Page 30 of A Bear Ski Instructor Christmas

“I’ve been thinking the same thing ever since I got here,” she countered with a smirk that knocked another inch into his erection.

“Why don’t we take this someplace else?” He needed to get the heck out of this hot, stuffy Santa suit. Even more, he needed to take every strip of clothing off her to reveal the wonder underneath.

Even before she nodded in agreement, he was already getting to his feet, carrying her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he cupped her bottom as he made his way toward his bedroom. Once there, he set her down and quickly divested himself of his Santa suit, plus the hat, and helped her out of her sweater and trousers.

Michael stood back, gazing at her naked body in amazement. “You’re…beautiful.”

She looked a little embarrassed at his words. Michael couldn’t see why. He came closer, his hands settling on her narrow waist, and exhaled softly. If she’d been beautiful with clothes on, she was a total knockout without them. The sight of her standing before him made his brain short-circuit and set his body aflame at the same time. Man, what he wouldn’t do to plant kisses all over her soft, creamy skin. What he wouldn’t do to be inside her right now…

Her gaze dropped, and he followed it, unable to resist a sheepish grin. His erection throbbed proudly before him—as ifshe needed any more evidence of the desire coursing through him. When he brought his gaze back to her face, there was a gleam in her eyes. That was all it took. Michael pulled her into a kiss, running his hands up her arms, through her hair, along the smooth curve of her back. She arched against him with a sigh, her breasts crushed against his chest, and he felt her nipples harden.

He led her toward the small bed and eased her gently onto it without breaking the kiss. Before he could make another move, she flipped them over with surprising strength so that he was underneath her. He blinked at her in surprise.

“Allow me,” was all she said, and before he could protest, she trailed her hand down his chest in a tantalizing motion, finally curling her fingers around his pulsing erection. A groan of pleasure escaped his lips, and excitement continued to build up inside him.

She kept her fingers curled around him even as she lowered her lips to his pulsing head and licked it, sending a shiver through his body. She took him into her mouth once, twice, and he growled his impatience. A smile danced on her sexy lips as she gazed at him; she straightened and slowly lowered herself onto him, her beautiful turquoise eyes widening as he filled her.

“Oh, God, I nearly forgot how amazing this was,” she gasped.

She was warm and tight around him, her fingers splayed on his chest as her back arched. He braced his hands on her waist to steady her as she began to move, a whimper escaping her lips, rising to a moan as she picked up the pace. Michael saw her facial muscles contort with pleasure. The silver pendant on her necklace gleamed, dangling above his face.

Exhilaration coursed through him as she rode him, her hips jerking and her bottom slapping against his thighs with each thrust. Michael felt his climax draw nearer, and he gripped her waist tighter, grunting his pleasure through clenched teeth.

“Michael,” Rachel panted. “You feel so good. You—” She threw her head back in a moan, and he gazed up at her, marveling at the sheer sight of her.

This was his woman. She was his, as unbelievable as it sounded.

Only he didn’t couldn’t remember her, not the way he needed to.

She wasnothis woman.

“Oh, Michael,” she moaned again. “I’m going to—”

Her body seized as she came, a cry erupting from her lips as spasms rolled onto his cock. She continued to ride him until his climax hit him a moment later, and he, too, gave a jerk as he spilled his seed into her. A deep groan parted his lips, and he let his hands fall from her waist, panting in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

Rachel lowered her body completely onto his, planting a kiss on his lips before resting her head on his heaving chest.

“I love you,” he heard her say.

I love you?

Michael’s breathing faltered. His lips parted, but no sound came out, and he felt a wave of relief when, after what felt like an eternity, he heard her gentle snores.

***

Michael wished he wasn’t in his head so often. It wasn't good for quality sleep.

It was still mostly dark the next morning when he crept out of his cabin, skis clutched under his arm, and made his way through the silent village to the entrance. Alone, he carefully put on his skis and faced the slope stretching before him, gripping his poles tightly.

A short skiing trip down the mountain was in order. He’d barely gotten any rest in hours, and it wasn’t simply because he hadn’t been alone inside his cabin. It was the thoughts thatswirled around his mind, keeping him company. Christmas Day had arrived. In a few hours, all of Melinor would be awake and celebrating. For now, the morning was cold and dead, perfect for the time alone he needed to go over his thoughts about what had happened last night.

Last night.

God, if she hadn’t been curled up against him when he opened his eyes at midnight, he might’ve been convinced that he had imagined it. But she was back in his cabin, lying stark naked and welcoming on his bed. The mere memory of her eyes widening as she rode him was enough to fill his body with warmth as he pushed off the spot and sped downhill, the icy wind blasting him in the face. Christmashadcome early last night.

And then she’d told him she loved him.

The words had hit him like a speeding sleigh, leaving him unable to come up with a response. Did she love him? Well, it made sense if they’d been a couple before he arrived on Frost Mountain. But despite the sparks that flew around in his chest whenever he saw her, saying I love you to someone he barely remembers beyond the past few weeks seemed a little…rushed.

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