NathanHe wasn’t quite sure why he invited her to ski with him.Maybe it was her smile. Maybe it was how easy it was to talk to her. Maybe he was lonely. Maybe it was the fact that she rocked the snow-bunny look.Whatever the reason, he was glad he’d asked her.They did three more runs, taking Lovely Lady twice and then Dragon Tamer. She kept pace with him easily. He was a decent skier and had taken lessons from some of the top names in the sport, yet she moved with an effortless grace that he admired.Plus, the conversation on the lifts was the best he’d had in weeks. She didn’t talk about mergers and expense reports. There was no mention of board members and equity payments.Instead, they talked about books. Her tastes were wonderfully eclectic, ranging from romance to science fiction and then to political thrillers. It seemed there wasn’t a book she hadn’t read. They talked about plots and stories. They connected on characters and laughed about things they’d read.It was one of the
NathanThe snow was falling hard enough that the restaurant didn’t have many patrons. It was on the top of a mountain. The only way to get to it was by chair-lift or a snowmobile. As such, they practically had the place to themselves.“Just wait until you try their hot chocolate. It’s amazing,” Nathan told her. “You’ll love it.”“I can’t wait,” she replied with a grin. “I love hot chocolate. It’s one of my favorite drinks in the whole world.”They left their skis outside and hung their jackets on a wooden peg inside the heavy front door. Warmth from multiple fireplaces made the room comfortable after the cold outside. Yet another Christmas tree sat in a position of honor. Nathan ignored it.The restaurant was styled like an old log cabin. The furniture inside was rustic, but the windows were huge. The hostess sat them at a small table in front of the main window overlooking the ski basin.“Wow,” Holly whispered. She sat staring out the window at the incoming storm over the craggy peak
HollyLunch was amazing. And not just because of the food.While the food was delicious, it was the company that made it spectacular. Holly found herself laughing and smiling while she ate. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling.If this were a first date, she’d be inviting him up to her room for a drink.“I’m really sorry to bother you,” the waitress said, standing at their table. “But, we need to close. The snow’s coming down too hard for us to stay open much longer.”Holly glanced outside through the huge window. White, fluffy flakes floated down and swirled around like the inside of a snow-globe. Already it looked like there was several inches of fresh powder.“Of course,” Nathan replied. He looked over at Holly. “You interested in doing a couple more runs? Or we could go to the hot-spring. I have a private pool reserved for the weekend.”“That sounds tempting.” Holly bit her lower lip. A hot spring with Nathan? Nathan in a swimsuit? She wanted it.“We could skip the skiing,” Nathan of
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