Page 38 of Merry Kissmas

“I’m sure Kenzie is the only one you see.”

“She is.”

I smirk, and we both get off the lift, stopping once we’re a good distance away.

“Let’s just ski and have fun.It’s been a long time since we’ve spent any time together.”

He nods, but I know he’s going to drill me later on this topic.“Just do me a favor?Don’t pursue her if you’re not serious.I really like the Russells, and they’re like Kenzie’s second family.I don’t want them to hate me because my cousin fucked with their daughter’s head.”

My shoulders fall.“I can’t guarantee you where it might go.We barely started off last time.And I’m not sure she’ll give me a chance anyway.But I’ve always wondered what could have been with us.She’s the woman who always infiltrates my thoughts whenever I date someone else.I think that means something, and I want to see who we could be as a couple.”

He nods and pats my shoulder.“Okay.Just wanted to make sure.”

“I’d never do that to you.I’m sure if all I wanted was sex, I could find that on the hills.”

Just as I say that, three women ski by, all of them looking over their shoulder at Andrew and me.Neither of us pay them any attention except to wait for them to start their descent before we head to the top of the hill.

At lunchtime, Andrew decides to go back to the villa and check on Kenzie and Nolan.I decide to stay at the lodge to have lunch there and away from everyone.I’m not by myself for long because Carter and Faith show up and decide that since it’s busy, they’ll join my table instead of waiting for one of their own.

Wonderful.

“What are you eating?”Carter glances at my plate.

“Chicken salad.”

“Oh, I need something warm,” Faith says and exaggerates a shiver.“Do you think they have soup bowls?Like the ones in bread?”

Faith seems like a nice person, but she seems a little checked out sometimes.It surprises me that she’s with Carter because he said he’s an IT guy, and from my experience, IT guys aren’t really into having to explain things.They always talk to you as though you’re an idiot when you don’t understand something.

“Yeah, a bread bowl.”Carter laughs and kisses her cheek.“You’re so cute.”

I’m fairly certain that if I ever called Brynn cute in a condescending tone like that, she’d knee me in the bullocks.

“I think they had chili and a chicken and rice soup or something,” I say.

After the big breakfast this morning, I needed something lighter, but I was still hungry after skiing most of this morning.I lean back and sip my fizzy pop, staring at the mountains.

“Faith!”a woman shouts across the lodge.

Carter looks over my shoulder then looks back at Faith.“Did you tell her we were coming here?”

Faith shrugs.“I just said we were getting something to eat.”

Carter looks at me.“This woman has clung to Faith since our second run this morning.”

“I think she felt bad for me.She said she learned to ski last year, saw me kind of struggling, and gave me some tips.”

Carter blows out an aggravated breath.

“Do you mind if I join you?”The woman is already pulling out the fourth chair at our table before any of us have a chance to answer.“It’s crazy busy in here.”The redhead looks around the table.“Oh, hi.Who are you?”she asks me as ifI’mthe outsider.

Which I am in part, but I’ve known Carter and Faith longer than this woman.

“Pierce,” I say.

“O.M.G.Is that a British accent?”

Bloody hell.I have a feeling Carter doesn’t need to be upset about all the time this woman is spending with Faith because I’m about to be her new fascination.This happens from time to time when I travel outside of the United Kingdom.She’s probably going to ask me to say certain words just to hear my accent.

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