Page 5 of Snow Drift

My heart almost explodes.

Her luscious mouth is so soft and warm and perfect. I'm already addicted to the way she snuggles against me, not because she's cold anymore, but from this wild, electrical connection.

Dropping her hand, I take her by the waist, pulling her closer as our bodies melt together. The blanket hits the ground as her hands wind around the back of my neck, tangling in my hair.

It feels like she wants me.

I want her too, so much. Lust courses through my veins, filling me with need for this stunning girl. Our kiss deepens, my tongue cautiously exploring her soft mouth as we moan together. The things I want to do with this woman…like hear that moan again a bit louder when she's naked, all pale skin and blonde hair fanned out across my bed?—

I almost don't hear the tiny shuffle in the hallway, but Kallie does.

In a blink, she reaches down to grab the blanket, folding it over the couch again. "This is one of the additions, of course," she says, gesturing toward the windows as the door opensbehind us. "The original building was started in 1920, but they kept adding to it every ten to twenty years. They finally finished in the sixties, which is when it became more of a fancy ski lodge rather than just a getaway for the rich people."

We both turn to see Mrs. H. behind us. "Why is the door closed?" she asks.

"I didn't want all of the heat to escape the main building," Kallie says glibly, picking up her cleaning basket.

"I heard her puttering in here so I poked my nose in," I add. "This is such a beautiful room, and the view of the garden from here must be stunning in the summer."

Mrs. H. smiles. "It really is. Maybe someday you gentlemen will add an extra week to your vacation and come visit in July."

Kallie nods politely to both of us, then takes off down the hallway as I pretend to ponder the suggestion. "Have you ever considered having one week in the summer where there are no children allowed?"

She pretends to scowl, but I see the amusement in her eyes. "You don't like them?"

"I like them just fine, but I don't want to deal with other people's kids during my vacation reading time," I say clearly, hoping that Kallie can hear.

I gesture toward the door, closing it behind us as we step out. "Well, I was just taking a walk to shake down lunch. I'd better get back before the guys drink all the whiskey."

Mrs. H. shakes her head. "You'd better hurry before Baz takes over and decides it's his turn to choose the next bottle again. That man just loves trying everything on the shelf."

We walk in different directions down the hallway, and I hope to catch another glimpse of Kallie, but she's gone.

No amount of whiskey will wash away the taste of that perfect first kiss from my lips.

4

KALLIE

It’s been twenty-four hours since Moore kissed me, and I can't stop smiling and running a fingertip across my lips.

Mrs. H. has been on high alert ever since Maya has been getting close to Dylan, one of Moore's buddies. At the beginning of the season, our boss was extremely clear that we were not permitted to "fraternize with the guests".

But these aren't just any guests. They're not random tourists that cruise by. They are nice men who live within a few hours of the chalet, and use our quiet season as their annual sabbatical and bonding time. I think it's sweet that such huge, strapping men have quiet sides.

I couldn't help noticing how their various reading piles had shifted when I went in to tidy the library this morning.

Okay, maybe I was spying a bit. The horticultural magazines had some sticky notes on certain pages and pencil scribbles in the margins. According to his bookmark, Moore is right at the point in a spy thriller where everything takes a serious turn for the weird. I read it myself a few weeks ago. I wonder if we can chat about it sometime.

Of course, that would mean having an actual conversation with him, not just lurking around like a ghost.

I silently dust the front hallway, even though no one has come or gone since the men arrived. After I hear them adjourn from the dining room to the library, I head to the kitchen.

Maya starts washing some pots and pans, so I grab a towel to dry. Mrs. H. turns on the soft jazz station we all like as Rosa goes through her menu list while occasionally stirring a pot.

"You girls have been working hard this week." Mrs. H. smiles, looking almost motherly. "Even though there are only three guests, I know I've given you a lot of extra cleaning and organizing work. I appreciate it. I think you should all take the afternoon off. Lounge in your rooms, just read or watch movies."

I smile back. "With all of the reading those guys are doing in the library, the entire chalet is going to be filled with nothing but bookworms."

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