat." She turned back to me and smiled before reaching up and brushing something from the side of my cap.
Her nearness stole my breath and for the second time in the hour I felt light-headed over this woman. I needed her number, needed to figure out something I could offer her that would have her taking up another one of my afternoons.
"You only have an hour. We can do this two or three more times and then we need to get back." I pointed down at my skis and turned both of them inward. "Do this to stop, okay?"
"Okay. I'll try it this time, but stay close just in case." She licked her lips and looked back up the mountain. "How do we get back up there?"
"We walk around to the lift. That's why we'll only get a few more times to make the run."
She growled and the sound of it shot an arrow of lust into the center of me. "I want more time. I might actually get this down this year."
"You're already doing good. Tell you what..." I bit my lip and looked out toward the valley below as she turned her attention on me. "Let's do this and then I'll give you my number. If you want to learn the next level up, just call me and if I'm free, I'm your man."
She chuckled and moved toward the lift. "Let's go, playboy. You can give me your number, but whether or not I call it is an entirely different story."
"And, why wouldn't you?" I moved up beside her and reached out to catch her as she stumbled again. I tugged her back as she dropped her poles and pressed her hands to my chest as she looked up at me.
"Because you're dangerous." The smirk that lifted her lips did something to my insides and a shot of fear ran through me. I could fall for this girl, which would be bad – really bad.
"Dangerous? I've saved your ass twice today. I'd say I'm safe." I smiled and released her before bending over and picking up her poles.
"Yes, a gentleman in the devil's disguise." She moved up beside me and took my hand and Jerry's to help her get back up on the platform.
I got up beside her and chuckled as Jerry winked at me again. "Jerry. She thinks I'm trouble. Tell her I ain't."
She turned and pinned me with a stare – over using the word ain't, no doubt. I chuckled again, enjoying the feeling of freedom to just be me and nothing else with her.
"He's a good man and has been far better than most of these boys around here
. He's pushed the pause button on his own life to help his daddy." Jerry patted my chest and smiled with pride. "He's a great boy, and I'm glad to know him."
"Well, damn, Jerry. I didn't need you to go that far." I smiled and moved up to the lift, taking Chloe's hand and making sure she was safe as the back of the chair hit our legs.
"You're helping your father here?" She glanced over at me, her attitude seeming to have dulled a little.
"Yeah, but it's nothing like Jerry made it seem." I shrugged and pulled my goggles off. "Dad’s worked his whole life to build up his snow removal business, and I plan to open a lodge one day up here, so leaving wouldn't work, anyway."
"So, you're helping him with his business?"
"Yeah." I looked over at her and smiled.
"What?" Her eyes narrowed a little and I shook my head.
"Nothing." I leaned back and let out a long sigh. "You're staying through Christmas?"
"Yep, and not a minute longer." She turned and looked out at the horizon. "It's beautiful here, but my home is in California now."
"Your family there, too?" I couldn't help but dig a little.
"My mother passed away eight years ago, but my father and brother are in Arizona most of the year and here for the winter." She looked back over at me. "We've been doing the back and forth thing since I was little. Used to be fun. No so much anymore."
"Skiing in the winter isn't fun anymore? Why not? Seems absurd to me." I extended my hand as we got closer.
"Thank you," she mumbled and took it before hopping off with me. "My dad's an asshole and quite the man whore himself."
Is she still referring to me as a man whore?
"Finn! Oh my goodness. It's my lucky day." A pretty brunette moved toward me as we got off the lift. She glanced toward Chloe and smirked in a less than kind fashion.
"Hey, girl. How are you?" I smiled and returned the awkward hug. I mouthed, “I don't know her” to Chloe as she rolled her eyes and turned, moving toward the narrow passage we used to get to the back of the mountain.
"Oh my gosh. I've missed you so much!" The nameless girl puffed out her bottom lip. "Why didn't you call me? You said you would."
"I was going to, but my damn phone ended up in the washing machine." I glanced up to see Chloe gone and knew I had a only few minutes to catch up with her.
Any chances of snuggling up to her were lost, no doubt. Knowing that her father used woman like I did made it apparent that she wasn't calling me out by mistake, but because she knew how to spot us.
My heart ached at the thought of not having a chance with her, and I carefully unwound myself from the girl in front of me and smiled down at her.
"Nice to see you again. Stay in touch." I moved toward the opening Chloe had disappeared into.
"How, Finn? I don't have your number."
I called out some random digits and sucked in, forcing my legs to move faster. She'd be half way down the hill by now, and she was.
I let out a long sigh and cupped my hands around my mouth. "Chloe, wait for me at the bottom and I'll explain."
She stopped expertly and turned to face me, skiing backwards as she lifted her hands to her mouth. "Not a chance, handsome, and call me baby. Seems a popular go-to for guys like you. Thanks for the lesson."
"Son of a bitch." I shook my head and let out a chuckle. The little tart knew how to ski all along. Was she just playing with me? Somehow I didn't mind one bit. Now to figure out who she was and how to find her.
Chapter 7
Chloe
Unbelievable.
I finished the run and moved toward the lodge as fast as I could, not wanting Finn to catch up to me. He was a player and a half, and while I didn't want to be interested in him, I was.
It was as if fate pulled together every descriptor I'd given Jessie in the car for my perfect boyfriend and created this sexy hunk who looked like sin, was good to the town’s people, and knew how to take care of a woman in the sheets. Contrary to popular belief, I didn't date anyone who wasn't classified as a man whore. Bad sex was the hardest thing to get over in a relationship. Jessie called me shallow on more than one occasion over it – until it happened to her. Then she saw the light.
Finn. What an interesting name.
The man was sexy as hell, incredibly sweet, and funny to boot. His sense of fashion might not be spot on, but did I really want a man correcting my drawings and trying to butt into my designs? No.
His dark brown hair and warm chestnut eyes were my favorite combination. The almond color of his skin combined with the small spray of freckles across his nose left me wanting to pant. he had strong shoulders and chest muscles, which I accidentally got to feel when he tugged me back toward him.
"And, his cologne. Fuck me, his smell." I groaned and moved into the ski lodge as an elderly couple gave me a look due to my choice of words, no doubt. "I'm sorry."
I walked to the ski rental and turned my gear in, grabbed my keys, and walked quickly to the parking lot. My father had several vehicles available for me to choose from, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the winner every time. It was spacious and luxurious, but left me feeling safe.
The drive home was a bit tumultuous, but I made it without much more than my nerves being on edge.
"You guys home?" I called out as I walked into the house.
"I'm in my room. You have fun?" Parker walked out of his bedroom, still in his pjs and a t-shirt.
"Yeah, actually I did." I shrugged and put my stuff on the counter. "I forgot that I actually enjoyed skiing."
"See? I told you there was things about this place to love."
"Yeah? Like you." I reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Speaking of your adoration for your one and only brother..." He reached out and tugged on one of the ropes to my hoodie.
"You want food?" I asked.
"God, yes, but no vegetables. I already had mine for the day." He moved to sit at one of the stools by the breakfast nook.
"Oh, yeah? What veggies did you eat?" I walked to the fridge and pulled out various cold cuts and cheeses.
"I had Cheetos and green gummy worms. I'm thinking that's pretty damn close to carrots and celery." He snorted.
"You're an idiot." I rolled my eyes and worked on getting him something better to eat. "So, I met this guy in town today. He seems to be a local."
"Yeah? What's his name?"
"Finn. I didn't get his last name." I shrugged and handed him the plate.
"Oh, yeah. He's the town slut. My friends are always talking about wanting to be like him."
"How do you have friends here?"
I made myself half a sandwich and glanced at the clock. I had twenty minutes before I had to put it in high gear. I was surprised that Cindy wasn't at the house already.
"You know Dad and I spend the fall here." My brother lifted his eyebrow and I nodded, not willing to admit that I'd gotten so wrapped up in my own stuff that I hadn't realized that they were in Colorado all fall. When I called them, I dialed their cell, which was an Arizona area code.
"So, this Finn guy is a big fat no?"
"Um, yeah. Unless you like being used for the night and tossed away."
I picked up my lunch and walked away, not ready to have any kind of sexual discussions with my teenage brother. A shiver ran through me and I made a sound of disgust at the thought.
"Yep. He's gross. Stay away."
"Done," I called over my shoulder and walked into my room to start sorting through what I would be wearing for the evening.
I texted my friends to see where everyone was. The twins were an hour out of the city and Cindy was headed my way.
It was decided that it would be easier to meet at a nice little Italian place in the center of town rather than all the way out at my father's house. I dropped the phone on the bed and lamented over the fact that Finn wouldn't be able to find me. If I wanted to see him again, I'd have to find him or bump into him. Why do things always have to be so damn difficult?
&nbs
p; I dressed in a cute skirt and tight top before choosing a pair of heels and fixing my hair and makeup in order to impress my friends properly. We all came from wealthy families, and it seemed like the first thirty minutes of any get together was catching each other up on what we did or didn't have, as well as eying each other's clothes and jewelry. Some part of me wanted to cancel for the evening, but it would look bad and I'd never hear the end of it.
"Besides, getting out will be good for me."
I leaned in toward the bathroom mirror and put a second coating of dark pink lipstick on my lips. I looked like a Barbie doll, which was annoying. No man treated a woman who looked like me seriously, especially when I dolled myself up.
"What are you doing in there?" My brother beat at the door and I yanked it open.
"Oh, great. You're going out with this guy, anyway?"
"No. Some old friends are coming into town. We're going to dinner and maybe a movie."
"Go dancing. There's a new club my friend's sister was raving about the other day. It's one block from Dad's store, though I can't remember the name of it to save my life."
I nodded and turned around. "Do I look alright?"
"Like my undercover gamer sister." He shrugged and walked back down the hall as I laughed.
"Gee, thanks, buddy."
"Anytime."
* * * *
I walked into the restaurant and handed the guy my coat at the front, worrying a little at first about being overdressed until the host showed me to our table.
My three friends were already there and let out loud squeals as I approached.
Momentary warmth flooded me and it was good to see old familiar faces. I hugged each of them and took my seat beside Cindy.
"You look incredible. The sun has done so much for your complexion. I love it." Janet reached for her wine and smiled.
"I agree. Do you dye your hair or is that natural?" Her twin sister, Kinsey, ran her fingers through her long brown strands as she tilted her head and studied me.
Lovely. The microscope light has been turned on.
"All natural, girls." I smiled and turned to Cindy. "How was the flight? The traveling? The family?"