“Mmm, cheeseburger.” She licks her lips and I feel my dick get hard.
“Are you picturing me as food?”
“No, that would be weird.” She extends her hand. “I’m Mara.”
“Jesse.” I wait for the Springfield joke. “Don’t say it.”
Her forehead wrinkles and she whispers, “I can’t say your name. Out loud?”
She’s ridiculously cute.
“I said my name out loud when I told you.”
“I’m confused. Are you a villain like He Who Shall Not Be Named?”
Instead of continuing to spin in her circular conversation, I tuck her under my arm and hug her. She fits perfectly against my body despite the height difference.
“If you’re feeling better, we can go back inside. Or …” I let the suggestion go unspoken.
“No.”
“Okay. We’ll go find your friend. I don’t want to leave you out here on your own.”
“Afraid the big, bad wolf will come attack me?”
“I’m more worried for the wolf.” I don’t think she’s as bombed as I first thought, but she’s definitely at the point of lowered inhibitions if our kissing is anything to go by. I like her and if she’s not leaving with her friends, I want her to leave with me.
“Let’s go someplace else.” She surprises me with her suggestion. “How about your house?”
“My place?” I lift an eyebrow in question and press my lips together. “It’s down valley. Too far for just a drink.”
“Okay.” She agrees as if I suggested it.
I give up fighting my smile. “What exactly are you agreeing to?”
“Whatever. However these things go, I’m up for it. How does this normally work?” She looks eager. The confidence from earlier has faded, but she’s keeping up the façade.
“Huh?”
“You pick up a woman and … What happens next?”
“Are we speaking hypothetically? Or are you asking for a timeline?” Her questions sound innocent, but her delivery is more straightforward than most women I’ve met, making for an intriguing combination.
“First, you’re the one who jumped into my arms and started kissing me. Second, why do you think I do this on a regular basis?” I ask.
She snorts loudly at the last part.
“You don’t even know me.” I want to tell her she has me confused for my brothers. I’m the quiet one. The responsible one.
Her apology is mumbled.
“What?” I cup my hand around my ear.
“I made assumptions based on the kissing and your hands on my ass.”
“Most of that was you. I followed your lead.” I hold up my hands. “I’m an innocent bystander who found himself in the wrong place.”
She studies me while chewing on her bottom lip.
She’s adorable. “Or a lucky guy in the right place at the right time.”
Her confidence must return by the spark in her eyes and the sassy smile on her face.
“Or that.”
I grin down at her.
She continues talking, “We could go back to our condo. It’s not far. You could carry me piggyback and probably won’t even get winded.”
“Someone should make sure you get home safely.”
She switches the conversation to dancing. I don’t dance. Not since an unfortunate junior high dance where my enthusiasm resulted in ripping my pants.
Ignoring her pleas, I change the subject. “Looks like someone got her second wind.”
“One hundred percent. I have amazing rebound skills.” She wiggles her eyebrows to let me know she’s not only referring to drinking. She’s as subtle as a billboard.
And yet I find her charming. I need to know more about her before continuing down the slippery slope into bed. I ignore the sexual overtone of her rebound comment and ask something more personal.
“Is that what this is all about? Some guy back home break your heart?”
Her nose wrinkles and she shakes her head. “So last year’s news.”
“You’re single?” I need her to confirm it. I usually practice don’t ask, don’t tell with the ski bunnies, but she’s different. I don’t want to be a side piece, even if it’s only for one night.
“Single as the Beyoncé song.” She wiggles her fingers at me. “Nobody’s put a ring on it. Let’s have some fun.”
I open my mouth to ask what she means and she kisses me again. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I’m curious to see where the night takes us.
Grinning down at her, I tap her nose with my index finger. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Her eyes widen and she freezes. “Hold that thought!”
When she runs back inside the bar, I’m left standing alone outside, semi-hard and completely confused.
Normally, I take the lead with women. I make the first move and I’m the one who does the seducing. Mara hasn’t given me the chance.
No woman has ever had me so worked up with only a kiss. Ever. Lust buzzes through my blood, which is quickly settling in my dick. Beyond the base physical reaction, she makes me laugh and I’m sure I have a stupid grin on my face. It’s been months since I’ve felt like doing either. For the first time in a long time, I want to get to know someone. She’s sparked a passion inside of me I thought had disappeared. The chemistry we share with our clothes on promises mind-blowing sex.
Chapter 13
Mara
JESSE KISSED ME.
Even though it’s late in Boston, I call my friend Sofie on the drive home from Aspen.
Jesse kissed me again.
Sofie picks up right before I’m about to give up. “Let me guess, you didn’t get laid.”
“Why would you assume such a thing?”
Jesse kissed me.
She yawns. “Because you’re calling me. What time is it?”
“Late. I went to the movies.”
And the hot guy from two years ago kissed me out of nowhere in the middle of a restaurant. He might have a famous girlfriend, but he still kissed me.
“Dinner and a movie sounds like a lovely, respectable, and boring first date.”
“I went to the movies with another guy.”
Who kissed me in front of the awful date.
“You double-dipped? Who is this pretending to be Mara?”
“I’m not going to look that up on Urban Dictionary to confirm, but I’m confident I can say no.”
The kiss tonight was just as amazing as I remember from two years ago. Maybe better because this time I was fully sober. He kissed me.
“Do you like the movie man?”
I fan myself. She can’t see me. “Um …”
I haven’t told her about Jesse because I don’t know what to say.
“Do you at least like him more than the excuse to get crepes? I’m guessing yes, since you went to the movies with him after dinner.”
I give her the recap of the date disaster, but leave out the kiss. I’m not sure why. I feel protective of the moment, like a tiny speckled egg in a nest.
“Life is too short for bad dates, Mara.”
“I think this was the universe reminding me. No more.”
“Tell me about the second act. I notice you didn’t answer me when I asked if you like him.”
“I can’t decide. He’s hot and cold with me.”
Jesse’s dimpled smile and gorgeous eyes are warm. The kiss was insane, but then he sat next to me in a movie without touching me again. Honestly, even being close to him and not touching, was hot. Nothing cold about the man.
Then we parted ways after with nothing more than a wave and a reminder about his offer of ski lessons. Not hot. Plus, the Willow Cross canoodling. I want to ask, but haven’t. Mostly because I’m a wimp. Same reason I haven’t told him we’ve met before.
“Better than tepid.” Sofie yawns through the words.
I’m lost in thoughts about the kiss and how he stared at me during the movie. He’s the king of mixed signals.
&n
bsp; “Mara? Are you still there?”
“I went out with Jesse.” I exhale the relief of sharing the truth with someone.
“Ah, movie guy has a name.”
“Yes, it’s Jesse.”
“I caught that part.”
“No. He’s Jesse.” I wait for the two-year-old lost shoe to drop on her head.
She yawns. “Nice name. If you go out, you’ll be his girl. Are you prepared for the Springfield jokes?”
I growl with exasperation. “He’s Jesse from the note. Two years ago? My one-night stand disaster?”
This is the first time I’ve said the words out loud to anyone since running into him and making the connection.
“Hold the phone.” She laughs. “I guess I already am. You randomly ran into him again at dinner?”
“Not exactly.”
“You’ve been holding out on me.”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks since I saw him.”
“What?” her voice shrieks through the car’s speakers. “Tell me everything. What did he say when he saw you again?”
I explain the entire rescue on the mountain and the helmet gift. I still don’t mention the kiss. “He has no idea who I am. Or remembers we may or may not have had drunken sex.”
She hums for a moment, then pauses. “You need to refresh his memory.”
The kiss should’ve done that.
Stupid fairy tale magic.
“How? Dive on him from a bar top? Invite him to my bedroom, then pass out?”
“Those are options, but why don’t you do the whole ‘you look familiar’ act and see what he says?”
“We’ve hung out multiple times. Isn’t it too late?” Yes, I’m qualifying the grocery store spying and parking lot loitering as hanging out together. We spent time talking and laughing. It’s one of my better dates as of late. Much better than sitting across from Landon.
“Figure it out. If he’s hot and single, you should take advantage of life presenting you with a second chance.”
Sofie’s deep when she’s half asleep. “Get this sorted out before my visit. I want him to bring along cute friends for me.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
We sign off as I make the turn down the lane to the ranch.
The almost full moon shines bright in a cloudless sky. The snow glitters in the semi-darkness and there’s enough light to cast shadows.
I inhale the crisp, tart night and exhale a puff of warm air.
For a night that started out terribly, it ended pretty well.
Sitting next to Jesse for hours in the dark might be the best kind of torture I can imagine.
You can do better.
His words echo in my head. He never did give me a straight answer about what he meant.
Better than Landon? Well, that’s obvious.
Better than being alone?
Better than him?
I’m still mulling it over as I let out Tapper for his pre-bed ritual. He hop-walks along the fence of the goat pen, casting a shadow against the snow. Not one to dawdle when it’s freezing, he beats me back to the door. Inside, Fred and George are each asleep on one of the pillows on my bed. Tapper hops up and takes his place on the blanket at the foot of the bed. They all look cozy enough I hate to move them, but I’m the adult in this family. I’m the only one with opposable thumbs. Sometimes I need to remind myself who’s in charge.
You can do better.
Jesse’s right. I can do better.
I didn’t move here to be boring and waste time with people I don’t like.
I can do better.
I press my fingers against my lips, still feeling the lingering press of his mouth.
Much better.
I’m wearing a sombrero and my head is being shaken by a well-endowed woman in a lovely, multi-color dress.
No, I’m not on vacation in Mexico.
It’s Taco Tuesday night at the Cantina in Snowmass.
Apparently, taco night involves tequila shooters, which require another person to violently shake my head after each shot.
I’ve entered the girl bonding phase of being new to town.
When Mae texted and invited me to their weekly tradition, I happily said yes, and here we are. Dinner’s over and the energy shifts to a party atmosphere. The bartender cranks up the music and a few people dance near the bar.
Sage and her best friend Zoe join us. Where Sage is pale and bohemian with lavender tips in her hair, Zoe is the dark to her light. More curvy like me, Zoe has long dark hair and dark eyes.
Most of our conversation tonight has centered around Zoe and her boyfriend, Neil. He’s starting to talk about moving home to Chicago and she wants to stay. Zoe works as a massage therapist. Sage teaches barre classes and works at Cheeks, a lingerie shop. She says she does it for the discount, but I know from the ranch she’s loaded. Mae grew up here and is back for the season to snowboard, waiting tables at La Belle Femme at night.
Everyone has a current gig to make life here possible. The girls sympathize and bemoan the reality of trying to make a life in a resort town. Long-term relationships are tough here. Mae and I are solidly single. Sage has been with Lee for almost a year, so they’re still in the honeymoon phase.
“Have you seen Lee?” Mae asks me. Tonight her hair is in two braids wrapped around her head. She looks like the kind of woman who can master everything she finds on Pinterest on her first attempt. Her sweater might be handmade. By her.
“We’ve only met once,” I say.
“He’s dreamy.” Zoe sighs, and we all nod.
“Much better without his man bun.” Sage gets a dreamy, unfocused look to her eyes. “Which is worse for me. Women throw themselves at him right in front of me.”
“Hot guys around here all have the same problem,” Zoe says. “Women come into town, looking for a one-night stand to check off a box on their fantasy list.”
I almost raise my hand and plead guilty. “What about Jesse? Ski patrol?”
Yes, I’m asking if he’s a manwhore.
“Hayes? Nah. Maybe a few years ago, but now he keeps to himself, his dog, and old friends.” Mae stares at me like she knows exactly why I’m asking the question.
He called Willow an old friend. Is this code for something more?
“More shots,” Sage shouts. “Enough talk of men. This is girls’ night.”
I wave off the lovely waitress with her bottles. “I’m good.”
“Do you know why Taco Tuesdays are girls only nights?” Sage yells over the music.
My brain still sloshes around in my head after the shot. “No, why?”
“Because of the pink taco.” She solemnly nods as if she’s sharing Illuminati level secrets with me. “Think. About. It.”
I do. I try, but have you ever had a shooter and then tried to think? The two are mutually exclusive. You’d have better luck pushing magnets together with the same poles facing each other.
Mae puts me out of my misery. “Taco is a euphemism for vagina.”
I snort. Okay, this definitely puts a different spin on the C U Next Tuesday saying.
Whoa, maybe there is a shadow society and it’s run by women.
I’m still giggling when Zoe declares the evening moon to be full.
“You know what this means, ladies.” She stares at each of us in turn, finally locking eyes with me last.
I have no idea. Do we strip off our clothes and howl at the moon?
“Hot tub hijinks!” the rest of the women cheer in unison.
“What?” My voice comes out in a screech.
“Come on, say you’ll join us.” Sage’s genuine happiness shines through her smile. “It’s completely silly, but we always have a fun time. Please come.”
“Okay,” I agree, because she’s nice and I’m trying to keep my promise to myself.
Chapter 14
Mara
“ARE YOU SURE we’re not going to get arrested?” I whisper while Mae climbs the fence surrounding the hot
el pool and hot tub. “Can’t we pretend we’re guests and lost our key?”
“Amateur move. They’ll never give out a replacement key if we don’t show ID matching the reservation.” She hops down on the far side, silent and stealthy like a ninja-cat woman.
A quick turn of the lock and the remaining three of us stumble through the opening, shushing each other’s giggles with louder voices than the laughter. The only illumination of the area comes from the small landscape lights along the perimeter. Neither the pool nor the hot tub are lit up. Better for trespassers like us.
Mae helps Sage pull the insulation cover from the hot tub. “Come on, we can change and grab towels in the pool house.”
Steam rises from the large circle of water like a witch’s cauldron.
Or a soup pot.
I shudder and tell myself a five-star hotel must run daily chemical checks.
Of course they must.
Daily.
This isn’t a no-tell motel outside the Vegas strip.
Losing my bravado, I hesitate while the other women weave their way around the pool to change.
“What are we changing into? I didn’t wear a suit under my dress.” I eye Mae. “Was I supposed to?”
“No, the whole point is to skinny dip. Or go the two percent route.”
She’s lost me entirely.
“Like the milk?”
“The good stuff’s not completely out, but neither are you fully clothed?” She gives me a hint, which goes over my head.
I stare at her blankly.
With a sigh, she spells it out for me. “You can wear your underwear.”
Sage pipes up, “Don’t you dare wear good lingerie in chlorine! It’ll be ruined forever.”
I love that she thinks I have good lingerie. “I live in scrubs and clogs, do you really think I’m wearing fancy French lace underneath it all?”
“You should be.” She opens the door to the little building housing the changing rooms. “Come see me at Cheeks and I’ll get you set up. Do you have a boyfriend? He’ll love it, too … but you should get it for yourself.”
I shake my head, but as I think of Jesse, I smile.
“Ah, there’s someone you like? Then you definitely want to come see me. Think of it as confidence booster.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “And you have to tell me who it is. Local? Someone I know?”
Crazy Over You (Love with Altitude #2) Page 10