Page 31 of Craving You

And then beg him to get them a room so they could spend the rest of the day naked and tangled up together.

“That was fun, right?” he asked with a dazzling smile.

Ugh…I just want to climb him like a tree…

“It was! So much fun,” she told him. “And now there’s a ski lift that takes us sightseeing?”

Nodding, he took her hand in his and led her toward yet another path. “Once it starts to snow, this will open up again as a full-time ski resort, but I thought I heard that they might do some holiday overlays around the property and still do some dates where you can do some activities without having to ski.”

“Do you ski?”

“Absolutely. The resort was open back then—it had closed for several years and only reopened less than two years ago—and my parents were both avid skiers. I was five the first time they put skis on me, and I’ve loved it ever since. What about you?”

That made her laugh softly. “Like I said, I’ve only seen snow once and it wasn’t while I was skiing.”

“Oh, yeah. Right. Sorry.” His boyish grin was just one more point in his favor. “Okay, so winter sports and activities aren’t your thing—yet—but what about summer activities? Do you swim? Surf? Water ski?”

“Yes, yes, and yes! We’ve always had a pool, so I took swimming lessons before I could even walk. I don’t surf very often, but back in high school, I did it all the time. And I love water skiing. I had to work during my summer breaks all through college and then started working full time once I graduated, so I haven’t had a lot of time to do some of the fun stuff. Except swimming. I do that practically year-round.” Pausing, she smiled at him. “Do you swim?”

“Yup. Just not very often.” They reached the entrance to the ski lift. “You swear you’re okay with heights? This goes pretty high and sometimes it stops for a minute and you’re just sort of hanging there.”

“Max, I’ll be fine. I swear. Just because I never skied before doesn’t mean I can’t handle the lift.”

And she was fine.

For the first three minutes.

Once they started the steep climb, Hailey started to second-guess all of her decisions. Their seat swung a little more than she was prepared for, and it didn’t feel quite as sturdy as she thought it would. She felt herself tremble and she wished she’d thought to ask how long of a ride this was.

Max must have sensed the change in her because he took her hand in his again and softly whispered her name. “Hailey, look at me,” he quietly urged. “It’s a little high and there’s not a whole lot of room to move around, but it’s going to be fine.” Releasing her hand, he carefully wrapped his arm around her and held her close. “Just breathe and keep your focus on my face if the view is freaking you out.”

“It’s just…it’s not the height that’s getting me; it’s the rest of it.” She let out a shaky breath. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be such a baby. I just thought it would be sturdier and roomier than this.”

If anything, he held her closer. “Don’t apologize. It’s going to be okay. Just rest your head on my shoulder, close your eyes, and breathe. I’ve got you.”

Swallowing hard, Hailey let herself do exactly as he suggested, and for the next few minutes, she was fine. Slowly, she opened her eyes and the sight in front of her was truly breathtaking. “Oh, wow…Max, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“You can’t appreciate the true beauty of it all from the ground. With the leaves changing colors, it’s magnificent. And when it snows, it’s beauty on a whole other level.”

“I’m sure, but I doubt I’ll experience that. I’m not sure skiing is in my future considering I’m preg…” She cut off her words because they’d agreed not to talk about it today. “Considering I’m not as great with heights as I thought I was.”

Beside her, his laugh was low and deep and thoroughly masculine. “Nice save,” he murmured against her ear, causing a shiver of delight to course down her spine.

And he smelled good too.

Damn him.

And for the next several minutes, Hailey watched the scenery go by before they started to approach the top platform. “Do we get off here? How do we get down?”

Another masculine chuckle. “We can definitely get off here and walk down, or we can ride it back to the bottom. Whichever you prefer.”

After a long breath, she said, “Let’s ride it back down. I think I can handle that a bit easier.”

“Good girl,” he whispered before placing a soft kiss on her cheek, and that one little thing sort of sealed the deal for her.

At least for today.

Once they were back at the bottom, Hailey was going to suggest they stay at Summit Ridge for dinner, dessert, and…the night.

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