Holly“There you are,” Merryweather said as soon as Holly walked in. “I was afraid you were going to be late.”“For returning my gear?” Holly asked, handing the skis, poles, and helmet off to Merryweather.“No for your hair appointment,” Merryweather replied. “I’m managing a couple of stations today. The snow has us a little short-handed.”“Oh.” Holly nodded as she sat down on a small wooden bench and took off her boots. She groaned with pleasure at the sensation of loosening the boots. They fit perfectly, but they were still ski boots and made to keep her ankles immobilized. It felt good to move them again.“Come with me,” Merryweather said, motioning Holly to just leave the boots on the floor. “I’ll take you up.”Holly slid on her regular snow boots from the small storage area and followed Merryweather into the lobby. They went past the check-in desk and up a wide staircase. The hotel was quiet.“What do you think of the snow?” Merryweather asked as they walked. “The weatherman is s
MerryweatherThey were perfect for one another. Merryweather could see the strands of love starting to bind them together. The magic of love mixed with the magic of Christmas, making a heady combo for Merryweather to work with.She rubbed her hands together once again, excited at the possibilities before her.Love like this didn’t happen every day. This was where magic came from.Holly“Hot damn, girl!” Aliyah whistled when Holly walked into the bedroom of their suite to grab her shoes. “Where did you get that dress?”“It was from the hotel. Kind of a fluke thing,” Holly replied. “You like it?”“Like it? I love it. It’s perfect. It’s like it was made for you,” Aliyah told her. “You look like a freaking princess.”Holly looked over at her friend, taking her in. Aliyah was still in bed, a big silver bowl in the bed with her. There were saltines and ginger ale on the nightstand.“You doing okay?” Holly asked, feeling guilt creep in at leaving her friend.“I’m doing great,” Aliyah assured
NathanWhen Holly said she was a teacher, he’d assumed private tutor or possibly college professor. He didn’t expect her to actually be a public school teacher, let alone the one he was giving an award to. He hadn’t paid any attention to the name of the recipient for tonight’s award. He never did. He learned it two seconds before the speech and promptly forgot it once the applause came.He wouldn’t be forgetting the name this time.He took his seat next to her, sipping on champagne and excited about the evening. This award just became a lot more fun.“So you’re Nathan Reed?” she asked him. Her green eyes held a touch of concern, as if she were no longer certain of him.“The one and only,” he replied.She looked like she was about to say something, but their food arrived. He was still full from lunch, so he didn’t plan on eating much. He looked over to see Holly had her fork and knife ready, but pausing at the plate.She set her fork down and turned to face him. Her brow was serious an
HollyThe kiss started slow and sweet. It was just his lips pressed against hers, but then his fingers came to her face and she wanted more.A lot more.Her hand went to his neck, pulling him into her. Her fingertips played with the bottom of his hair. He pulled back, her eyes still closed. He smelled of a masculine soap that made her breathe him in as deep as she could.The crowd disappeared from her mind. The band’s music faded, and the laughter receded until all she heard was the sound of her own heartbeat and Nathan’s soft breathing.Slowly, she opened her eyes, looking up and into his handsome face. His cheeks were flushed as if he’d been running in the cold. She could feel his breathing come hard and fast. His eyes were dark, pupils wide and not just because of the dim candlelight.Apparently he wasn’t the only one experiencing the flush of a mistletoe kiss.She kissed him this time. Pulling her into him and wrapping her arm around his neck. There was no stubble against her chee
HollyThe intense and sudden jolt of desire caught her breath. Every fiber in her being said she was doing the right thing. There was lust and desire, yet something else too. Something deeper and sweeter than just the physical.She didn't stop to think about or analyze the feeling. She just let her body take control. She let her brain stop worrying and fretting. She let herself have fun.Her hand went to his shirt, nimbly unbuttoning the shiny white buttons. She was surprised to see she didn't shake, even though her whole body was vibrating with need. She tugged at his shirt and he shrugged out of it, barely breaking the kiss in the process.Then, with a smooth motion, he lifted the hem of his undershirt up and over his head, giving her bare skin. She whimpered, her hands splaying against the strong muscles of his chest and abs. There was just enough hair to make him masculine, but not so much to make her think of a beast. The heat of his body through her fingers drove her wild.She f
NathanNathan woke to the soft sound of snoring.He opened one eye, and found the most beautiful woman in the world sleeping next to him. Her head had fallen off the pillow, but her arm was draped across his chest. He smiled, watching her sleep for a moment.He still couldn’t believe this was real. The connection. The way she made him feel. It was like fireworks going off inside of him the moment he touched her. He felt like a sixteen-year-old boy, unable to contain his unending enthusiasm for her. Luckily, he managed to perform better than a sixteen-year-old boy.Not to mention, he’d felt this attraction before she knew who he was. That almost kiss after the snowball fight told him that she’d wanted him even then. For the first time in a long time, he felt confident that she wasn’t just interested in him for his money.She actually liked him. That alone made her precious to him.She murmured in her sleep, moving closer to him. The sheet fell from her chest, exposing one perfect breas
HollyWhen Nathan said that he had a private pool, Holly had assumed it would be something like a hot tub near the main pool, maybe slightly enclosed or with some potted plants making it more private.She was wrong.It was a private pool that was very private.The resort’s hot-spring river started at the base of the mountain and ended at the big swimming pool just outside the main building. A steaming creek meandered around the property with small ponds branching off at various locations as it snaked down toward the main pool. There were bigger public pools for up to ten people, and smaller quiet pools that fit three or four. Trees and bushes helped create the illusion that there was lots of space between the pools and gave some privacy. The best pools were gated off from the others, but the very best were hidden.Nathan’s was one of the hidden pools. If she hadn’t seen him open the gate, she would have thought it was just another line of evergreen trees and not a separate area. Inste
NathanNathan had always loved this pool. It wasn't just that he beat Graham to it, although that did make it sweeter. There was a peacefulness to this pool. A quiet. He felt serene and comfortable here. He'd spent many hours in this particular place, watching the sky and the water.Today, it became cemented as his favorite place in the whole world.And it was all because of Holly.He'd loved watching her strip down to her cute little bikini. She seemed shy and slightly unsure of her body, but he found her absolutely stunning. She had curves. She was human and there wasn't a piece of plastic in her. It was a nice change from the Barbie-doll like women he'd found in California.And then she took off her top and he forgot everything.“Wow,” he whispered, his eyes staring at the beauty in the water.Holly grinned, looking sexy as hell.“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he asked her, moving his hands through the water to cup her breasts. She was so soft under his fingers that he n