Page 107 of Forbidden Flame

“Are you feeling more confident now?” I asked Cole.

He nodded. “We can go if you’re feel okay about it.”

“I’m good,” I said as I turned to him, and we headed toward the food truck. Cole bought both of us drinks. Then we walked until we found an open pit. Most people were on the slopes already. They wouldn’t return until lunch time.

Cole sat in one of the chairs, then pulled me into his lap.

I looked around. “Aren’t you worried someone will see us?”

“Not with all this gear on,” Cole said with confidence as he leaned back in the chair and pulled me with him. “I missed you.”

“We just saw each other this morning.” The memory of us having sex in the shower was still clear in my mind.

He leaned in and kissed my lips. “You think we have time for a quickie?”

“I’m comfortable leaving Izzy with Xander, but not enough to get naked in my hotel room.”

Cole tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Last night, Teddy introduced us to the hotel manager and his friend, Eli. He said he’d make sure his brother, Xander, was Izzy’s instructor today. He’s the best teacher here. That’s why I wasn’t worried.”

“Maybe I’m concerned for a different reason.” Cole’s gaze was on the fire, but I touched his chin and tipped it so he faced me. “Is there a possibility that you were jealous?”

Cole’s forehead wrinkled. “What? No.”

I tipped my head to the side to consider him better. “Are you sure about that? Xander was standing next to us when you arrived.”

Cole looked away from me. “Why would I be jealous?”

“I don’t know. Xander’s a handsome guy, fun and easy to be around.”

Cole pursed his lips. “Maybe if you’re a kid.”

I laughed at that. “You are jealous.”

Cole scowled. “So? What if I am?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You’re adorable.”

“I’m definitely not adorable or cute, or whatever else is going on in that head of yours,” Cole insisted, and it only made me laugh harder.

By the time I’d recovered, he was more relaxed. “I’m glad I can amuse you.”

“It felt good. That’s all.” I snuggled into his chest, watching the fire dance.

“It felt good that I was jealous?” he asked, and I felt the rumble of his voice through my ear.

I nodded, and when I looked up at him, he dropped a kiss on my lips. We talked about the upcoming season, and how busy we would soon be. Eventually we fell silent, staring in companionable silence at the crackling fire. Flurries had begun to fall from the sky, and it felt like we were in our own bubble while the rest of the world carried on around us.

“I wish we could always be together like this. That we didn’t have to hide.” I stopped talking, worried I’d said too much.

“It might be possible. I was thinking of buying a house.”

I sat up. “Why would you do that? I thought you were content living on the farm in Heath’s cabin.”

“My sister pointed out that none of its mine, not the cabin, the farm, or Heath’s business. He might want to partner with me at some point, but right now, I have nothing to my name. What’s the point of all this money in savings if I can’t buy something for myself?”

“I just assumed you’d always live on Monroe farm.”

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