Page 7 of Snow Drift

His hand moves slowly along my waist, then down over hip to caress my thigh through my worn jeans. His other palm runs up and down my back, holding me close as his tongue finds mine in a beautifully intimate moment. Our breath mingles, making me feel so close to him.

Time stops as we cuddle, kissing and caressing, our bodies slowly exploring as we become more comfortable with each other. Catching a glimpse of us in the mirror, I'm stunned. We look good together. Like a real couple.

Moore lies back across the bed, stretching me out beside him so that we're both propped up on our elbows, slightly apart. "I don't want you to think that I'm in your bedroom simply because of the bed situation," he grins. "I want to know everything about you. Or at least, whatever you're ready to share with me today."

I do want to share myself with him. Weirdly, the very fact that he understands I have boundaries makes me want to lower them immediately.

We spend the next hour chatting about movies and TV, and various places we've visited. It's startling how much we have in common, even though he's much older.

We agree that in a small town, you're probably safest at the diner that's simply a woman's name, like Jenny's or Sally's Place. We also agree that when in doubt at a restaurant, order a soda and go to the restroom to see if it's clean before ordering food.

The best night to see movies for both of us is Wednesday, since Tuesdays are often discount nights, and Thursdays are the start to the weekend. It's worth paying full price to have less ofa crowd. I'm extremely glad that he doesn't mention liking old horror movies.

The more we chat about everything under the sun, the more I find myself spontaneously revealing details I've never shared with anyone else.

I trust him. It feels strange, yet right, and…deeply sexy.

Maybe that's foolish, especially given what happened to my mother. But everything in my body and soul is telling me to move toward Moore with every breath.

"I should get back down before the guys send out a search party." Moore kisses me lightly. I'm expecting him to lean closer but he pulls away. "Where can I bump into you by accident after dinner tonight?"

"I usually hide in here. But I might be persuaded to swing by the sunroom for a bit."

"I'd appreciate that. Then I could see you for at least a few minutes if I take a little walk after dinner."

"Why do I get the impression you like this sneaking around?" I ask.

He shakes his head, raising my hand to kiss it tenderly. "I don't. But I don't want you to get into trouble with Mrs. H., and I really don't want you to think that I'm only spending time with you for this part…"

Moore's gigantic body stretches over mine on the bed, caging me with his thick arms. His lips hover over mine as we stare at each other, luxuriating in this wild, sexy energy. I don't feel trapped. I feel…electrified.

His head dips and I brace myself, knowing that I'm about to have the kiss of a lifetime. Instead, he barely brushes my lips. Such a tease! "See you soon, my beautiful butterfly."

Moore slips out of the room, leaving me sprawled across my bed, boneless.

He already knows how to push every single one of my buttons, in the good way. Making a move but not making too much of a move. Understanding that there are things I can and cannot talk about. Knowing that I crave his every touch, so he's going to move slowly and make me want him more.

If I saw him walking down the street, I'd just assume he was your typical mountain man. Now that I know him a bit more? I know that he's smart, charming, attentive, and honestly has his head on straight.

And he's so impossibly sexy that I'm going to risk my job by meeting with him tonight.

5

MOORE

The snow is really coming down by dinnertime. The chalet is wrapped in a thick blanket, muffling the sound coming through the windows.

Although the food is as wonderful as ever, I'm not paying enough attention. I can't focus. Every single thing reminds me of Kallie.

Do the staff eat the same meals we do? Is she somewhere in a back hallway, listening to our conversation? Does she know how very much I'd rather be having dinner with her than with Dylan and Baz?

I'm so out of it I don't even notice at first that Mrs. H. is bringing out our food instead of Maya, the usual server. Near the end of the meal, Baz says, "We're honored to be served by the big boss, but Maya didn't get lost in the blizzard or anything, did she?" We can't help but glance toward Dylan, who has confessed his feelings for Maya to us.

"She's fine." Mrs. H. stares at Dylan as she says softly, "Sometimes people just need a little…break."

I don't know what to make of that. She knows us. We're good men who live relatively close by. Surely she can't think we're random guys cruising for a good time.

I already have serious feelings for Kallie, more than I thought I was capable of.

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